The Millennium & the White The Millennium & the White Throne JudgmentThrone Judgment

Revelation 20:1-15Revelation 20:1-15

The Three Millennial The Three Millennial SystemsSystems

Church Age

Rapture

7 year tribulationon earth (Daniel’s 70th week)

Second Coming

1000 year reign of Christon the present earth.

New heavens& earth

Church Age

Church Age

Second Coming

New heavens& earth

New heavens& earth

Second Coming

Postmillennialism

Amillennialism

Premillennialism

Through the spread of the gospelthe church will Christianize the world.

The Church Age = the millennium,either through church on earth or saints in heaven.

Church age lasts untilthe fullness of theGentiles comes in.

Basic Differences between Basic Differences between Covenantal and Dispensational Covenantal and Dispensational

TheologiesTheologies Covenantal Theology (mostly amillennial and Covenantal Theology (mostly amillennial and

postmillennial, though a few are premillennial)postmillennial, though a few are premillennial) The “Church” consists of God’s redeemed people in all The “Church” consists of God’s redeemed people in all

ages, not just those between Pentecost and the Rapture.ages, not just those between Pentecost and the Rapture. The Abrahamic, Davidic, and New Covenants are all The Abrahamic, Davidic, and New Covenants are all

completely fulfilled, and the Church participates in these completely fulfilled, and the Church participates in these blessings by being “in Christ.” The Church is the new blessings by being “in Christ.” The Church is the new Israel.Israel.

OT Prophecies are “spiritualized” and seen as fulfilled in OT Prophecies are “spiritualized” and seen as fulfilled in the Church.the Church.

Dispensational Theology (Premillennialial)Dispensational Theology (Premillennialial) The Church is distinct from the nation of Israel and does The Church is distinct from the nation of Israel and does

not inherit Israel’s promises.not inherit Israel’s promises. The Abrahamic, Davidic, and New Covenants await their The Abrahamic, Davidic, and New Covenants await their

complete fulfillment at the second coming of Christ. complete fulfillment at the second coming of Christ. Promises made to Israel will be fulfilled to Israel.Promises made to Israel will be fulfilled to Israel.

There is a strong commitment to a consistent, literal There is a strong commitment to a consistent, literal interpretation of Scripture, including prophecy.interpretation of Scripture, including prophecy.

A Quote from John ReisingerA Quote from John Reisinger I personally believe the NT Scriptures make I personally believe the NT Scriptures make

the physical land to be a type of spiritual the physical land to be a type of spiritual rest and the Israelite to be a type of a true rest and the Israelite to be a type of a true believer. However, we would not come to believer. However, we would not come to that conclusion from anything in the OT that conclusion from anything in the OT Scriptures. If all we had was the OT Scriptures. If all we had was the OT Scriptures, it would be very easy to hold the Scriptures, it would be very easy to hold the same view of Israel and the land of same view of Israel and the land of Palestine as that held by Dispensationalism Palestine as that held by Dispensationalism (John G. Reisinger, (John G. Reisinger, Abraham’s Four Seeds: A Abraham’s Four Seeds: A Biblical Examination of the Presuppositions Biblical Examination of the Presuppositions of Covenant Theology and of Covenant Theology and DispensationalismDispensationalism, p. 84). , p. 84).

Closing Visions of JohnClosing Visions of John(Rev 19:11 – 22:5)(Rev 19:11 – 22:5)

The Coming of the King of Kings The Coming of the King of Kings (19:11-16)(19:11-16)

The Great Supper of God (19:17-21)The Great Supper of God (19:17-21) Invitation to the Birds of Prey (19:17-18)Invitation to the Birds of Prey (19:17-18) The Defeat of the Beasts (19:19-21)The Defeat of the Beasts (19:19-21)

The Binding of Satan (20:1-3)The Binding of Satan (20:1-3) The Thousand-Year Kingdom (20:4-10)The Thousand-Year Kingdom (20:4-10) The White-Throne Judgment (20:11-15)The White-Throne Judgment (20:11-15)

The Binding of Satan (Rev The Binding of Satan (Rev 20:1-3)20:1-3)

The language emphasizes Satan’s complete The language emphasizes Satan’s complete incapacitation (not a “curbing” of his power) incapacitation (not a “curbing” of his power) during this period: he is bound with the chain, during this period: he is bound with the chain, cast into the abyss (the same place from which cast into the abyss (the same place from which the demonic locusts came in Rev 9), then the the demonic locusts came in Rev 9), then the abyss is shut and sealed. abyss is shut and sealed. The purpose of this binding is “in order that he might not The purpose of this binding is “in order that he might not

deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years are completed.” Satan’s incapacitation will be a are completed.” Satan’s incapacitation will be a tremendous advantage for the nations of the world tremendous advantage for the nations of the world during the righteous reign of Messiah, enhancing their during the righteous reign of Messiah, enhancing their worship of the true God.worship of the true God.

At the end of the thousand years, Satan will be At the end of the thousand years, Satan will be released for a short time.released for a short time.

The Thousand-Year Reign and The Thousand-Year Reign and Doom of Satan Doom of Satan (Rev 20:4-10)(Rev 20:4-10)

Notice the different groups who will reign with Notice the different groups who will reign with Messiah:Messiah: John saw “thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment John saw “thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment

was given to them” (20:4). Of whom is this speaking?was given to them” (20:4). Of whom is this speaking? This is in accordance with earlier promises in the book (2:26-27; This is in accordance with earlier promises in the book (2:26-27;

3:21; 5:9-10; cf. 1 Cor 6:2-3).3:21; 5:9-10; cf. 1 Cor 6:2-3). Another group is “those who had been beheaded because Another group is “those who had been beheaded because

of the testimony of Jesus and because of the Word of of the testimony of Jesus and because of the Word of God,” people who had refused the mark of the beast.God,” people who had refused the mark of the beast.

Though not described here, Daniel 12 also speaks of the Though not described here, Daniel 12 also speaks of the OT saints being raised at this point to enjoy the millennial OT saints being raised at this point to enjoy the millennial kingdom.kingdom.

The rest of the dead are not raised until the The rest of the dead are not raised until the thousand years are over. This will be described in thousand years are over. This will be described in Rev 20:12ff.Rev 20:12ff.

The Thousand-Year Reign The Thousand-Year Reign (Rev 20:4-10)(Rev 20:4-10)

The “first resurrection” (v. 5) is a The “first resurrection” (v. 5) is a kindkind of resurrection, and has several of resurrection, and has several stages:stages:Christ, the “firstfruits

of those who areasleep” (1 Cor 15:20)

7 Year Tribulation

Church Saints(1 Thess 4:16-17)

Church Age

Tribulation &OT Saints (Rev 20:4;Daniel 12:1-2)

1000 Years

The rest of the deadfor judgment atGreat White Throne(Rev 20:5, 11-15)

FIRST RESURRECTION

The Thousand-Year Reign The Thousand-Year Reign (Rev 20:4-10)(Rev 20:4-10)

Satan’s Doom (vv. 7-10)Satan’s Doom (vv. 7-10) He had been confined in order that he might not deceive He had been confined in order that he might not deceive

the nations; when he is released, this exactly what he the nations; when he is released, this exactly what he sets out to do. sets out to do.

Despite 1000 years of righteous rule by Messiah, Satan Despite 1000 years of righteous rule by Messiah, Satan is able to gather an innumerable army from all over the is able to gather an innumerable army from all over the globe (described as “Gog and Magog”) for one final war globe (described as “Gog and Magog”) for one final war against Christ. against Christ.

This army surrounds the camp of the saints in “the holy This army surrounds the camp of the saints in “the holy city,” which is Jerusalem (see Psa 87:2).city,” which is Jerusalem (see Psa 87:2).

There is no long, protracted battle, however. Fire comes There is no long, protracted battle, however. Fire comes down from heaven and devours these enemies of God. down from heaven and devours these enemies of God.

Satan is cast into the lake of fire, where the beast and Satan is cast into the lake of fire, where the beast and the false prophet have already been for a thousand the false prophet have already been for a thousand years.years.

The White-Throne JudgmentThe White-Throne Judgment(Rev 20:11-15)(Rev 20:11-15)

The one who sits upon the throne is clearly the The one who sits upon the throne is clearly the Father, has it has been throughout the book. Father, has it has been throughout the book. But judgment has also been given to the Son. But judgment has also been given to the Son. Both Father and Son can sit upon this throne Both Father and Son can sit upon this throne because the Father and Son are one.because the Father and Son are one. Dan 7:9-10 is the background for this scene.Dan 7:9-10 is the background for this scene.

John sees the dead standing before the throne. John sees the dead standing before the throne. A set of books is opened, and another book, A set of books is opened, and another book, the Book of Life, is also opened.the Book of Life, is also opened. The first set of books contains the deeds of men The first set of books contains the deeds of men

and is used as the basis for judgment. The issue and is used as the basis for judgment. The issue here is evidently a degree of punishment rather here is evidently a degree of punishment rather than salvation. than salvation.

The White-Throne JudgmentThe White-Throne Judgment(Rev 20:11-15)(Rev 20:11-15)

““and the sea gave up the dead which were in it and and the sea gave up the dead which were in it and death and Hades gave up the dead which were in death and Hades gave up the dead which were in them” emphasizes that them” emphasizes that allall those who have not those who have not already been raised and judged will now be raised already been raised and judged will now be raised and judged.and judged.

These will primarily be the unrighteous dead, but These will primarily be the unrighteous dead, but could also include believers who have died during the could also include believers who have died during the millennium.millennium.

Anyone whose name is not found written in the Book Anyone whose name is not found written in the Book of Life will be thrown into the lake of fire, which is the of Life will be thrown into the lake of fire, which is the second death. second death.

Death and Hades will also be cast into the lake of fire, Death and Hades will also be cast into the lake of fire, finalizing Christ’s victory over them (1 Cor 15:22-26). finalizing Christ’s victory over them (1 Cor 15:22-26). Death will not exist in the new heavens and earth!Death will not exist in the new heavens and earth!

Next Week: The New Heaven Next Week: The New Heaven and New Earthand New Earth

Read Rev 19:11 – 22:5Read Rev 19:11 – 22:5