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"The Thousand Year Reign"By GARRETT PAUL PARRISH
www.BibleProphecyFulfilled.org
The book of Revelation, chapter 20, is the only New Testament account of the “Thousand Year Reign of Christ.” Jesus in the Gospels, and Paul and the other Apostles in their epistles, never mention a mathematical thousand year reign. Does John draw from the Old testament with this usage of the phrase A THOUSAND YEARS? We must remember that the book of Revelation is 404 verses, with 278 of them quotes from, or references to the Old Testament. How does the Old Testament often use the number one thousand? With the book of Revelation, we must relearn to interpret scripture with scripture, not scripture with newspapers. It is not the book of speculation, imagination, or Hesitation. “Revelation” means to be revealed, full disclosure, to take the cover off, and manifest the light within. It is to be seen clearly, not vaguely through much murkiness, with hidden occult messages.
HOW DO THE OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES OFTEN USE THE PHRASE A THOUSAND? Remember, that the book of Revelation uses numbers in a highly symbolic manner. As we see with the number twelve, for the government of God, which can be seen with the twelve tribes, and the twelve apostles. Seven is used figuratively for completeness, as in seven days in the week. We see the seven Spirits of God, that is the seven complete workings of the Spirit of God. (Rev.1:4)
In Genesis, Adam’s line never reaches to the age of A THOUSAND, but only up to 969. Adam is incomplete, and does not measure up, but falls short of being totally complete. (Romans 3:23) The totality of a complete measure, which measures to the fullest of something, is how A THOUSAND is used throughout THE OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURES. Utter completeness, was often the idea being communicated with this number. To the highest degree, or utmost amount, is the message being conveyed. Even today we will say, “ I’ve told you a thousand times about this, or that.” Or, “Yea, we’ve got a thousand of those in the back.” The Old Testament is no different.
Deuteronomy 7:9 “…the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to A THOUSAND GENERATIONS;” If God were communicating here mathematically, then with this being said close to 4000 years ago, one would have to conclude that these descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would continue with offspring for another 36,000 years. This would mean that the “last day’s” are no where in sight for another 36,000 years. The math used here, would be multiplying a generation, which is 40 years, multiplied by 1000, equaling 40,000 total years. Mathematics is out of the question here.
Psalm 50:10 “For EVERY beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon A THOUSAND HILLS.” Again totality is the point being communicated, not mathematics. Does God not own ALL of the cattle? Does He not own ALL of the hills, including the thousand and first hill as well?
Psalm 84:10 “Better is one day in your courts, than A THOUSAND ELSEWHERE…” Will a thousand and one days elsewhere, perhaps be better? No, “its completely better than anywhere else”, is the comparison being made. Again, mathematics is out ruled out here.
Revelation 20:6 “… and shall reign with him A THOUSAND YEARS.” A time of complete reigning with Christ. The book of Revelation, drawing upon the Old Testament, more than any other New Testament book, uses “a thousand” without the use of mathematics in the same way as the Old Testament does. This complete reign of Christ was the foretold of stone, that would strike at the feet of “the great image” in Daniel. This stone would strike at the time of the Roman Empire, which was the feet of the image. The image was struck by the stone cut out without hands. (Daniel 2:34, 35, Psalm 2:9) The Church reigned with Jesus as they turned Satan’s world upside down, by binding him, and putting his head under their feet. Satan had been on top of the world, ruling it. At this time, in the first century, his rule was beginning to be turned upside down, as he was being dethroned from his place of ruling authority.
Acts
17:6 “…UNTO
THE RULERS of
the city, crying, These that HAVE
TURNED THE WORLD UPSIDE DOWN ARE COME HITHER
ALSO.”
Romans 16:20 “And the God of peace SHALL CRUSH SATAN UNDER YOUR FEET SHORTLY” It does not say their feet, thousands of years from now! It says, YOUR FEET SHORTLY. Does the word shortly mean anything to anyone today? These “feet” were in His body, the Church. This defeat of Satan was promised back in Gen.3:15 and was fulfilled here in the first century. This is also mentioned to the Church in Thyatira, “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, TO HIM (THE BELIEVER) WILL I GIVE POWER OVER THE NATIONS, AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON; AS THE VESSELS OF A POTTER SHALL THEY BE BROKEN TO SHIVERS…” (Revelation 2:26,27) This is a quote from Psalm 2. This is, therefore, the time of it’s fulfillment, as well as the nature of its fulfillment. It’s not referring to Jesus performing it in a physical kingdom reigning from the Old Jerusalem someday thousands of years in the future. It’s Jesus doing it with a spiritual rod of authority through His body the Church, right here in the first century! The Power of Satan was being rocked to the core and dropped to the floor by one thing, THE GOSPEL! It is the POWER OF GOD! (Romans 1:16) “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and, from THE POWER OF SATAN UNTO GOD! (Acts 26:18) “…I beheld Satan as lightning (quickly) fall from heaven. (The place of ruling authority) Behold, I give unto you POWER to tread on serpents and scorpions, and OVER ALL THE POWER of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:18,19) “Who hath delivered us FROM THE POWER OF DARKNESS, AND HATH TRANSLATED US INTO THE KINGDOM OF HIS DEAR SON.” (Col.1:13) “To the intent that now unto the principalities and POWERS in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God.” (Ephesians 3:10) For His is the KINGDOM, and the POWER, and the GLORY FOREVER! (Mt.6:13) “But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS COME UNTO YOU. Or else, how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first BIND THE STRONG MAN? And then he will spoil his house.” (Mt.12:29,30) The gospel of the kingdom binds the strong man, which results in spoiling his goods/people. The strong man was bound by the kingdom of God’s spreading influence and light. (Mt.13:33) The manifold wisdom of God was being made known by the church unto to the principalities, and powers in heavenly places. (Eph.3:10) Both the invisible and the visible rulers were being shaken from their place of authority. Now, let’s go back to Revelation chapter 20.
Revelation 20:1 “And I saw an angel /Jesus, (Rev.10:1) come down from HEAVEN, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.”
The KEY
speaks of
AUTHORITY
that Jesus exercises from Heaven on earth.
“ALL
(complete) POWER
is given unto me in HEAVEN
and in EARTH. Go YE
therefore, and TEACH ALL
NATIONS… I
AM WITH YOU ALWAYS…”
(Mt.28:18-20)
How
is JESUS’
POWER being
spread to turn
Satan‘s world and rule upside down here in the
first century? And
how is Satan bound and stripped of his
authority and power? Through
the
TEACHING OF ALL NATIONS.
Not
just the gospel, but THE GOSPEL OF THE KINGDOM, WHICH MAKES/TRAINS
KINGS TO RULE.
(Rev.1:6, 5:10, Mt.24:14) Not the gospel of
death, that focuses on when
you die, you go to heaven.
In the gospel
of the kingdom, Kings are made
,through a process of
training/teaching and testing, to become responsible and mature. His power “HAST
MADE US UNTO OUR
GOD KINGS AND PRIESTS: AND WE SHALL REIGN
ON THE EARTH.” (Rev.5:10) This reign comes through
Jesus using His
disciples as His vehicle in administering
the POWER of the
gospel of the kingdom! (Romans
1:16) It
is His POWER
,and
it is He that is with us, operating
through us, exercising power over
the nations, and REIGNING
with us, and
we with him.
“And
he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, TO
HIM WILL
I GIVE POWER OVER THE NATIONS. AND HE SHALL RULE
THEM WITH A ROD
OF IRON; AS THE VESSELS OF A POTTER SHALL THEY BE
BROKEN TO SHIVERS:
EVEN AS I RECEIVED OF MY FATHER.”
This rod of iron/authority is
not exercised by the
individual Jesus, but by the corporate Jesus!
(Rev.2:26-27, Ps.2, Rev.20:6, John 14:23,
17:10,21,23, 26)
Is the key a “literal” key? Is the chain a “literal” chain? Is it perhaps made of titanium, or allow? Would such a chain bind Satan, a spirit being?
Revelation 20:2 “And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him “A THOUSAND YEARS.” A complete binding and stripping of Satan’s authority resulted in his house, family, and children being spoiled and plundered! They “went everywhere preaching the word.” (Acts 8:4) Not in the four walls of a church building, something they didn’t posses (Acts 20:20) ,but everywhere! In the market place, on the streets, everywhere they went as they lived out their lives for this purpose.
We must remember that the book of Revelation begins and ends with clear guidelines for the timing of the unfolding events described within. In the first verse of the first chapter, it says that the books contents are “things which must shortly come to pass…” In verse 3 it says, “for the time is at hand”. In chapter 3:11 it says, “Behold, I come quickly.” At the end of the book it says, “the things which must shortly be done.” (22:6) The next verse says, “Behold I come quickly” (22:7) 22:10 says, “ Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.” 22:12 says, “ And, behold, I come quickly…” And finally, “Surely, I come quickly. (22:20) Is God maybe trying to say something here? Perhaps he is stating the same thing over and over again, so as to emphasis the importance of the timing of the books content? Or, should we use the “day is as a thousand years” model of interpretation for these passages? Remember, that that’s God’s perspective of time. God always relates to man, who is in time (Time, which God created), in a precise manner. The following scriptures use years, as God is communicating to man about how long it will take for specific events to transpire. These numbered years reveal God’s use of time in a very precise manner: 1,3,7,15,40,50,65,70,80,100,120,400,483,490. God can tell time!
The
“thousand year model” fails embarrassingly in the
following scripture as
well. In Ezekiel
12:22-28,
certain events we’re thought, by those under the pronounced
judgment upon
Israel, to be “prolonged” and
“times that
are “far
off.”
God corrects
them and says that, “The day’s are at
hand. ”
(vs.23) And
concludes to say
that, “none of my words shall be prolonged.” If we applied the
“thousand year model” then “shortly”,
“quickly”, and “at hand”,
could
really mean “far off.”
Then
the opposite would be true as well, and “far
off” could
really mean “shortly”,
“quickly”, or
“at
hand.”
The
bottom line is that these timing words could mean whatever you want
them to, if
you don’t take them literally.
We must not spiritualize
(spiritual lies) them. They are
put there as book ends in the book of Revelation, at the beginning, and
at the
end for a reason. These
timing words
have to mean something, because the rest of scripture tells us that
they
do. THEREFORE,
BECAUSE THE
SAYINGS OF THIS BOOK WERE TO COME TO PASS “SHORTLY”
, “QUICKLY” , AND THEY WERE
“AT HAND” , THE SAYINGS WITHIN COULD NOT EXTEND
INTO THE FUTURE BEYOND THAT
IMMEDIATE TIME. THAT
IS, THEY COULD NOT
GO ON FOR ANOTHER “THOUSAND YEARS” INTO THE FUTURE. THAT “COMING TO
PASS” WOULD BE “FAR OFF.”
Furthermore, the “thousand year model” fails miserably again when we examine the following passage.
Revelation 22:10 “…Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.” To “Seal not” the book, is one of Revelation’s final instructions to us. The books ending instructions are that the prophecies within it are not to be delayed.
Daniel 12:4 “…Seal the book, until the time of the end…” Daniel informs us that his book’s ending instruction’s are that the prophecies within are to be delayed. (For about five hundred years, or so.)
Five hundred plus years, are a delayed time span in Daniel’s prophecies, which call for the book to be Sealed. That is, it did not immediately apply, because events were “far off.” Things were to be put on a shelf for some time, so seal the book, until…
If Revelation’s prophecies were intended to speak of events thousands of years in the distant future, then Revelation’s prophecies would be Sealed as well. But they are not sealed, for the time was at hand. Therefore, none of the sayings of the book of Revelation were speaking of events that extend into the distant future, that is, 1000 years into the future, such as would be the case with a mathematical 1000 year reign.
So, when this chapter refers to A THOUSAND YEARS, it is no more to be taken mathematically than is the invading army with “the NUMBER of whom is AS THE SAND OF THE SEA , as we see in Rev.20:8. Is there even a number that goes so high? Shouldn’t it be taken about as “literal” as the key and chain are be taken literally, in Rev.20:1. Of course, there is no physical chain, as there is no PHYSICALLY OVERSIZED WOMEN standing on the moon reaching to the sun in chapter 12. There is no physical SEA BEAST rising up out of the physical sea, WITH SEVEN HEADS in chapter 13. It is all prophetic language and imagery. It’s not in the style of Western minded peoples, relating to the world in hard, cold, mathematical, and scientific measurements. The Book of Revelation is prophetic in nature, and is the most symbolic and figurative of books. Yet, it is clearly speaking to events that were at hand, and were ready to come to pass shortly, and quickly. A THOUSAND YEAR REIGN WAS A TIME OF COMPLETE, AND UTTER AUTHORITY UNLEASED UPON THE god OF THAT AGE, SATAN. HIS RULE OVER THE WORLD WAS BEING TURNED UPSIDE DOWN (Acts 17:6) , DETHRONING HIM FROM HIS PLACE ON TOP TO THE BOTTOM, UNDER THE FEET OF JESUS. JESUS’ FEET ARE IN THE BODY! (Romans 16:20) “HER SEED, IT SHALL CRUSH THY HEAD.” (Gen.3:15) “THE LORD SAID UNTO MY LORD, SIT THOU AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I MAKE THINE ENEMIES THY FOOTSTOOL.” (Ps.110:1) “A PLACE CALLED GOLGATHA, THAT IS TO SAY, A PLACE OF A SKULL.” (Mt. 27:33) (Satan’s head under Jesus’feet.)
Revelation 20:3 “And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till THE THOUSAND YEARS should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.” This loosing is also described in verses 7-9. This was a last ditch effort, a final counter attack, if you will. Truly a battle of the bulge took place. Satan had been overthrown and overturned (Act 17:6), especially during the reign of Claudius Caesar (41A.D. to 54 A.D.). Claudius Caesar puts into Roman Law, “Religio Licita”, which permitted religious rights throughout the empire. The proclamation of the Gospel was given this open door (2 Thes.3:1), until the “man of sin” was revealed. Claudius had been the restrainer of the “man of sin”, until the “man of sin” had him poisoned. (2 Thes. 2:7) Claudius’ name is of Latin origin, meaning; TO LIMP, TO BE LAME, HALT, TO RESTRAIN, CONFINE, SHUT UP, BLOCKAGE, BOLT, BAR, PRISON. Satan remained bolted up, behind bars, in prison, shut up, restrained, confined, and blocked under Claudius’ reign. Nero began closing this open door, which had allowed the word of God to have free course, and slammed it shut in 64 A.D. when he blamed the Christians for the fire in Rome. From 64 A.D. to 70 A.D, the world’s worst and only world wide persecution exploded. This persecution was Satan being “LOOSED A LITTLE SEASON.”
Revelation 20:4 “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands, and they lived and reigned with Christ A THOUSAND YEARS.”
What does the rest of the New Testament tell us about thrones, and judgment given to individuals. Matthew 19:28 states, “…ye which have followed me, in the REGENERATION when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” The timing of this verse is quite clear here. The word “regeneration” is only used twice in the New Testament. Here in Matthew 19:28, and also in Titus 3:5. “Not of works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of REGENERATION, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” Can you say “this is that” scripture’s fulfillment. These clear connections, are speaking of the same reign, upon the same thrones, in the same regeneration. Revelation 20:4 is therefore, fulfilled here in the first century as well.
Revelation 3:21 “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” These first century believers were promised conditionally, to sit with Jesus in His throne. That is, they would take part in ruling and reigning with him. That is what Revelation 20:4 is saying as well. They would have to overcame the temptation to pronounce Caesar as Lord, which was a pronouncement of worship. (John 19:15) They would have to overcome the command to worship the many statues and images of Nero. They would have to overcome and not give their minds (“mark” of ownership upon the forehead), or their service (“mark of ownership upon the hands) as well, and be faithful unto death. (Rev.2:10) They would then take part in reigning with Christ. Even if they died, yet shall they live (John 11:25), and neither would they miss out on reigning with Him.
*For more on “the mark,” examine these passages of scripture: Ezekiel 9:4-6, Numbers 6:6-8, Rev.14:1,7:2, 3, 9:4, 22:4, Gen. 4:15, Exodus 13:9,16, 28:36-38, Isaiah 44:5. The mark’s in all of these passages are clearly speaking of a figurative, non physical “mark.” Even today, we will say, “He’s a marked man.” It was a mark of ownership. In Revelation 13:16,17, one’s thoughts (forehead), and service (hand) was given in loyalty to Emperor/state worship. This occurred as allegiance was made by believing in one’s heart, and confessing with one’s mouth that, “Caesar is Lord.” To buy or sell, one would be required to state their allegiance to this worship by saying, “Hail Caesar.”
Finally, Revelation 20:4 ends as they “reigned with Christ A THOUSAND YEARS.” Again, throw the mathematics out here. It was absolute and complete rule, which transpired from about 30 to 64 A.D.. In 64 A.D., Satan gave it one last shot, as did the Nazi’s in the Battle of the Bulge. This wrecked some serious havoc, but shortly afterwards it was all over for any of Satan’s authority over the saints!
Revelation
20:5 “But
the rest of
the dead lived not again until the THOUSAND
YEARS were
finished. This
is the first
resurrection.”
The previous
verse had physically dead people, who were actually alive, that is,
alive in
Christ. This was
the case, even though
their physical bodies had been beheaded.
Beheading was a method of execution used by Rome. It is believed that Nero
had Paul
beheaded. This
verse has the opposite
dynamic taking place, with people whose bodies were alive, but these
people
were spiritually dead,
not alive in
Christ. Not
alive, UNTIL
after the complete rule (THE THOUSAND YEARS)
was
finished. They came
to faith under fire,
during the besieging of Jerusalem,
in a
death bed conversion. Remember,
these
are Jews in Israel, the epicenter of this tribulation period. (Mt.24:16) These Jewish Tribes,
would “SEE”
/ DISCERN, PERCEIVE, and UNDERSTAND, that
this coming judgment
proved that Jesus was the messiah! (Rev.1:7) The main reason
for this “SEEING,” was
because He had for told of it plainly and clearly.
The leader of these tribes
,
Caiaphas, did SEE
the coming judgment, and perceived that
Jesus was THE GREAT HIGH PRIEST exercising
His POWER!
(Mt.26:64)
Every eye did SEE/PERCEIVE
that Jesus was the messiah, and the tribes
mourned in
repentance. (Rev.1:7,
Zech.12:10,11)
“THE REST OF THE DEAD,
had the blinders taken off at that
point, (Romans
11:25), and
subsequently ROSE FROM THE DEAD (Romans
11:15, Eph.2:1)
in the FIRST RESURRECTION!
Revelation 20:6 “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him A THOUSAND YEARS.” The first resurrection is the Spirit’s quickening, and raising up those who were dead in trespasses and sins. (Ephesians 2:1) The second death is the death/judgment that would fall upon the heads of those who have rejected the Goodnews, and life giving spirit. They would not heed the words of Jesus to be born of the Spirit, neither would they heed His words to get out of the Old Jerusalem/Old Covenant system. Therefore, they would receive DOUBLE, THAT IS, TWO HORRIBLE DEATHS for all her sins. Those who had rejected the blood sacrifice continued in their corrupt, manipulative ways under that works based system. As we read ‘according to her WORKS.” (Rev.18:6) The first death would be their current state of being spiritually dead in this life, and forever separated from God in everlasting punishment. The second death would be going through the physical and emotional horrors and death of the tribulation period. This death was invoked by invading Roman Armies, bringing about physical death, which propelled one into eternal spiritual death, if repentance toward Jesus had not taken place. Therefore, “they that had done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation”. The Old Covenant, works based system, and its ministry of DEATH was judged. (2 Cor. 3:7,20:12-14) We will see the “WORKS”/“DEATH” connection in this passage later. The judgment of “fire” is described metaphorically as the lake of fire. (20:12-14) It is not a physical lava lake here! Such a thing could do no harm to a spirit being like Satan, who was to be cast into it. (20:10)
“Shall be priests of God and of Christ.” Being born of the Spirit in the first resurrection positions one as a priest with the right of access to come boldly to the throne of Grace. This priesthood for believers took place in the true spiritual temple, not in the old physical one about to be destroyed. (Heb.4:16) The throne is the place to bring men to God (In petition for mercy, or judgment) , and to bring God from the THRONE/HEAVEN to men on the EARTH. ( Isaiah 66:1/Acts 7:49, Mt.6:13, 16:16-19, 18:15-20) “The most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands,” (The temple is the central theme of Eschatology. Mt 24:1,2, Heb. 9:8, Rev. 21:3, and if you can handle it, examine all of the “heaven” and “earth” talk in Rev.21:1, which is covenant language.) as saith the prophet, HEAVEN is my THRONE, and EARTH is my footstool: what house will ye build me? Saith the Lord:” (Act 7:48,49) This is the same throne that believers are to minister from, as the we read in Rev. 3:21 , “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my THRONE, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his THRONE.” This throne is a place for believers to exercise judgment. It was also the same place of authority given to believers in Rev. 20:4. Chapter one of Revelation says this very thing. “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (Rev.1:6) In Revelation 5:10, we read, “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
“Reign with him A THOUSAND YEARS.” Kings reign! This reign is spoken of through out the rest of the New Testament. It is never mentioned in a numeric since, that is, in relation to a mathematical THOUSAND YEARS. It’s not even so used in any other chapter in Revelation. Scripture is always confirmed in at least two or three other passages. The entire Old Testament, John in the rest of Revelation, Jesus in the gospels, and the apostles in the epistles, never mention a mathematical THOUSAND YEAR reign. But they do mention a complete reign.
Isaiah 9:7 “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever.” Notice that there is only an increase and an expansion of the kingdom as leaven. (Mt.13:33) Not a decrease and contraction, as we’re being led to believe today by the futurist view. In reality, this evil report is not the current state of affairs in our world today. This self fulfilling prophecy is being fulfilled in American culture though. This is due to the eschatology of the evil report, which says, “worse and worse, and darker and darker unto the imperfect day.” BIBLE PROPHECY MATTERS!
Matthew 19:28 “…in the regeneration (Titus 3:5) when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Luke 1:32, 33 “…the Lord shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: And He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” (times)
Acts 2:30 “…of the fruit of his loins (David‘s), according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne.”
Romans 15:12 “There shall be a root of Jesse, and He that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.”
Romans 16:20 “And the God of peace shall crush Satan under YOUR FEET shortly” . Your feet shortly, in the first century! Not “theirs” , thousands of years away. These feet are in Jesus’ body, the Church, with Himself being the head. (Col.1:24, Eph.5:23, Gen.3:15)
1 Corinthians 4:8 “…I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.”
2 Timothy 2:12 “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:”
This passage in Revelation 20 is the only passage in all of the Bible referring to “A THOUSAND YEAR REIGN.” Therefore, it cannot be taken by itself, in a non figurative since to substantiate an entire doctrine. A doctrine which files one third, to one half of the New Testament into the wrong filing cabinet! Even the rest of the book of Revelation speaks of this REIGN, without using the phrase “A THOUSAND YEARS.” Look up the following such verses in Revelation. (1:6, 2:26,27, 5:10, 11:15, 22:5)
Also, the numerous examples of “A THOUSAND” being used in the Old Testament, makes it clear that it is a figurative expression.
Revelation 20:7 “And when the THOUSAND YEARS are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,” Satan could now be loosed from the binding effects of the Gospel, to go on the attack against the messengers of the Gospel. The Gospel had taken free course, and was proclaimed throughout the empire. By preventing such freedoms, through his man, Caesar Nero, Satan was loosed for a short time. (verse 3) Claudius Caesar had allowed the gospel to be freely proclaimed, “Religio Recita” assured this. Claudius had restrained the man of sin ( 2 Thes.2:3-8) from coming to power, until Nero had him poisoned to death. Nero began to close the open door for the Gospel, and then slamed it shut in 64 A.D. by beginning the persecution. At this point there was to be no proclamation of any God but one, CAESAR NERO! He proclaimed himself to be the son of god, and commanded all to hail him, or else. This began after the Fire that burned Rome was blamed on the Christians, by Nero. Afterwards, the resulting public opinion was used as the momentum to carry out the persecution. This loosing would only be for a short time (Verse 3), but it would be a time of horrible tribulation, particularly for those living closest to the epicenter, Jerusalem.
Revelation 20:8 “And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth/land, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea”
Let’s back out of the trees for a second. We must remember that John is instructed to “Seal not the sayings (Not some of the sayings) of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.” (Rev.22:10)
Rev.20:8 “And shall go out to deceive the nations …” Rome ruled over all the nations within the empire’s grasp. This did not include, for example, North America, Australia, China, Japan, etc.. “And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.” (Acts 2:5) That is, every nation under Rome’s rule. It’s a fact, that none of the above listed nations were represented at Jerusalem. Nero’s edict to hail Caesar as Lord, was a deception that was placed upon the nations within the empire. (2 Thes. 2:10)
Gog and Magog: Let’s identify these players.
“Gog; A SYMBOLIC NAME , prince, head, an antichrist.”
“Magog; a nation, an Antichristian party.”
We are left to conclude only that the symbolic name here is describing one who is against Christ, an Antichrist. They would be A PERSECUTOR OF CHRISTIANS. Who does the New Testament say were the persecutor’s of Christians in the first century? “…The Jews: Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have PERSECUTED US;…Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles…for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.” (1 Thes.2:14,16) “But as then he that was born after the flesh PERSECUTED him that was born after the Spirit, EVEN SO IT IS NOW. (Galatians 4:29) The Old Jesusalem that now is (In the first century, now is.), is the Old Covenant people, in bondage, after the flesh, persecuting the New Jerusalem which is above, the New Covenant and it’s people. (Galatians 4:22-31) How could they carry out a persecution without a military. “We have no King but Caesar”. (John 18:15) An alliance with Rome was formed as Babylon/The Harlot, “THE GREAT CITY”, where our Lord was crucified, Jerusalem, rode, manipulated, and controlled the Beast that was Rome. (Revelation 11:8, 14:8, 16:19, 17:5,7,9,18, 18:2,10,18,19,21, 19:2 ,Isaiah 1:21, Jeremiah 2:2,20, 3:1,3,6,8, 22:8) To identify “THE GREAT CITY”, is to identify Babylon/The Harlot! This harlot rides the Beast that is Rome. (17:7,9) To ride a beast, one is in complete control, so as to direct it’s every move. This point can’t be made any clearer. With the exception of perhaps the timing verses, this is the single greatest key to understanding the sayings of this book. (1:3)
What city was our Lord crucified in? It’s clearly JERUSALEM (Mt.16:21,Lk.13:33, Is.1:1,10), “THE GREAT CITY.” Revelation 11:8 Therefore, the Great City/Babylon/The Harlot is Jerusalem.
Revelation 11:8 “ …THE GREAT CITY, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where
also our Lord was crucified.” (That is, Jerusalem)
Revelation
14:8 “BABYLON
is fallen, is fallen, THAT GREAT CITY.”
Revelation 16:19 “THE GREAT CITY…and GREAT BABYLON came in remembrance…”
Revelation 17:1 “THE GREAT WHORE that sitteth upon many waters. (17:15)
Revelation 17:5 “…BABYLON THE GREAT, the mother of HARLOTS.”
Revelation 17:18 “the woman/HARLOT, which thou sawest is THAT GREAT CITY,”
Revelation 18:2 “BABYLON THE GREAT is fallen…”
Revelation 18:10 “THAT GREAT CITY BABYLON…”
Revelation 18:18 “What CITY is like unto THIS GREAT CITY.”
Revelation
18:19 “Alas, alas, THAT GREAT CITY!”
Revelation 18:21 “…THAT GREAT CITY BABYLON…”\
Revelation 19:2 “…THE GREAT WHORE…” (Acts 15:2,7)
1 Peter 5:13 “The church that is at BABYLON , elected together with you, saluteth you… (Jerusalem)
The
book of
Revelation is clearly identifying ONE GREAT
CITY, which is
also referred to as BABYLON, THE HARLOT,
THE WHORE, WHICH IS JERUSALEM!
Revelation draws from the Old Testament more than any other New Testament book. Does the Old Testament speak of JERUSALEM in these same terms?
(Rev.17:5)
Isaiah 1:21 “How is the FAITHFUL CITY become an HARLOT!” (An UNFAITHFUL HARLOT )
Jeremiah 2:2,20 “…Jerusalem…, playing the HARLOT.
Jeremiah 3:1 “…but thou hast played the HARLOT…”
Jeremiah 3:3 “thou hadst a WHORES FOREHEAD…” (“upon her FOREHEAD”, Rev.17:5)
Jeremiah 3:6 “…hath played the HARLOT.”
Jeremiah 3:8 “…went and played the HARLOT.”
Jeremiah
22:8 “Wherefore hath the Lord done thus
unto THIS
GREAT CITY?
*Ninevah, who came into relationship with God, is once referred to as that great city. (Jonah 4:11) They would “rise in judgment with this generation (as well), and did condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas was there.” (Matthew 12:41) Nineveh repented in 40 days to much less of a messenger. “This generation” in Jerusalem was given 40 years to repent, after rejecting a message from the creator of the universe. Oh, the severity of this judgment! “That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation! (Luke 11:50)
Therefore, the HARLOT rides upon the BEAST/ROME to use Rome’s power and armies to assist in carrying out the persecution. GOG AND MAGOG are the symbolic name for this antichristian party. In the Old Testament Magog was known as the land of the world’s most feared savages, the “Scythians.” Just the mentioning of them brought fear upon listeners residing in the more civilized world. This imagery would bring up this same fear of an invading barbaric army, to listeners in the first century.
Remember, that the book of Revelation uses many Old Testament types, such as Egypt, Sodom, Babylon, and Jezebel. Gog and Magog are simply one of those types. All of these types are now being applied to Jerusalem, “…the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt (Ch.16), where also our Lord was crucified.” (Rev.11:8) This judgment of Jerusalem was to be a Judgment of Judgments. “That upon you may come all the righteous blood upon the earth! (You will pay the death penalty required for that shed blood.)… Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon THIS GENERATION!” (Mt.23:35,36) The same “THIS GENERATION” is mentioned in the very next chapter, in Matthew 24:34. That generation, which at the time would have been referred to as this generation in the first century, is being addressed. Jesus is not addressing this generation today, which would have been a future that generation. Also, note that generation is not referring to race a single time in the entire New Testament.
This invading army is described, size wise, as “the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.” Should we approach this number mathematically? I think not. Similarly, we would not take Abraham’s descendants, being as many in number “as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore, to be speaking in terms that require a mathematical understanding. (Gen.17:22) Neither should we approach A THOUSAND YEARS with a mathematical understanding. Such a conclusion would be our leaning unto our own western understanding.
Revelation 20:9 “And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints, about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.”
“… compassed the camp of the saints, about, and the beloved city.” The compassing, is the surrounding forces of persecutors. These were persecutors of the beloved city, the New Jerusalem, The New Covenant. (Gal.4:22-31) The Old Jerusalem, and the Old Covenant Jews were the surrounding persecutors. The Harlot persecutes the Bride, as Hagar persecuted Sarah. Even when it was Rome persecuting, it was the harlot rider (17:7, 9) of the beast, who was responsible for the actions of the beast. They manipulated Rome, and got burned in the process. This occurred when Rome turned on the Jews in 66 A.D.. History tells us through Titus, that Rome’s strategy went as follows. “The temple is distinguished above all human achievements. It‘s destruction will take care of the root, and the offshoot.” The root being Judaism, and the offshoot being Christianity. “And the ten horns (10 provinces of the empire, each with a king) which thou sawest upon the beast, these SHALL HATE THE WHORE, and shall make her DESOLATE (Mt.23:38, 24:15) and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and BURN HER WITH FIRE.”
Jerusalem was now a harlot, not a beloved city. “THE WHORE…she shall be BURNT WITH FIRE.” (Lev.21:9) In the parable of the Marriage Feast, Jesus for told what would become of their city. “But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth HIS ARMIES, and DESTROYED those murderers, and BURNED UP THEIR CITY.” (Matthew 22:7) The Roman Armies were used by God’s sovereign rule over the kingdoms of men. (Dan.4:17) The tares were separated from the wheat, “gathered and BURNED IN THE FIRE, so shall it be in the end of this age.” (Mt.13:40) The goats were these same tares, who were commanded to “Depart from me, ye cursed, INTO EVERLASTING FIRE.” (Matthew 25:41)
Revelation
20:10 “
And the devil that
deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and
brimstone, where
the beast and the false
prophet are, and shall be tormented
day and night for ever and
ever.”
The unholy trinity consists of Satan, Caesar, and the Circumcision. The devil is of course, Satan. The beast is Caesar, and Rome’s authority. The false prophet is that corrupt religious system of Old Covenant Judaism and the law. The devil had joined Caesar and Rome’s authority, along with Jerusalem’s authority, using both Rome’s and Jerusalem’s law to bring about much death. (2 Cor. 3:7) The accuser was then most empowered. “The power of sin is the law.” (1 Cor. 15:56) Satan now would join his puppets in the lake of fire. (Rev.19:20)
The lake of fire and brimstone is metaphorical language for judgment, not for annihilation. The devil faced this fiery judgment, and is now in torment, and regret. (1 Cor.2:8) His head has been crushed. (Gen.3:15, Mt.27:33 ) Did not Jesus stand on the place of the skull. (Rom.16:20) Satan’s authority has been stripped (Lk.10:18), and he’s been ousted from ruling the world. (Jn.12:31) Satan has been judged, dethroned, and defeated, but not exterminated. “NOW is the judgment of this world: NOW shall the prince of this world be cast out.” (John 12:31) It was a forty year “mop up” period, from 30 A.D. to 70 A.D.. At this time (70 A.D.) the title deed to the earth was established in the New Covenant, in the New Man, the last Adam. (Revelation 5, 1 Cor.15:45)
He
is the accuser
and slanderer, who is most empowered through the
administration and
manipulation of law. First
century Jerusalem
and Rome, were the most corrupt, brutal, and deadly
city’s in the
world. They used
law to bring about this
death. It was
through an iron fist, with
the ministry of death, through the manipulation and condemnation of
law, that
the most crafty within these cities maintained their position of power. Satan , who was more
crafty than even the
beast (Gen.3:1), was the ruler
of these most influential of
cities. City’s who’s influence truly ruled the
world. They were, as history
makes clear, also filled with much corruption and immorality. Rome’s
immorality was external and paraded,
while Jerusalem’s was worse, in that it was hidden within the
heart and
craftily disguised. The
reality of why,
and how these systems operated is found in 1
Cor.15:56, “The
sting of DEATH
is sin; and THE POWER OF SIN IS
THE LAW.” Satan
has full power
to accuse, using law. He
then brings
forth death thru administering law.
Without the law, and it’s most detailed enforcer
overseeing Judaism in
the temple, Satan is dethroned from his place of authority and rule.
At a certain point in World War Two, it was academic, that the war had been won. The rest of the time would be spent on “Mop up.” There would be a final dethroning of Japanese, and Nazi authority, yet rulers of these defeated systems would continue to exist, but not empowered so as to oppose the victors. Christ in His Church, and over the kingdom’s of men is the victor! The gates/strategies of hell, cannot prevail against Him in His Church! (Eph.3:10)
In
the World War
Two analogy, Japan and Germany faced a fiery judgment, yet did not
cease from
functioning as nations. They
became very
limited in what they could and couldn’t do, all under the
authority of the
victors. Satan can
still function, but
is a defeated foe. He
is literally
powerless before Jesus’ authority in His Church. His rights have been
stripped away from
ruling the world. He is not the god of this
“age.”
Only those nations who honor Jesus, the ruler
of all nations, will be exalted as the most powerful amongst nations. In every way,
economically, militarily, politically,
and morally, those nations who
remain the most faithful to the gospel/word of God will be exalted in
all these
arenas. This
exaltation, involves ruling
over the nations who become unfaithful to Christ, or over those who
reject His
grace altogether. “(His)
Righteousness
exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” (Prov.14:34,) Without Jesus
there is no sin remedy,
therefore there is no righteousness for the nation which rejects Him. Any nation
opposing this rule, shaking
their collective fist at Christ, will experience a very limited, cursed
,or
short lived kingdom. “Why
do the nations
rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take
counsel
together, against the Lord, and against HIS
ANOINTED/CHRIST, saying,
Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth
in the heavens
shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.
Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath,
and vex them in his sore displeasure.
Yet have I set MY KING upon
my holy hill of ZION. (Heb.12:22) I will declare
the decree: the Lord hath
said unto me, THOU ART MY SON, THIS DAY HAVE I
BEGOTTEN THEE. (John
3:16) Ask of me, and I shall give thee THE
NATIONS for thine
inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. (Mt.13:44,
The real land promise.) Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou
shalt
dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
(Rev.2:26.
27 says
that Jesus would accomplish this ruling with a rod of iron, which is
spiritual
authority, through His church in the first century.) Be wise now
therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear,
and rejoice with
trembling. Kiss the
Son, lest he be
angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath
is
kindled but a little. Blessed
are all they that put their trust in Him.”
(Psalm 2)
This
Psalm and Psalm 110, are the
most quoted passages in the New
Testament taken from the Old Testament.
Perhaps they are of importance to God, in his revelation
of the New
Covenant within the New Testament Scriptures.
In
Jesus’ rule over all
nations (Rev.11:15), adjustments of grace, mercy and
judgment, are going
on constantly to bring about repentance, rewarding righteousness with
blessing,
and unrighteouness with cursing. Keep
in
mind that when dealing with corporate nations, we must think of each
nation as
a whole, not what factions, or groups within are doing and saying. This empowerment and
blessing comes
outwardly, only after the first place priority of seeking the spiritual kingdom
takes place inwardly. Then
the blessings follow. (Mt.6:33, Psalm
35:27, 3 John 2)
But, I thought after Satan is thrown into the lake of fire, there would be no more evil in the world. If that were the case, then we cannot explain why people are still dying after the “New Heavens and New Earth” of The Book of Revelation, chapater 21. Revelation is quoting from Isaiah 65:17-20, when after the New Heavens and Earth in 65:17, “a child shall die at an hundred years old, but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.” Both die at one hundred, the one as a child, blessed and happy, while the other is cursed and miserable. (65:20)
Nevertheless, people are dying after the New Heavens and New Earth. How’s that wrench? Thank Terry Kashian for this point. By the way, the New Heavens and Earth supposedly brought in after nuclear war takes place in 2 Peter 3, coinciding with Rev.21‘s New Heaven and Earth, transpires AFTER the millennium. Another wrench for doomsday prognosticators.
No physical utopia is seen further after the “New Heavens and Earth” , as there are “nations” in Revelation 21:21,25, who are walking in the light of the New Jerusalem. In heaven, there are no nations, but only one nation. (1 Pet.2:9) If there was a physical utopia, why then is there a need for healing of these nations? (Rev.22:2) If this is a physical utopia, then what nations, and what healing would be needed?
Finally, if all evil has been removed, then where did the dog’s, sorcerers, whoremongers, murderers, idolaters, and those that love and make a lie, come from? (Rev.22:15) These are WITHOUT the city. They are not in the New Jerusalem, New Covenant (Gal.4:22-31, Heb.12:22, Mt.5:14, City of light), but outside in darkness. That is why the gates of the city are always open to those outside in the darkness. Open for them to come into the city with constant light and no night. (Rev.21:25) “The Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will let him take the water of life freely.” (Rev.22:17) There was darkness and light spiritually before the creation of the physical light in Genesis. (Gen.1:2,3,14) This dividing of the darkness and light was from the beginning, so as allow for an antithesis to God’s way’s. This also allows for the opportunity to choose love. “I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord do all these things.” (Isaiah 45:7) He will not take away our ability to choose. Therefore, whosoever will let him take the water of life freely. (Revelation 22:17)
This concept of a carnal kingdom, or physical utopia, is rooted in the misunderstanding of Adam’s sin and death in the Garden. Would Adam have lived physically forever, if he had not sinned? The answer is very clearly inferred. He chose between “every tree of the garden” (Gen.2:16), and the “tree of the knowledge of good and evil. In the day that he chose the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, he surely died. (Gen.2:17) Did he die physically ? No, because that’s not the kind of death God was talking about. Among every tree of the garden was “The tree of life.” (2:22) It was of this uneaten tree, that if he had
eaten from it, Adam would have lived forever. After sinning, he could not eat of this tree, because things would have to unfold in the redemptive plan of God. Now, we who are born into Adam can partake of this tree, and be transformed from Adam into Christ. The tree of life is Christ. (Rev.2:2) It was Calvary’s tree of death, that brought about the New resurrection life of Christ that we all can partake of! “Cursed is he that hangs on a tree, that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ.” (Gal.3:13)
We must ask ourselves, does the word of God change? When it says, “…the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Cor.4:18) , was this truth different back in the garden? Was Adam seen physically before the fall? Yes, therefore he being a natural man, and not a spiritual man, was temporal. (1 Cor.15:45,46, 1 Cor.2:14)) Has this truth changed in the current “state of things” to mean that physically seen things now are temporal, but physically seen things “in the future utopia” will be eternal? How many time does God’s word change? Never! Man did live a shorter and shorter lifespan after sin, because his body was not designed for sin. We now have eternal life through Christ. Eternal, invisible to the natural eye, that is Adam’s eye’s, but this life can be seen by us who are born of the Spirit. (John 3:3, 1 Cor.2:13-16)
Remember, that John is instructed to “Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand” (Rev.22:10) The time was at hand for all of the sayings of the prophecy of this book, not for some of the sayings of the prophecy of this book to unfold.
Revelation 20:11“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the EARTH and the HEAVEN fled away: and there was found no place for them.”
“And I saw a great white THRONE…” First off, we must understand that God’s throne is a none physical throne. We come to this same throne of grace today. (Heb.4:16) It is from this throne also, that judgment is carried out. It’s a throne that seats the highest authority in the universe. On earth ,Moses’ seat was a figurative “seat” that was the “place” of authority for Old Covenant leaders. (Mt.23:2) Rome also had a place referred to as a judgment seat, even one for Caesar himself. (Acts 25:6,10) Therefore, we must establish that God, who is spirt, sit’s upon a non physical throne.
In Matthew 25:31 we see this same great white throne judgment. “When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall He sit upon THE THRONE of His glory:” Is he referring to one made of Cherry Wood, perhaps? No, it’s the same one that he says of, “I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His THRONE.” His Father who is Spirit. (Rev.3:21, John 4:23,24) This throne is in the Spirit. It’s no more physical than the “books” in the next verse (Rev.20:12), or the key and chain in the first verse!
Matthew 25:32 “And before him shall be gathered all nations…” Josephus refers to the Nation of the Samaritans, the Nation of the Botanaeans, and the Nation of the Galileans. He says that Judea is a nation with it‘s own king. Peraea, Idumea, Trachonitis, Iturdea, Abilene, are all described as having princes, or a ruler of a nation. That is with the title “Ethnarch.” Again, we must understand that Rev.1:7 says that, “all the TRIBES (of the Jewish nation) of the land shall wail because of him, as one mourns for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn. (Zech.12:10) In that day shall there be a great mourning IN JERUSALEM! (Zech.12:10, 11) LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION! Where is this all taking place? IN JERUSALEM! (Mt.24:16) “…Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.”(Mt.10:23) The “nations,” consist of the nation of Palestine, and those nations through out the empire where Jews were scattered. The Gospel went out into all the Roman world (Mt.24:15, Col.1:6,23) , every nation under heaven heard (Acts 2:5), nations where Jews had made a decision concerning Christ one way, or the other. With Jesus, or against Him, wheat or chaff, wheat or tares, and in this passage sheep or goats. The end of the age would gather the elect, and judge those who were against Christ. ( Mt. 12:30, Mt.3:12, Mt.13:40) He would reveal the wheat (Manifest the true son’s of God, Old Covenant Jews, or New Covenant Jews-Rom.8:19) , and “burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” The “tares were gathered and burned in the fire.” And to the goats He said, “Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” (Mt.25:41) What is the timing for this fiery judgment? At his coming at the end of the age. (Mt.13:40) His coming in judgment upon “that generation”, at the end of the age. (Mt.23:36, 24:34) Not the end of the globe, but the end of the Old Covenant age. It was His coming in judgment upon that Old Covenant system, and it’s corrupt leaders!
“All
nations” is truly in reference to the Tribes of
the Jewish Nation within Palestine, and those who were
scattered throughout
all the nations. (Acts 2:5, Romans 16:26) “And
then shall appear the sign of the
Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes
of the land mourn,
and they shall see the Son of man coming in
the clouds of heaven
with power and great glory.” (Matthew 24:30) The
“gospel, and the
preaching of Jesus Christ…the mystery…made
manifest by the scriptures…(was) MADE
KNOWN TO ALL NATIONS for the obedience of faith.”
(Rom.16:26)
As the gospel went out to the Jew first (Rom.1:16) and into all the
“world”, many gentiles were,
as we know, converted. (Acts 11:18) Then at the end
of the age, “lo,
a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations,
and kindreds,
and people, and tongues, stood before THE THRONE,
and before the lamb,
clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands.” (Rev.
7:9) All
nations and tribes were divided within
themselves, having those with him/gathered
to him,
and those against him. The
tribes, most of which were in Jerusalem, at the time of His coming in
judgment
upon the city, repented and mourned for Jesus, and saw/perceived
that
He was The Messiah. Even those who were scattered into all the nations,
would
have mourned their city’s and temple’s destruction. They would, for the most
part, acknowledge
that Jesus’ words concerning the city and temple had come to
pass. Therefore,
His words were true, and He was
The Messiah! (Rev.1:7,
Mt.26:64,
Rom.11:25,26, Jn.3:3) Those who were already believers had
heeded his words
to get out of the city. “And
when YE
shall see JERUSALEM
compassed with armies, then know that
the desolation
thereof is nigh. Then
let them which are in Judea (Not Georgia,
it’s not a global tribulation.)
flee to the
mountains; and let them which are in the midst
of it depart out;
and let not them that are in the
countries enter thereinto. For
THESE
be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be
fulfilled.”
(Lk.21:20-23) To
these sheep he
says, “Come, ye blessed of my father, inherit
the kingdom prepared
for you…” (Mt.25:34) To
the unrepentant goats facing the second death, He
says to, “Depart
from me, ye cursed, into EVERLASTING FIRE,
prepared for the devil
and his angels.”
There is a visible side, and an invisible side, to Jesus’ coming in judgment upon Jerusalem. The throne, as we have established is invisible, the invading army is not. (Mt.22:7)
“HEAVEN AND EARTH fled away.” This is the same OLD HEAVENS AND EARTH to be dissolved in 2 Peter 3. For details on this, read the article, “Are we living in the last days?” It’s also the same passing of HEAVEN AND EARTH in (Revelation 21:1-5) For a brief look at HEAVEN AND EARTH, and how these words are used throughout the scriptures, we need first to look to the Old Testament. When Daniel says that, “the HEAVENS DO RULE” (Dan.4:26), he is not referring to anything physical. God, who is spirit, is the HIGHEST AUTHORITY, thus “HEAVENS” is used. Also, the glory of the HEAVENS, speaks of HIS GLORY. (Ps.19:1-6) “His is THE KINGDOM, and the POWER, and the GLORY, forever. Amen.” (Mt.6:13) Therefore, His rule from HEAVEN on EARTH is the plan of God. “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done ON EARTH as it is in HEAVEN. This is the covenant relationship between the perfect, infinite, all powerful, holy and pure God of the universe, coming to flawed man upon the EARTH. Old Covenant Israel was in this covenant relationship with God. We see these same terms, HEAVEN and EARTH, used to communicate God’s covenant people on earth, in ISAIAH 51:16. “And I have put my words in thy mouth, and I have covered thee in the shadow of mine hand, that I may plant THE HEAVENS, and lay the foundation of the EARTH, AND SAY UNTO ZION, THOU ART MY PEOPLE.” The covenant people would have God’s presence with them on EARTH, as a covenant people in relationship with God from HEAVEN.
The HEAVENS are often used in a none physical way throughout scripture. They are exclusively used this way in prophetic passages. The HEAVENS BOWED, as God fought on David’s behalf, in delivering him from Saul. But, none of this transpired in the physical realm. (Ps.18:9) Rather, ruling authority (THE HEAVENS) was being taken from Saul, and given to David. That is the “HEAVENS BOWED”, and Saul’s authority was brought DOWN. We see the same thing with Joseph as the Sun, Moon, and Stars were referring to his family members that ruled over him, and how they would some day BOW to his authority and rule.
In a judgment upon Jerusalem, there was “darkness and sorrow, and the light is darkened in THE HEAVENS thereof.” (Isaiah 5:30) In another pronouncement upon Jerusalem God says, “For this shall THE EARTH mourn, and THE HEAVENS above be black…” Nothing happened in the physical HEAVENS here as well.
In Ezekiel 32:7, a prophecy is given to Pharaoh , “And when I shall put thee out, I will cover THE HEAVEN, and make the stars thereof dark.” Yet again, nothing in the physical HEAVENS happened here either.
Matthew
5:17,18 “Think not that I am
come to destroy the law, or the
prophets; I am not come do destroy, but to fulfill. For verily I say
unto you, TILL
HEAVEN and EARTH PASS,
one jot or one tittle shall in no
wise pass from the law, TILL ALL BE FULFILLED.” DID
JESUS FULFILL THE LAW AND THE
PROPHETS? YES,
THEREFORE, HEAVEN AND
EARTH HAVE PASSED. THE OLD HEAVENS AND EARTH, THAT IS, THE OLD COVENANT
RULE,
HEADQUARTERED IN JERUSALEM, HAS PASSED AWAY.
THE NEW JERUSALEM HAS NOW TABERNACLED GOD WITH MAN, AND
ALL THINGS ARE
NEW, IN THE NEW JERUSALEM, NEW COVENANT, NEW MAN, NEW WINESKINS, NEW
BOTTLES,
NEW GARMENTS, NEW TEMPLE, NEW CREATION, AND NEW ISRAEL. (Rev.21:1-5)
YES, THE NEW ISRAEL! GO SEE WHAT THESE SCRIPTURES MEAN! (Mt.3:9,
21:43,
Jn.8:33, 39, 41,44, Rm.2:28,29, 4:3,11, 9:8, Gal.3:16,
6:16,
Col.3:10,11, 1 Pet.2:9, Rev.2:9, 3:9)
This same referrence to “HEAVEN and EARTH” in relation to A COVENANT, is what we are looking at in Revelation 20:10. “HEAVEN and the EARTH fled away.” “FLED AWAY” is the same thing that is in 2 Peter 3:10, when it says, “the HEAVENS SHALL PASS AWAY.” And as we have just read above, the word’s of Jesus tell us the same thing, “Till HEAVEN and EARTH PASS.” (Formal farewell in 70AD.)
In Revelation 21:1-5, “And I saw a NEW HEAVEN and a NEW EARTH, for
“the first
heaven” and
“first
covenant”(Heb.8:7)
“the first old”(Heb.8:13)
“the first..
murmured” (Mt.20:10,11) “the eleventh
hour”, the last hour
of the Old
Covenant!
“It is the last
hour.” (1 Jn.2:18) The new
day of The New Covenant‘s establishment was
at
hand!
The night was far spent, the new day of the
new cov. was at hand.” (Rm.13:11),
(2 Pet.1:19)
“first man Adam” (1 Cor.15:45)
“first …that which is natural, and afterward that which is spiritual.” (1 Cor 15:46)
“first man…earthy …second man…from heaven.” (1 Cor. 15:47)
“first son of Abraham…Old Covenant bondage…Old Jerusalem.” (Galatians 4:22-31)
“first
covenant” (Heb.9:1)
“first
tabernacle” (Heb.
9:8)
…the way into the holiest of all was not yet made
manifest, while as
the first tabernacle was yet standing.”
“first testament” (Heb. 9:15)
“first testament” (Heb.9:18)
“the first” (Heb.10:9)
“He taketh AWAY
“the first,” that
He may
establish
the second!
“the first EARTH PASSED AWAY…And I John saw the HOLY CITY , NEW JERUSALEM, coming do