Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time.
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. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.
Message: The Millennial Reign of Christ
Time: John mentions himself 4 times as author. It was written around the year 95 on John's exile to the island of Patmos after preaching the gospel to Asia. Revelation comes from the Greek word for apocalypse and refers to an unveiling. The book is about the tribulation period with symbolic language, giving us the end of the story -- Jesus will once and for all heal the wounds of sin, reign for a thousand years on earth, then re-create the world into a place that represents God's original design.
What the Lord is Saying: Over the years, my study of Revelation has been brief. I listened to my favorite pastor, Tom Nelson, did a series on Revelation in 1990. And what stood out to me always was Revelation 2 and 3 and the message to the 7 churches for it had application, but the rest of the book has an almost fantasy or future feel to it that I have always struggled finding application in today. But, I also admit I haven't devoted much time to its study. It seems to be a text that has a lot of controversy and different interpretations as well and today's idea of the Millennium is probably chief in disputes.
3 main views of the Millennium have been:
1. Premillennial - The 1,000 years mentioned is literal and actual and after this 1,000 years following Christ's return a new heavens and earth will arrive.
2. Amillennial - The 1,000 years is figurative and represents the time between Christ's ascension and His return, thus we are living in the 1,000 years now. Once he returns, the new heavens and earth will arrive. During this time the gospel will be preached and many converted, but also many will resist.
3. Postmillennial - The 1,000 years will also occur before Christ's return, but there will also be widespread peace and prosperity as a result of the preaching of the Gospel. Society will be transformed and people converted and then Christ will return.
It is hard to say what is right, but it can be agreed that Christ will reign - I Corinthians 15:25 -- For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.
Summary: Christ is ruling and reigning now and despite different views of the Millennial, we must remain united in Christ.
Promise: No matter our views, we should all work together to proclaim the present reign of Christ and His command for all people to repent and bow to His lordship.
Prayer: God, you are great and Your words are true. Thank you for the future and what You have in store for us. I am confident it is great and at the minimum I will see You one day. May lives continue to be changed for the Gospel and to Your Glory. Draw people to yourself. May hope remain in You and what You are doing. Thank you for the power of Your Word and Your Spirit to live in us and equip us for every good work.
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