Lesson 64

Revelation  - Study of Things to Come

The Millennial Reign of Christ - Chapter 20

Doctrine of the Millennium - part 2

d. The Subjects ruled:

1. All who are saved, the redeemed, Jew or Gentile who are still alive at Christ's return. Dan 7:18 "kingdom given to the saints"

 

2. Israel: Regathered, restored is the central or lead  nation. 

Zeph 3:20; Mt 24:30-31;

 

3. The Nations will also have a role but will be subordinate to that of Israel. 

- Their Role: Isa 2:4; 49:6,22; Mt. 25:34

- Subordinate to Israel: 60:14;  61:5

- Even Egypt and Assyria will have a special role; Isa 19:23-25

 

3. The Worship

The restored Theocracy will be marked by the adoration given to the Lord Jesus Christ.  Isa 12:1-6; 

a. The Worship will be centered in the Millennial Temple. Ezk 40-46 

 

b. There will be established a new order of sacrifices. Ezk 43:13-27

 

c. The priests that will function in this Temple will be from the Tribe of Levi, of the lineage of Zadok.  

 

 

4. Nature of the Millennium

a. Spiritual life

Although primarily the Millennium is correctly described as the political rule of Christ on the earth,  the characteristics of the kingdom will provide a context for abundant spiritual life such as no previous dispensation has made possible.

 

  How is this possible?  

1. The fact that Satan is bound, 

2. That open sin is judged (rule with the rod of iron);   The only source of evil in the world will be from the sin nature.

3. It begins with all believers;

4. According to Isaiah,  "The earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea"  (11:9). 

5. Jeremiah declared concerning the New Covenant:  Jer. 31:31-34.

 

6. The Holy Spirit will indwell all believers in the Millennial kingdom, much as He does in the Church age!   Ezk 36:24-27

 

7. There will be a reestablishing of the "temporary" spiritual gifts.  (sign gifts) 

Joel 2:28-29  (part of the fulfillment of the New Covenant to Israel)

 

b. Physical characteristics:

1. There will be changes in the  environment. 

 

Statement of the bondage; Gen 3:17-19;  Rom 8:20-23; 

 

2. There will be universal  peace,  no war! Isa 2:4; Micah 4:3

 

3. Sickness and deformity will be removed,  longevity of life will be experienced.  Isa 29:17-19; 33:24; 65:18-20

 

4. Unparalleled prosperity will be experienced, not just in the area of peace and justice, but in the abundance of material things.

Jer 31:12-14; Isa 65:21-23; 

 

5. There will also be some changes in the topography.

a. In connection with the temple, Ezekiel predicts that there will be river flowing out of the temple to the south (47:3-6).

The river banks of this river will be covered with trees. (47:7-9) and there will be many fish in it (47:10). 

 

b. Jerusalem and the land around it will be elevated.  Zech 14:10-11

 

#1.  Satan released 20:7 - 10

 

That this must occur is absolutely necessary:

1. To demonstrate Satan's fixed character! 

 

2. It also demonstrates that even in perfect environment w/o external distractions;  man is still a sinner!

 

 

3. Demos that God is totally justified in sentencing man to the LOF.

 

20:8 The result is a rebellion 

- last phrase tells us the extent of the response he had to his message of deception.

 

Principle of Doctrine: There is no set of circumstances under which dissatisfaction will not occur; no environment, no matter how good is free of criticism; the extensive response to Satan's deception proves that.

 

But man's mind/heart will be ready, responsive to Satan's appeal.   

- Jer 17:9  still applies sin the sin nature rules the unbeliever

 

 

What about the reference to Gog and Magog?? Is it the same as Ezk 38-39?

 

 

What this passage is saying is that Satan is going to deceive rulers/leaders and peoples from all over the world and pull them together in a coalition to form this last great revolt.

 

20:9 The Battle is joined!

- Satan and his armies of the deceived vs the saints!

 

No sooner has Satan's army been assembled and God acts!

       "fire came down from heaven and devoured them."

 

 

20:10  Satan's End!

Satan's appeal has run its course; its now time to carry out the sentence passed way back when Satan first fell and was judged.