Lesson 63
Revelation - Study of Things to Come
The Millennial Reign of Christ -
Chapter 20
20:4-6 The First
Resurrection and the reward of the saints
#1 First Resurrection;
Not talking about a first in resurrections; but a
category of resurrection called the first; prw/toj; first, in rank, order,
priority.
- With in what is called
the first resurrection there are 4 distinct and separate resurrections. 1 Cor 15:20-23;
each in own order
1. Christ - first
fruits
- statement
its of importance Rom 1:4
- Statement of fact of; 1
Ths 1:10; 2 Tim 2:8; even 1 Cor
15:4
2. Church age saints; all believers from day of Pentecost to
the Rapture; 1 Ths
4:13-18 i.e. the blessed hope!
- Statement of fact; Phil 3:20-21; 1 Jn 3:2-3
3. OT Saints; both Jew and Gentile;
- After the resurrection
of Christ and at the time of His ascension the soul/spirits of these believers
were transferred from paradise, to the 3rd Heaven Eph 4:8.
- Why are these grouped
together? Tribulation period is a part
of the age of Israel.
4. Millennial Believers; (At the time of Ch-20
not yet occurred)
- final
conquest of death; perishable putting on imperishable; mortal putting on
immortality 1 Cor
#2 Statement of the
length of the Millennium.
- This is the time that
Christ and His bride, the Church, will reign over the nations of the
earth;
- And Israel will enjoy
the blessings promised by the Prophets; Isa 2:1-5; 4:2-6; 11:1-9; 12:1-6; 30:18-26; 35:1-10;
20:5 This appears to be confusing;
need not be!
- Sets the precise time
between the resurrection of the Trib martyrs and the resurrection of the
unredeemed of all ages; here called all the rest.
20:6 Notes the blessing for all those who are a part of the
1st resurrection, the resurrection of life.
The
Doctrine of the Millennium: The 1000 Year Reign of Christ
1.
Promised: 2 Sam 7:8-17
Prophesied: Isa 2; 11; +
many
2.
The Government.
a. The Type of: Since Jesus Christ will personally rule and
reign the government will be a Theocracy.
A rule by God
Ps 2:6
- It will be also be
monarchy since Christ will be King, the sole, sovereign ruler. Zech 14:9
- Because His rule will
be characterized by Righteousness there will be perfect and complete justice
for all and sin will be immediately punished.
Psa 89:14; Isa 11:4;
65:20
b. The Center of: is
c. The Rulers in the
Government under Christ .
- That Christ, when He
returns, is called King of Kings and Lord of lords; indicates that He will be
sovereign over many subordinates.
1. David will be a regent
in the Kingdom. Jer 30:9; Ezk
34:23-24.
2. Authority over the 12
Tribes of Israel will be the 12 Apostles; Mt
3. C/A saints are a part
of the kingdom, and rule with Him,