Full Transcript for (S3E9) The Thousand-Year Millennial Reign

what it might look and be like. 00:02:28.879 --> 00:02:33.599 I think the best thing to do is go ahead and read the ten verses from Scripture to get us started. 00:02:33.840 --> 00:03:03.199 So Revelation chapter 20, verses 1 through 10 says, quote, Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain, and he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it, and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer until the thousand years were ended. 00:03:03.360 --> 00:03:06.319 After that he must be released for a little while. 00:03:06.560 --> 00:03:12.560 Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. 00:03:12.800 --> 00:03:26.319 Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the Word of God, and those who had not worshipped the beast for its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. 00:03:26.560 --> 00:03:30.159 They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 00:03:30.400 --> 00:03:34.560 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. 00:03:34.879 --> 00:03:36.879 This is the first resurrection. 00:03:37.120 --> 00:03:40.879 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection. 00:03:41.120 --> 00:03:49.599 Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. 00:03:49.759 --> 00:04:02.000 And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle. 00:04:02.159 --> 00:04:11.680 Their number is like the sand of the sea, and they marched up over the broad plain of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. 00:04:11.919 --> 00:04:26.000 But fire came down from heaven and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulphur, where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night, forever and ever. 00:04:48.879 --> 00:04:49.360 I agree. 00:04:49.519 --> 00:04:52.720 There's one particular sentence in that passage that confuses me. 00:04:52.800 --> 00:04:58.720 I think it's misplaced and isn't saying what it might appear to be saying, but we'll get to that a little bit later. 00:04:58.879 --> 00:05:02.639 For now, let's start with the first very basic question. 00:05:02.959 --> 00:05:10.240 Will there be a future 1,000-year period in on this earth that is a literal thousand years? 00:05:10.480 --> 00:05:12.879 Is it too easy to answer this way? 00:05:13.040 --> 00:05:16.079 Scripture says there will be, so it must be true. 00:05:16.399 --> 00:05:18.639 Well, I guess that's probably too easy. 00:05:18.800 --> 00:05:26.879 Maybe a more direct answer is verse three, five, six, and seven refer to that time period. 00:05:27.040 --> 00:05:33.360 I mean, if the chapter referred to it once, you might say it could be symbolic, but not with four very direct mentions of it. 00:05:33.600 --> 00:05:36.560 This must mean it exists in God's plan. 00:05:36.879 --> 00:05:37.279 All right. 00:05:37.519 --> 00:05:46.639 But I have a more detailed ex explanation, and there are three main viewpoints on the millennium that might kind of answer your question. 00:05:46.800 --> 00:05:55.120 The three viewpoints are known as premillennialism, postmillennialism, and amillennialism. 00:05:55.279 --> 00:05:57.199 I'm going to define each of them for you. 00:05:57.839 --> 00:06:08.720 Premillennialism is the view that Jesus Christ will return in his second coming to earth before the beginning of a literal one thousand-year time period. 00:06:09.040 --> 00:06:12.480 He will reign in what will be called his millennial reign. 00:06:12.639 --> 00:06:27.120 This one thousand-year period will begin after the Great Tribulation ends, and the period of time will exist under Jesus' leadership until the final judgment, which then ushers in the new heavens and the new earth. 00:06:27.439 --> 00:06:44.720 Postmillennialism is the view that Jesus will not return until after a thousand-year time period, when the church has triumphed and transformed society and culture into a place of acceptance ready for Jesus to come in his second coming. 00:06:45.040 --> 00:06:49.759 In this view, the millennium is generally thought to be more symbolic. 00:06:49.920 --> 00:06:52.480 It's not exactly a thousand-year period of time. 00:06:52.639 --> 00:07:01.439 And this view says when Jesus returns, it will be at the final judgment, after which the new heavens and new earth will be ushered in. 00:07:01.759 --> 00:07:12.319 And then lastly, amillennialism is the view that there is no future or literal one thousand-year period of time for Jesus to rule and reign in an earthly kingdom. 00:07:12.480 --> 00:07:23.360 This view states that we are currently living in a period of time known as the church age, and that the 1,000-year label is just symbolic of that period of time. 00:07:23.600 --> 00:07:32.399 This view says the period of time started at Pentecost around 30 AD and will continue until Jesus' second coming. 00:07:32.560 --> 00:07:39.680 This view believes that at the second coming, Jesus completes the final judgment and ushers in the new heavens and the new earth. 00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:41.680 Alright, that's very good information. 00:07:41.759 --> 00:07:46.079 And I hope everyone understood the differences there are in those definitions. 00:07:46.240 --> 00:07:49.120 Now I'm going to re-ask the question I asked a moment ago. 00:07:49.360 --> 00:07:56.560 Will there be a future 1,000-year period of time on this earth that is a literal thousand-year period of time?

00:07:56.800 --> 00:08:02.720 Yes, I believe, and I know you do too, that there will be a literal 1,000-year period of time on the earth. 00:08:02.959 --> 00:08:06.240 We believe it is still future to our time. 00:08:06.720 --> 00:08:10.720 We both choose to believe in the premillennialist viewpoint. 00:08:10.959 --> 00:08:11.360 Yep. 00:08:11.519 --> 00:08:16.560 We both believe the premillennial view is the correct option. 00:08:17.199 --> 00:08:26.959 Number one, we don't see any reason, based upon proper biblical hermeneutics, to take what the Bible says is a real period of time and make it symbolic. 00:08:27.120 --> 00:08:33.200 We believe when literal language appears to be what is used in Scripture, then we should believe it literally. 00:08:33.360 --> 00:08:38.240 So we do not believe the omillennial viewpoint has any validity. 00:08:38.399 --> 00:08:41.440 It is just too abstract to be the right choice. 00:08:41.759 --> 00:08:54.000 Second, it is really hard to comprehend a view that the church will ever be able to transform this world into one that will fully accept and be ready for Jesus to return as King. 00:08:54.159 --> 00:09:02.399 I don't see how the post-millennial viewpoint lines up with anything that we're else we've been reading in Revelation or the Old Testament. 00:09:02.639 --> 00:09:03.600 All right, three. 00:09:03.840 --> 00:09:09.360 Also, we have taught the whole story in Revelation as being literal in its fulfillment. 00:09:09.519 --> 00:09:16.559 We know there is a lot of symbolism in the material, but the events will be literal in their fulfillment. 00:09:16.799 --> 00:09:22.799 Nowhere have we viewed the material in Revelation as being symbolic in its fulfillment or implementation. 00:09:23.039 --> 00:09:27.679 We have taken the scriptures as literal where it appears to be written as literal. 00:09:27.840 --> 00:09:35.360 Thus, we don't believe that the thousand-year period is meant to be a meaningless number just arbitrarily written in the scripture. 00:09:35.679 --> 00:09:51.039 And fourth, lastly, we believe a literal 1,000-year reign of Christ after the Great Tribulation lines up with what we have read, discussed, and tried to communicate as part of the Bible teaching in this podcast. 00:09:51.200 --> 00:09:57.519 We believe that Jesus has purposes for that timeline and promises to be fulfilled during this time. 00:09:57.759 --> 00:10:06.159 So we will be discussing the remainder of Revelation chapter 20's topic on the millennium from a pre-millennialist viewpoint. 00:10:06.399 --> 00:10:11.200 I don't believe we could align the other two viewpoints with the material in our podcast. 00:10:11.279 --> 00:10:17.279 In fact, it would really invalidate almost the whole 35 previous episodes if we did it that way. 00:10:17.440 --> 00:10:28.399 So just know that as we discuss today's topic, we believe it to be a future and literal 1,000-year period on this earth with Jesus ruling and reigning during the time period. 00:10:28.720 --> 00:10:31.679 Okay, so let's talk about the sequence of events. 00:10:31.840 --> 00:10:45.200 I want to go back and read just a couple of verses from Revelation 19 that we discussed in our most recent episode, which I believe leads us into the passage that we read earlier from Revelation 20. 00:10:45.440 --> 00:10:56.960 Revelation 19, the last three verses, says, And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. 00:10:57.120 --> 00:11:08.320 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 worshipped its image. 00:11:08.480 --> 00:11:21.200 These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulphur, and the rest were slain by the word that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh. 00:11:32.080 --> 00:11:35.919 But what happens to all the characters in the story at the end of Armageddon? 00:11:36.159 --> 00:11:38.639 Where are they and what happens to them? 00:11:39.120 --> 00:12:02.879 The characters which need to be discussed are Satan, also called the dragon, the Antichrist, also called the first beast, or the beast from the sea, the false prophet, also called the second beast, or the beast from the earth or land, and then the kings of the earth and their armies, and then those that took the mark of the beast. 00:12:03.200 --> 00:12:03.600 That's right. 00:12:03.679 --> 00:12:12.559 So let's walk through them in orderly fashion and discuss what happens to each of the characters mentioned in Revelation 19's set of verses. 00:12:13.039 --> 00:12:15.840 I'm gonna leave Satan for last for now. 00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:18.000 So let's start with the Antichrist. 00:12:18.159 --> 00:12:22.879 We read that he was thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. 00:12:23.120 --> 00:12:28.080 Remember, this was a man who was indwelled by a demon that rose from the bottomless pit. 00:12:28.320 --> 00:12:36.159 Per the verse re-read, he was thrown alive into that lake of fire, which we know is the place of the second death. 00:12:36.399 --> 00:12:42.399 He will be permanently judged and sentenced immediately, and that sentence will be carried out. 00:12:42.960 --> 00:12:45.200 All right, number two, the false prophet. 00:12:45.519 --> 00:12:49.120 His endpoint is the exact same as the Antichrist. 00:12:49.360 --> 00:12:52.159 He will be thrown alive into the lake of fire. 00:12:52.399 --> 00:12:55.279 His sentence will be carried out just the same. 00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:59.759 Now we need to make a comment here about the second death that we just mentioned. 00:13:00.000 --> 00:13:09.759 We will have much more on it later, but the short observation is this mankind's first death is a physical death where the body stops functioning.

00:13:10.080 --> 00:13:19.279 The second death mentioned in Revelation chapter 20 passage says that the second death will come after the millennium is over. 00:13:19.600 --> 00:13:22.879 We believe this is when spiritual death occurs. 00:13:23.279 --> 00:13:34.000 The point just made about the Antichrist and the false prophet being thrown into the lake of fire, has them bypassing the first death and going straight to the second death. 00:13:34.240 --> 00:13:42.320 I interpret this to mean those two characters, the Antichrist and the false prophet, are gone for good, never to be heard from again. 00:13:42.480 --> 00:13:44.960 They are physically gone and spiritually gone. 00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:53.039 All right, number three, the kings of the earth and their armies, they were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of Jesus. 00:13:53.279 --> 00:13:58.559 This simply means they were physically killed in their humanity, which is the first death. 00:13:58.720 --> 00:14:00.720 These are people who were killed. 00:14:00.960 --> 00:14:10.480 And just like anyone else who has died without the saving grace of Jesus Christ, their death means their physical bodies are dead and their spirits have gone to Hades. 00:14:10.960 --> 00:14:18.399 Remember, at the first death you are convicted of your sin, but not finally judged and sentenced for it. 00:14:18.639 --> 00:14:23.600 These people go to Hades to await that final judgment, the spiritual death. 00:14:23.840 --> 00:14:25.840 Note the difference from a second ago. 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:38.559 The Antichrist and the false prophets, who were also human beings, were judged and sentenced immediately, and then sent to the lake of fire, but not the kings of the earth and the armies who followed him. 00:14:38.720 --> 00:14:42.559 The kings and armies stay in Hades until the second resurrection. 00:14:43.200 --> 00:14:43.600 Alright? 00:14:44.000 --> 00:14:45.919 And then last one, Satan. 00:14:46.159 --> 00:14:52.480 He was the one who assembled that horde, which included the Antichrist, the false prophet, the kings and armies, etc. 00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:57.840 But the verses in Revelation 19 don't tell us about what happens to him. 00:14:58.159 --> 00:15:07.679 We know Jesus defeated him, but God is not finished with him, and that is why we hear about him again in the first verses of Revelation chapter 20. 00:15:07.840 --> 00:15:13.600 Satan is captured and bound up by an angel of the Lord and locked away for another time. 00:15:13.759 --> 00:15:16.000 We'll come back to that point in a few minutes. 00:15:16.240 --> 00:15:17.200 I love all that. 00:15:17.440 --> 00:15:22.080 I think you mentioned all the characters that were included in the verses from Revelation 19. 00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:30.000 It appears that John immediately moves on down the timeline when he shows us what happens next in Revelation 20. 00:15:30.240 --> 00:15:33.759 So let's talk about which characters are left in our story. 00:15:34.000 --> 00:15:41.120 To be fully informed about these two sections of Scripture, we need to account for the whole scene in every category of people. 00:15:41.279 --> 00:15:44.720 That sounds kind of strange, but I want to know the rest of the story. 00:15:44.960 --> 00:15:46.320 Where are the martyrs? 00:15:46.480 --> 00:15:48.399 How about those that were raptured? 00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:51.600 How about those that died before any of this tribulation? 00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:53.360 What about the Jewish remnant? 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:58.960 How about those that didn't worship the beast or get the mark and survive the Great Tribulation? 00:15:59.200 --> 00:16:03.840 Man, you want it all tied up in a nice, neat little package with a bow on it, don't you? 00:16:04.000 --> 00:16:05.759 That is a long list of questions. 00:16:06.000 --> 00:16:06.320 I know. 00:16:06.399 --> 00:16:08.320 That's why I've been studying this thing. 00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:12.080 I do want it all tied up neatly. 00:16:12.320 --> 00:16:16.960 I want to understand exactly where we are and who is where in this whole story. 00:16:17.120 --> 00:16:19.200 Can we possibly know that in totality? 00:16:19.440 --> 00:16:21.200 Well, let's work through it and see if we can. 00:16:21.360 --> 00:16:29.679 Based on the totality of scripture from all over the Bible, we are given bits and pieces which likely give us answers to those questions. 00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:32.879 So let's try to piece it all together and walk through it. 00:16:33.039 --> 00:16:36.720 There might be some differences of opinion and we might need to speculate a bit. 00:16:37.039 --> 00:16:37.360 Okay. 00:16:37.600 --> 00:16:41.279 So let's break down the Revelation 20 verses we read earlier. 00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:44.480 I want to read it again, but in parts as we discuss it. 00:16:44.639 --> 00:17:12.480 So Revelation chapter 28, verses 1 through 3 say, quote, Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain, and he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer until the thousand years were ended. 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:15.039 After that he must be released for a little while. 00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:18.079 What do you see in this passage? 00:17:18.319 --> 00:17:34.079 Well, at the end of the Great Tribulation, as we have described over the last couple episodes, we learn that Satan made his newest, best attempt to overthrow God by giving all of his authority to those final end times characters which we just mentioned. 00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:42.720 The main villain, the Antichrist, along with the false prophet and the kings of the earth that sided with them, they fought together and lost. 00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:44.559 And the world did not end. 00:17:44.720 -->

00:17:46.960 The earth was not completely destroyed. 00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:56.319 And in our eschatology timeline, we have arrived at a transition point where events will move on into the next phase of God's plan. 00:17:56.880 --> 00:17:58.880 This point is critical to remember. 00:17:59.119 --> 00:18:03.839 We know Satan was not destroyed when his earthly army was defeated. 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:11.519 We saw the Antichrist, false prophet, and kings were dealt with, but Satan survives the battle of Armageddon. 00:18:11.599 --> 00:18:19.759 And for some reason that only God knows, in his sovereignty, he allows Satan to remain alive until the end of the millennium. 00:18:19.920 --> 00:18:23.759 And this is where that person close to me gets really bewildered. 00:18:24.000 --> 00:18:30.480 When in a discussion on this topic, he will ask, why would God want to keep Satan alive at this point? 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:34.880 Didn't God just defeat him completely and thoroughly at Armageddon? 00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:41.519 He sees no reason for Satan to be left alive at this moment, nor to have him return in the future. 00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:45.119 Do you have an answer to those thoughts or questions? 00:18:45.599 --> 00:18:50.640 I don't believe that God is through using Satan for his purposes. 00:18:50.880 --> 00:18:53.200 I know that is a vague statement. 00:18:53.359 --> 00:18:57.759 What I mean is that God has future plans for him. 00:18:58.079 --> 00:19:04.799 In my mind, this time period is no different from allowing him to remain alive after his original rebellion. 00:19:05.039 --> 00:19:08.720 God used Satan to help separate the sheep from the goats. 00:19:08.880 --> 00:19:14.240 Remember, the sheep are those that choose God, and the goats are those that won't choose God. 00:19:14.400 --> 00:19:22.480 There will be another time when the sheep and the goats get separated, and God will use Satan again to help separate them. 00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:31.839 So at this time, God uses an angel to bind Satan up in chains and cast him into the abyss to be dealt with at a later time. 00:19:32.079 --> 00:19:35.759 A time that will be at the end of the thousand years we discussed. 00:19:36.000 --> 00:19:40.319 Okay, well, that that point is absolutely right, and it is the answer. 00:19:40.400 --> 00:19:45.440 But let's dig down on that point a little bit more to see if we can find some other detail in the situation. 00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:46.079 Okay. 00:19:46.319 --> 00:19:50.160 As part of this discussion, I believe there are two questions that we need to discuss. 00:19:50.400 --> 00:19:53.200 Number one, why is there a millennium period? 00:19:53.359 --> 00:19:57.119 Number two, what's the purpose and reason for that millennium period? 00:19:57.359 --> 00:19:57.519 All right. 00:19:57.599 --> 00:19:59.440 Well, God doesn't do things randomly. 00:19:59.599 --> 00:20:01.920 He has plans and purposes for what he does. 00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:05.279 There must be a very good reason for this time period to exist. 00:20:05.519 --> 00:20:10.400 Otherwise, we could just roll into the new heavens and new earth now and not need more time. 00:20:10.640 --> 00:20:15.599 There must be something or things God wants to accomplish during this 1,000 years. 00:20:15.920 --> 00:20:19.440 Ultimately, I believe that there are two general reasons for the millennium. 00:20:19.599 --> 00:20:23.119 I believe God wants to accomplish a few things during this period. 00:20:23.359 --> 00:20:31.680 I believe there are unfulfilled promises that need to be fulfilled, and I believe He isn't through teaching us what we need to be taught. 00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:34.240 Here are some of these things. 00:20:34.880 --> 00:20:38.079 One, there are unfulfilled land prophecies. 00:20:38.240 --> 00:20:43.200 The Bible has revealed prophecies about the nation of Israel that have not yet been fulfilled. 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:48.480 Israel has not yet possessed and lived securely in the land that God gave them. 00:20:48.720 --> 00:20:58.400 Genesis 15, verses 18 through 20 and Numbers 34, verses 1 through 12 give the exact land borders that they are to possess. 00:20:58.640 --> 00:21:02.319 Ezekiel 36, verse 28 says it more clearly. 00:21:02.640 --> 00:21:07.680 I think these unfulfilled land prophecies will be fulfilled in the millennium. 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:11.599 Two, there are unfulfilled Davidic promises. 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:13.920 There is to be an heir of David. 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:17.599 So an heir of David will sit on the throne forever. 00:21:17.839 --> 00:21:22.559 This is Jesus, but he has yet to sit on that throne on earth. 00:21:22.799 --> 00:21:27.680 Number three, I believe there are unfulfilled covenant promises. 00:21:28.160 --> 00:21:34.559 Jeremiah 31, verse 33 says, The nation of Israel has not lived into their covenant with God. 00:21:34.880 --> 00:21:38.000 This will happen in the thousand-year period of time. 00:21:38.240 --> 00:21:41.039 And there are other promises unfulfilled. 00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:43.920 Like Jesus would make his enemies his footstool. 00:21:44.079 --> 00:21:46.720 Followers of Jesus will worship him freely. 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:50.559 The nations of the world will live in peace with Jesus as ruler. 00:21:56.400 --> 00:21:57.200 There are others. 00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:59.759 Another possibility to save more people. 00:22:00.880 --> 00:22:03.759 To give more people the chance to have eternal life. 00:22:04.000 --> 00:22:06.400 Jesus wants to fill up his kingdom. 00:22:07.359 --> 00:22:14.000 All of those points are good reasons for the millennium to be needed, but as part of your thoughts, I want to expand on one thing. 00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:21.359 As you said, God has unfinished business concerning this world, and he has chosen the nation of Israel to do it with. 00:22:28.880 --> 00:22:37.839 Also, throughout human history, mankind has lived under different combinations of what I

call the God-man-Satan relationship. 00:22:38.079 --> 00:22:46.640 That makes me wonder if part of God's purpose has been to demonstrate over the course of human history a simple but profound truth. 00:22:46.960 --> 00:22:50.079 Man cannot succeed apart from God. 00:22:50.319 --> 00:23:00.880 We have seen what happens when man lives in rebellion against God, when Satan is allowed to deceive and influence mankind, and even when God directly intervenes in human affairs. 00:23:01.119 --> 00:23:07.200 But the millennium will introduce a combination which the world has never experienced. 00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:09.200 Think of this combination. 00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:17.680 Jesus Christ physically present, ruling in righteousness, with Satan completely removed from the picture. 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:31.279 Could it be God is allowing human history to answer every possible combination about whether mankind can truly flourish without living directly in his presence, his authority, and his rule? 00:23:31.519 --> 00:23:33.920 So quickly, think about it this way. 00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:41.279 In the Garden of Eden, we had a perfect environment with one rule to follow, and we couldn't live a suitable life. 00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:49.599 In the world before the flood, we had free reign with Satan running rampant, and we couldn't live a suitable life. 00:23:49.839 --> 00:23:59.519 After the flood, we had God's laws and a religious organization implemented through priesthood, and we couldn't live a suitable life. 00:23:59.759 --> 00:24:06.240 Then we were given earthly kings with prophets and priests, and we couldn't live a suitable life. 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:12.640 Then we had God actually take human form to live among us while Satan was here. 00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:13.839 And guess what? 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:15.920 We couldn't live a suitable life. 00:24:16.160 --> 00:24:25.839 Then we had the church age with a single message to receive salvation, just accept God's gift, and we still couldn't live a suitable life. 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:33.759 In our near future, we will have tribulation on a scale none have ever seen, and we won't live a suitable life. 00:24:34.160 --> 00:24:39.039 Then will come the millennium where it is unmistakable who is in charge. 00:24:39.200 --> 00:24:40.319 Jesus will be. 00:24:40.559 --> 00:24:46.720 And in this case, Satan is bound completely with no influence over us, and you know what? 00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:50.640 We still won't be able to live a suitable life then either. 00:24:50.880 --> 00:25:00.880 We know this because when Satan is unbound at the end of the millennium, humans and numbers like the Sea of the Sand join him against God again. 00:25:01.119 --> 00:25:05.519 There is an unavoidable conclusion proven by all of these combinations. 00:25:05.759 --> 00:25:11.680 Mankind does not merely need better circumstances or the removal of the influence of evil. 00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:14.720 Mankind needs to be made new. 00:25:15.039 --> 00:25:19.039 Human history can almost be summarized really this way. 00:25:19.359 --> 00:25:22.480 Man alone without God is failure. 00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:25.599 Man under the law is failure. 00:25:25.920 --> 00:25:29.119 Man offered the gift of grace is failure. 00:25:29.440 --> 00:25:34.880 Man under perfect government, uninfluenced by outside evil, is still failure. 00:25:35.200 --> 00:25:46.720 My conclusion is once God completes the steps of our future, then redeemed man and only redeemed man dwelling eternally with God will be successful. 00:25:46.960 --> 00:25:52.000 Maybe that's part of the answer about why Satan is allowed to stay alive until the millennium is over. 00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:57.119 God has one more piece of the final proof for us to pass through before the end can occur. 00:25:57.359 --> 00:26:02.960 God will have given mankind all the combinations, and we will have failed in all of them. 00:26:03.279 --> 00:26:09.839 Mankind's problem has always been his heart condition, and man needs renewal with God in order to succeed. 00:26:10.160 --> 00:26:13.359 That's well said, and it's the gospel message, and I agree. 00:26:13.599 --> 00:26:19.519 There's no condition where a natural, carnal man can live a holy, sinless life. 00:26:19.759 --> 00:26:23.519 We must be made new by the power of God's Spirit. 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:26.880 God will have proven that point by the end of the millennium. 00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:36.880 All people who have been unwilling to choose to accept God's offer of grace and mercy by choosing Jesus Christ as Lord will have inevitably fallen short. 00:26:37.119 --> 00:26:42.319 Some tried their best, but it is not possible without God providing renewal. 00:26:42.559 --> 00:26:43.599 That is a good word. 00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:44.720 Oh, yes, it is. 00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:46.480 So anyway, let's continue. 00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:51.359 Will Satan's demonic army be chained up with him? 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:54.960 The scriptures don't specifically mention them in the judgment. 00:26:55.200 --> 00:27:00.000 I think we likely get our answer from the part of that passage that describes why Satan is bound. 00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:08.559 He is bound because God doesn't want him to be able to deceive the nations any longer, at least until the end of that thousand years. 00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:14.880 So if God doesn't want the nations deceived, then those demons must also be bound up and locked away. 00:27:15.119 --> 00:27:17.680 Scripture does not say that, though. 00:27:17.920 --> 00:27:19.519 So we have to speculate a bit. 00:27:19.680 --> 00:27:24.400 I believe we can assume Satan's influence through those demons is bound up with him. 00:27:24.640 --> 00:27:29.440 Binding up Satan, but leaving all his hordes of demons wouldn't accomplish God's desire. 00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:34.079 So they are likely also chained up and removed from the earth for this period. 00:27:34.319 --> 00:27:41.519

We'll come back to the piece about what happens at the end when for a short time Satan is unbound and released on the earth. 00:27:41.599 --> 00:27:44.559 We'll read more about it in other verses and discuss it then. 00:27:44.799 --> 00:27:44.960 All right. 00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:48.000 Well, so set the scene again from what we've just talked about. 00:27:48.720 --> 00:27:54.319 Humanity that remains on earth will then be living in the aftermath of this battle of Armageddon. 00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:56.880 All the human enemies of God are gone. 00:27:57.039 --> 00:28:02.160 And all of the satanic or demonic enemies of God are bound up and locked away. 00:28:02.480 --> 00:28:04.960 Sounds like a great time to be alive, doesn't it? 00:28:05.200 --> 00:28:09.200 It will be and should be, but the planet must be in a real mess at this point. 00:28:09.359 --> 00:28:19.599 Last week we talked about how those earthly survivors will be cleaning it up for seven years and how there will be the mountain of human remains used as a burial plot. 00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:22.799 We see the people left here will be working hard. 00:28:22.960 --> 00:28:24.319 But who are these survivors? 00:28:24.400 --> 00:28:26.319 Who is left on earth to do all this work? 00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:29.039 Who is populating the earth at that time? 00:28:29.359 --> 00:28:32.319 I think that leads us back to the question we asked earlier. 00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:34.000 Where are all the characters? 00:28:34.240 --> 00:28:37.279 One thing we know is there will still be nations. 00:28:37.519 --> 00:28:44.000 Scripture clearly says that God doesn't want Satan to be able to deceive the nations any longer. 00:28:44.160 --> 00:28:46.720 The text says there will be nations. 00:28:46.880 --> 00:28:51.519 So the planet still seems to have countries and nations that still exist. 00:28:51.759 --> 00:28:55.200 There is not some cosmic reset at this point. 00:28:55.359 --> 00:28:58.960 The world will suffer through many natural and supernatural disasters. 00:28:59.119 --> 00:29:06.160 The scriptures have talked about earthquakes and fires and plagues and ecological disasters and many other destructive events. 00:29:06.319 --> 00:29:09.200 As you say, there will be much to clean up and recover from. 00:29:09.359 --> 00:29:13.359 But remember, this is not the time for the new heavens and the new earth. 00:29:13.519 --> 00:29:17.519 This time is not when the old passes away and God creates it anew. 00:29:17.920 --> 00:29:20.319 Don't get confused about that point. 00:29:20.480 --> 00:29:21.759 This is not that time. 00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:29.200 All right, we read another verse from earlier in chapter 19 that gives us some more context about what is happening during the millennium. 00:29:29.359 --> 00:29:41.039 Revelation chapter 19, verse 15 says, quote, From his, Jesus' mouth, comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. 00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:44.000 That is a famous line that most of you have probably heard. 00:29:44.079 --> 00:29:45.440 But what does that mean? 00:29:45.680 --> 00:29:50.000 That passage is from the language surrounding the final battle of Armageddon. 00:29:50.160 --> 00:29:56.240 I think it means Jesus will win that battle by striking down the wicked from all the nations of the world. 00:29:56.480 --> 00:30:04.160 The wicked are those hordes that gathered to defeat him along with the Antichrist and the false prophet and the kings of the earth. 00:30:04.400 --> 00:30:08.079 But everyone in those nations is not an enemy that is destroyed. 00:30:08.319 --> 00:30:13.839 Those nations will have people left, scarce as they might be in the aftermath. 00:30:14.079 --> 00:30:21.680 Christians were raptured, the Jewish remnant was protected, and God's enemies were destroyed. 00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:30.720 But some undefined number of people remain from those nations who aren't in either of the groups just mentioned. 00:30:30.960 --> 00:30:32.880 We have chuckled on this point over the years. 00:30:33.039 --> 00:30:43.759 We know people in our circle of friends who would not be classified as Christians and who simultaneously dislike any and all government holding authority over them. 00:30:44.000 --> 00:30:58.480 We speculate there have to be some of these kinds of people left who will not have taken the mark of the beast and will have somehow survived all the biblical judgments given through the judgments of the trumpets and bowls. 00:30:58.640 --> 00:31:03.599 There are differing opinions about this next point, and they give us theories that diverge a bit. 00:31:03.839 --> 00:31:10.319 The question is, who are these undefined number of people that make up these nations who are still here on the planet? 00:31:10.559 --> 00:31:18.000 Are they just unbelievers who didn't get the mark of the beast or who didn't participate in the final rebellion against God? 00:31:18.240 --> 00:31:23.519 Basically, these people were agnostics to God or the Antichrist and somehow they survived. 00:31:23.839 --> 00:31:34.880 Or are they the only believers who came to Christ after the rapture of event and before God's wrath completes, and somehow they survived all the destruction? 00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:36.960 Or is it people from both groups? 00:31:37.200 --> 00:31:38.400 So that's a good question. 00:31:38.559 --> 00:31:45.200 Remember, you're asking a question within the context that there are people still on earth at the beginning of the millennium. 00:31:45.279 --> 00:31:53.119 So we know they missed the rapture and lived through God's wrath and the first death as described in the scriptures. 00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:55.279 I'm actually torn on this question. 00:31:55.440 --> 00:32:01.279 Remember, we believe in the pre-wrath rapture, not the pre-tribulation rapture. 00:32:01.440 --> 00:32:16.880 And because of that, in our viewpoint, there will be very little time between the rapture of the

saints, Revelation 14, God's wrath, Revelation 15-16, and the battle of Armageddon, Revelation 19. 00:32:17.200 --> 00:32:20.480 So is there enough time there for new believers to be saved? 00:32:20.720 --> 00:32:21.440 I don't know. 00:32:21.680 --> 00:32:29.440 And the scriptures have all been saying during these final judgments of the trumpets and bowls that mankind did not repent. 00:32:29.680 --> 00:32:34.240 And during the period of God's wrath, we see that he becomes inaccessible. 00:32:34.400 --> 00:32:47.119 Read Revelation 15, verse 8, that says, And the sanctuary was filled with smoke from the glory of God and from his power, and no one could enter the sanctuary until the seven plagues of the seven angels were finished, end quote. 00:32:47.279 --> 00:32:52.000 I don't want to be dogmatic that those verses mean that not a single person repented. 00:32:52.160 --> 00:32:54.319 So I'm torn on the answer to your question. 00:32:54.640 --> 00:33:08.720 Okay, so you're describing a situation where God's enemies, the ones with the mark of the beast, are killed and eliminated, but the unbelievers who did not take the mark of the beast and who still remain alive are then the only people left on the planet. 00:33:08.960 --> 00:33:09.839 Yes, I think so. 00:33:10.000 --> 00:33:12.400 I want to structure my answer into two groups. 00:33:12.559 --> 00:33:15.920 The Gentiles first, and the nation of Israel second. 00:33:16.079 --> 00:33:22.079 I think there are people from both groups who are still alive at this point, but they have to be unbelievers. 00:33:22.319 --> 00:33:36.480 For the Gentile, non-mark of the beast, unbelieving people, I think my final answer is there will be some of these people remaining on earth representing the nations of the world, but they might be very few in number. 00:33:36.720 --> 00:33:42.799 Remember, after the Genesis flood, there were only eight people left alive to repopulate the planet. 00:33:42.960 --> 00:33:51.359 I believe it will be much more than that, but not necessarily billions at the start of this millennium, maybe just hundreds or a few thousand. 00:33:51.920 --> 00:34:07.440 Now, for the Jewish remnant, remember, we believe the Jewish remnant is protected in their physical natural bodies during the Great Tribulation, since they are not believers until they see Jesus return and their spiritual eyes are open. 00:34:07.599 --> 00:34:10.639 This is one of the promises from God which we've studied. 00:34:10.800 --> 00:34:16.800 You can go back and listen to season two, episode seven on the 144,000 to get that whole story. 00:34:17.119 --> 00:34:23.840 These people become true believers in Jesus after his coming and remain alive through the millennium. 00:34:24.000 --> 00:34:27.360 We differed on just how many people will be included in that number. 00:34:27.519 --> 00:34:29.599 Again, go back and listen to that episode. 00:34:29.760 --> 00:34:35.119 But we know that Jesus will be ruling over everyone living

on the planet with a rod of iron. 00:34:35.280 --> 00:34:36.559 So what does that mean? 00:34:36.800 --> 00:34:38.159 Does that give us any clues? 00:34:38.480 --> 00:34:43.360 I don't know if that is a clue about who actually is living at the beginning of the millennium or not. 00:34:43.519 --> 00:34:47.360 But it does tell us about what happens during the entire millennium. 00:34:47.519 --> 00:34:55.360 In order to go from a few people to the number that is like the sand of the sea, the people must repopulate the planet. 00:34:55.599 --> 00:35:01.519 Each person born in the millennium will have to decide whether Jesus will be their Lord and King. 00:35:01.760 --> 00:35:09.519 Many, believe it or not, many will not make the correct choice, and they will have to be ruled with a rod of iron. 00:35:09.679 --> 00:35:14.400 I'm reading a book entitled The Forgotten Gospel by Brianna Tittle. 00:35:14.800 --> 00:35:16.320 You told me about it, by the way. 00:35:16.480 --> 00:35:21.519 In the book, Miss Tittle says, quote, the message was unmistakable. 00:35:21.679 --> 00:35:29.440 When the Messiah reigns, the world will be ordered around the same sacred order that once ordered Israel. 00:35:29.679 --> 00:35:33.360 Temple, priesthood, feast, and sacrifice. 00:35:33.599 --> 00:35:43.039 A Jewish Messiah reigning in a Jewish way among a faithful people practicing worship based on Leviticus's principles. 00:35:44.159 --> 00:35:51.280 Ruling with the rod of iron means that things will be done God's way under the rule of Jesus according to his word. 00:35:51.599 --> 00:35:55.360 Jesus will rule with absolute authority and supreme justice. 00:35:55.519 --> 00:36:07.119 The world will be ruled according to God's laws and moral standards that will not be compromised or overthrown by human kingdoms, empires, or political persuasions. 00:36:07.280 --> 00:36:09.840 Jesus will be in charge of it all. 00:36:10.079 --> 00:36:11.760 Jesus will be king. 00:36:12.000 --> 00:36:16.559 Jesus will ensure that we all live according to God's laws and principles. 00:36:16.800 --> 00:36:21.119 This time period will not be like what was allowed during the first 6,000 years. 00:36:21.360 --> 00:36:21.760 That's right. 00:36:21.840 --> 00:36:32.239 The rule and reign of Jesus will ensure that peace and righteousness are enforced while protecting and nourishing those who submit to his authority. 00:36:32.400 --> 00:36:40.480 There will be swift and decisive discipline for anyone who attempts to disrupt that peace or righteousness through any type of rebellion. 00:36:40.719 --> 00:36:47.679 His quote rod of iron will be used to keep the world in order according to his ways of peace and righteousness. 00:36:47.920 --> 00:36:52.400 We will return to that topic at the end and discuss how this impacts people on earth. 00:36:52.559 --> 00:37:03.679 Remember, people are still people, and some will submit to Jesus as Lord and King willingly and happily, but some will have to be ruled over

with an iron fist. 00:37:03.840 --> 00:37:09.039 They will have no choice but to stay in line, but they will do so unwillingly. 00:37:09.199 --> 00:37:13.519 For now, let's go back to the question about where all the characters in the verses are. 00:37:13.840 --> 00:37:17.519 I think it's best to do that in conjunction with reading some more of the passage. 00:37:17.679 --> 00:37:20.480 Let's read verses four through six again. 00:37:20.639 --> 00:37:26.719 Quote, then I saw thrones and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. 00:37:26.960 --> 00:37:39.119 Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshipped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. 00:37:39.360 --> 00:37:43.199 They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 00:37:43.440 --> 00:37:47.840 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. 00:37:48.079 --> 00:37:49.760 This is the first resurrection. 00:37:50.000 --> 00:37:53.679 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection. 00:37:53.840 --> 00:38:01.920 Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. 00:38:02.159 --> 00:38:06.320 We need to look at this passage sentence by sentence and discuss what's being said. 00:38:06.960 --> 00:38:11.519 And those three verses might be the most complicated verses that we've read. 00:38:12.239 --> 00:38:15.360 There are certainly some mysteries in these verses. 00:38:15.679 --> 00:38:20.480 Verse 4 is long and detailed and could be considered mysterious. 00:38:20.800 --> 00:38:22.480 I see there are two groups mentioned. 00:38:23.039 --> 00:38:30.159 The verse says, Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. 00:38:30.800 --> 00:38:35.920 And at the end of the sentence, the verse says, They came to life and reigned with Christ. 00:38:36.559 --> 00:38:42.800 Now, if you take this verse out of context, you can make it mean different things. 00:38:43.519 --> 00:38:50.320 I have had a hard time myself keeping to a doctrinal point over the years on this sentence. 00:38:50.480 --> 00:38:53.360 I like to take a single sentence to determine what it means. 00:38:53.440 --> 00:38:59.039 But if you take a sentence out of context, it might be hard to understand how it fits within the passage. 00:38:59.519 --> 00:39:05.440 So remember, the gist of this whole paragraph is about who is ruling and reigning with Jesus in the millennium. 00:39:05.599 --> 00:39:11.199 And we find support or learn who that will be in various verses in other places. 00:39:11.360 --> 00:39:14.480 Then we can understand what it means in context here. 00:39:14.800 --> 00:39:24.400 Before we jump into a lot of verses, let's break verse 4 into what it says, not what you say

it means, but what the actual words say in the verse. 00:39:24.559 --> 00:39:30.639 The complete verse says there are two types of roles serving in this period of time. 00:39:30.880 --> 00:39:33.920 Number one, there are judges sitting on thrones. 00:39:34.719 --> 00:39:38.960 Number two, and there are those that rule and reign with Christ. 00:39:39.199 --> 00:39:47.360 So in modern-day lingo, a good comparison would be the difference between the judicial branch and the executive branch of our federal government. 00:39:47.599 --> 00:39:53.679 The judicial branch judges, and the executive branch enforces the laws as they are written. 00:39:53.920 --> 00:39:58.079 So, do you see these two roles or do you see them as all the same role? 00:39:58.239 --> 00:39:59.360 I believe they're two different roles. 00:39:59.679 --> 00:40:02.000 Yes, I see the two distinct roles you mentioned. 00:40:02.079 --> 00:40:07.360 And verse 4 says the two roles are sourced by two different groups of people. 00:40:07.599 --> 00:40:18.159 The judges come from who the authority to judge was committed, and the rulers and reigners come from the souls of those who were beheaded. 00:40:18.559 --> 00:40:22.800 The context of the passage absolutely mentions those two groups. 00:40:23.039 --> 00:40:32.880 But I'm convinced, because of other verses in Scripture, that rulers will come from more than just those souls who were beheaded. 00:40:33.199 --> 00:40:36.079 Listen to these verses, and then we can talk about it again. 00:40:36.239 --> 00:40:41.760 So Matthew chapter 19, verse 28 says, This is Jesus talking to his disciples. 00:40:41.920 --> 00:40:53.760 He says, Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 00:40:54.480 --> 00:40:56.000 First Corinthians six, two. 00:40:56.639 --> 00:41:00.000 Again, this is Jesus talking to his disciples, quote. 00:41:00.400 --> 00:41:04.000 Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? 00:41:05.199 --> 00:41:08.239 And then first Timothy two, verse eleven and twelve. 00:41:09.519 --> 00:41:15.039 The saying is, if we have died with him, we will also live with him. 00:41:15.280 --> 00:41:20.079 If we endure with him, we will also reign with him, end quote. 00:41:20.800 --> 00:41:24.239 And then there's Revelation chapter two, verse twenty-six, quote. 00:41:24.480 --> 00:41:32.480 The one who conquers and who keeps my works until the end, to him I will give authority over the nations, end quote. 00:41:32.719 --> 00:41:35.440 And then Revelation chapter three, verse twenty-one. 00:41:36.000 --> 00:41:41.599 The one who conquers, I will grant him to sit with me on my throne. 00:41:41.840 --> 00:41:45.679 And then lastly, Revelation chapter five, verses nine and ten. 00:41:46.000 --> 00:41:52.880 This is when the twenty-four elders were singing a song to Jesus as the one who was worthy to open the scroll. 00:41:53.119 --> 00:42:11.119 It says, quote, Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom of priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth. 00:42:12.800 --> 00:42:23.039 Every one of those verses is a statement or promise that says that believers will have authority over nations, including judging, ruling, and reigning with Jesus. 00:42:23.280 --> 00:42:32.719 So I believe, although Revelation 20, verse 4, can be confusing, I don't believe the interpretation is that only those beheaded are included. 00:42:32.880 --> 00:42:43.599 Using the supporting verses which I read to you, they are once again saying that those who conquer and endure in their faith will help Jesus rule and reign in his thousand-year reign on earth. 00:42:43.840 --> 00:42:52.880 I hear what you're saying, but the way that Revelation 20 passage is written makes me think there's more to the selection of the martyred than just that. 00:42:53.199 --> 00:43:02.159 Well, the second part of verse 4 does specifically mention the ones martyred and the ones who endured and remained faithful to not receive the mark of the beast. 00:43:02.320 --> 00:43:10.159 But again, I think they are mentioned here in this chapter because of the context of where we are in the book of Revelation. 00:43:10.239 --> 00:43:14.559 It is about encouraging those that live in this time and must face that opposition. 00:43:14.800 --> 00:43:18.079 It is not to exclude others from the promise. 00:43:18.320 --> 00:43:26.559 None of the other places in the Bible that mention those that participate in the first resurrection ever singles out the ones just from the end time. 00:43:27.039 --> 00:43:31.920 I have to say that whole section is tough for me to walk away from, but your defense is pretty good. 00:43:32.000 --> 00:43:32.880 So I'm okay. 00:43:33.360 --> 00:43:34.400 Let's just move on. 00:43:34.639 --> 00:43:42.239 So we'll go back through the verses from seven to ten before we finish, but they are vital to understand where things go after the millennium. 00:43:42.320 --> 00:43:49.119 But before we do, I want us to spend a few minutes summarizing who is where during the millennium and what the millennium might look like. 00:43:49.360 --> 00:43:52.800 I need to warn you that much of our discussion will be speculative. 00:43:52.960 --> 00:43:59.280 There just simply isn't that much detail provided in the scriptures that speaks to what it will look like day to day. 00:43:59.360 --> 00:44:02.960 So Give us a summary of who is where during this period. 00:44:03.280 --> 00:44:07.679 Okay, so let's discuss those groups in line with all that we've just talked about. 00:44:07.760 --> 00:44:09.039 Let's start with the martyrs. 00:44:09.119 --> 00:44:16.719 These are the souls that John has seen under the altar that had been beheaded or

otherwise killed for their testimony and for the word of God. 00:44:16.960 --> 00:44:20.480 These martyrs are resurrected in the first resurrection. 00:44:20.559 --> 00:44:24.880 And I believe they are part of the army of the Lord that returns with Jesus to earth. 00:44:25.039 --> 00:44:26.480 We have discussed that point. 00:44:26.719 --> 00:44:30.719 I believe they have been given new bodies, which we're going to call glorified bodies. 00:44:30.880 --> 00:44:35.519 So I believe they are on earth during this period helping Jesus to rule and reign. 00:44:35.760 --> 00:44:36.079 Okay. 00:44:36.320 --> 00:44:36.639 All right. 00:44:36.800 --> 00:44:39.760 So let's talk about those that were raptured. 00:44:39.920 --> 00:44:47.519 So the dead in Christ rise first, then followed by those that are alive and his coming are raptured. 00:44:48.079 --> 00:44:52.159 They meet the Lord in the air and are given their new glorified bodies. 00:44:52.400 --> 00:44:58.000 I believe they join with the martyrs and are on earth during the millennium as well. 00:44:58.320 --> 00:44:58.559 All right. 00:44:58.639 --> 00:45:04.159 How about the Old Testament saints and all who have died before the tribulation period? 00:45:04.320 --> 00:45:10.480 This category includes believers since creation that died and have been in heaven awaiting this day. 00:45:10.639 --> 00:45:22.079 They also include those that died before the tribulation, and even during it, all the way up to the first time that that first resurrection happens, they are just like the martyrs. 00:45:22.239 --> 00:45:27.199 At the first resurrection, they are given new bodies and join in the army of the Lord. 00:45:27.440 --> 00:45:30.880 I believe they too are on earth during the millennium. 00:45:31.599 --> 00:45:33.840 So then how about the Jewish remnant? 00:45:34.000 --> 00:45:43.199 So I believe this group goes into the millennium in their earthly natural bodies because they missed the rapture. 00:45:43.440 --> 00:45:48.079 They were not yet believers at that time, remember, and they were not taken up. 00:45:48.320 --> 00:45:53.280 I believe they are part of the group that repopulates the earth during the millennium. 00:45:53.440 --> 00:46:00.079 It should also be said this group will receive the promises from God's Old Testament covenants. 00:46:00.239 --> 00:46:05.920 There have to be bloodline Jewish people on the planet in order to complete that part of the plan. 00:46:06.159 --> 00:46:11.920 Let's talk about the Gentiles that didn't worship the beast nor get the mark of the beast. 00:46:12.079 --> 00:46:14.559 This group is the most speculative group. 00:46:14.719 --> 00:46:17.280 There are differences of opinion about this group. 00:46:17.440 --> 00:46:19.199 We discussed that earlier today. 00:46:19.360 --> 00:46:23.679 They are part of what the Bible calls nations and peoples and languages. 00:46:23.920 --> 00:46:29.840 They have to exist because nations are mentioned as existing for Jesus to rule and reign. 00:46:30.079 --> 00:46:48.559 Again, the question might be whether this group of Gentiles includes only some believers who refused to worship the beast and did not directly join the war against Israel and God, or whether this group includes only Gentile believers who came to the faith after the rapture and before the Battle of Armageddon. 00:46:48.639 --> 00:46:55.679 In other words, are these people antichrist protesters, newly converted believers, or some combination of both? 00:46:55.920 --> 00:46:56.400 Right. 00:46:56.639 --> 00:46:56.960 All right. 00:46:57.119 --> 00:47:00.400 So with all those groups defined, is there anyone else? 00:47:00.639 --> 00:47:10.800 I guess we haven't mentioned here those that died as unbelievers or those enemies of God that were destroyed at the Battle of Armageddon. 00:47:10.960 --> 00:47:19.360 So this time, all of those are still dead physically and in Hades awaiting judgment. 00:47:19.760 --> 00:47:20.880 So are there any others? 00:47:21.599 --> 00:47:22.559 I think everyone's accountable. 00:47:22.960 --> 00:47:25.599 I think that accounts for everybody and all the possible groups. 00:47:25.840 --> 00:47:27.920 So let me try and set the whole scene. 00:47:28.239 --> 00:47:39.360 On the day the earth awakens after the Battle of Armageddon, where all enemies of God have been destroyed, Jesus is in his rightful place in his kingdom, which is now on earth. 00:47:39.599 --> 00:47:45.199 That kingdom is centered in Israel, and the center of all earthly rule and reign will be in Jerusalem. 00:47:46.079 --> 00:47:51.920 Jesus is in his glorified body along with all of his army of glorified saints and angels. 00:47:52.159 --> 00:47:56.239 They are his hands and feet to rule and reign on the earth. 00:47:56.960 --> 00:48:04.079 The earth includes a new group of Jewish saints whose eyes and ears were opened according to God's promises. 00:48:04.320 --> 00:48:10.559 They live almost exclusively in Israel as all are brought home to their land. 00:48:11.360 --> 00:48:17.039 There's some amount of people all over the world who are still in their natural bodies. 00:48:17.199 --> 00:48:21.119 We said we don't know whether that's a small group or a very small group. 00:48:21.920 --> 00:48:26.719 Satan and his demons have been removed, tied up for the time being. 00:48:33.280 --> 00:48:40.639 As we read in Ezekiel 39, there is much to clean up and do to cleanse the land and get it back in shape for the future. 00:48:40.880 --> 00:48:49.840 The planet still exists, and it, along with the nations of the world, will be recovering from the great tribulation because of the trumpet and bold judgment. 00:48:50.159 --> 00:48:52.719 There will be much to clean up and rebuild. 00:48:55.280 --> 00:48:56.159 Yes, it sounds right. 00:48:56.320 --> 00:49:00.800 The key for people to understand is that this time is not the new heavens and the new earth. 00:49:00.960 --> 00:49:04.320 We won't have that until after the

millennium ends. 00:49:04.559 --> 00:49:07.280 God does not usher in a new world at this time. 00:49:07.519 --> 00:49:14.719 The same physical world of today will exist, although in a very rough sort of situation at the beginning of the millennium. 00:49:14.880 --> 00:49:21.199 So with these groups of natural people and resurrected, glorified people, how does that dynamic work? 00:49:21.440 --> 00:49:25.039 That is a great question that I've speculated about many times. 00:49:25.280 --> 00:49:27.760 I can simply only guess. 00:49:28.320 --> 00:49:30.480 I can't really understand it. 00:49:30.639 --> 00:49:37.519 You know, as an example, we know that Jesus was resurrected and then lived on earth for 40 days before he ascended into heaven. 00:49:37.760 --> 00:49:40.559 He interacted with the living at that time. 00:49:40.719 --> 00:49:44.400 So communication and interaction are part of the natural surrounding. 00:49:44.559 --> 00:49:48.079 Jesus could walk through walls and he could also eat. 00:49:48.400 --> 00:49:52.719 He could be touched by people, and he could also move about in a new way. 00:49:52.960 --> 00:49:58.880 His body still had the scars of his crucifixion that doubters could see or touch. 00:49:59.119 --> 00:50:04.000 I can't help but use those things we know to speculate about what you ask. 00:50:04.239 --> 00:50:15.119 There will be interaction amongst those living in their natural bodies who have a sin nature, with those living in their glorified bodies, presumably no longer having that sin nature. 00:50:15.360 --> 00:50:17.119 But hear this point correctly. 00:50:17.360 --> 00:50:23.920 Sometimes it is quite hard to fully separate life during this millennium period from life in the new heavens and the new earth. 00:50:24.159 --> 00:50:30.639 There will be time when everyone reaches the same eternal state, meaning there will be no more natural bodies with a sin nature. 00:50:30.719 --> 00:50:37.519 But as we still discussed this moment in the millennium, that eternal state has not been reached. 00:50:37.760 --> 00:50:43.679 A fully redeemed earth without the curses caused by rebellion does not exist yet. 00:50:43.920 --> 00:50:48.719 There are still people on earth who are not saved, and thus thus sin still has a place. 00:51:00.239 --> 00:51:23.280 It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills, and all nations shall flow to it, and many peoples shall come and say, Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways, and that we may walk in his paths. 00:51:23.519 --> 00:51:28.480 For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 00:51:28.719 --> 00:51:38.639 He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples, and they shall beat their swords into plough shares, and their spears into

pruning hooks. 00:51:38.880 --> 00:51:43.599 Nations shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. 00:51:43.840 --> 00:51:47.360 O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord. 00:51:47.599 --> 00:51:51.119 So Jerusalem will be the center of all rule and reign. 00:51:51.280 --> 00:51:57.519 All nations of the world will recognize and have to come to Jerusalem to learn the ways of Jesus. 00:51:57.840 --> 00:52:01.440 The law of the world will be established from Jerusalem. 00:52:01.599 --> 00:52:03.840 There will be no more war. 00:52:04.159 --> 00:52:06.880 The Lord will lead from Jerusalem. 00:52:07.119 --> 00:52:10.719 All right, how about Isaiah chapter 9, verses 6 and 7? 00:52:10.880 --> 00:52:20.880 And the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called wonderful, counselor, mighty God, everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 00:52:21.119 --> 00:52:25.360 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end. 00:52:25.599 --> 00:52:35.280 On the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. 00:52:35.599 --> 00:52:38.320 Jesus will be the one in charge of the government. 00:52:45.440 --> 00:52:48.880 Alright, how about Isaiah chapter eleven, verses six to nine? 00:52:49.039 --> 00:52:59.920 The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together, and a little child shall lead them. 00:53:00.159 --> 00:53:07.280 The cow and the bear shall graze, their young shall lie down together, and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 00:53:07.519 --> 00:53:14.719 The nursing child shall play over the whole of a cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den. 00:53:14.880 --> 00:53:22.880 They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. 00:53:23.119 --> 00:53:24.800 The world will be at peace. 00:53:24.960 --> 00:53:31.119 It will include a different way of life of which we think will mimic life as in the Garden of Eden. 00:53:31.280 --> 00:53:34.400 Animals will not devour one another, but live together peacefully. 00:53:34.480 --> 00:53:37.760 There will be new life as the natural population will have children. 00:53:37.920 --> 00:53:40.800 Those children will live in a world of a different order. 00:53:41.199 --> 00:53:41.760 All right. 00:53:42.159 --> 00:53:43.199 Couple more of these. 00:53:49.119 --> 00:53:54.480 Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule in justice. 00:53:54.719 --> 00:53:59.760 The fool will no more be called noble, nor the scoundrel said to be honorable. 00:54:00.079 --> 00:54:12.239 Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness abide in the fruitful field, and the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness quietness and trust forever. 00:54:12.559 --> 00:54:19.039 My people will abide in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places. 00:54:19.920 --> 00:54:26.480 Jesus will rule as king, and he will appoint many of those saints with glorified bodies to be part of his ruling kingdom. 00:54:26.639 --> 00:54:29.599 They will not be corrupt, but rule in righteousness. 00:54:29.760 --> 00:54:33.360 Righteous leadership will have the earth in security and peace. 00:54:33.760 --> 00:54:39.840 All right, how about Isaiah chapter sixty, verses one, three, and ten through twelve. 00:54:40.159 --> 00:54:42.000 This one concerns Israel. 00:54:42.239 --> 00:54:52.639 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you, and nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. 00:54:52.800 --> 00:54:56.800 Foreigners shall build up your walls, and their kings shall minister to you. 00:54:57.039 --> 00:55:02.480 For in my wrath I struck you, but in my mercy I have had mercy on you. 00:55:02.719 --> 00:55:12.159 Your gates shall be opened continually, day and night they shall not be shut, that people may bring to you wealth of the nations, with their kings led in procession. 00:55:12.400 --> 00:55:16.239 For the nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish. 00:55:16.400 --> 00:55:19.199 Those nations shall be utterly laid waste. 00:55:19.519 --> 00:55:23.119 The nation of Israel will be the preeminent country in the world. 00:55:23.360 --> 00:55:27.360 The rest of the world will support and bring wealth into Israel. 00:55:28.320 --> 00:55:31.199 Amos chapter nine, verse thirteen through fifteen. 00:55:31.519 --> 00:55:40.239 Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when the ploughman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him who sows the seed. 00:55:40.480 --> 00:55:44.480 The mountains shall drip sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it. 00:55:44.719 --> 00:55:50.880 I will restore the fortunes of my people Israel, and they shall rebuild the ruined cities and inhabit them. 00:55:51.119 --> 00:55:56.400 They shall plant vineyards and drink their wine, and they shall make gardens and eat their fruit. 00:55:56.559 --> 00:56:03.760 I will plant them on their land, and they shall never again be uprooted out of the land that I have given them, says the Lord your God. 00:56:04.079 --> 00:56:07.599 The country of Israel will be blessed by the Lord in many ways. 00:56:07.760 --> 00:56:14.320 They will live securely and blessedly in their land, where rain is poured out, and the land is prosperous. 00:56:14.639 --> 00:56:19.280 Alright, and the last one from Zechariah chapter fourteen, verse 16 through 18. 00:56:19.760 --> 00:56:25.360 This one is what happens after the battle of Armageddon, so it refers to the millennium. 00:56:25.519 --> 00:56:36.400 Then every one who survives of all the nations that have come against Jerusalem shall go

up year after year to worship the king, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of Booze. 00:56:36.719 --> 00:56:44.960 And if any of the families of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the king, the Lord of hosts there will be no rain on them. 00:56:45.199 --> 00:56:50.639 And if the family of Egypt does not go up and present themselves, then on them there shall be no rain. 00:56:50.800 --> 00:56:56.960 There shall be the plague with which the Lord afflicts the nations that do not go up to keep the feast of booths. 00:56:57.280 --> 00:57:04.559 This shall be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment to all the nations that do not go up to keep the feast of booths. 00:57:04.800 --> 00:57:08.400 The leadership of the Lord will be unequivocal and real. 00:57:08.719 --> 00:57:13.360 He will demand obedience to laws, his kingship, and his way of living. 00:57:13.599 --> 00:57:18.079 You can hear touches of this quote rod of iron in these verses. 00:57:18.320 --> 00:57:25.440 Jesus will have full control, but not all nations will always be on board, but they will have no choice. 00:57:26.079 --> 00:57:27.599 So big picture. 00:57:50.480 --> 00:57:52.960 But remember, not all are true believers. 00:57:53.119 --> 00:58:02.800 And certainly, as new generations are born, people won't remember what it was like living like we see today with all corruption and warring and rebellion. 00:58:03.039 --> 00:58:08.719 They will have to live under the rod of iron that Jesus will lead with, but not always willingly. 00:58:08.960 --> 00:58:16.000 So I'd love to finish this episode going back to Revelation, to read Revelation 20, 7 through 10. 00:58:16.239 --> 00:58:19.119 That talks about what happens when the thousand years are ended. 00:58:19.280 --> 00:58:22.559 But for the sake of time, we'll have to stop it right here for today. 00:58:22.719 --> 00:58:28.480 We're going to move that discussion to next week in the episode about the great white throne judgment. 00:58:28.719 --> 00:58:30.719 Thank you so much for listening to us today. 00:58:30.880 --> 00:58:35.920 Next week, we'll get into what happens at the end of the millennium and talk about the great white throne judgment. 00:58:36.079 --> 00:58:38.239 There are many ways to hear the content. 00:58:38.320 --> 00:58:44.800 You can subscribe to our podcast through your applications follow us button wherever you get podcasts. 00:58:45.039 --> 00:58:47.440 Also, please tell others about us if you can. 00:58:47.599 --> 00:58:52.400 Our main method of spreading our message is through fellow believers who are willing to forward it on. 00:58:52.559 --> 00:58:56.400 Please share our podcast with anyone you think might like to listen. 00:58:56.559 --> 00:59:07.840 Remember also that you can send us an email to notify at onguard244.com if you want to be on an email distribution list to receive notification of new episodes and seasons. 00:59:08.000 --> 00:59:12.880 Please update your spam controls to make sure our notification does not get redirected there. 00:59:13.039 --> 00:59:17.760 Our notification will come from no reply at onguard244.com. 00:59:17.920 --> 00:59:23.119 Once again, you can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, and iHeartRadio. 00:59:23.280 --> 00:59:30.480 Also, you can find us on Instagram and Facebook at our website or at our website, www.onguard244.com. 00:59:30.719 --> 00:59:36.559 If you have a comment or an idea, then send those messages to comment at ongar244.com. 00:59:36.719 --> 00:59:37.519 Thank you very much. 00:59:37.679 --> 00:59:38.400 See you next week. 00:59:38.559 --> 00:59:38.880 Thanks. 00:59:39.039 --> 00:59:40.400 See you next week.