Lesson 61

Revelation  - Study of Things to Come

The Return of Christ - Chapter 19

 

Ch 1                                   Rapture                 Return of

         7 Churches  Ch 2-3        4:1                    Christ ch 19                                 New Heaven

                                              Trib ch 6-19                       Millenium  ch 20             & New Earth

                                   Vision of                                     Reign of Christ              ch-21-22

                                    Throne ch 4-5                            1000 years                 

 

 

b. 19:19 Tell us who is involved in this war! 

 

- Believe that we can identify 3 distinct sources of influence that impacted them.   

#1. Man/self; Rev 13:14;  convinced that he was invincible; perception!

 

#2. God does something!  2 Ths 2:9-11  strong delusion; the consequence of their negative volition;  their rejection of truth;

 

#3. Rev 16:14;  Satan's demonic operatives:

- Convince or deceive through great signs/supernatural displays of power

 

Note: Anytime you find someone looking for a miracle, some sign to validate, whatever, some experience, some goofy idea, your looking at someone who is ripe for delusion.

 

c. 19:20  The Beast and the False Prophet; Their Judgment!

"And the beast was seized and with him the false prophet,"

 

- These 2 are the first inhabitants of the Lake of Fire, originally prepared for Satan; Mt 25:41. He will get there in 20:10

 

- REV 19:21   

- Here we find the documentation for what we noted in vs:15;

That the rider on the white horse does all the fighting.

 

 

The Millennial Reign of Christ - Chapter 20

Introduction:

This is one of the most crucial passages in establishing the sequence of events in the prophetic time line.

What we will find in this section!

1. God's justice in operation and the establishment of Christ's righteous kingdom.

2. In this passing of the rulership from man to God we have the long awaited triumph over evil.

3. The resurrection of the righteous and the wicked.

4. The destiny of Satan.

5. God reveals the length of the Messianic kingdom, Christ's rule.

 

- This rulership is in 2 phases;

#1 Literal 1000 year reign of Christ; in righteousness; rod of iron;

 

#2 Eternity; New heavens and a new earth

 

 

 

Outline chapter 20

1. 20:1-3  Judgment or binding of Satan for 1000 years

- main instigator, the deceiver is dealt with separately

2. 20:4-6  The First Resurrection and the reward of the saints

- vs:4-5 focus is on the Trib martyrs

3. 20:7-10  Satan's last hurrah, last revolt / incarceration.

4. 20:11-15  Final Judgment of all unbelievers;  GWTJ

 

 

 

Overview - Observations  (wider context)

In this section there are 4 important events detailed related to the Millennium.   2 at the beginning and 2 at the end of it.

1. Termination;  19:17-21  of the rule of GWD, F/P; Kings of the earth;  passing of the rule from man to God

2. Incarceration;  of Satan  20:1-3

3. Release;  of Satan at the end of 1000 years  20:7-10

4. Resurrection;  2nd resurrection  GWTJ  20:11-15

 

 

 

Dr. J. Dwight Pentecost writes: "the millennial age is designed by God to be the final test of fallen humanity under the most ideal circumstances, surrounded by every enablement to obey the rule of the king, from whom the outward sources of temptation have been removed, so that man may be found and proved to be a failure in even this last testing of fallen humanity"  (Things to Come, p. 538)

 

The Millennium proves:

#1 Man is fully responsible for his own condition!

 

#2 Therefore it will show man no one can blame Satan.

 

#3 It will also demonstrate that man can not blame his environment; social or physical conditions/circumstances in which he finds himself.