Rev 20 - 1 000 Year regin of Christ

Examining the Book of Revelation ...

Revelation, chapter 20; describes immediately what happens after the battle of Armageddon. An angel descends from heaven and binds Satan to the abyss for one thousand years. Remember, the abyss or pit is what was hurled to the earth when the 5th trumpet was blown.
We are told that Satan will be bound for this period so that he does not deceive the nations during the period of Jesus' earthly reign. After the 1 000 year period he is let loose. There are a number of people who will reign with Christ during this period.
The following people are resurrected in what is referred to as the 1st resurrection; and rule with Jesus for the 1000 year period :
Those who were killed for witnessing Jesus and not denying the word of God. These people had not worshipped the beast or accepted the mark on there hands or forehead. We can see clearly that these people refer to those that were killed during the Tribulation.
In Rev20:5 we are told that those who were killed and who either accepted the mark of the beast or had denied the word of God, would remain dead until the 1000 year reign of Jesus was over. Whilst the book of Revelation does not provide much information on this thousand year rule; once again, the Old Testament prophecies gives us a bit more insight as to what occurs during this period ...

Is this not how we were supposed to live in the garden of Eden ?

Why are we re-united with God – Well, remember that Satan was tied up for 1 000 years to prevent man from being deceived. The purpose of the 1 000 year reign by Jesus is to cleanse the Jews and gentiles alike of their sins and teach them the ways of God.

Just like Jesus has taught many of his believers, it is to teach the other nations, Gods’ ways. It fulfils Gods’ prophecies regarding Israel being the ruler of all nations. After the 1 000 year reign by Jesus the following happens : Satan is released from the Bottomless pit. He goes to deceive the land of Gog and Magog – the nations around the world and gathers them to battle against Israel. This army is described as being as large as the sands on a seashore. They surround the camp of the Saints and Jerusalem.

God sends forth fire from heaven that devours them all. (No other description of this last war is given). Satan is then thrown into the lake of fire – where the beast and the false prophet were. They are to be tortured day and night – forever and ever.

Finally, sin is expelled ............ So what happens next ?

This is the judgment of all those that have not accepted Christ prior to His second coming or those that fall away from him before the 1 000 year reign is ended. This is a judgment that nobody on this earth wants to be at. This is referred to as the 2nd Resurrection and is basically the judgment of the dead.
Books are opened and everybody is judged according to the law. If you think you are going to pass this judgment, think again. If you have ever told a lie, stolen something or fell short of any of the 10 commandments ... You are in a big spot of bother. It is for this reason that God himself had to send His Son; as He knew that man cannot do it on their own. Literally, if you do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, you will be at this judgment.
And if you are not in Christ; lets read briefly of what you will face.

So what are these books by which Jesus will judge those that reject him?

1. The Fathers' Book of Life :
We read in Exodus 32:33, That whoever sins against God will be blotted out of the book of life. This is why, God cannot see sin and walk amongst us. When we are born, our name is automatically written in God's book of life.

2. Jesus' book of life :
In Rev 3 : 5, Jesus states that whoever overcomes, name will never be taken out of the book of life and Jesus will acknowledge those names before God - the father. In Rev 13:8, we are told that everyone who is not written in Jesus book of life, will worship the beast. Have you considered why the 1 000 year rule by Jesus occurs ? Do you not think that the Jews are given yet another opportunity to worship Jesus, who they crucified.

3. The book of Law :
In Deut 31:26, we read that the Jews are instructed to place the book of law besides the ark of the covenant, where it will remain as witness against us. In Joshua 1:8, Joshua advises his followers to not take the book of law lightly; and everyone must be careful as to what is written in it.

4. The book of Deeds :
In Matthew 16:27, we find that Jesus will reward us according to our deeds.

5. The Book of Conscience :
In Romans 2:16, we are told that our consciences will be judged even if we rightfully pass the book of law.

6. The Book of Words :
But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." [Mat 12:36-37 NIV]

7. The Book of Secrets :
This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares. [ Rom 2:16 NIV]

What happens to those not found written in the Book of life ?

Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.[ Rev 20:14-15 NIV]
So what have we just said : " Well, we have said that if your name is not written in Jesus' book of life, there is very little chance that you will obtain salvation at the great White throne judgment." And remember the saying : " Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess " - well, at the great white throne judgment, this is exactly what will happen to all unbelievers.

Next Section - Revelation 21-22: The New Heaven & Earth ...

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Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living translation, copyright © 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189, United States of America. all rights reserved. [8]