The Millennial Kingdom Part 4
Revelation 20:4-6
Revelation 20:4–6 (NLT) — 4 Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their forehead or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 This is the first resurrection. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.) 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years.
Satan seized
Chained
Thrown into the bottomless pit.
Kept captive for a 1000 years
Revelation 20:3 (NLT) — 3 The angel threw him into the bottomless pit, which he then shut and locked so Satan could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years were finished. Afterward he must be released for a little while.
Along with The beast (Antichrist)
The false prophet.
Revelation 19:20 (ESV) — 20 And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur.
This removal will dramatically change the world.
Those in rebellion with God.
Revelation 19:19 (NLT) — 19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the world and their armies gathered together to fight against the one sitting on the horse and his army.
We think about the horror of war.
But nothing will compare to this battle.
God’s People will Reign
The kingdom of God (Heaven)
This is when the kingdom will be fully realized.
Remember the Kingdom is now but not complete.
King of kings.
The supreme ruler in that kingdom will, of course, be the Lord Jesus Christ.
He alone is “King of kings, and Lord of lords”.
Revelation 19:16 (NLT) — 16 On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords.
The throne of David
Luke 1:32 (NLT) — 32 He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor (father) David.
A clear sign of His right to the throne.
God’s People will also Reign
Yet He has graciously promised that His saints will reign with Him.
MacArthur: They will rule subordinately over every aspect of life in the kingdom, and being glorified and perfected, they will perfectly carry out His will.
One thing God’s people struggle most with is following God’s will.
I don’t think it’s as hard as people make out to be.
Then I saw thrones…
God’s people are resurrected, rewarded, and reigning with Christ.
4 Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge.
Who are these “people”?
We can look to the Old Testament for an answer.
Daniel 7:27 (NIV) — 27 Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.’
This would include the Old Testament saints.
Matthew 19:28 (NLT) — 28 Jesus replied, “I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones,judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
The followers of Jesus.
Other passages include: 1 Corinthians 6:2, 2 Timothy 2:12, Revelation 2:26, Revelation 3:21.
Revelation 5:10 (CSB) — 10 You made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign on the earth. (See Revelation 1:16)
The Martyred
4 And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their forehead or their hands.
These are the martyred believers from the Tribulation (6:9; 7:9–17; 12:11).
Greek word Pelekizō (beheaded) literally means, “to cut off with an axe!
Why are they beheaded?
Their testimony!
The resurrection
5. This is the first resurrection.
This is a physical resurrection.
This is the resurrection of the righteous. Luke 14:14, Acts 24:15
The resurrection of life John 5:29
The resurrection of “those who are Christ’s at His coming” 1 Cor. 15:23.
The better resurrection Heb 11:35.
A footnote
5. (The rest of the dead did not come back to life until the thousand years had ended.)
The unbelieving dead of all ages.
Whose resurrection to judgment and damnation is described in verses 11–15.
Also called the Great White Throne.
1000 years
What will it be like?
6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him a thousand years.
Will we have bodies?
Will people have earthly bodies?
Think about the resurrected Jesus and the disciples.
