Premillennialism Pt. 5: Will Christ Reign For 1,000 Years On Earth? Text: Rev. 20:4

Defining Premillennialism Premillennialism Pt. 5: Will Christ Reign For 1,000 Years On Earth? “Rapture”: Latin rapere in the Latin Vulgate for the Greek word harpazō [har-pad'-zo] (G726: “To snatch, or catch away”) in I Thess. 4:17, which is rendered by the phrase “caught up” in most English Translations.

Premillennialism Pt. 5: Will Christ Reign For 1,000 Years On Earth?Intro What do the Scriptures teach on Christ’s reign?  The Kingdom was established in 1 st century (Col. 1:13).  Christ is King of kings (I Tim. 6:15).  Christians are citizens of the Kingdom (I Pet. 2:9).  The Kingdom will stand until the Judgment (I Cor. 15:23, 24).  We can enter it now through the New Birth (Jn. 3:3-5; Col. 1:13). Despite these Scriptures (and many more) teaching Christ reigns now from Heaven in His spiritual kingdom, Premillennialists teach He will return to reign on earth for 1,000 years! Despite these Scriptures (and many more) teaching Christ reigns now from Heaven in His spiritual kingdom, Premillennialists teach He will return to reign on earth for 1,000 years! Will Christ return to reign on earth for a thousand years?

Premillennialism Pt. 5: Will Christ Reign For 1,000 Years On Earth? Premillennialists Teach Christ Will Reign on Earth for 1,000 Years Rev. 20:4: Only passage mentioning a 1,000 year reign:  After the 7 years of Great Tribulation, Christ will return to end the Battle of Armageddon (Rev. 16:12-16; 20:1-4). Rev. 20:4 4. Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. Rev. 20:4 4. Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. Satan will be bound for 1,000 years (Rev. 20:2):  Some groups use Rev. 20:7-10 to say the Battle of Armageddon will happen after the 1,000 year reign (Rev. 16:13-16).  Others say it is the Battle of Armageddon that has Christ binding Satan for His 1,000 years reign on earth.

Premillennialism Pt. 5: Will Christ Reign For 1,000 Years On Earth? Premillennialists Teach Christ Will Reign on Earth for 1,000 Years Jesus will sit on a literal throne in Jerusalem and rule the earth for 1,000 years Rev. 20:4 4. Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. Rev. 20:4 4. Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. Peace will ensue that will last till the Day of Judgment At the end of the 1,000 years the wicked will be raised And judgment begins (Rev. 20:10-15)

Premillennialism Pt. 5: Will Christ Reign For 1,000 Years On Earth? Premillennialists Teach Christ Will Reign on Earth for 1,000 Years The essential details of this doctrine are missing from Rev. 20:  Christ’s 2 nd Coming  A reign on earth (No mention of earth at all!)  Peace on earth  Jerusalem  A literal throne  A bodily resurrection  “All saints” – This passage applies to martyred saints (Beheaded – 20:4) Premillennialists insist that 20:4 be interpreted literally! Why should that verse be interpreted literally when so many other things in the chapter and ones before it are obviously used in a figurative sense? Why should that verse be interpreted literally when so many other things in the chapter and ones before it are obviously used in a figurative sense?

Premillennialism Pt. 5: Will Christ Reign For 1,000 Years On Earth? Premillennialists Teach Christ Will Reign on Earth for 1,000 Years  A white horse and rider – 19:11  Jesus having eyes of flaming fire – 19:12  Heavenly armies with horses going to war – 19:14-15  Sword out of Jesus’ mouth – 19:15  Jesus ruling with a rod of iron – 19:15  Jesus treads the winepress – 19:15  Birds eating the bodies of those slain – 19:17-18  The Beast – 19:19  Mark of the Beast – 19:20  Abyss or bottomless pit – 20:1  Key to pit – 20:1  The great chain – 20:1  The dragon and serpent – 20:2  1,000 Years – 20:2  The beheaded souls – 20:4  First resurrection – 20:5  Second death – 20:6 Here are some figurative things in Rev No one consistently interprets this passage literally (They pick and choose which is symbolic & literal) No one consistently interprets this passage literally (They pick and choose which is symbolic & literal) If one is going to interpret the 1,000 years literally, then logically everything else must be literal too! If one is going to interpret the 1,000 years literally, then logically everything else must be literal too!

Premillennialism Pt. 5: Will Christ Reign For 1,000 Years On Earth? Flaws of Premillennialism Teachings on Christ as an Earthly King It makes Jesus a king on an earthly throne  It contains the idea that Jesus will found a later kingdom  Mt. 21:6-17: Yet the people welcomed Jesus into the city of Jerusalem! (As king and ushering in kingdom of David!) Mk. 11:9-10 (Lk. 19:35-41) 9. Those who went in front and those who followed were shouting: "Hosanna! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; 10. Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David; Hosanna in the highest!" Mk. 11:9-10 (Lk. 19:35-41) 9. Those who went in front and those who followed were shouting: "Hosanna! BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD; 10. Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David; Hosanna in the highest!"

Premillennialism Pt. 5: Will Christ Reign For 1,000 Years On Earth? Flaws of Premillennialism Teachings on Christ as an Earthly King It makes Jesus a king on an earthly throne  It ignores Jesus’ rejection of being made a king  Jn. 6:15: He avoided the people trying to make Him a king!  Jn. 18:36: Jesus’ kingdom is not a part of this world (Not physical)  Weapons are not carnal (II Cor. 10:3-5)  Spiritual battle (Eph. 6:12; I Tim. 6:12; Acts 26:18) Jn. 6:14-15 (After feeding 5,000) 14. Therefore when the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world." 15. So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone. Jn. 6:14-15 (After feeding 5,000) 14. Therefore when the people saw the sign which He had performed, they said, "This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world." 15. So Jesus, perceiving that they were intending to come and take Him by force to make Him king, withdrew again to the mountain by Himself alone. Jn. 18:36 (Pilate asked if He was King of the Jews–18:33) 36. Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm." Jn. 18:36 (Pilate asked if He was King of the Jews–18:33) 36. Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm."

Premillennialism Pt. 5: Will Christ Reign For 1,000 Years On Earth? Flaws of Premillennialism Teachings on Christ as an Earthly King It makes Jesus a king on an earthly throne  It ignores God’s prophecy concerning Coniah, the last king of Israel – Jeremiah 22:28-30  Jesus inherited the right to rule on David’s throne through Joseph, a descendent of Coniah (Jeconiah) – Mt. 1:12-16  Jesus could not sit on the physical throne without violating Jeremiah’s prophecy! Jer. 22: "Is this man Coniah a despised, shattered jar? Or is he an undesirable vessel? Why have he and his descendants been hurled out And cast into a land that they had not known? 29. "O land, land, land, Hear the word of the LORD! 30. "Thus says the LORD, 'Write this man down childless, A man who will not prosper in his days; For no man of his descendants will prosper Sitting on the throne of David Or ruling again in Judah.'" Jer. 22: "Is this man Coniah a despised, shattered jar? Or is he an undesirable vessel? Why have he and his descendants been hurled out And cast into a land that they had not known? 29. "O land, land, land, Hear the word of the LORD! 30. "Thus says the LORD, 'Write this man down childless, A man who will not prosper in his days; For no man of his descendants will prosper Sitting on the throne of David Or ruling again in Judah.'" We are presently living in the reign of Christ! (Mt. 28:18; Acts 2:36; Eph. 1:20-23; Col. 1:13; I Tim. 6:15)

Premillennialism Pt. 5: Will Christ Reign For 1,000 Years On Earth? The Book of Revelation As a whole, The Book of Revelation is by means of signs or visions (1:1: “Signified” – NKJ; 9:17: “Vision”) Consider the visions of Christ  Does He literally have a two-edged sword out of His mouth? – 1:16; 19:15  Is He literally a slain lamb, having seven horns and seven eyes? – 5:6 Consider other elements in visions throughout the book  Will a great star literally fall from heaven to the earth, without destroying it? – 8:10  Will the terrible locusts be literal? – 9:3  Will the beast of the sea be literal? – 13:1-2  Will the 144,000 be literal men who are virgins? – 14:1-5

Premillennialism Pt. 5: Will Christ Reign For 1,000 Years On Earth? The Book of Revelation Note also to whom the book is written, and what is said about the timing of its events  Written to seven churches in Asia – 1:4  About “things which must soon take place” – 1:1; 22:6  About things for which “the time is near” – 1:3  About things not to be sealed, “for the time is near” – 22:10 The book of Revelation is filled with symbols and figurative language, written mostly to encourage the early Christians about things they were to soon face! (Rev. 2:10) The book of Revelation is filled with symbols and figurative language, written mostly to encourage the early Christians about things they were to soon face! (Rev. 2:10)

Premillennialism Pt. 5: Will Christ Reign For 1,000 Years On Earth? The Context of Rev. 20 The idea that the 1,000 year reign of Rev 20 is something that begins at least 2,000 years after the book is written is contrary to the very words of the book itself (1:1,3; 22:6,10) The idea that Christ’s kingdom has not yet been established, that it is to be a physical kingdom where Christ reigns from Jerusalem, is not taught in Rev. 20, and is contrary to the clear teaching elsewhere in the N.T. concerning His kingdom and the events of His 2 nd Coming (I Cor. 15:20-28: He reigns till death is destroyed!)

Premillennialism Pt. 5: Will Christ Reign For 1,000 Years On Earth? The Context of Rev. 20 Like most of Revelation, chapter 20 is figurative:  It was written to comfort Christians of the 1st century A.D.  It provided hope to those who faced great tribulation when Satan deceived nations (like the Roman empire) to persecute Christians (2:10)  Satan’s power was limited, and He himself would be restrained for a long period of time (1,000 years, figuratively speaking) – 20:3  Notice, it is only his ability to deceive whole nations that is limited.  His ability to deceive individual people remains unchanged.  During that time when Satan’s influence was weakened, those who suffered dearly would be privileged to join Christ in His kingly reign – 20:4- 6 (2:26-27)  Reasonable to assume that this reign is in heaven – 3:21; 7:9-17; 15:2-4  The passage does suggest a short period of tribulation when Satan is released where he can deceive the nations again, but will be terminated by the power of Christ’s coming and the final judgment – 20:7-15

Premillennialism Pt. 5: Will Christ Reign For 1,000 Years On Earth? The Context of Rev. 20 Like most of Revelation, chapter 20 is figurative:  They reigned for 1,000 years – 20:4  The 1,000 years is used to describe the present reign of Christ in Heaven (Acts 2:30-33, 36; Col. 3:1; Heb. 1:3; 12:2).  1,000 is not literal but is used figuratively to refer to the completeness of Christ’s reign.  The number 1,000 is often used figuratively in Scripture:  Israelites to keep the covenant for 1,000 generations (Deut. 7:9)  Is it literal when God says cattle on 1,000 hills are His? (Ps. 50:10)  God will remember His word for 1,000 generations – but no more? (Ps. 105:8) See Is. 40:8; Mt. 24:35; I Pet. 1:25! Thus a literal 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth is simply not taught in the N.T.! Thus a literal 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth is simply not taught in the N.T.!

Premillennialism Pt. 5: Will Christ Reign For 1,000 Years On Earth?Conclusion What can be said about Revelation 20 (and other highly figurative chapters)?  It is a figurative passage in a book that is highly symbolic!  No one interprets the passage entirely literally; everyone spiritualizes some portion of the book, and even chapter 20!  The passage should be interpreted in the context of the book overall and the rest of the N.T.  It provided hope to those who experienced terrible persecution for the name of Christ!  It should encourage us never to despair when facing tribulation for the cause of Christ today – Christ triumphs over Satan! (Good will win out over evil!)

Premillennialism Pt. 5: Will Christ Reign For 1,000 Years On Earth?Conclusion We can take heart, knowing that even now Jesus is “ruler over the kings of the earth” and we are also reigning with Him! We can take heart, knowing that even now Jesus is “ruler over the kings of the earth” and we are also reigning with Him! Rev. 1: and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood-- 6. and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father--to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Rev. 1: and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood-- 6. and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father--to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. Eph. 2: But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5. even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6. and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7. so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Eph. 2: But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5. even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6. and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7. so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

“What Must I Do To Be Saved?” Hear The Gospel (Jn. 5:24; Rom. 10:17) Believe In Christ (Jn. 3:16-18; Jn. 8:24) Repent Of Sins (Lk. 13:35; Acts 2:38) Confess Christ (Mt. 10:32; Rom. 10:10) Be Baptized (Mk. 16:16; Acts 22:16) Remain Faithful (Jn. 8:31; Rev. 2:10) For The Erring Child: Repent (Acts 8:22), Confess (I Jn. 1:9), Pray (Acts 8:22)