WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.040 If you want to open up your Bibles to Revelation chapter 20, I'm going to be preaching what Samir just read, Revelation 20, verses 1 through 10. 00:00:11.040 --> 00:00:20.660 But first, I've got to tell you this. There's this restaurant in town that serves an appetizer called sidewalk fries. 00:00:22.280 --> 00:00:24.140 Now, let me describe them. 00:00:24.140 --> 00:00:31.420 Don't leave, though, upon hearing this and go get some. 00:00:32.260 --> 00:00:48.159 These chunks of fried potatoes smothered in nacho cheese spread and then sprinkled with finely chopped onions in these chunky bacon bits. 00:00:49.900 --> 00:00:51.240 They're phenomenal. 00:00:54.140 --> 00:00:57.259 I love that appetizer. 00:00:58.960 --> 00:01:00.920 Maybe you love appetizers. 00:01:02.420 --> 00:01:12.840 If you don't know what an appetizer is, an appetizer is this dish that's served after a guest arrives in a restaurant but before the main course. 00:01:12.840 --> 00:01:24.120 And so an appetizer kind of takes the edge off your hunger while whetting your appetite for what's to come, the real thing. 00:01:24.939 --> 00:01:31.359 So this morning, maybe you've not heard anybody compare the millennial reign of Jesus Christ with an appetizer. 00:01:31.359 --> 00:01:46.120 But the millennial reign of Christ, the thousand-year reign of Jesus on earth, it takes place after Jesus' arrival, Revelation 19, 11 through 21. 00:01:46.120 --> 00:01:51.780 But before the main course, Revelation 21 and 22. 00:01:52.780 --> 00:01:59.640 The recreations of the heaven and the earth when we will dwell with Christ and all of his people in New Jerusalem. 00:01:59.640 --> 00:02:05.099 This morning, I have the privilege of proclaiming the millennial reign of Christ. 00:02:05.239 --> 00:02:14.460 And like I said, sequentially, it comes after the return of Christ but before the making of the new heavens and the new earth. 00:02:15.139 --> 00:02:19.420 Now, next week, Matt Sear is going to get to preach on the great white throne judgment. 00:02:19.419 --> 00:02:24.099 That's the second half of Revelation chapter 20. 00:02:24.559 --> 00:02:30.779 But this morning, the thousand-year reign of Christ on earth, the millennium. 00:02:31.060 --> 00:02:34.859 When you hear thousand years, a thousand years is a millennium. 00:02:37.119 --> 00:02:41.039 So I'm going to walk us through Revelation chapter 21 through 10. 00:02:41.139 --> 00:02:43.179 There are three scenes that I want you to see. 00:02:43.180 --> 00:02:53.620 And what it's all designed to do is give you a future glimpse of a coming glory that should put hope in your heart that makes you endure. 00:02:55.060 --> 00:02:56.360 It's persevering power. 00:02:58.099 --> 00:03:02.819 But before I go there, I just need to make a basic observation. 00:03:03.540 --> 00:03:06.400 And then I want to show you my interpretive hand. 00:03:09.000 --> 00:03:09.439 Okay. 00:03:09.700 --> 00:03:11.540 So here's the basic observation. 00:03:11.539 --> 00:03:23.439 If you're looking at Revelation chapter 20, that little phrase, 1,000 years, it shows up six times in ten verses. 00:03:24.259 --> 00:03:36.019 Now, if you're a student of the Bible, you realize that when a phrase like that shows up as frequently as that in such a short amount of scriptural real estate like that, 00:03:36.019 --> 00:03:38.620 you realize it's getting your attention. 00:03:39.500 --> 00:03:40.939 It's emphatic. 00:03:41.539 --> 00:03:49.239 So let me just point out from the very front of this sermon, I want you to see it. 00:03:49.639 --> 00:03:58.719 At the end of chapter 20, verse 2, that Satan is bound and thrown into an abyss for a thousand years. 00:03:58.719 --> 00:04:06.419 And then at the end of verse 3, he's there. 00:04:06.419 --> 00:04:09.139 That's the second time a thousand years shows up. 00:04:09.419 --> 00:04:16.319 The third time is at the end of verse 4, talking about those who've been raised as part of the first resurrection. 00:04:16.819 --> 00:04:19.980 They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 00:04:19.980 --> 00:04:25.200 Verse 5, the rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. 00:04:25.740 --> 00:04:34.060 And then at the end of verse 6, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. 00:04:34.140 --> 00:04:35.200 It's the fifth time. 00:04:35.280 --> 00:04:40.900 And then the sixth time, verse 7, and when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison. 00:04:40.899 --> 00:04:43.659 A thousand years shows up six times. 00:04:45.159 --> 00:04:46.219 Here's what you need to know. 00:04:46.319 --> 00:04:51.000 This is the only place in your Bible that the thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ is referenced. 00:04:51.000 --> 00:05:02.920 And so what that means is that there are a lot of Bible-believing Christians who've been bought by the blood of Jesus that have different positions on the millennial reign of Jesus. 00:05:04.439 --> 00:05:09.579 There's debate how to interpret this thousand-year reign of Jesus. 00:05:09.759 --> 00:05:11.540 Here are some of the options. 00:05:12.120 --> 00:05:15.819 There is, remember, a thousand years means a millennium. 00:05:16.439 --> 00:05:19.560 So have you ever heard of post-millennialism? 00:05:19.699 --> 00:05:20.620 I know that's a big word. 00:05:20.620 --> 00:05:31.379 But the idea behind it is it's a position which Christians believe that there will be this golden age of the gospel going out on earth, and things will be transformed. 00:05:31.899 --> 00:05:35.480 And at the end of this millennium, Christ will return. 00:05:35.639 --> 00:05:42.220 So the post of post-millennium is that Jesus comes back after the millennium, post-millennium. 00:05:42.680 --> 00:05:44.199 I'm not a post-millennialist. 00:05:45.120 --> 00:05:48.100 And then there is the ah-millennialist position. 00:05:48.100 --> 00:05:52.020 Ah- meaning no or non. 00:05:52.939 --> 00:06:00.460 And so an ah-millennist will say, no, there is not a literal 1,000-year reign of Jesus on earth. 00:06:00.459 --> 00:06:12.180 They will hold that the millennium is more of a symbolic reign that began when Christ ascended to the right hand of the Father and will culminate upon his return. 00:06:12.519 --> 00:06:17.379 And so the idea is all millennialists believe that the millennium is actually the church age. 00:06:18.079 --> 00:06:20.179 We're in the millennium is what they would teach. 00:06:20.180 --> 00:06:27.100 Now, I am not an ah-millennialist, but I am very sympathetic to ah-millennialists. 00:06:27.160 --> 00:06:29.519 I've got ah-millennialist friends, believe it or not. 00:06:29.519 --> 00:06:36.060 I'm actually pretty sympathetic to that position. 00:06:37.379 --> 00:06:39.979 And then there is the pan-millennialists. 00:06:42.339 --> 00:06:46.120 If you're a Bible scholar, you're saying, I've never read of pan-millennialism. 00:06:47.399 --> 00:06:51.079 Well, pan-millennialism is it all pans out at the end. 00:06:52.240 --> 00:06:53.959 It's not really a technical position. 00:06:53.959 --> 00:06:56.319 I know that Jesus wins and he rocks. 00:06:56.459 --> 00:06:57.099 I'm for it. 00:06:57.159 --> 00:06:57.839 Come, Lord Jesus. 00:07:00.199 --> 00:07:02.099 I used to be a pan-millennialist. 00:07:04.759 --> 00:07:12.019 But now I have embraced what's called a pre-millennialist understanding. 00:07:13.659 --> 00:07:22.819 And what a pre-millennialist is, it's based on a careful study of your Bible, this passage in particular, and your understanding of Revelation as a whole. 00:07:22.819 --> 00:07:30.579 And that is the conviction that Jesus will return to earth bodily before the millennium. 00:07:31.800 --> 00:07:36.519 And he will reign physically on earth for this thousand years. 00:07:36.519 --> 00:07:51.359 And so what that means is, we are not in the millennium now, but when Jesus returns, Revelation 19, and he wipes out the beast and false prophet in Armageddon, 00:07:51.919 --> 00:07:56.120 he's going to usher in the millennium when he is reigning on earth. 00:07:56.120 --> 00:08:04.780 And following the millennium, we have final judgment and then the new heavens and the new earth and the new Jerusalem. 00:08:04.779 --> 00:08:14.439 And so it's part of a basic time sequence at the end of the book of Revelation. 00:08:14.759 --> 00:08:17.219 Now there's a bunch of other reasons why I'm a pre-millennialist. 00:08:17.279 --> 00:08:18.959 But why I'm telling you this is this. 00:08:19.359 --> 00:08:25.619 I'm going to approach Revelation 20, 1 through 10, from a pre-millennial framework. 00:08:25.620 --> 00:08:31.160 And so if you want to know more of why I'm a pre-millennialist, I'd be glad to tell you. 00:08:32.100 --> 00:08:34.019 But I'm going to argue it from the text. 00:08:35.600 --> 00:08:43.179 And so as we go along here, I think you'll understand why this is a position that is something to embrace. 00:08:43.179 --> 00:08:48.919 So whether you're a post-millennialist, a-millennialist, pan-millennialist, or pre-millennialist, 00:08:49.439 --> 00:08:50.899 Jesus is coming back. 00:08:52.259 --> 00:08:56.839 And it's something to put your heart towards and trust in. 00:08:58.019 --> 00:08:58.299 Okay. 00:08:59.799 --> 00:09:00.859 Preface done. 00:09:01.839 --> 00:09:07.099 Now let's look at this future glimpse of the thousand-year reign of Jesus on earth. 00:09:07.539 --> 00:09:11.339 These three scenes from Revelation 21 through 10. 00:09:11.340 --> 00:09:13.540 And here are how these three scenes are organized. 00:09:13.980 --> 00:09:17.820 We get a view immediately before the thousand-year reigns. 00:09:17.840 --> 00:09:19.000 That verses 1 through 3. 00:09:19.280 --> 00:09:22.879 We get to see what's going on during the thousand-year reign. 00:09:22.960 --> 00:09:23.759 That's 4 through 6. 00:09:24.060 --> 00:09:28.420 And then in 7 and 10, what happens immediately after the thousand-year reign. 00:09:28.680 --> 00:09:31.940 And it's all this future glimpse to put hope in your heart, Christian. 00:09:34.259 --> 00:09:38.980 So let's turn to scene 1, chapter 21 through 3. 00:09:38.980 --> 00:09:45.820 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a gray chain. 00:09:46.860 --> 00:09:51.500 And he seized the dragon, the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, 00:09:51.659 --> 00:09:56.360 and threw him into the pit and shut it and sealed it, so that he may not deceive the nations any longer, 00:09:56.440 --> 00:09:57.940 until the thousand years were ended. 00:09:58.960 --> 00:10:00.879 After that, he must be released for a little while. 00:10:00.879 --> 00:10:10.240 So remember, Revelation 20, 1 through 10 follows Revelation 19, 11 through 21, when Christ comes back. 00:10:11.039 --> 00:10:17.019 So I'm understanding Revelation 20, 1 through 10, as taking place with Jesus on the earth. 00:10:18.960 --> 00:10:20.600 So he's already returned. 00:10:20.600 --> 00:10:26.440 He's already thrown the beast and false prophets, had them seized, thrown into the lake of fire. 00:10:26.800 --> 00:10:34.440 And so we wrap up at the end of Revelation 19, the second and third person of the anti-trinity are being tormented in the lake of fire. 00:10:34.540 --> 00:10:36.560 And you're left asking, well, what about their ringleader? 00:10:38.040 --> 00:10:39.019 What about the devil? 00:10:40.139 --> 00:10:41.460 What's his fate? 00:10:41.460 --> 00:10:48.879 Chapter 20, verse 1, an angel comes down from heaven, and what you need to notice is what he's holding on to. 00:10:49.500 --> 00:10:53.560 In his hand is a key to the bottomless pit, the abyss. 00:10:53.639 --> 00:10:54.900 We've already encountered that. 00:10:55.220 --> 00:10:55.920 Chapter 9. 00:10:57.019 --> 00:11:03.220 It's this hell hole where demonic beasts come out of, bent on destruction. 00:11:03.360 --> 00:11:10.639 And an angel, in chapter 9, comes down with a key and unlocks the lid to that hell hole, and they go destroy things. 00:11:11.460 --> 00:11:17.300 The abyss is pictured as a place where demons are locked away and restrained. 00:11:17.920 --> 00:11:20.259 And there's seemingly only one key. 00:11:21.360 --> 00:11:24.000 And we have an angel returning with the key. 00:11:25.620 --> 00:11:30.600 That hell hole is open, but he's about to close it and lock it. 00:11:31.720 --> 00:11:33.259 He's also got a chain. 00:11:34.340 --> 00:11:36.560 And that chain is in his hand. 00:11:37.019 --> 00:11:38.340 It's not bling. 00:11:38.340 --> 00:11:46.639 It is there in his hand because he's going to bind something. 00:11:47.639 --> 00:11:49.160 To capture something. 00:11:49.580 --> 00:11:52.700 This angel is on a dragon hunt. 00:11:52.700 --> 00:11:59.960 So, what we see happening is, the angel comes down. 00:12:00.040 --> 00:12:03.240 He's got this key to the abyss, and he's got this chain. 00:12:03.860 --> 00:12:12.040 And we're not told about the size of this chain or the composition of this chain, but I'm guessing if you got a close-up look on one of those links of the chain, 00:12:12.039 --> 00:12:16.039 you would see this written, forged in heaven. 00:12:16.279 --> 00:12:17.819 Nothing can break the chain. 00:12:17.820 --> 00:12:27.400 And in chapter 20, verses 2 and 3, we see what this angel comes and does. 00:12:28.120 --> 00:12:29.200 Five verbs. 00:12:29.980 --> 00:12:32.300 He shows up and seizes the dragon. 00:12:33.300 --> 00:12:40.780 There's this pileup of titles so that you know that there's no doubt of who this angel is angel handling. 00:12:40.779 --> 00:12:46.620 The dragon, the ancient serpent, the devil, literally the Satan, the accuser. 00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:49.939 We were introduced to him back in Revelation chapter 12. 00:12:52.839 --> 00:12:55.439 This angel comes down and seizes the dragon. 00:12:55.559 --> 00:12:58.939 We're not told about like this battle that ensues. 00:12:59.039 --> 00:13:01.299 I'm just picturing he grabbed him by the scruff of his neck. 00:13:01.299 --> 00:13:05.779 And then he seizes them, the second verb. 00:13:05.879 --> 00:13:08.740 He binds him, bound him for a thousand years. 00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:11.779 It's the first time that millennium shows up. 00:13:13.559 --> 00:13:16.179 Remember, that chain is forged in heaven. 00:13:16.339 --> 00:13:18.099 There's nothing that can break this chain. 00:13:20.439 --> 00:13:29.439 And then he takes this dragon, binds him, and then tosses him into the open pit of the abyss. 00:13:29.440 --> 00:13:32.180 Throws him down the hole. 00:13:34.400 --> 00:13:39.460 There's a demonstration here of power of an angel. 00:13:40.900 --> 00:13:42.500 Jesus isn't getting his hands dirty here. 00:13:44.960 --> 00:13:50.320 And then in my mind, the fourth verb is not only the third verb threw him into the abyss. 00:13:50.460 --> 00:13:53.180 The fourth verb is he shut the lid on the abyss. 00:13:53.360 --> 00:13:55.440 I picture he's just kind of like kicked it shut. 00:13:56.080 --> 00:13:58.000 It's like this mantle cover with hinges. 00:13:58.000 --> 00:14:00.659 And he's like threw him in, kicked it shut. 00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:09.279 Kicks it shut, then locks it. 00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:12.299 Throws him into the abyss. 00:14:13.700 --> 00:14:20.899 And then if that's not enough, the fifth verb is he sealed the entrance over the chain-bound dragon. 00:14:21.980 --> 00:14:24.080 I wonder what that seal read. 00:14:24.179 --> 00:14:25.740 I'm guessing it read something like this. 00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:32.720 Not to be opened until the thousand years have ended by order of the one who sits upon the throne in heaven. 00:14:34.279 --> 00:14:35.860 That's what a seal is. 00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:51.779 These five verbs make it very clear that the dragon is angel-handled, thrown into this pit, bound, so that he cannot exert anything of his influence. 00:14:51.779 --> 00:14:55.360 It's not a partial restraint. 00:14:55.360 --> 00:14:56.480 Full restraint. 00:15:00.319 --> 00:15:08.120 And in 20 verse 3, we're given the reason why Satan is seized, bound, thrown into this, closed and sealed. 00:15:08.120 --> 00:15:12.620 We read, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer. 00:15:12.779 --> 00:15:21.980 For a thousand years, Satan is completely removed from exercising his deceptive influence that opposes Christ and leads the nations away. 00:15:21.980 --> 00:15:28.440 And then the very last sentence of verse 3. 00:15:28.440 --> 00:15:31.519 We read of the second reference to the millennium. 00:15:33.460 --> 00:15:35.779 After that, he must be released for a little while. 00:15:36.159 --> 00:15:38.779 Until the thousand years were ended, he's locked up. 00:15:41.000 --> 00:15:44.259 Satan must be released for a little while. 00:15:44.259 --> 00:15:49.159 Did you see that word must in the last sentence of verse 3? 00:15:49.819 --> 00:15:52.179 That is a divine must. 00:15:52.980 --> 00:15:56.939 This is God's sovereign plan being worked out. 00:15:57.179 --> 00:16:01.659 And you might be sitting in your seat saying, well, I don't know about you, but that's not how I would do it. 00:16:02.960 --> 00:16:03.860 You're not God. 00:16:07.200 --> 00:16:13.100 This is his sovereign plan being worked out, and we're given a future glimpse of it to put hope in your heart. 00:16:14.259 --> 00:16:19.200 So let me summarize this. 00:16:19.319 --> 00:16:23.319 After Jesus returns to earth, Satan is seized, bound, thrown into the abyss. 00:16:23.759 --> 00:16:28.340 The angel kicks the door shut, seals it with a seal for a thousand years, the millennium. 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:34.840 He is unable to exert any influence for a thousand years, completely cut off. 00:16:34.840 --> 00:16:42.340 And why this is here, it is clearing the stage for Jesus' 1,000-year reign on earth. 00:16:44.259 --> 00:16:56.899 So if 21-3 takes place immediately before Christ's 1,000-year reign, 20 verses 4-6 shows us what is happening during the 1,000-year reign of Christ. 00:16:57.159 --> 00:16:58.980 But there's a little bit of a surprise to it. 00:16:59.100 --> 00:17:03.600 Because you look at verses 4-6, and you're waiting for Jesus, the spotlight to be on Jesus. 00:17:03.600 --> 00:17:08.160 And what it actually talks about is those of us who are reigning with him. 00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:21.319 So what we see here in this second scene, in 20 verse 4, it opens with John seeing thrones. 00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:27.679 And when you hear throne, your study of the book of Revelation, you know that represents authority. 00:17:31.019 --> 00:17:36.379 And not only does John see these thrones, he sees people sitting on these thrones. 00:17:37.159 --> 00:17:41.599 And these people seated on these thrones were given the right to judge. 00:17:41.700 --> 00:17:43.000 That's what the text says. 00:17:43.779 --> 00:17:45.839 God gives them the right to judge. 00:17:46.740 --> 00:17:49.019 The right to exercise authority. 00:17:49.019 --> 00:17:56.819 In other words, whoever these people are sitting on these thrones, they're legit. 00:17:57.440 --> 00:18:03.220 In God's eyes, to taking up a position of authority during the 1,000-year reign of Jesus. 00:18:04.240 --> 00:18:06.079 So who are these people on the thrones? 00:18:07.619 --> 00:18:09.500 Well, there's a little controversy in this. 00:18:09.579 --> 00:18:11.099 I'm going to give you my best shot at it. 00:18:11.099 --> 00:18:18.639 But we're told in verse 4, definitely who is, who is at least in part on the thrones. 00:18:19.639 --> 00:18:25.559 Also, I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God. 00:18:26.259 --> 00:18:32.279 We know at a minimum, those on the throne are those martyrs of Christ who have gone to their deaths, 00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:35.039 proclaiming Jesus and the word of God. 00:18:35.039 --> 00:18:42.420 Now, that phrase, the testimony of Jesus Christ and the word of God, that shows up in Revelation 1, 9, 00:18:42.579 --> 00:18:52.099 where John is describing himself as one who's committed to the testimony of Jesus and the word of God. 00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:53.279 And he didn't die. 00:18:55.059 --> 00:18:57.180 He was in prison, but he wasn't martyred. 00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:58.019 He wasn't beheaded. 00:18:58.019 --> 00:19:08.500 So that makes me think that those who are on the throne, at least some of them are those who've been beheaded for Jesus. 00:19:09.920 --> 00:19:13.680 And what follows next, in the ESV it reads, 00:19:14.019 --> 00:19:14.740 ESV it reads, 00:19:14.940 --> 00:19:19.980 And those who had not worshipped the beast for its image and had not received the mark on their foreheads or their hands. 00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:23.920 This could be a reference to those beheaded, the martyrs, 00:19:23.920 --> 00:19:30.220 or it could be a more general reference to those people who had not bowed the knee to the beast. 00:19:30.820 --> 00:19:36.519 And so you can have two groups of people here who are faithful to Christ all the way until the end of their death, 00:19:36.800 --> 00:19:37.800 whether martyred or not. 00:19:38.880 --> 00:19:44.060 I tend to think that whether you hold one view or the other throughout the book of Revelation, 00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:49.380 those martyrs, Revelation 6, 9, who are under the altar crying, 00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:50.600 How long, O Lord? 00:19:50.599 --> 00:19:53.899 Lord, they represent the church. 00:19:57.319 --> 00:19:59.240 They're a figurehead of sorts. 00:20:01.839 --> 00:20:11.539 So what I believe is going on here is that those sitting on these multiple thrones are actually the great multitude. 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:17.519 Those who've been faithful to Jesus all the days of their life. 00:20:17.519 --> 00:20:20.740 Not just those who've been beheaded. 00:20:20.960 --> 00:20:23.700 All those who'd not bow their knee to the beast. 00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:24.980 Its image. 00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:29.000 They didn't bear the beast's brand of 666. 00:20:29.379 --> 00:20:33.579 That completely incomplete three-digit number. 00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:38.359 But no, these are the people that in Revelation 14, 1, 00:20:38.460 --> 00:20:41.299 have the number of the lamb written on their forehead. 00:20:41.299 --> 00:20:49.379 These are those who've gone all the way to their deaths, remaining faithful to Jesus, whether martyred or not. 00:20:49.380 --> 00:20:54.420 So here's the question. 00:20:56.720 --> 00:21:05.500 How is it that dead people sit on thrones and reign with Christ? 00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:12.140 Because in this text that we're reading that they are reigning with Christ. 00:21:13.099 --> 00:21:19.960 You can see that, I believe, at the end of chapter, verse 5 and 6. 00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:20.039 They reigning with Christ. 00:21:24.680 --> 00:21:26.600 They reigning with Him for a thousand years. 00:21:29.079 --> 00:21:32.079 They came to life and reigning with Christ for a thousand years. 00:21:33.539 --> 00:21:36.200 How is it that dead people sit on thrones and reign? 00:21:39.700 --> 00:21:41.180 Well, we're told in verse 5, 00:21:42.200 --> 00:21:44.220 the rest of the dead, excuse me, verse 4, 00:21:44.220 --> 00:21:47.940 they came to life and they reigning with Christ for a thousand years. 00:21:47.960 --> 00:21:49.180 They came to life. 00:21:50.140 --> 00:21:53.759 There's debate between those who have different positions on the millennium 00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:56.640 of what this brought to life means, 00:21:56.759 --> 00:21:59.100 I believe, in this most basic sense, 00:21:59.339 --> 00:22:00.920 is that they've been raised from the dead. 00:22:01.740 --> 00:22:03.440 Makes the most sense contextually. 00:22:04.799 --> 00:22:06.700 And not only were they raised from the dead, 00:22:06.759 --> 00:22:07.640 they came to life, 00:22:07.880 --> 00:22:09.779 they reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 00:22:09.860 --> 00:22:11.700 They were beheaded, they suffered for Christ, 00:22:11.700 --> 00:22:13.120 and God brought them to life, 00:22:13.200 --> 00:22:14.079 and they reigned with Jesus, 00:22:14.220 --> 00:22:17.799 on earth because He's back on earth, Revelation 19. 00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:22.160 And at the end of verse 5, 00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:25.620 John calls this coming to life of all those who are faithful to Christ 00:22:25.620 --> 00:22:26.640 prior to His coming, 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:29.279 as the quote-unquote, the first resurrection. 00:22:31.259 --> 00:22:34.200 It's referencing a real bodily resurrection 00:22:34.200 --> 00:22:38.440 of those who had really died faithful to Jesus. 00:22:38.440 --> 00:22:43.980 So these thrones are multiple, 00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:46.460 and those sitting on them 00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:50.240 are those who've been faithful to Jesus all the days of their life. 00:22:55.980 --> 00:23:00.200 For me, the source of great joy and confidence is thinking, 00:23:00.200 --> 00:23:03.200 I've got a throne waiting for me. 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:07.160 To reign with Christ. 00:23:09.559 --> 00:23:10.559 That's the highlight. 00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:15.600 Raised and reigning with Christ. 00:23:15.920 --> 00:23:18.279 They will reign with Him for a thousand years. 00:23:18.279 --> 00:23:20.680 All throughout this thousand-year period, 00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:22.920 whether it's an actual thousand years, 00:23:23.100 --> 00:23:26.360 or an extended period of time in which that thousand years 00:23:26.360 --> 00:23:28.560 is mainly kind of a symbolic number, 00:23:28.900 --> 00:23:32.180 we are with Him for a thousand years, 00:23:32.700 --> 00:23:37.600 deputized to carry out His thousand-year reign on earth. 00:23:37.680 --> 00:23:39.240 Now, it really does beg the question, right? 00:23:40.019 --> 00:23:40.860 Well, what are we going to be doing? 00:23:40.859 --> 00:23:44.639 Are we going to be, like, taking long walks in the woods? 00:23:44.879 --> 00:23:47.039 Are we going to just be composing songs? 00:23:47.719 --> 00:23:49.500 Are we playing kind of, like, 00:23:49.879 --> 00:23:52.919 redeemed chess all those one thousand years? 00:23:53.059 --> 00:23:53.819 What are we doing? 00:23:56.139 --> 00:23:59.139 Well, this text doesn't really say 00:23:59.139 --> 00:24:01.379 other than we're going to reign with Him. 00:24:01.919 --> 00:24:04.240 But here's my best educated guess. 00:24:04.299 --> 00:24:07.139 Would you turn back in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians chapter 15? 00:24:07.919 --> 00:24:09.319 And in 1 Corinthians 15, 00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:11.439 and I preached out of this last week, 00:24:12.399 --> 00:24:14.059 Paul is talking about the resurrection, 00:24:14.659 --> 00:24:16.619 and in verse 20, he says this. 00:24:16.679 --> 00:24:19.659 I'm going to read from 20, verse 20 through 26. 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:23.139 And again, here's my best sense of what's going to happen 00:24:23.139 --> 00:24:25.679 when we're reigning with Jesus during those thousand years. 00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:27.659 We read this. 00:24:27.779 --> 00:24:29.839 But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead, 00:24:29.899 --> 00:24:32.319 the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 00:24:32.439 --> 00:24:33.919 For as by a man came death, 00:24:34.019 --> 00:24:36.439 by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. 00:24:36.939 --> 00:24:38.500 For as in Adam all die, 00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:40.900 so also in Christ shall all be made alive, 00:24:41.380 --> 00:24:42.859 but each in his own order. 00:24:43.579 --> 00:24:44.920 Christ the firstfruits. 00:24:45.339 --> 00:24:46.779 Then at His coming, 00:24:47.740 --> 00:24:48.960 those who belong to Him. 00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:49.660 Did you see that? 00:24:50.839 --> 00:24:51.799 When He comes, 00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:53.160 first resurrection, 00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:54.920 those who belong to Him. 00:24:54.920 --> 00:24:56.980 then comes the end, 00:24:57.600 --> 00:25:02.440 when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father 00:25:02.440 --> 00:25:04.400 after destroying every rule 00:25:04.400 --> 00:25:06.140 and every authority and power. 00:25:06.840 --> 00:25:08.100 For He must reign 00:25:08.100 --> 00:25:11.800 until He's put all His enemies under His feet. 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:14.259 The last enemy to destroy is death. 00:25:14.320 --> 00:25:15.759 So what are we going to be doing with Jesus 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:16.900 for a thousand years? 00:25:16.900 --> 00:25:22.120 We are going to be bringing all things under His feet. 00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:27.259 We are going to be ushering in His reign on earth. 00:25:28.840 --> 00:25:30.120 Which is really interesting 00:25:30.120 --> 00:25:31.660 because remember who's in the hellhole? 00:25:32.840 --> 00:25:33.600 The devil. 00:25:33.599 --> 00:25:38.839 We are going to be undoing the chaos He has done. 00:25:43.419 --> 00:25:45.779 Reversing the mess He's made. 00:25:45.779 --> 00:25:49.519 We get to do it with Jesus. 00:25:51.079 --> 00:25:52.940 And we're contested right now. 00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:55.039 But then, but then, 00:25:56.039 --> 00:25:59.319 with Jesus, 00:25:59.720 --> 00:26:01.960 we're going to carry out His reign 00:26:01.960 --> 00:26:04.700 in very real ways. 00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:10.099 We go from being under Satan's foot 00:26:10.099 --> 00:26:13.740 to him being put in his hellhole 00:26:13.740 --> 00:26:15.799 and then bringing things under Jesus' feet. 00:26:21.019 --> 00:26:22.579 Oh, I'm looking forward to that day. 00:26:28.759 --> 00:26:30.460 If this is the first resurrection 00:26:30.460 --> 00:26:32.420 of those who belong to Christ, 00:26:33.500 --> 00:26:34.779 what you'll see next week 00:26:34.779 --> 00:26:38.500 when Matt preaches the latter half of chapter 20 00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:41.859 is what happens to everybody else. 00:26:41.859 --> 00:26:43.660 We see it referred to in verse 5. 00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:46.440 The rest of the dead did not come to life 00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:48.400 until the thousand years were ended. 00:26:48.859 --> 00:26:50.940 And that is a reference to 11, 00:26:51.779 --> 00:26:53.019 verse 11 through 15, 00:26:53.380 --> 00:26:56.099 when the rest of the dead are raised and judged. 00:26:59.539 --> 00:27:01.200 We don't need to fear that day 00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:03.859 because we're part of the first resurrection. 00:27:03.859 --> 00:27:11.819 So, before the coming of the new heavens and the new earth 00:27:11.819 --> 00:27:14.919 is the millennial reign of Jesus, 00:27:15.399 --> 00:27:18.299 but it comes after His return. 00:27:19.339 --> 00:27:22.519 And those who are sitting on these thrones, 00:27:22.979 --> 00:27:26.839 they are those who've been faithful to Jesus all their days, 00:27:26.919 --> 00:27:30.099 especially those who've been given their lives for Christ. 00:27:30.099 --> 00:27:33.079 It's a picture of vindication and reward 00:27:33.079 --> 00:27:35.039 for those who've been faithful to Jesus. 00:27:36.259 --> 00:27:38.759 Now, don't miss out on the blessing of verse 6. 00:27:40.919 --> 00:27:43.199 Verse 6 pronounces blessing. 00:27:43.740 --> 00:27:46.439 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection. 00:27:47.719 --> 00:27:48.159 Amen. 00:27:48.160 --> 00:27:48.360 Amen. 00:27:48.600 --> 00:27:48.940 Yes. 00:27:49.200 --> 00:27:52.880 This is the fifth of seven blessing pronouncements 00:27:52.880 --> 00:27:55.680 throughout the book of Revelation. 00:27:56.200 --> 00:27:58.740 And so, if you're part of the first resurrection 00:27:58.740 --> 00:28:00.880 because God has saved you by His grace, 00:28:02.080 --> 00:28:04.300 you don't need to fear the second death, 00:28:04.560 --> 00:28:05.240 the lake of fire. 00:28:05.320 --> 00:28:06.120 You don't need to fear that 00:28:06.120 --> 00:28:07.340 if you're part of the first resurrection 00:28:07.340 --> 00:28:10.960 because you're a blood-bought member 00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:13.320 of God's priesthood of believers 00:28:13.320 --> 00:28:15.000 who belong to Christ. 00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:17.160 You see that in the text? 00:28:18.220 --> 00:28:20.180 Over such, the second death has no power, 00:28:20.339 --> 00:28:23.660 but they, those who are sharing the first resurrection, 00:28:24.140 --> 00:28:26.299 they will be priests of God and of Christ. 00:28:26.700 --> 00:28:29.539 They will reign as priests for a thousand years 00:28:29.539 --> 00:28:30.500 doing His bidding. 00:28:30.900 --> 00:28:31.859 But let me tell you something. 00:28:32.359 --> 00:28:34.619 What the book of Revelation is pointing to us to, 00:28:34.700 --> 00:28:36.880 what we will be, we are now. 00:28:36.880 --> 00:28:40.660 We are a priesthood of all believers 00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:43.640 carrying out the will of Jesus on earth. 00:28:44.400 --> 00:28:45.600 Then it's going to be awesome. 00:28:50.220 --> 00:28:53.040 Scene one, what happens immediately 00:28:53.040 --> 00:28:54.280 before the thousand-year reign. 00:28:54.740 --> 00:28:56.240 Scene two, what's taking place 00:28:56.240 --> 00:28:57.400 during the thousand-year reign. 00:28:57.480 --> 00:28:59.180 I hope your heart rose to that. 00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:03.200 Scene three, what immediately happens 00:29:03.200 --> 00:29:05.000 after the thousand-year reign. 00:29:05.000 --> 00:29:08.940 We look at verse seven, 00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:10.640 this last scene starts with, 00:29:11.000 --> 00:29:13.519 and when the thousand years are ended, 00:29:13.599 --> 00:29:16.019 it's the sixth reference to the thousand years, 00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:18.980 Satan will be released from prison. 00:29:19.140 --> 00:29:21.960 And notice, Satan didn't escape. 00:29:22.839 --> 00:29:23.799 He didn't bust out. 00:29:24.920 --> 00:29:25.819 He was released. 00:29:27.579 --> 00:29:28.420 It's purposed. 00:29:29.680 --> 00:29:31.720 This is all part of God's sovereign plan. 00:29:32.140 --> 00:29:32.859 And again, you might be saying, 00:29:32.940 --> 00:29:33.700 well, I'd never do that. 00:29:33.700 --> 00:29:34.580 You're not God. 00:29:34.980 --> 00:29:35.680 He's got his purposes. 00:29:37.680 --> 00:29:38.980 But Satan is released 00:29:38.980 --> 00:29:42.819 from being bound for 1,000 years. 00:29:45.600 --> 00:29:47.200 It's fulfilling what was just said 00:29:47.200 --> 00:29:48.240 in 20 verse 3. 00:29:49.120 --> 00:29:51.220 Now, imagine with me. 00:29:52.360 --> 00:29:54.640 Satan is released from his little hell hole. 00:29:55.120 --> 00:29:55.960 He's unbound. 00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:58.059 What does he see? 00:30:01.700 --> 00:30:03.500 What do you think happens to the earth 00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:06.100 after 1,000 years of Jesus reigning on it 00:30:06.100 --> 00:30:07.880 with those who've been faithful to him 00:30:07.880 --> 00:30:10.120 on his little deputized thrones? 00:30:13.640 --> 00:30:15.000 What do you think he sees? 00:30:17.240 --> 00:30:20.360 His deceptive and destructive work undone. 00:30:20.359 --> 00:30:23.959 Fully? 00:30:24.099 --> 00:30:24.899 I don't think so. 00:30:27.579 --> 00:30:28.539 Truly, yes. 00:30:30.659 --> 00:30:32.259 A reversing of his chaos. 00:30:32.699 --> 00:30:33.899 Peace being brought 00:30:33.899 --> 00:30:35.740 under the reign of Christ. 00:30:36.919 --> 00:30:37.879 And so he gets released. 00:30:37.979 --> 00:30:41.119 And what does this accuser do? 00:30:41.419 --> 00:30:42.819 He goes out and deceives the nations. 00:30:42.939 --> 00:30:43.539 Look at verse 8. 00:30:43.539 --> 00:30:46.599 After he's released from his prison, 00:30:47.519 --> 00:30:49.019 he will come out to deceive the nations 00:30:49.019 --> 00:30:50.639 that are at the four corners of the earth, 00:30:50.799 --> 00:30:51.559 Gog and Magog, 00:30:51.639 --> 00:30:52.700 to gather them for battle. 00:30:53.180 --> 00:30:54.659 Their numbers like the sand of the sea. 00:30:55.920 --> 00:30:56.700 Upon his release, 00:30:56.779 --> 00:30:58.559 he goes out and deceives the nations. 00:30:58.700 --> 00:31:00.339 That Gog and Magog reference 00:31:00.339 --> 00:31:02.480 is John wanting to 00:31:02.480 --> 00:31:05.440 put in the mind of the reader 00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:08.159 Ezekiel 38 and 39. 00:31:08.980 --> 00:31:11.299 And in Ezekiel 38 and 39, 00:31:11.299 --> 00:31:14.599 it calls to mind to the reader 00:31:14.599 --> 00:31:16.339 an end-of-time battle 00:31:16.339 --> 00:31:18.359 between this leader, Gog, 00:31:18.500 --> 00:31:20.339 and his people, Magog, 00:31:20.519 --> 00:31:22.720 who are opposed to God and his people 00:31:22.720 --> 00:31:25.159 and gather against God 00:31:25.159 --> 00:31:27.379 and his people encamped 00:31:27.379 --> 00:31:29.940 as if they can do something. 00:31:31.119 --> 00:31:36.960 But God swiftly consumes this army with fire. 00:31:36.960 --> 00:31:41.000 Now, some Christian commentators believe 00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:43.259 that this is another reference to Armageddon 00:31:43.259 --> 00:31:45.799 that we read about in Revelation 19, 19-21. 00:31:46.460 --> 00:31:48.019 But the time island of Revelation 00:31:48.019 --> 00:31:50.840 clearly sets that the thousand-year reign 00:31:50.840 --> 00:31:53.079 comes after Armageddon 00:31:53.079 --> 00:31:56.059 and before this battle. 00:31:57.279 --> 00:31:57.960 This isn't Armageddon. 00:31:58.840 --> 00:32:01.220 This is a one last shot 00:32:01.220 --> 00:32:03.140 at the throne for Satan 00:32:03.140 --> 00:32:06.080 because the beast and false prophet 00:32:06.080 --> 00:32:07.980 are already in the lake of fire. 00:32:12.060 --> 00:32:13.700 What we see going on here 00:32:13.700 --> 00:32:17.500 is God setting the stage 00:32:17.500 --> 00:32:19.180 for complete vindication 00:32:19.180 --> 00:32:20.240 among the nations. 00:32:23.240 --> 00:32:24.920 One of the things that we read about 00:32:24.920 --> 00:32:28.100 as you go through Ezekiel 38 and 39 00:32:28.099 --> 00:32:31.039 that there is this refrain. 00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:37.719 God's stopping Mag and Magog, 00:32:37.839 --> 00:32:38.759 Mag and Magog, 00:32:39.480 --> 00:32:42.299 and all throughout 38 and 39 00:32:42.299 --> 00:32:43.059 you have this refrain, 00:32:43.240 --> 00:32:44.219 that the nations may know 00:32:44.219 --> 00:32:44.839 that I'm the Lord. 00:32:46.079 --> 00:32:47.159 That they may know 00:32:47.159 --> 00:32:48.379 that I am the Lord. 00:32:49.699 --> 00:32:51.159 And so what you see happening here 00:32:51.159 --> 00:32:53.959 is this one great final skirmish 00:32:53.959 --> 00:32:56.319 in which God puts it down 00:32:56.319 --> 00:32:58.319 so that there's no question 00:32:58.319 --> 00:33:00.220 who is in charge. 00:33:02.279 --> 00:33:03.819 In verse 9 you read that 00:33:03.819 --> 00:33:06.279 Satan brings this vast number 00:33:06.279 --> 00:33:07.740 of human beings alive 00:33:07.740 --> 00:33:08.879 during the millennial reign 00:33:08.879 --> 00:33:10.859 that have rebelled against God. 00:33:11.000 --> 00:33:12.379 He gathers them together 00:33:12.379 --> 00:33:13.859 and he marches them against 00:33:13.859 --> 00:33:14.700 God's people, 00:33:14.799 --> 00:33:16.179 the camp of the saints, 00:33:16.839 --> 00:33:17.679 which I would argue 00:33:17.679 --> 00:33:20.079 which is the beloved city of God 00:33:20.079 --> 00:33:21.519 because there's only two cities 00:33:21.519 --> 00:33:22.339 in the book of Revelation. 00:33:23.500 --> 00:33:25.379 The city of the beast, Babylon, 00:33:25.380 --> 00:33:26.980 and the city of God, Jerusalem. 00:33:32.980 --> 00:33:34.500 The end of verse 9, 00:33:35.700 --> 00:33:37.740 there is this swift defeat 00:33:37.740 --> 00:33:39.440 of this vast army. 00:33:41.440 --> 00:33:42.960 Fire comes down from heaven 00:33:42.960 --> 00:33:44.400 and consumes them all. 00:33:44.540 --> 00:33:46.780 It's like that anticlimax 00:33:46.780 --> 00:33:49.480 of Armageddon. 00:33:51.120 --> 00:33:52.260 There's no hope. 00:33:52.259 --> 00:33:58.700 What these vast numbers of people, 00:33:58.859 --> 00:34:00.279 where they come from, 00:34:00.519 --> 00:34:01.539 we're not told. 00:34:01.640 --> 00:34:02.460 I was talking to a brother 00:34:02.460 --> 00:34:03.359 before the service, 00:34:03.460 --> 00:34:04.700 like, hey, where do all these people 00:34:04.700 --> 00:34:05.960 come from in rebellion against God? 00:34:05.980 --> 00:34:06.720 I'm like, I don't know. 00:34:06.900 --> 00:34:07.859 It doesn't say. 00:34:10.059 --> 00:34:11.260 But it does raise a question 00:34:11.260 --> 00:34:12.559 I'll come back to in just a second. 00:34:13.099 --> 00:34:14.260 What is clear 00:34:14.260 --> 00:34:16.699 is that all this humanity 00:34:17.599 --> 00:34:19.000 arrayed against God, 00:34:19.159 --> 00:34:20.400 deceived by the devil, 00:34:20.400 --> 00:34:21.539 one last time, 00:34:21.880 --> 00:34:23.400 they're swiftly consumed 00:34:23.400 --> 00:34:25.740 in a mighty act of God 00:34:25.740 --> 00:34:28.440 in which God pours out fire on them, 00:34:28.760 --> 00:34:30.280 and it's so that the nations 00:34:30.280 --> 00:34:32.139 will know that I am the Lord. 00:34:32.360 --> 00:34:33.000 Vindication! 00:34:35.000 --> 00:34:36.619 Just no question about it. 00:34:36.619 --> 00:34:43.699 After Mag and Magog are consumed, 00:34:44.159 --> 00:34:45.380 Satan's release, 00:34:45.980 --> 00:34:47.159 which was just for a little while, 00:34:47.259 --> 00:34:48.039 20 verse 3, 00:34:48.739 --> 00:34:50.500 the devil is seized, 00:34:50.839 --> 00:34:52.279 thrown into the lake of fire 00:34:52.279 --> 00:34:53.799 where he joins the beast 00:34:53.799 --> 00:34:54.900 and false prophet 00:34:54.900 --> 00:34:57.039 to be tormented day and night forever. 00:34:57.279 --> 00:34:59.799 It's a picture of hell 00:34:59.799 --> 00:35:02.119 fueled by the wrath, 00:35:02.619 --> 00:35:04.279 righteous wrath of God. 00:35:04.280 --> 00:35:07.380 So remember we asked earlier, 00:35:07.880 --> 00:35:09.360 we saw the demise of the beast 00:35:09.360 --> 00:35:10.340 and false prophet 00:35:10.340 --> 00:35:11.400 at the end of chapter 19. 00:35:11.519 --> 00:35:11.760 We're asking, 00:35:11.840 --> 00:35:12.740 hey, what about the ringleader, 00:35:12.860 --> 00:35:14.260 the first person of the anti-trinity? 00:35:14.400 --> 00:35:14.980 Here it is. 00:35:15.580 --> 00:35:16.780 And it's anticlimactic. 00:35:20.640 --> 00:35:21.420 Throw him in. 00:35:23.920 --> 00:35:25.040 What we're being shown 00:35:25.040 --> 00:35:26.180 is the final demise 00:35:26.180 --> 00:35:27.240 of the anti-trinity, 00:35:27.420 --> 00:35:28.840 tormented forever in hell, 00:35:28.900 --> 00:35:29.600 the lake of fire. 00:35:30.480 --> 00:35:31.660 And we learn from 21.8 00:35:31.660 --> 00:35:33.280 that this is the second death. 00:35:33.280 --> 00:35:35.000 And if you're a Christian in the room, 00:35:35.240 --> 00:35:36.580 you don't need to fear 00:35:36.580 --> 00:35:37.519 the second death 00:35:37.519 --> 00:35:38.200 because you're part 00:35:38.200 --> 00:35:39.560 of the first resurrection. 00:35:40.060 --> 00:35:40.600 Your name's written 00:35:40.600 --> 00:35:41.519 in the Lamb's Book of Life. 00:35:43.019 --> 00:35:44.300 But as Martin Luther said 00:35:44.300 --> 00:35:45.980 about the devil, 00:35:46.080 --> 00:35:47.060 his doom is sure. 00:35:52.820 --> 00:35:54.200 After the 1,000 years, 00:35:54.280 --> 00:35:55.580 let me just summarize scene three. 00:35:55.780 --> 00:35:57.040 Satan is released for a bit. 00:35:57.700 --> 00:35:58.820 He deceives a vast number 00:35:58.820 --> 00:36:00.140 of humanity 00:36:00.140 --> 00:36:01.800 to gather against God's people. 00:36:01.800 --> 00:36:04.000 But God vindicates himself again 00:36:04.000 --> 00:36:05.539 and destroys that army 00:36:05.539 --> 00:36:06.620 and finally forever 00:36:06.620 --> 00:36:08.539 throws the devil into hell 00:36:08.539 --> 00:36:10.340 where he will never be released 00:36:10.340 --> 00:36:11.620 and tormented forever. 00:36:11.860 --> 00:36:12.220 Amen. 00:36:14.300 --> 00:36:15.780 You know what the question I have 00:36:15.780 --> 00:36:16.980 coming out of this passage is? 00:36:17.580 --> 00:36:18.620 How is it possible 00:36:18.620 --> 00:36:21.539 that such a vast swath of humanity 00:36:21.539 --> 00:36:23.700 at the end of the millennial reign 00:36:23.700 --> 00:36:24.300 of Jesus 00:36:24.300 --> 00:36:27.019 would be deceived by Satan? 00:36:27.120 --> 00:36:28.380 How is that possible? 00:36:28.380 --> 00:36:31.079 Here's the answer. 00:36:33.780 --> 00:36:35.340 It goes to show you 00:36:35.340 --> 00:36:37.900 that mankind's greatest problem 00:36:37.900 --> 00:36:40.000 is not environmental. 00:36:42.680 --> 00:36:43.880 If it's possible 00:36:43.880 --> 00:36:45.280 that there'll be people 00:36:45.280 --> 00:36:47.400 living at the end of the millennium, 00:36:48.059 --> 00:36:48.920 the reign of Christ, 00:36:49.360 --> 00:36:50.980 who are deceived by the devil, 00:36:51.920 --> 00:36:53.340 it goes to show you 00:36:53.340 --> 00:36:54.300 there is a problem 00:36:54.300 --> 00:36:55.579 within humans 00:36:55.579 --> 00:36:57.319 that is internal. 00:36:59.319 --> 00:37:01.099 It shows the sinfulness 00:37:01.099 --> 00:37:02.440 of humankind 00:37:02.440 --> 00:37:04.099 and God's judgment 00:37:04.099 --> 00:37:05.259 is just. 00:37:07.819 --> 00:37:09.340 So we've seen what happened 00:37:09.340 --> 00:37:11.279 before the thousand year reign, 00:37:11.460 --> 00:37:12.400 the devil's bound 00:37:12.400 --> 00:37:13.219 and imprisoned. 00:37:13.619 --> 00:37:14.719 We've seen what happens 00:37:14.719 --> 00:37:16.299 during the thousand year reign, 00:37:16.799 --> 00:37:18.460 those blessed and holy 00:37:18.460 --> 00:37:20.039 sharing in the first resurrection, 00:37:20.420 --> 00:37:21.940 reigning on thrones with Christ, 00:37:22.319 --> 00:37:23.159 bringing all things 00:37:23.159 --> 00:37:23.860 under his feet. 00:37:23.860 --> 00:37:25.240 We've seen what happened 00:37:25.240 --> 00:37:26.780 after the thousand year reign. 00:37:27.180 --> 00:37:27.980 Satan is released 00:37:27.980 --> 00:37:29.200 for a little while again, 00:37:29.340 --> 00:37:30.420 attempts another coup, 00:37:30.599 --> 00:37:32.420 God consumes those with him 00:37:32.420 --> 00:37:33.640 and he gets tossed 00:37:33.640 --> 00:37:34.920 into the lake of fire. 00:37:35.620 --> 00:37:36.380 So what's the point? 00:37:38.360 --> 00:37:39.519 We're being given 00:37:39.519 --> 00:37:40.579 a future glimpse 00:37:40.579 --> 00:37:43.340 of a glorious millennial reign 00:37:43.340 --> 00:37:44.840 of Christ on earth 00:37:44.840 --> 00:37:46.120 and it's designed 00:37:46.120 --> 00:37:47.920 to put hope in your heart, 00:37:48.900 --> 00:37:49.440 a longing, 00:37:50.340 --> 00:37:51.480 a yes, it's coming. 00:37:51.480 --> 00:37:55.059 A time when you yourself, 00:37:55.159 --> 00:37:56.280 if you're a follower of Jesus, 00:37:56.400 --> 00:37:58.119 will be raised to life 00:37:58.119 --> 00:37:59.860 and seated on a throne 00:37:59.860 --> 00:38:02.420 and participate with Christ 00:38:02.420 --> 00:38:03.440 during his reign 00:38:03.440 --> 00:38:05.179 and making all things good. 00:38:07.340 --> 00:38:08.400 So this morning, 00:38:08.579 --> 00:38:09.400 in light of all this, 00:38:09.840 --> 00:38:10.880 I don't have like, 00:38:10.980 --> 00:38:11.900 here are seven steps 00:38:11.900 --> 00:38:12.480 for you to take. 00:38:12.559 --> 00:38:13.559 Here's what you do now 00:38:13.559 --> 00:38:14.320 in light of that. 00:38:14.719 --> 00:38:15.019 No, no. 00:38:15.340 --> 00:38:17.500 The call isn't to do something. 00:38:17.820 --> 00:38:19.940 The call is to believe this. 00:38:19.940 --> 00:38:23.639 To take these words 00:38:23.639 --> 00:38:24.700 that you've heard 00:38:24.700 --> 00:38:26.380 of a future glimpse 00:38:26.380 --> 00:38:28.200 of a millennial reign of glory 00:38:28.200 --> 00:38:30.579 and take it to heart, 00:38:30.800 --> 00:38:32.200 to trust it. 00:38:33.599 --> 00:38:35.440 It's persevering power. 00:38:36.639 --> 00:38:38.420 It puts hope in your heart 00:38:38.420 --> 00:38:39.579 and when you have hope 00:38:39.579 --> 00:38:40.119 in your heart, 00:38:40.300 --> 00:38:42.260 Romans 5, 4 and 5, 00:38:42.519 --> 00:38:44.500 you are able to press 00:38:44.500 --> 00:38:47.079 through hard things. 00:38:47.079 --> 00:38:50.299 And so if you're a Christian 00:38:50.299 --> 00:38:50.940 in the room 00:38:50.940 --> 00:38:55.000 and you love the Lamb 00:38:55.000 --> 00:38:57.980 and you're experiencing hardship 00:38:57.980 --> 00:38:59.460 with extended family, 00:39:00.340 --> 00:39:01.400 they're mocking you 00:39:01.400 --> 00:39:02.840 because you're a follower of Jesus 00:39:02.840 --> 00:39:05.199 or you're trying to be faithful 00:39:05.199 --> 00:39:06.279 to Jesus at work 00:39:06.279 --> 00:39:07.559 and you're catching heat for it, 00:39:07.599 --> 00:39:08.539 you're not getting promoted 00:39:08.539 --> 00:39:10.840 or you're being isolated 00:39:10.840 --> 00:39:12.380 because people just don't want 00:39:12.380 --> 00:39:14.159 to hear of why you want 00:39:14.159 --> 00:39:16.579 to work so hard for Jesus. 00:39:17.879 --> 00:39:19.299 Blessed and holy 00:39:19.299 --> 00:39:20.259 is the one 00:39:20.259 --> 00:39:20.980 who shares 00:39:20.980 --> 00:39:22.039 in the first resurrection. 00:39:24.019 --> 00:39:25.819 You have no fear 00:39:25.819 --> 00:39:26.579 of the second death, 00:39:26.679 --> 00:39:27.339 the lake of fire. 00:39:27.960 --> 00:39:28.639 Brother, sister, 00:39:28.799 --> 00:39:29.899 your name is 00:39:29.899 --> 00:39:31.440 in the Lamb's book of life 00:39:31.440 --> 00:39:33.559 and so you press on 00:39:33.559 --> 00:39:34.259 knowing that there's 00:39:34.259 --> 00:39:35.879 a future glory coming 00:39:35.879 --> 00:39:37.899 despite hardship. 00:39:39.059 --> 00:39:40.199 It's real hope. 00:39:40.199 --> 00:39:42.759 It really is waiting 00:39:42.759 --> 00:39:44.939 and we're one day closer. 00:39:45.419 --> 00:39:46.379 But if you're in the room 00:39:46.379 --> 00:39:46.839 this morning 00:39:46.839 --> 00:39:47.879 and you're afraid 00:39:47.879 --> 00:39:49.859 that when you hear 00:39:49.859 --> 00:39:51.779 of being a part 00:39:51.779 --> 00:39:52.980 of the first resurrection 00:39:52.980 --> 00:39:53.659 and you're like, 00:39:53.819 --> 00:39:55.159 I'm not sure 00:39:55.159 --> 00:39:55.500 if I'm going to be 00:39:55.500 --> 00:39:56.199 a part of that. 00:39:56.759 --> 00:39:57.639 And the reason why 00:39:57.639 --> 00:39:58.099 you don't think 00:39:58.099 --> 00:39:58.659 you're going to be a part 00:39:58.659 --> 00:39:59.759 of the first resurrection 00:39:59.759 --> 00:40:02.139 because you fear God's wrath 00:40:02.139 --> 00:40:03.439 because you knowingly 00:40:03.439 --> 00:40:04.579 have rebelled against Him. 00:40:04.960 --> 00:40:05.719 You know it. 00:40:06.699 --> 00:40:07.939 You've disobeyed God. 00:40:07.940 --> 00:40:11.000 If that's you 00:40:11.000 --> 00:40:12.800 and you're fearing 00:40:12.800 --> 00:40:13.579 that thought, 00:40:13.679 --> 00:40:14.179 oh man, 00:40:14.639 --> 00:40:15.720 I'm not going to be part 00:40:15.720 --> 00:40:16.619 of that right now. 00:40:17.880 --> 00:40:18.559 Perhaps I, 00:40:19.179 --> 00:40:20.659 the second death awaits me. 00:40:21.019 --> 00:40:21.960 Well, I've got good news 00:40:21.960 --> 00:40:22.240 for you. 00:40:22.380 --> 00:40:23.340 The risen Lamb 00:40:23.340 --> 00:40:25.599 who is yet to return 00:40:25.599 --> 00:40:29.079 is your only present hope. 00:40:30.559 --> 00:40:31.700 He died on the cross 00:40:31.700 --> 00:40:32.740 to bear God's wrath 00:40:32.740 --> 00:40:33.599 meant for you, 00:40:34.639 --> 00:40:36.280 God's wrath for your sin, 00:40:36.280 --> 00:40:40.540 fell on Christ. 00:40:43.980 --> 00:40:46.780 Jesus willingly stepped 00:40:46.780 --> 00:40:48.860 in front of a burning locomotive 00:40:48.860 --> 00:40:50.300 of God's wrath 00:40:50.300 --> 00:40:52.600 for sinners. 00:40:54.280 --> 00:40:56.220 And the offer of salvation 00:40:56.220 --> 00:40:58.620 is free to all 00:40:58.620 --> 00:40:59.780 who would take it. 00:41:02.680 --> 00:41:03.880 I was in a conversation 00:41:03.880 --> 00:41:04.260 with someone 00:41:04.260 --> 00:41:05.080 a couple months ago 00:41:05.079 --> 00:41:06.259 and I was explaining 00:41:06.259 --> 00:41:06.840 this to them 00:41:06.840 --> 00:41:07.579 and they were having 00:41:07.579 --> 00:41:08.440 a hard time understanding. 00:41:08.699 --> 00:41:09.279 They're like, 00:41:09.400 --> 00:41:10.319 this sounds too good 00:41:10.319 --> 00:41:10.759 to be true. 00:41:12.039 --> 00:41:13.219 There's no free lunch. 00:41:16.940 --> 00:41:18.299 Who said God's salvation 00:41:18.299 --> 00:41:19.500 comes at no cost? 00:41:23.099 --> 00:41:24.199 God's free offer 00:41:24.199 --> 00:41:24.900 of salvation 00:41:24.900 --> 00:41:25.920 comes to sinners 00:41:25.920 --> 00:41:27.340 because Jesus 00:41:27.340 --> 00:41:28.840 bore the cost 00:41:28.840 --> 00:41:30.159 of God's wrath 00:41:30.159 --> 00:41:31.019 on the cross 00:41:31.019 --> 00:41:32.079 and He's offering it 00:41:32.079 --> 00:41:32.579 to anyone 00:41:32.579 --> 00:41:33.380 who would take it today. 00:41:33.380 --> 00:41:35.519 So if you're not 00:41:35.519 --> 00:41:36.380 a believer in the room 00:41:36.380 --> 00:41:38.940 and you're afraid 00:41:38.940 --> 00:41:39.960 of the second death, 00:41:41.340 --> 00:41:42.599 Jesus is your only hope. 00:41:44.960 --> 00:41:45.599 This morning, 00:41:45.680 --> 00:41:46.360 I'm not calling you 00:41:46.360 --> 00:41:47.660 to do something 00:41:47.660 --> 00:41:48.720 but to believe something, 00:41:49.559 --> 00:41:50.960 to hear this word 00:41:50.960 --> 00:41:51.960 of a future glory 00:41:51.960 --> 00:41:53.440 and take it to heart. 00:41:54.019 --> 00:41:55.119 It will put strength 00:41:55.119 --> 00:41:55.640 in your heart. 00:41:56.460 --> 00:41:57.440 But let me just close 00:41:57.440 --> 00:41:57.800 with this. 00:41:57.800 --> 00:41:59.440 This future glimpse 00:41:59.440 --> 00:42:00.300 of the millennial reign 00:42:00.300 --> 00:42:00.860 of Christ 00:42:00.860 --> 00:42:01.860 Christ on earth, 00:42:02.860 --> 00:42:04.460 it's good. 00:42:06.340 --> 00:42:07.500 But remember, 00:42:07.900 --> 00:42:09.360 it's just a thousand 00:42:09.360 --> 00:42:10.559 year appetizer. 00:42:12.120 --> 00:42:13.599 The main course 00:42:13.599 --> 00:42:15.180 that comes after 00:42:15.180 --> 00:42:16.019 the millennial reign, 00:42:16.360 --> 00:42:17.579 after final judgment, 00:42:18.059 --> 00:42:19.140 the main course, 00:42:19.539 --> 00:42:20.160 the new heavens 00:42:20.160 --> 00:42:20.900 and the new earth, 00:42:21.039 --> 00:42:22.240 the new Jerusalem descends 00:42:22.240 --> 00:42:24.200 and we are with Jesus 00:42:24.200 --> 00:42:25.240 in His place, 00:42:25.420 --> 00:42:26.220 with His people, 00:42:26.579 --> 00:42:27.840 not for a thousand years 00:42:27.840 --> 00:42:29.500 but forever. 00:42:30.720 --> 00:42:32.059 That's the main course. 00:42:33.360 --> 00:42:34.480 Let this 00:42:34.480 --> 00:42:35.920 whet your appetite 00:42:35.920 --> 00:42:38.240 for that. 00:42:39.160 --> 00:42:39.940 Let's pray. 00:42:41.340 --> 00:42:41.820 God, 00:42:42.840 --> 00:42:45.420 do what You will 00:42:45.420 --> 00:42:47.240 with Your Word now. 00:42:48.600 --> 00:42:49.820 God, would You put strength 00:42:49.820 --> 00:42:50.680 in people's heart? 00:42:51.160 --> 00:42:52.940 Would You deliver people 00:42:52.940 --> 00:42:54.059 from the second death? 00:42:54.059 --> 00:42:55.779 God, would You help us 00:42:55.779 --> 00:42:57.519 to see what You want us 00:42:57.519 --> 00:42:59.440 to see so that we can live 00:42:59.440 --> 00:43:01.719 in a way that is worthy 00:43:01.719 --> 00:43:02.719 of the Lamb? 00:43:03.000 --> 00:43:03.940 In Jesus' name, 00:43:04.699 --> 00:43:04.920 Amen.