The Millennium views

[Fellowservant]

End Times Prophecy

Lecture 10: The Millennium



Rev. 20:1-7 refers to the 1000 year reign of Christ. It is called “the millennium” because“millennium” means “one thousand years”. The phrase “a / the thousand years” is used 6 times in this passage. –

Rev. 20:1-7 “And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss
and holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who
is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 He threw him into the
Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations
anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. 4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshipped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.7 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison.”




The Basic Details in Rev. 20:1-7

Satan is locked up in the bottomless pit for a thousand years (vv.2-3)

Those raised in the first resurrection reign with Christ (vv.4, 6)

The first resurrection precedes the millennium (v.4)

The second death cannot touch those raised in the first resurrection (v.6)

The second resurrection does not take place till the end of the millennium (v.5)

Satan will be loosed for a while after the 1000 years reign of Christ (v.7)


Understanding Rev. 20:1-7



This passage refers to Jesus coming back to rule on earth for 1000 years with the
Church while Satan is locked up in the “Abyss” or “bottomless pit”, which is the deepest
part of hell. But most evangelical Christians take the “thousand years” figuratively as
referring to Christ reigning in heaven throughout the present church age for an
unspecified length of time. This Allegorical view of the millennium has been the
understanding of the Church for most of its existence, but there are those who take the
phrase literally as referring to Christ reigning on earth for an actual 1000 years, and this
takes place at the end of the present church age. This was the understanding which was
unanimous throughout the Church in the early centuries, including those who knew the
apostle John personally, such as the bishops Papias and Polycarp in the second
century. Belief in the reign of Jesus on earth was more or less universally accepted
among Christians from the time of the writing of the Book of Revelation until the time
Augustine in the 5th century.


The concept of a literal millennium is essentially Hebrew in character. That is why the disciples asked Jesus when the earthly Kingdom would come (Acts 1:6). Jesus did not reject this concept but rather confirmed it when He said “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority” (v.7), and yet the majority of Christians say that the disciples were mistaken in looking for an earthly Kingdom. In that
case Jesus was mistaken as well! The origin of the Church’s changed understanding of the millennium goes back to the introduction of Greek ideas: the preference for a spiritual rather than a material understanding of the afterlife.


The person who most influenced the Church towards an allegorical view of the millennium was Augustine; so much so that a council of Bishops at Ephesus in AD 431 condemned a literal millennium as heresy. The Church for the most part has followed this line ever since.
Those opposed to a literal and earthly understanding of the millennium say that Rev. Ch. 20 is the only place in the Bible which mentions it. They say it is meant to be understood symbolically because so much in the Book of Revelation is of a symbolic nature. Those however, who take the thousand years literally ask, How many times does God have to
say something before we believe it? In this passage the “one thousand years” is found six times. They argue that while it is true that there is a lot of symbolic material in Revelation the language in this passage is straightforward and reads as though factual and not symbolic.


The fact is that besides the clear statement about the 1000 year reign of Christ on earth in Rev. 20:1-7, there are a number of supporting references in the New Testament. To quote a few of them, the redeemed will “reign on the earth” (Rev. 5:10). The “kingdoms of the world” will become the “kingdoms of Christ” (Rev. 11:15). Paul writes of the “reign” of
Christ preceding “the end” (1 Cor. 15:25, 26). This makes no sense unless Paul is talking about the millennial reign of Christ when He will destroy all earthly powers. And Paul implies the resurrection of Christians before the rest of mankind when he says in Greek, “the resurrection out from the dead”, or “out from among the dead” in Phil. 3:11. The same Greek phrase is used of the resurrection of Jesus in Acts 4:2. Jesus was not simply raised “from the dead” but “out from among the dead”. This phrase, when used of Christians, implies that there are to be two resurrections. The first is “the resurrection of the righteous” (Lk. 14:14), a statement which confirms that Jesus believed in the “righteous” being raised first. He also clearly believed in a future earthly kingdom, in which “the meek…will inherit the earth” (Mt. 5:5).


All this is denied by those many believers who say that the millennium is Christ’s present reign in heaven. They say this is confirmed in Jesus’ statement, “My kingdom is not of this world” (Jn. 18:36). In reply it may be said that Jesus was talking about the origin of His Kingdom, not where it would be exercised. This understanding is required to make sense
of the many references elsewhere to an earthly Kingdom. Belief in two resurrections is also denied. It is said that when Christ comes again it will be to raise up believers and unbelievers at the same time. It is maintained that the Scriptures support only one resurrection and contradict the belief in two resurrections. For example, the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats in Mt. Ch. 25 is implying that believers and unbelievers are all judged at the same time. But sometimes Jesus compresses separate events in His statements so that they appear as though they were one event, as when He condensed the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70 with the events just prior to His return. Belief in one resurrection followed immediately by one judgment is also a denial of Christ’s future earthly Kingdom.


The Three Main Views about the Millennium


There are three main views about the Millennium. They are called Amillennialism,
Postmillennialism and Premillennialism. Each of these three views divide into two forms
and so in effect we have six views –


1.

Sceptical Amillennialism

The word “amillennium” means “no millennium”, and Sceptical millennialists do not believe in a millennial reign of Christ in any real sense. They are liberal in their interpretation of the Bible. They believe that human reason must decide what can be accepted in the Bible and what cannot. This is essentially an anti-supernatural view of the
Bible, and so Rev. Ch. 20 can be entirely dismissed along with most of the Book of Revelation – and most, if not all, that is supernatural in the Bible generally. They have no great interest in a future Kingdom of God but only in the here-and-now. This gave birth to the social Gospel. The “kingdom” is to do with improving conditions in this world now.


2.

Mythical Amillennialism


Since the word “Amillennialism” means “no millennium” those who accept this view do not believe in a literal 1000 years reign of Jesus, the number being regarded as symbolic of the whole church age. In this sense the “thousand years” is mythical. This means that there is a certain kind of link between Mythical Amillennialism, which is the view held by
so many Evangelicals, and the previous view held by Liberals. Evangelical Christians do not, of course, dismiss the Book of Revelation, but both they and the Liberals tend to neglect it. They see no need to wrestle with the difficulties which the Book presents. All the major Protestant Reformers (Luther, Calvin and Zwingli) had a low view of the Book.
Also both groups fail to take the reign of Christ seriously. The liberals spiritualise it away by saying that Christ reigns only in the sense that His followers continue His good work on earth now, while many evangelicals relegate Christ’s reign to a reign in heaven alone. In both cases there is no reign of Christ on earth. Both groups emphasise the need for love.


The Evangelicals put more emphasis on faith, but little on the future hope apart from a vague belief in eternal life in heaven. Amillennialists believe in a spiritual reign of Christ in heaven, and not a literal reign of Christ on earth. Like Postmillennialists they believe that Christ will return at the end of His heavenly reign. Both spiritualise the Scriptures.
As with Postmillennialists, most evangelical Christians believe that the Old Testament prophecies relating to the future of Israel are fulfilled in the Christian Church, and so the Church replaces Israel in the Old Testament Scriptures. This view is sometimes known as Replacement Theology.

Since the millennium is found only in Rev. Ch. 20 it is argued that it should be interpreted symbolically, especially as the Book of Revelation is full of symbols. The “first resurrection” (v.5) is not physical but spiritual and is the new birth.

This view has to be maintained in order to keep the belief in Christ’s reign as heavenly rather than earthly. A spiritual first ‘resurrection’ is also necessary in order to maintain only one physical resurrection and one judgment. But if the word “resurrection” is to be taken metaphorically it is the only place in the New Testament it is so used rather than as a physical rising from the dead. This mythical view of the Millennium is preferable to the liberal view. The many Evangelicals who believe in a mythical understanding of the millennium do at least try to make something of Rev. 20:1-7, but it does not take straightforward language seriously.

The millennium is said to be symbolic of the whole church age, from the resurrection of Christ until His return. During this period Christ reigns in heaven. Acts 2:30-35 is quoted –
“Brothers, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave,
nor did his body see decay.” This is hardly a reference to Christ reigning in heaven since David’s throne was on earth.

Since the Kingdom of God is thought of as spiritual and heavenly, not political and earthly, Satan is bound in this present age. Mt. 12:28,29 is used to support this, where Jesus says
–“But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has come upon you. Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house.

If, however, Satan is bound in this present age what are we to make of the present evil condition of the world, which are getting worse? But the fact is that this Scripture refers to Jesus’ ministry of bringing the Kingdom to the hearts of believers in this present age and to casting out evil spirits in this age. It has nothing to do with His end-times millennial reign.
Amillennialists share the same view as Postmillennialists with regard to the Great Tribulation as taking place immediately prior to the Second Coming of Jesus, rather than happening now. The parallels which exist between Amillennialism and Postmillennialism show that the former is really a modified form of the latter.

 

[Fellowservant]

3.

Spiritual Postmillennialism


This view states that the second coming of Christ is “post” or after the millennium. It requires for the most part a symbolic interpretation of the Scriptures. The millennium will be a literal period of 1000 years, but instead of it being the reign of Christ on earth, it will be the reign of the church on earth, which Christ reigning only in heaven, before He
returns to earth. There will be a time of universal peace, and acceptance of the Gospel –


Isa. 11:9 “They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.”

Isa. 66:23 “From one New Moon to another and from one Sabbath to another, all mankind will come and bow down before me, says the LORD.”


This, they say, will be the realisation of the Kingdom of God on earth, so that the whole world will be practically Christianised, the Kingdom of God and the Church being the same thing. But in actual fact none of this can be realised until Jesus comes back to reign on earth.

They also believe that Satan will be bound increasingly as the Gospel is spread.

So in John 12:31 –“Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out.”

But here Jesus is referring to the effects of His earthly ministry of miracles 2000 years ago. It is believed that Old Testament prophecies relating to the future of Israel are being fulfilled by the Christian Church. Some Jews will be converted, but there will not be a re-gathering of Israel to the Holy Land, the present return and setting up of modern Israel
being an ‘accident’ of history.


Satan will be released for a little while just before Christ returns, and the brief period of rebellion will be the Great Tribulation. So Rev. 20:7, 8 –

“When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth – Gog and Magog – to gather them for battler. In number they are like the sand on the seashore.”

Christ will return at the close of the millennial period after a brief time of tribulation on earth. Those Postmillennialists who accept the rapture believe that it and the resurrection will be two parts of the same event, there being no interval between them. Others do not accept the rapture at all, it being understood spiritually or symbolically. At Christ’s coming there will be one resurrection of everybody. The first resurrection in Rev. 20:1-6 is spiritual, being the rebirth of the soul in salvation, and the second resurrection is physical, being the resurrection of the body, in which all, saved and unsaved, participate. Everybody will be judged together before the great white throne – Rev. 20:11-15. The present earth and heaven will be dissolved and will give way to a new heaven and a new earth – 2 Pet. 3:10. This interpretation of the millennium has been the most widely accepted one through the centuries of the Church.




4.

Political postmillennialism

Over the Church age the belief has come and gone that Christians would one day take over the world. In recent times in the western world there has been a resurgence of this belief, especially in the Restorationist Movement, called the Reconstructionist Movement in America. The belief is part of what is called “dominion theology” and is charismatic in
nature. The redeemed are destined to rule the world in this present age; to set up a political kingdom in readiness for the return of Jesus. But this view regards Kingdom and Church as the same thing.


In this scheme Rev. Ch. 20 has a definite place. The “thousand years” is taken literally but as belonging to this age. It will be a period of Christian government throughout the world, but it will be achieved without the return of Jesus since He will come at the end of the period when the world is ready to receive Him. In this regard it is fundamentally different
to the premillennial view of the return of Jesus. Since this political millennium has not yet begun on earth, and since the return of Jesus
plays no part in it, the second coming fades into insignificance. Also the present state of the world would suggest that the reign of Christians on earth without Jesus’ return is a long way off.


5.


Classical Premillennialism


“Premillennium” means “before the millennium” and refers to Christ returning before the start of His thousand year reign. Premillennialists believe in the literal interpretation of all the scriptures concerned. The 1000 years in Rev. 20:4 is literal. By “classic Premillennialism” is meant that this is the traditional view which was held in the early centuries of the Christian Church. The Old Testament prophecies about the restoration of the nation of Israel are to be literally fulfilled, and those Jews living at the time of Christ’s return, or just before His return, will be saved –

Zech. 12:10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one who grieves for a firstborn son.”

Zech. 13:1 “On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity.”

Rom. 11:26 “And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.”

Jesus will reign in Person from Jerusalem over the nations of the world immediately following His Second Coming, this being the fulfilment of 2 Sam. 7:16 – “Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.”

The millennium will be a period of universal peace and righteousness for all nations –

Mic. 4:3 “He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.” There will be a restoration of peace and harmony between man and nature –

Isa. 11:6-9 “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his child put his hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.”

All pagan religion will be destroyed –

Zech. 13:2 “On that day, I will banish the names of the idols from the land, and they will be remembered no more, declares the LORD Almighty. I will remove both the prophets and the spirit of impurity from the land.”

Satan will be locked up in the bottomless pit for 1000 years – Rev. 20:1-3.
At the end of the 1000 years Satan will be loosed for a little while and will organise the unsuccessful rebellion of Gog and Magog –

Rev. 20:3 “He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time…7 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the
earth – Gog and Magog – to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. 9 They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them.”

Satan will finally be judged and cast into the Lake of Fire to be tormented forever –

Rev. 20:10 “And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulphur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever.”

The first resurrection in Rev. 20:6 will be the resurrection of believers only. Some see this as coinciding with the rapture and others see the rapture as preceding the first resurrection by a long or short period of time depending on where the tribulation fits in.
The second resurrection in Rev. 20:5,13 is of the wicked, and it does not take place until the completion of the millennium.


6.

Dispensational Premillennialism


This form of Premillennialism goes back to JN Darby in 1830. (See Lecture 8, pages 1 & 2.) It takes Rev. Ch. 20 in much the same way as the Classical form does but everything
is set within the framework of seven “dispensations” or eras of history, the last of these being the millennium. It relates to the Kingdom which, it is said, Jesus offered to the Jews at His first coming but which they rejected. As a result the Church age had to take place,
as a kind of parenthesis within God’s programme, but at the end of the days the Church will be snatched away in the “secret rapture”, which, we are told, could happen at any moment. Then it will be that the kingdom of Israel will be fully restored. The temple will be rebuilt and sacrifices reintroduced.

But this separates the Jews from the Christian Church in the end times, which runs counter to Paul’s teaching about one “olive tree” in Rom. 11:17-26, and also Jesus’ statement about “one flock and one shepherd” in Jn. 10:16. The idea of a rebuilt temple and the resumption of animal sacrifices also goes against the teaching in the Book of Hebrews which argues that the death of Jesus on the cross has done away with the
sacrificial system of the Book of Leviticus (Heb. 8:13).

Unfortunately dispensational teaching is often thought to be a necessary part of the Premillennial view, and so both are rejected. Often Christians are unaware of Classical Premillennialism and that it was the position of the early Christian Church.

Adelaide College



My view is classical Premill, Just thought id show some of the views.

God bless

 

[gotime]

ok I agree there is no option but toaccept that the 1000 years comes after the second coming and the ressurection of the living. but during that 1000 years satan will be here we will leave and go to heaven for this period of time. thus it says " and we will meet Him in the air" why becasue we are leaving. the earth becomes the abyss. a worl destroyed by plagues and wrath and all that is left is Satan and His angels with no living humans " and they shall be refuse on the ground"

this is also why John sees the city come down after the 1000 years with the redeemed why? Bacause they are with God in heaven not on earth untill after the 1000 years where the dead a raised judged and punished and then the Earth is made new.

blessings

 

[Jeffo]

Peters testamony in 2 pet 3, seems to support a Amillenialist view.

The Day of the Lord is heavily associated with the lords promise of his coming...as a theif, as it was in the days of Noah.
But the events of this day that they all looked to , was the passing away of the old earth and heavens, and looking to the new Heavens and the New earth, which equals the New Jerusalem.
Peter is not looking to a millenial reign, but the new H & E, where righteousness dwells.
It appears to me that the second coming is when the Heavens and earth disappear, and according to Revelation ,that happens after the millenium.
Jesus taught that his coming would be as it was in Noahs day, and that heaven and would pass away, but his word/promise wouldnt.
In Noahs day, noone survived but the elect, and so it will be in the day the son of man is revealed.

Rev 22
"Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done. "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."

Act 17
"Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent,
because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead."




I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom:

 

[Fellowservant]

Remember the apostles and Christ sometimes talked in figures of speech. (ie) the apostle Paul when he said we have come to the new Jerusalem. Preterist use what Paul said in a literal manner, as one of their passages to prove Preterism. Rev 19 and 20 should give you a revelation of what is to come concerning the Lords return. God bless

 

[Jeffo]

Hi Fellowservant.

Well im not a preterist, but i do favour the Amillenialist view.
Jesus in the gospels, and Peter, both refer to his coming as it was in Noahs day.
This is refering to the promise of his coming, as being that day when God will destroy by fire instead of water and save those in the ark/ or in Christ...everyone else perishes...

Peter then tells them, what kind of people ought you to be?..........as you look to these things, when the heavens will dissappear with a roar and the earth melts.

Peter encourages them by saying that theres going to be a new heaven and a new earth..where righteousness dwells.....a place prepared according to the promise that the lord Gave to Peter and us in Jn 14.

In my fathers house are many mansions, but i go to prepare a place for you......and i will come again and recieve you to myself, that you may be where i am.

Peter makes no mention of the earth not being destroyed ...so there can be a millenium..but he looks to the events of the Great white throne, when hev and earth dissappear and all things are risen and made new....and the book of life is opened and Jesus comes to render to everyman accordingly.

God isnt slow about bringing about this day, but he is patient, not wanting any to perish, because perish you will, just like they did in Noahs day. Only the saved will see the New world that Jesus has gone to prepare for us.
Today is the day of salvation, and i wouldnt encourage anyone to put it off till he comes to rule....

Jesus said that he had told us all things before the time, and Peter in this part of his epistle, had the perfect opportunity to tell us about the millenium, but didnt.

So much more to say about it...maybe later if anyone wishes to discuss it more.

Good news is hes coming to get us and where he is we will be....dont care where really, but ive got a feeling its something that no eye has ever seen..like the Fathers House.

 

[EzHitman]

From the Mountain, Book III



THE TWO COMING PROPHETS OF ISRAEL

AND MORE…

"Precious Child, pick up the pen and write. You have sought me long and hard in prayer, speaking mightily through My Spirit. You have brought closure to longstanding situations, which begged for closure; you have barred lies and you have caused My Spirit to pour forth a true, living water, where needed. In ways that you do not know, you have brought miracles, and to the ways of the wicked, you have brought curses. Nay, Child, the wicked shall not stand, but shall burn as stubble in the last days. Woe to the wicked, and to those whose love runs cold for me. They are in the clutches of Lucifer and My foot is upon them.
Now, Child, look around, for you are in My Upper Room of My Mountain. Indeed, all is glorious with My radiance. This is The Sabbath, a day or rest in Me. Yet, around the world so few rest in Me. Indeed, My place in their hearts is reduced to a token and their love for Me runs cold. I am squeezed out by the lure of the material illusion, but not for long. For, I shall forge a place in the lives of many through adversity. Many, who squeeze me out amidst comfort, will come on bended knees, amidst upheaval and destruction. Yet, in their time of plenty they knew me not. Shall I be quick to respond to those, who have loved the material over me? Nay! This shall not be. Many shall come to a dry well; for I shall forsake them for a time."
"But, My Lord, you are all-forgiving."
"Child, ‘tis so. I shall forgive when the heart and spirit are ripe for forgiveness; many of them shall go a long time before they are ripe for forgiveness. Child, you have been there, you know. It takes much time for the threads of darkness to be removed from one’s spirit, one’s body, one’s being. And, evil demons will stalk those with these threads. Have you not seen this?"
"Yes, My Lord."
"Child, many shall come before Me with dark, evil threads in their make-up, and with minds and hearts bearing a pittance for Me. Shall I illumine this with My Spirit? Nay, It shall not indwell this, but will indwell a heart, a body, a mind, a soul, which is totally broken, humbled in deep sorrow. The majority of these shall not know deep sorrow; for they have lived an insincere existence, founded on a lie, the lie being that they have loved Me all along. Nay, they have often relied on perverse preachers of the word to bring them truth. Yea, they have relied on the lost to feed the lost. In their great day of need, these shall be caught up in a dark whirlwind of their own making. Child, I have placed a curse upon the USA through the mouths of My prophets, and it shall prevail a long time."
"How long, My Lord?"
"Its remnants shall be upon the land for 250 years. And, even though The Millennium shall emerge and My Light shall befall this planet, many, who live in the USA, will struggle. For, you are a stiff-necked people, once blessed, but now accursed. You have prostituted the minds of the children and carried whoredom and prostitution into the homes of innocents the world over. Yea, you have a debt; and even in the face of bounty the world over, The United States of America shall lag behind."
"My Lord, this is great. Please have mercy upon these people to come? I beg this!"
"Child, your requests are known. Yet, My inroads into the minds of the offspring shall be slow and well into The Millenium before great prosperity will be known again. The USA will be reduced to rubble. See it will sparkle again in 350-post millenium. And it will thrive again until near the end of My millennial reign, when it will know downfall afterwards."
"What about the evil ones in Germany and the Syrians?"

"Even their fate shall not compare to that of the USA; for you have polluted the entire world for decades. They will kill millions, even billions; but you were once My chosen, My blessed, and you deserted Me as a nation for love of Satan. In your love for him, you brought millions into his clutches. Yes, what you have done is great; for, you have stolen My place in their hearts and made them ripe for destruction. Child, you cannot know the depths of what you have done as a country, but it is deep, very deep. You have other questions."
"Yes, My Lord, I have questions about the two prophets, who will prophesy during the last few years of UN rule over Israel."
"Child, it would do no good to name people or show faces; these are My chosen prophets. You ask if they are Elijah and Enoch. I say, ‘No, these are not Elijah and Enoch, but will do works just as great.’ You ask if they have worked as My prophets in other lives. I say,’ Yes, even as you have been the prophet, Aaron, and others of lesser stature, these have been prophets in other times, even Samuel and Zechariah. Yea, these have been mighty prophets, who wished to return. Called and chosen, they know who they are; and I am preparing them to return to Israel from different parts of the world. They have been called to this Mountain, even as you. Child, these are the latter days and Satan has his most powerful governing the world. I, likewise, send My most faithful to carry out My work. Let it be known that many false prophets will show up in Israel, believing they are the chosen; but they will go by the wayside readily. The two, true prophets, who are not only chosen, but have requested and desired to do this work, shall stand amidst great harshness. But, I am with them, and until it is their time, they shall have all power over evil. Yea, Child, these are My mysteries revealed to My tried and true servants.
You read yesterday that Tony Alamo believes himself to be one of the two and that he believes his wife will be raised from the dead to be the second. Nay, this is not so, but of his own imaginings. Child, he never made it to the top of My Mountain. No one can receive deep prophecies from me, unless this one makes it to the top of My Mountain. You have experienced the great opposition Lucifer exerts to keep all off this Mountain. This opposition, darkness, and evil of Satan and his servants strives to stop each and every one from rising to such spiritual heights. Yet, My desire instilled in My Chosen is a strong force, which attracts and propels. And, the evil ones cannot defeat what I have decided will come to pass. My will is supreme and in accord with that of Our Father. Child, remember this."
"My Lord, I never cease to be amazed and humbled. At times I feel life a small ant before such power; I feel so inadequate and lacking."
"Child, this is known; but My Spirit empowers you. It brings ability, where you are lacking; and it provides power, truth, and wholeness in abundance to My faithful. Your cup runneth over."
"My Lord, what is meant by Your Spirit is ‘sealed’ to me, as Your Apostles said when they blessed me. I have also read in the Bible that Your Spirit was sealed to The Ephesians."
"Child, look in Revelation and see where mine are sealed in their foreheads. These are the 144,000 and these were decided upon before the foundations of the world. The Ephesians, though not large in number, were sealed to My Spirit, as you have been sealed, in the forehead. Yet, this was known before the foundations."
"What is this sealing, exactly, and what does it do?"

"It is a promise, given of me, that you know the depths, the heights and breadths of my word, of my mysteries. It is a promise that you will have The Holy Spirit at all times to empower you; for you have been tested; you have been tried; and you have been found worthy to have this honor. You know and show Me to be your first love, your truth, your way, your light, and your life. And, you honor Me in this way continually. You go often on your knees to seek forgiveness, to keep your cup clean and overflowing with My Living Water, My Spirit. You humble yourself before Me and you abhor evil. Child, in this way, My Spirit is sealed to you. This is My Holy Spirit of Promise; this is My Promise. And, yes indeed, Child, you keep my commandments and you detest a lie. When you think that this is a difficult walk, you think right. The Ephesians had others to walk with; but, Child, you walk alone; this is the difficulty of the path. And, even though The Ephesians had others to walk with, they stumbled and lost favor with Me; for, they began to put eating, drinking, and socializing before Me. That of the world began to take precedence over Me and My Spirit. This is why I had something against them. The Greek translation is right in this; for I had something against them."
"So, they were among the 144,000, selected before the foundations. Are some of these back now?"
"Child, many are back and upon My Mountain. Read Revelation and you will see the 144,000 upon My Mountain. These are virgins; their cup is pure; it overfloweth with My Spirit; and My Spirit is sealed to them. They are undefiled with love of the material; they love Me through and through."
"But, My Lord, are some of these 144,000, who appear with You on Your Holy Mountain, in spirit?"
"Child, some are in spirit, but are bound by this common thread: they were chosen before the foundations. You ask if all know who they are. Some do, but these are few. Child, let us stop for today. I am Jesus. Yea Jehovah, Most High God of Earth."
As witnessed, dictated and recorded this 8^th day of November, 1997,
Linda Newkirk

 

[Fellowservant]

Hi Fellowservant.

Well im not a preterist, but i do favour the Amillenialist view.
Jesus in the gospels, and Peter, both refer to his coming as it was in Noahs day.
This is refering to the promise of his coming, as being that day when God will destroy by fire instead of water and save those in the ark/ or in Christ...everyone else perishes...

Peter then tells them, what kind of people ought you to be?..........as you look to these things, when the heavens will dissappear with a roar and the earth melts.

Peter encourages them by saying that theres going to be a new heaven and a new earth..where righteousness dwells.....a place prepared according to the promise that the lord Gave to Peter and us in Jn 14.

In my fathers house are many mansions, but i go to prepare a place for you......and i will come again and recieve you to myself, that you may be where i am.

Peter makes no mention of the earth not being destroyed ...so there can be a millenium..but he looks to the events of the Great white throne, when hev and earth dissappear and all things are risen and made new....and the book of life is opened and Jesus comes to render to everyman accordingly.

God isnt slow about bringing about this day, but he is patient, not wanting any to perish, because perish you will, just like they did in Noahs day. Only the saved will see the New world that Jesus has gone to prepare for us.
Today is the day of salvation, and i wouldnt encourage anyone to put it off till he comes to rule....

Jesus said that he had told us all things before the time, and Peter in this part of his epistle, had the perfect opportunity to tell us about the millenium, but didnt.

So much more to say about it...maybe later if anyone wishes to discuss it more.

Good news is hes coming to get us and where he is we will be....dont care where really, but ive got a feeling its something that no eye has ever seen..like the Fathers House.

You say that Jesus told us all things before the time? Do you mean before John and the book of revelation as well? Just wondering. I don't see a contradiction between the coming as in the days of Noah, or coming to destroy the beast and false prophet at his return Rev 19.

The book of revelation has warnings in it as well about his return (Ie behold i come quickly) And Amill Ive heard just means no Millennium, and they teach that the Millennium is taking place now. Jesus destroying the earth with fire, right after his return is not mentioned in the book of rev. As a matter of fact it puts a 1000 year period between his coming and the earth passing away. Ie great white throne judgment.

How will Christ rule the nations of the earth with a rod of iron, if he fries them all up at his coming? Some will be spared according to Daniel, not the armies that go up against the lord at his coming, but the people of these evil rulers. Ie the ten toed kingdom of Daniel and Rev.

Read all Daniel chapter 7, Rev 17:12 has more on these last kings as well.

Dan 7:11 I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld [even] till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
Dan 7:12 As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.



That's why i believe that Peter was talking in figurative speech or quoting a prophet of the OT. Prophecy is sometimes not word for word. Jesus told John to wright the book of revelation, he says come i will show you things that must shortly come to pass, probably long after Peter and even Paul.

Peter probably never even seen these letters (Ie the book of revelation) or any of the book of revelation that was given to John for the church, by the order of Christ himself. If we go about this the wrong way, we can end up having Christ, John, and Peter contradict themselves. But when it comes to Amill, Ive seen mostly all the arguments. We will have to agree to disagree here.

God bless

 

[Jeffo]

You say that Jesus told us all things before the time? Do you mean before John and the book of revelation as well? Just wondering

What did the Lord mean when he said that?
I take it to mean that he told us everything we needed to know about his coming.

"Unless the Lord had shortened those days, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose, He shortened the days.
"And then if anyone says to you, 'Behold, here is the Christ'; or, 'Behold, He is there'; do not believe him;
for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and will show signs and wonders, in order to lead astray, if possible, the elect.
"But take heed; behold, I have told you everything in advance.

But in those days, after that tribulation, THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT,
AND THE STARS WILL BE FALLING from heaven, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.
"Then they will see THE SON OF MAN COMING IN CLOUDS with great power and glory.

I dont think Paul had anything to add, nor Peter or John.
1Thess was Pauls first letter and in it he says this.

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord,

and

Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you.
For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.

Peter also, when he is teaching on his coming, reminds his readers that it is the Lords promise he refers to.

Both Peter and Paul add no new revelation, but rather say that this is what the lord said and we need not to say anymore concerning the lords promise.
Jesus is the one who opened their minds, after the ressurection, to show them things concerning himself-lk 24, and he dictates his revelation to John.

How will Christ rule the nations of the earth with a rod of iron, if he fries them all up at his coming?

Rev 1
John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne,
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood—
and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.


Tough subject hey bro?

Tell me, how can those who pierced him ,see him coming, when it appears that their ressurection is after the millenium?

Jesus is already the ruler, and we are already a kingdom of priests

Rev 20
Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.

AAH im raving on again, anyway cool to talk with you
God bless ya real good

 

[Fellowservant]

So when did the Millennium begin? Are you ruling the nations with Christ now with a rod of Iron, that takes all these kingdoms of the earth and gives them to the saints to rule with Christ? Daniel 7 and rev 19- 20.

Dan 7:27 And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom [is] an everlasting kingdom.


Dan 7:22 Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

Don't forget the horn here that persecutes the saints (Ie the man of sin Antichrist) for a time times and dividing of a time, 3 1/2 years . He must be destroyed before the saints take these kingdoms of the world and posses them.

Psa 2:8 Ask of me, and I shall give [thee] the heathen [for] thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth [for] thy possession.
Psa 2:9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
Psa 2:10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
Psa 2:11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
Psa 2:12 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.



According to Daniel and revelation, this is only a reality after Christ returns, not before. We must overcome to the end to receive the promises you posted about Kings and Priest. Kings and Priest are not a position in the Church yet. But are promised to them who overcome to the end. See below

Rev 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Rev 2:27 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.



The Amill teaching also leaves the beast and false prophet as being a past event, even the second coming, if we are in the Millennium now as they teach. As Christ returns to start the Mill but only after he destroys the man of sin that is to come Rev 19-20. Therefore Christ would have already come if that's the case. Like i said we disagree.


God bless brother

 

[rs3vans]

ok I agree there is no option but toaccept that the 1000 years comes after the second coming and the ressurection of the living. but during that 1000 years satan will be here we will leave and go to heaven for this period of time. thus it says " and we will meet Him in the air" why becasue we are leaving. the earth becomes the abyss. a worl destroyed by plagues and wrath and all that is left is Satan and His angels with no living humans " and they shall be refuse on the ground"

this is also why John sees the city come down after the 1000 years with the redeemed why? Bacause they are with God in heaven not on earth untill after the 1000 years where the dead a raised judged and punished and then the Earth is made new.

blessings

I think you need to read more carefully:

Rev 20:1-3
1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit and a heavy chain in his hand. 2 He seized the dragon—that old serpent, who is the devil, Satan—and bound him in chains for a thousand years. 3 The angel threw him into the bottomless pit, which he then shut and locked so Satan could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years were finished...

This seems pretty clear to me: "...could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years were finished..."

Rev 20:7-9
7 When the thousand years come to an end, Satan will be let out of his prison. 8 He will go out to deceive the nations—called Gog and Magog—in every corner of the earth. He will gather them together for battle—a mighty army, as numberless as sand along the seashore. 9 And I saw them as they went up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded God’s people and the beloved city. But fire from heaven came down on the attacking armies and consumed them.

It seems pretty clear here that God's people and the holy city are actually on Earth, as it says: "...on the broad plain of the earth..."

Rev 21:1-4
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

This also seems to make things clear that the new Jerusalem has come from heaven to merge with the old, where God's people currently reside. Notice the wording: "Look, God’s home is now among his people!" Why would it be worded this way if God's people had been with Him in heaven all along?

God bless...

 

[gotime]

I think you need to read more carefully:

Rev 20:1-3
1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit and a heavy chain in his hand. 2 He seized the dragon—that old serpent, who is the devil, Satan—and bound him in chains for a thousand years. 3 The angel threw him into the bottomless pit, which he then shut and locked so Satan could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years were finished...

This seems pretty clear to me: "...could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years were finished..."

Rev 20:7-9
7 When the thousand years come to an end, Satan will be let out of his prison. 8 He will go out to deceive the nations—called Gog and Magog—in every corner of the earth. He will gather them together for battle—a mighty army, as numberless as sand along the seashore. 9 And I saw them as they went up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded God’s people and the beloved city. But fire from heaven came down on the attacking armies and consumed them.

It seems pretty clear here that God's people and the holy city are actually on Earth, as it says: "...on the broad plain of the earth..."

Rev 21:1-4
1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had disappeared. And the sea was also gone. 2 And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. 3 I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, “Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

This also seems to make things clear that the new Jerusalem has come from heaven to merge with the old, where God's people currently reside. Notice the wording: "Look, God’s home is now among his people!" Why would it be worded this way if God's people had been with Him in heaven all along?

God bless...

then why do we leave and rise up


1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive [and] remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

why in the air cause we are leaving this earth is the pit into which satan is chained. abyss is the state of the earth at the second coming refer to the earth beofer creation same language.

Why can satan not tempt or decieve? becasue no human is hear for the 1000 years.

there is no mention of the city coming to earth before the 1000 years. yet it is mentioned after why? becasue that is when it happens at the end of the 1000 years

what are the saits doing during this 1000 years?

1Co 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

I see where you are coming from but my beliefe fits if you have my cronology that I believe is biblical.

Jesus comes back takes the saved and leave earth with the saved who then partake in the judgment of the dead (those who are not saved).
mean while satan is stuck on this earth with no one to tempt. he is not aloud to leave it is his prison. no one will be alive on earthat this time except satan and his angels.

Jer 25:33 And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from [one] end of the earth even unto the [other] end of the earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.

then at the end of the thousand years the city of GOd and all the saints will come to take the earth

Mat 5:5 Blessed [are] the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

and then the second ressurection will take place

Rev 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.

this is where Satan will take his people and try once more to o take the holy city but they will be judged and suffer the second death and then the earth will be made new for sin will be done away with.

the difference between what you said and what I say is that our order of events are different blessings