From here to eternity Revelation 20v1-22v5.
The visions of the future continue, "I saw......" 20v1, 20v4. 20v11, 20v12, 21v1, 21v2,21v22. We now enter the period known as the millennium. This is so called because of the repetition of "one thousand years", six times over in chapter 20 v2,3,4,5,6,7. This period of time is not qualified in anyway, so there is no reason to take it as anything other than literal. Christ will reign on this earth for one thousand years. During this reign the kingdom of heaven will be upon the earth. The divine principles of rule will hold sway. Old Testament prophecies will be fulfilled, all the prophets proclaimed the coming kingdom, all of Israel are expecting the kingdom, and there is nothing clearer than in this chapter that Christ will reign on this earth for one thousand years (verse4). At His ascension in Acts chapter 1 the apostles reflected the expectation of all Israelites when they asked, "Lord wilt Thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?"
The Old Testament abounds with forthcoming proclamations of the kingdom (Isaiah 2v1-4) where it is said "out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." In Isaiah 9v6-7 it is written that the child who would be born of the virgin, the Son given from heaven will one day rule the world. Isaiah 11v6-10 gives us some of the conditions that will prevail at that time. Isaiah 32v1 records "Behold a king shall reign in righteousness and princes shall rule in judgment." The prophet Joel in chapter 3v17 proclaims that the Lord shall dwell in Zion His holy mountain. The prophet Amos in chapter 9v11 records the words of the Lord "in that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen." In Obadiah verse 21 "the kingdom shall be the Lord's." In Ezekiel 48 the promise land will be apportioned to each of the twelve tribes of Israel. The Lord will dwell among them and from there they will rule the world. The prophet Malachi in 4v2 records "the Sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in His wings." Other portions like Isaiah 30v23-25 and the whole of Isaiah chapter 35 give some insight into the conditions of this glorious period of time. In short Israel will be promoted to be the head of nations; from Zion they will rule the world with heaven's blessing and the presence on earth of the Lord Jesus Christ with His bride the church.
The New Testament describes this period in the following way;
- Matthew 19v28 - Regeneration. "When the Son of Man shall sit on the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel." This speaks of the establishment of a new world order.
- Acts 3v21 - Restitution "Jesus Christ......... whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began."
- Romans 8v19-21 - Manifestation. The public manifestation of the sons of God on earth, at which time the earth will be released from the bondage of corruption (i.e. the consequences of the fall).
- Ephesians 1v10 - Unification. "That in the dispensation in the fullness of times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in Him." During this time heaven and earth will live in harmony with the Creator.
- Colossians 1v20 - Reconciliation. "Having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him I say whether they be things in earth or things in heaven." God will remove every impediment to peace.
These different aspects of the millennium are huge subjects in themselves, and we should enjoy the varied emphases for our understanding of these glorious future times.
Amazon bookshelf George Neilly
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