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Hello
@PloughBoy,
Thank you for your response.
* Only Revelation 20 names the 1,000 year Kingdom, and it is the standard against which all prophetic findings must be measured, I believe, in order to ensure that it conforms to the detail and conditions revealed there. For light on the millennium may be gathered from Daniel, Isaiah or the Psalms, but not all that looks as though it belongs in that period of time, does in fact fit the facts of Revelation 20,
* I believe that the period of 1,000 years is literal, if for no other reason than that it is repeated at least six times in verses 1-8 of that chapter.
* Satan will be bound during this period, so there will be no external tempting influence (Revelation 20:1-3).
'And I saw thrones,
and they sat upon them,
and judgment was given unto them:
and I saw the souls
of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus,
and for the word of God,
and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image,
neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands;
and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
But the rest of the dead lived not again
until the thousand years were finished.
This is the first resurrection.
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.'
(Rev 20:4)
* In verse 4, John sees thrones, '
and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them' (v. 4). Who are the 'they' who are enthroned in this verse? and what judgment do they exercise, and unto whom? These are quite separate from those described in the rest of the verse, who have part in the first of the two resurrections mentioned there, aren't they?
* Daniel 7:21 gives us an insight into who they are, and the judgment they are given:-
'
I beheld, and the same horn (the beast)
made war with the saints,
and prevailed against them;
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.'
(Dan 7:21-22)
'I beheld till the thrones were cast down (ie., 'set' or 'placed'),
and the Ancient of days did sit,
whose garment was white as snow,
and the hair of His head like the pure wool:
His throne was like the fiery flame,
and His wheels as burning fire.'
(Daniel 7:9)
* They are described as seated upon thrones, and judgment is given unto them. It would seem that they are given judgment, or the right or power whereby to execute judgement, regarding those who are resurrected in that first resurrection, thereby officially declaring them worthy of the honour being bestowed upon them, to reign with Christ for the 1,000 years, who in due time shall be avenged of their enemies and awarded their position in glory.
* The words,
'they sat', I believe must be taken as including God and Christ, and the seven spirits of Revelation 1:4 and 1 Timothy 5:21, where they are united, as well as in Matthew 25:31:-
'When the Son of man shall come in His glory,
and all the holy angels with Him,
then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory:'
* That throne is here seen placed for judgment immediately before the Millennium, and in connection with the '
first resurrection.' That throne is referred to in Joel 3:12; Jeremiah 3:17, Daniel 7:18 & 22. Then will take place, not merely the judgment and vindication of the martyred saints of the Tribulation, but that of the living nations (or Gentiles, as described in Matthew 25:31).
* That throne, as well as the thrones of the twelve apostles, are seen here placed for judgment according to Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30. Take a look also at Psalm 122:5; Ezekiel 43:7; Zechariah 6:13, Isaiah 32:1-4. Christ will have come, not only to 'make war,' but to 'judge'; for, 'in righteousness He doth judge and make war' (19:11).
* This is just the beginning of my study on this subject, I am sorry if I have not answered your questions yet, but I can do no other than start at the beginning and work my way through.
Thank you
In Christ Jesus
Chris
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We who are The sons of “God” have Three Fronts of “Warfare” we engage in.
1 The World
2. The Flesh
3. And The “Adversary.
They are Three different foes. And they are not The Same.
No matter what Worldly, philosophy , mundane assessment a child of GOD may arrive to.
If he slays The Devil, his warfare is not over, and he must not be a fool, for he must “Contend” with The flesh, and at the same time the Ally who is The World we be on his back. Riding him with spurs and a Bit in his mouth!
If any Child of God thinks The devil is their only foe on earth they need to take a look at “That Beast” in the Mirror! Who has “Restraints” on it! And then step outside and look around. Every where you look, Things you can see and can’t see is trying to kill you! Even the Mosquito which causes more deaths in the world than anything else. Your food is killing you, even the air you breath has become your enemy, Technology has become your enemy The Jones is your enemy, your son, your Mama and daddy, the IRS, the soda Pop, jealously is your enemy, your mind has become your enemy. You got a pill for everything. When you lie down at night when you wake in the morning, the ocean is your enemy, The Whole world is your enemy whether you know it or not. And when the devil is cast into the Pit and held there a 1000 years. Your fight is not over, unless you are a ruling “Saint”…The veil the scales will far from your eyes and “Behold, It was Leah”! And it was not Rachel!
Oh yea, the battle is not over after The Devil is cast into The Lake of Fire, evil still prevails, and the last enemy is “Death”. And this world, the old will be no more!
The Old has to Go! And a new one, Holy is going to be the new one coming to be! a City who’s builders is “GOD”. A New world “smooth as a brand new baby’s behind….No corrupted can come there or even known there! Wrong and sin is an “Unknown” Species there, Never heard of and never will be!
The devil is not our only enemy! And this veil will be taken off. We all will see who this unregenerate creature has become since the fall in the garden. Adam and Eve’s babies.
