WEBVTT

00:00:00.300 --> 00:00:02.240
 Let's turn to Revelation chapter 20.

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 For those of you who don't know me, my name is Sean,

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 I'm one of the pastors of Trinity Cambridge Church.

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 If you don't have a Bible, please raise your hand.

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 We'd love to bring you a copy so that you can use it.

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 You can actually take it home with you.

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 We've been going through Revelation for most of this year, I believe,

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 and we are right now in Revelation 20.

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 Let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's Word.

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 Father, we need your help to understand this passage.

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 It's the Word that you spoke.

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 The Word that points us to the person and work of your Son, Jesus Christ.

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 The Word that is illuminated to our hearts by your Holy Spirit.

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 So, Lord, help us.

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 Fill us with a grand vision of your glory and power and sovereignty.

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 And fill us with hope and perseverance

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 as we wait for the return of our King, Jesus.

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 It's in His precious name we pray.

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 Amen.

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 If you are able, please stand and join me for the reading of God's Word

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 from Revelation 20, verses 1 to 6.

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 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven,

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 holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit

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 and a great chain.

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 And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent,

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 who is the devil and Satan,

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 and bound him for a thousand years,

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 and threw him into the pit,

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 and shut it and sealed it over him,

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 so that he might not deceive the nations any longer,

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 until the thousand years were ended.

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 After that, he must be released for a little while.

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 Then I saw thrones,

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 and seated on them were those

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 to whom the authority to judge was committed.

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 Also I saw the souls of those

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 who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus

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 and for the Word of God,

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 and those who had not worshipped the beast or its image,

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 and had not received its mark on their foreheads

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 and their hands.

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 They came to life and reigned with Christ

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 for a thousand years.

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 The rest of the dead did not come to life

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 until the thousand years were ended.

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 This is the first resurrection.

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 Blessed and holy is the one

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 who shares in the first resurrection.

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 Over such, the second death has no power.

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 But they will be priests of God and of Christ,

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 and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

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 This is God's holy and authoritative word.

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 You may be seated.

00:03:13.560 --> 00:03:15.740
 As I mentioned last week,

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 this is one of the most difficult passages,

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 and one of the most hotly debated passages

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 in the book of Revelation.

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 And so I took last Sunday

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 to just kind of give you all the background for this.

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 So if you missed that,

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 I encourage you to go and listen to that.

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 It'll help you to understand this week's sermon.

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 In politics, there is an expression called

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 a lame duck.

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 And it refers to a politician

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 who is on his way out,

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 whether it's due to electoral losses

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 or something else.

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 It's already been determined

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 that he, this politician,

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 will be superseded by a different politician

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 in the near future.

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 And Revelation 20, 1 to 6,

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 reminds us that Satan is a lame duck.

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 And that his regime is about to be toppled

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 on this earth.

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 But that Christ is the true king

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 who will soon establish his millennial reign on earth.

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 And so we're going to talk first

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 about the jailing of Satan during the thousand years.

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 And then secondly, we'll talk about the reign of Christ

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 during the thousand years.

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 He says in verse 1,

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 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven,

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 holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit

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 and a great chain.

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 And so I don't normally use the slides this often,

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 but because it's a difficult passage to follow,

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 I'm going to be using the slides quite a bit

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 so you guys can keep track.

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 And so we're addressing the question of the abyss here.

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 So this is not the first time

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 we've seen an angel holding the key

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 to the bottomless pit.

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 We saw it already in chapter 9, verses 1 to 2,

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 where an angel that had fallen from heaven to earth,

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 a fallen angel,

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 received the key to the bottomless pit

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 and then opened it

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 and then released a horde of demonic locusts.

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 So that fallen angel's name was Abaddon

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 or Apollyon in Greek,

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 which both mean destroyer.

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 So this is most likely in chapter 9

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 that was most likely referenced to Satan,

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 whom we were told in Revelation 12

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 was cast down, thrown down from heaven to earth

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 along with his angels.

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 The bottomless pit in Greek is abousos,

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 which is where we get the English word abyss.

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 It is the realm of demons.

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 This is not the eternal fire

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 prepared for the devil and his angels

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 that Jesus mentions in Matthew 25, 41,

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 which is the lake of fire mentioned in Revelation 20,

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 where the devil, the beast, and the false prophet,

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 and as well as all those who follow them

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 will all be in the end ultimately cast into.

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 Rather, this abyss,

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 in contrast from the lake of fire,

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 the abyss is the place of temporary incarceration

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 in which evil spirits can be imprisoned

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 and from which they can be released.

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 So in Luke 8, 30, 31, for example,

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 many demons named Legion

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 beg Jesus not to command them

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 to depart into the abyss

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 or to the bottomless pit.

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 So the difference, however,

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 between Revelation 9 and Revelation 20

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 is that this time it's not a fallen angel

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 that holds the key to the bottomless pit.

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 It's an angel coming down from heaven.

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 And this angel is not only holding in his hand

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 the key to the bottomless pit,

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 he's also holding a great chain,

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 which must be great

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 because it's going to be used

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 to bind the great dragon.

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 And it says in verses 2 to 3

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 that he sees the dragon,

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 that ancient serpent,

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 who is the devil and Satan,

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 and bound him for a thousand years

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 and threw him into the pit

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 and shut it and sealed it over him

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 so that he might not deceive the nations any longer

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 until the thousand years were ended.

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 After that, he must be released

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 for a little while.

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 Can you guys hear me okay?

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 Am I ringing?

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 No? Okay.

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 The angel of the bottomless pit

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 is now himself seized and bound

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 and locked up in that bottomless pit.

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 Before he had the key to it,

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 now he's bound and it's like he's under house arrest.

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 And this highlights the sovereignty of God.

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 In 9.1, this angel was given,

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 if you remember,

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 was given the key to the bottomless pit.

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 And where did he get the key from?

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 Who gave him this key?

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 This is the divine passive construction.

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 He says that he was given the key.

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 It's a divine passive construction

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 that is trying to indicate

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 that while God is never directly behind evil,

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 that he's nonetheless completely sovereign over evil.

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 So we were told in Revelation 1, 17 to 18,

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 who ultimately holds this key

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 to death and Hades and even to the abyss.

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 It's Jesus said,

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 fear not, I am the first and the last

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 and the living one.

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 I died and behold,

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 I am alive forevermore.

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 And I have the keys of death and Hades.

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 So as the resurrected Lord,

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 Jesus holds the key of death and Hades.

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 And so even though Satan is king

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 over his demonic minions,

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 in relation to King Jesus,

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 he is nothing more than a lackey,

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 a slave, a prison warden.

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 Even this powerful angel

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 who can seize the great dragon

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 and bind him and throw him into the prison,

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 he receives the key ultimately,

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 his authority from Christ,

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 who is the king of kings and the Lord of lords.

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 And so Satan is locked up

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 in this bottomless pit in verse one,

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 and then he's released again in verse seven,

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 and only to be captured again

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 and then thrown into his final destiny,

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 which is the lake of fire or hell,

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 in verse 10.

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 So this vaunted great dragon

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 that whose fearsome description

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 we saw in chapter 12

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 is treated,

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 it's tossed around like a floppy rag doll

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 in this passage.

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 And if Christ can make easy work

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 of Satan, our greatest enemy,

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 even the most vicious persecutors

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 of the church,

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 even the most powerful dictators

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 in the world,

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 even the most intractable diseases

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 in our lives,

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 and the tragic disasters

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 throughout the world,

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 whatever it might be,

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 no matter the highs and lows of life

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 and the unexpected turns of life,

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 we can rest assured

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 that God Almighty is sovereign.

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 Now what exactly is the millennium?

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 Is it a literal thousand years?

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 I don't think the thousand years

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 is a literal thousand years

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 because nearly all of the numbers

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 that we have seen so far

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 in the book of Revelation

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 have had symbolic significance.

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 A thousand years

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 is an often used literary figure

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 for a long time.

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 So for example,

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 it says in Psalm 90 verse four,

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 for a thousand years in your sight

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 are but as yesterday

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 when it is past.

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 First Chronicles 16.15,

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 David exhorts the Israelites

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 to remember God's covenant forever.

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 The word that he commanded

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 for a thousand generations.

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 So a thousand generations

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 is parallel poetically to forever

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 because it represents

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 a really long time.

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 So I don't think it's referring

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 to a literal thousand generations

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 or a thousand years here

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 but to an indefinitely

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 long period of time.

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 And the multiples of thousands

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 have already been used symbolically

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 in the book of Revelation

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 up to this point.

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 And because post-millennialists

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 and amillennialists

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 and if you don't know

00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:46.300
 what I'm talking about,

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 I'm sorry.

00:10:46.820 --> 00:10:48.460
 I had to listen to the sermon last week.

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 Post-millennialists believe

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 that Jesus returns

00:10:52.020 --> 00:10:53.080
 after the millennium

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 and amillennialists believe

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 that we're already in the millennium

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 and there will be no future millennium.

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 They think that Christ's second coming

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 is after the millennium

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 and for that reason,

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 they argue that Revelation 21 to 6

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 must be going back in time

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 to describe the first coming of Jesus

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 even though it comes after chapter 19

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 which describes the second coming of Jesus.

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 So this is a possibility

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 because Revelation does employ

00:11:19.860 --> 00:11:22.419
 progressive parallelism

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 and I've talked to you about this.

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 For example,

00:11:24.259 --> 00:11:26.320
 how we saw the seven seals

00:11:26.320 --> 00:11:27.360
 and the seven trumpets

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 and the seven bowls of judgments

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 are not occurring in linear

00:11:31.060 --> 00:11:32.399
 chronological succession

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 but actually are recapitulations

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 or repeats

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 and different angles

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 of the same judgments

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 in a parallel

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 but also progressive way.

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 And so it is a possibility

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 that this is doing the same thing

00:11:44.699 --> 00:11:45.980
 in Revelation 21 to 6.

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 However,

00:11:46.860 --> 00:11:48.079
 I don't think

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 that verses 1 to 6

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 is an instance of that

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 because there are

00:11:52.600 --> 00:11:53.919
 chronological markers

00:11:53.919 --> 00:11:54.879
 in the text

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 that suggest that

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 the judgment of Babylon

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 and of the beast

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 and false prophet

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 and finally the dragon

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 happen in sequence.

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 In 1920

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 when Christ,

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 the king,

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 returns on his white horse

00:12:07.679 --> 00:12:09.019
 both the beast

00:12:09.019 --> 00:12:09.879
 and the false prophet

00:12:09.879 --> 00:12:10.639
 are captured

00:12:10.639 --> 00:12:11.240
 and then thrown

00:12:11.240 --> 00:12:12.419
 into the lake of fire

00:12:12.419 --> 00:12:13.279
 that burns with sulfur.

00:12:14.480 --> 00:12:15.600
 Then having dealt

00:12:15.600 --> 00:12:16.340
 with the beast

00:12:16.340 --> 00:12:18.419
 in 20 verses 2 to 3

00:12:18.419 --> 00:12:19.899
 the attention is paid

00:12:19.899 --> 00:12:20.519
 to the dragon.

00:12:20.720 --> 00:12:21.779
 The dragon is bound

00:12:21.779 --> 00:12:23.199
 and locked up in prison

00:12:23.199 --> 00:12:24.939
 so that he might not deceive

00:12:24.939 --> 00:12:26.319
 the nations any longer

00:12:26.319 --> 00:12:29.019
 and until the thousand years

00:12:29.019 --> 00:12:29.460
 were ended.

00:12:30.539 --> 00:12:31.340
 After that

00:12:31.340 --> 00:12:32.059
 he must be released

00:12:32.059 --> 00:12:32.659
 for a little while

00:12:32.659 --> 00:12:33.799
 so until after

00:12:33.799 --> 00:12:35.079
 these are chronological markers.

00:12:35.739 --> 00:12:36.219
 That means there was

00:12:36.219 --> 00:12:37.079
 a period of time

00:12:37.079 --> 00:12:38.379
 when Satan was deceiving

00:12:38.379 --> 00:12:38.799
 the nations

00:12:38.799 --> 00:12:39.859
 and then there's a period

00:12:39.859 --> 00:12:40.319
 of time

00:12:40.319 --> 00:12:41.359
 during the millennium

00:12:41.359 --> 00:12:42.459
 when he cannot deceive

00:12:42.459 --> 00:12:42.879
 the nations.

00:12:44.000 --> 00:12:44.959
 So and after that

00:12:44.959 --> 00:12:46.319
 he is released again

00:12:46.319 --> 00:12:48.379
 as we see in verse 7 and 8

00:12:48.379 --> 00:12:49.839
 and when the thousand years

00:12:49.839 --> 00:12:50.419
 are ended

00:12:50.419 --> 00:12:51.779
 Satan will be released

00:12:51.779 --> 00:12:52.579
 from his prison

00:12:52.579 --> 00:12:53.059
 and will come out

00:12:53.059 --> 00:12:54.079
 to deceive the nations.

00:12:54.239 --> 00:12:55.039
 It's clearly happening

00:12:55.039 --> 00:12:55.659
 in sequence.

00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:57.399
 And it's after

00:12:57.399 --> 00:12:58.519
 this final period

00:12:58.519 --> 00:12:59.279
 of deception

00:12:59.279 --> 00:12:59.899
 of the nations

00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:00.600
 by the dragon

00:13:00.600 --> 00:13:01.399
 after his release

00:13:01.399 --> 00:13:02.079
 from the dungeon

00:13:02.079 --> 00:13:03.980
 in Revelation 20 verse 10

00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:04.519
 he says that

00:13:04.519 --> 00:13:05.519
 the devil

00:13:05.519 --> 00:13:07.019
 who had deceived them

00:13:07.019 --> 00:13:07.939
 was thrown

00:13:07.939 --> 00:13:08.799
 into the lake

00:13:08.799 --> 00:13:10.019
 of fire and sulfur

00:13:10.019 --> 00:13:11.659
 where the beast

00:13:11.659 --> 00:13:12.720
 and the false prophet

00:13:12.720 --> 00:13:13.259
 were

00:13:13.259 --> 00:13:16.100
 and they will be tormented

00:13:16.100 --> 00:13:16.799
 day and night

00:13:16.799 --> 00:13:17.439
 forever and ever.

00:13:17.539 --> 00:13:18.039
 I think that's

00:13:18.039 --> 00:13:19.079
 the decisive clue.

00:13:19.899 --> 00:13:20.860
 Verse 10 tells us

00:13:20.860 --> 00:13:21.860
 that when the devil

00:13:21.860 --> 00:13:22.960
 is finally thrown

00:13:22.960 --> 00:13:24.059
 into the lake of fire

00:13:24.059 --> 00:13:25.179
 the beast

00:13:25.179 --> 00:13:26.000
 and the false prophet

00:13:26.000 --> 00:13:27.539
 are already there.

00:13:28.939 --> 00:13:30.159
 And the only time

00:13:30.159 --> 00:13:31.659
 Revelation has spoken

00:13:31.659 --> 00:13:32.259
 of the beast

00:13:32.259 --> 00:13:32.979
 and the false prophet

00:13:32.979 --> 00:13:33.379
 being thrown

00:13:33.379 --> 00:13:34.119
 into the lake of fire

00:13:34.119 --> 00:13:35.259
 was in chapter 19

00:13:35.259 --> 00:13:35.759
 verse 20

00:13:35.759 --> 00:13:36.439
 at the second coming

00:13:36.439 --> 00:13:36.799
 of Jesus.

00:13:37.419 --> 00:13:38.739
 So this verse assumes

00:13:38.739 --> 00:13:39.559
 that the event

00:13:39.559 --> 00:13:40.879
 of chapter 20

00:13:40.879 --> 00:13:41.759
 are happening in sequence

00:13:41.759 --> 00:13:42.559
 after the events

00:13:42.559 --> 00:13:43.339
 of chapter 19

00:13:43.339 --> 00:13:44.859
 which describes

00:13:44.859 --> 00:13:45.439
 the second coming

00:13:45.439 --> 00:13:45.819
 of Jesus

00:13:45.819 --> 00:13:46.639
 and his judgment

00:13:46.639 --> 00:13:47.299
 of the beast.

00:13:47.939 --> 00:13:48.699
 All that to say

00:13:48.699 --> 00:13:49.459
 I don't think

00:13:49.459 --> 00:13:50.239
 1 to 6

00:13:50.239 --> 00:13:52.479
 is a recapitulation

00:13:52.479 --> 00:13:53.139
 I think it's happening

00:13:53.139 --> 00:13:53.899
 in sequence

00:13:53.899 --> 00:13:54.799
 which means

00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:55.379
 the millennium

00:13:55.379 --> 00:13:55.980
 must occur

00:13:55.980 --> 00:13:57.199
 after Christ's

00:13:57.199 --> 00:13:58.279
 second coming.

00:13:59.419 --> 00:14:00.240
 Now one of the

00:14:00.240 --> 00:14:00.959
 strongest

00:14:00.959 --> 00:14:02.860
 amillennial objections

00:14:02.860 --> 00:14:04.559
 to reading chapters

00:14:04.559 --> 00:14:05.399
 19 to 20

00:14:05.399 --> 00:14:06.100
 sequentially

00:14:06.100 --> 00:14:06.860
 they don't want

00:14:06.860 --> 00:14:07.579
 to read it sequentially

00:14:07.579 --> 00:14:09.019
 is that according

00:14:09.019 --> 00:14:10.439
 to 19, 11, 20

00:14:10.439 --> 00:14:11.480
 11 to 21

00:14:11.480 --> 00:14:12.939
 Christ has already

00:14:12.939 --> 00:14:13.899
 vanquished his enemies.

00:14:15.319 --> 00:14:16.879
 So the great supper

00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:17.459
 of God

00:14:17.459 --> 00:14:18.679
 remember when he

00:14:18.679 --> 00:14:19.799
 offered the flesh

00:14:19.799 --> 00:14:20.279
 of kings

00:14:20.279 --> 00:14:21.240
 to the carrion birds

00:14:21.240 --> 00:14:21.840
 that's already

00:14:21.840 --> 00:14:22.379
 taken place

00:14:22.379 --> 00:14:23.179
 in chapter 19.

00:14:23.179 --> 00:14:24.359
 So well

00:14:24.359 --> 00:14:24.899
 if Christ

00:14:24.899 --> 00:14:25.319
 has already

00:14:25.319 --> 00:14:25.979
 defeated

00:14:25.979 --> 00:14:26.899
 and punished

00:14:26.899 --> 00:14:27.500
 the nations

00:14:27.500 --> 00:14:28.599
 then what

00:14:28.599 --> 00:14:29.219
 nations

00:14:29.219 --> 00:14:29.819
 are there

00:14:29.819 --> 00:14:30.159
 left

00:14:30.159 --> 00:14:30.679
 for Satan

00:14:30.679 --> 00:14:31.239
 to deceive

00:14:31.239 --> 00:14:31.859
 in verse 3?

00:14:32.859 --> 00:14:33.979
 So the amill argument

00:14:33.979 --> 00:14:34.599
 is that Satan

00:14:34.599 --> 00:14:35.359
 being bound

00:14:35.359 --> 00:14:36.079
 that he might

00:14:36.079 --> 00:14:36.599
 not deceive

00:14:36.599 --> 00:14:37.000
 the nations

00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:37.639
 any longer

00:14:37.639 --> 00:14:38.879
 cannot be occurring

00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:39.899
 after the second coming

00:14:39.899 --> 00:14:40.779
 that is described

00:14:40.779 --> 00:14:41.379
 in chapter 19

00:14:41.379 --> 00:14:42.000
 but it must be

00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:42.319
 going back

00:14:42.319 --> 00:14:42.719
 to Christ's

00:14:42.719 --> 00:14:43.199
 first coming.

00:14:44.419 --> 00:14:44.659
 However

00:14:44.659 --> 00:14:45.139
 when you look

00:14:45.139 --> 00:14:46.199
 closely at the text

00:14:46.199 --> 00:14:47.000
 I don't think

00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:47.439
 that argument

00:14:47.439 --> 00:14:48.120
 is as strong

00:14:48.120 --> 00:14:48.819
 as it initially

00:14:48.819 --> 00:14:49.339
 seems.

00:14:49.340 --> 00:14:50.920
 in 1919

00:14:50.920 --> 00:14:51.820
 it tells us

00:14:51.820 --> 00:14:52.800
 exactly the identity

00:14:52.800 --> 00:14:53.340
 of those

00:14:53.340 --> 00:14:53.700
 who were

00:14:53.700 --> 00:14:54.759
 being struck

00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:55.620
 down by Christ

00:14:55.620 --> 00:14:57.440
 it's the beast

00:14:57.440 --> 00:14:58.500
 and the false prophet

00:14:58.500 --> 00:14:59.540
 and the kings

00:14:59.540 --> 00:15:00.379
 of the earth

00:15:00.379 --> 00:15:01.759
 with their armies

00:15:01.759 --> 00:15:03.440
 it's those

00:15:03.440 --> 00:15:04.560
 among the nations

00:15:04.560 --> 00:15:05.420
 who follow

00:15:05.420 --> 00:15:06.019
 the lead

00:15:06.019 --> 00:15:06.560
 of the beast

00:15:06.560 --> 00:15:07.060
 and the kings

00:15:07.060 --> 00:15:07.440
 of the earth

00:15:07.440 --> 00:15:08.320
 to make war

00:15:08.320 --> 00:15:09.379
 against Christ

00:15:09.379 --> 00:15:10.759
 after his return

00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:12.120
 that are destroyed

00:15:12.120 --> 00:15:12.600
 by Christ

00:15:12.600 --> 00:15:13.360
 in chapter 19

00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:14.759
 not all

00:15:14.759 --> 00:15:15.379
 of the nations.

00:15:15.379 --> 00:15:16.559
 in fact

00:15:16.559 --> 00:15:16.899
 it says

00:15:16.899 --> 00:15:17.840
 in 1915

00:15:17.840 --> 00:15:19.059
 from his mouth

00:15:19.059 --> 00:15:20.139
 comes a sharp sword

00:15:20.139 --> 00:15:20.639
 with which

00:15:20.639 --> 00:15:21.559
 to strike down

00:15:21.559 --> 00:15:22.080
 the nations

00:15:22.080 --> 00:15:24.340
 and he will

00:15:24.340 --> 00:15:25.139
 rule them

00:15:25.139 --> 00:15:25.779
 with a rod

00:15:25.779 --> 00:15:26.159
 of iron.

00:15:26.720 --> 00:15:27.980
 Jesus strikes

00:15:27.980 --> 00:15:28.980
 down the nations

00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:30.139
 but apparently

00:15:30.139 --> 00:15:30.779
 there's still

00:15:30.779 --> 00:15:32.120
 nations left over

00:15:32.120 --> 00:15:33.159
 whom he will

00:15:33.159 --> 00:15:33.799
 rule

00:15:33.799 --> 00:15:34.720
 with the rod

00:15:34.720 --> 00:15:35.100
 of iron

00:15:35.100 --> 00:15:35.899
 future tense

00:15:35.899 --> 00:15:37.740
 as Revelation 12

00:15:37.740 --> 00:15:38.480
 verse 5 said

00:15:38.480 --> 00:15:39.519
 Jesus is the one

00:15:39.519 --> 00:15:40.379
 who is to rule

00:15:40.379 --> 00:15:41.399
 all the nations

00:15:41.399 --> 00:15:42.059
 with the rod

00:15:42.059 --> 00:15:42.460
 of iron.

00:15:43.340 --> 00:15:43.980
 Jesus doesn't

00:15:43.980 --> 00:15:44.419
 rule over

00:15:44.419 --> 00:15:45.299
 his own people

00:15:45.299 --> 00:15:45.899
 with a rod

00:15:45.899 --> 00:15:46.259
 of iron.

00:15:46.740 --> 00:15:47.240
 He rules

00:15:47.240 --> 00:15:48.120
 over the nations

00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:49.199
 with a rod

00:15:49.199 --> 00:15:49.599
 of iron

00:15:49.599 --> 00:15:51.139
 and that takes

00:15:51.139 --> 00:15:52.120
 place during

00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:52.659
 the millennial

00:15:52.659 --> 00:15:53.279
 reign

00:15:53.279 --> 00:15:54.599
 and when Satan

00:15:54.599 --> 00:15:55.179
 is released

00:15:55.179 --> 00:15:56.019
 from his prison

00:15:56.019 --> 00:15:57.099
 after the millennium

00:15:57.099 --> 00:15:58.000
 in verses 7 and 10

00:15:58.000 --> 00:15:58.500
 he will come out

00:15:58.500 --> 00:15:59.379
 to deceive the nations

00:15:59.379 --> 00:16:00.019
 and gather them

00:16:00.019 --> 00:16:01.000
 for war against Christ

00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:02.019
 in the city

00:16:02.019 --> 00:16:02.459
 of Jerusalem

00:16:02.459 --> 00:16:03.959
 and it is at that

00:16:03.959 --> 00:16:04.779
 point that all

00:16:04.779 --> 00:16:05.319
 the nations

00:16:05.319 --> 00:16:06.279
 who had opposed

00:16:06.279 --> 00:16:06.740
 Christ

00:16:06.740 --> 00:16:07.740
 are finally judged

00:16:07.740 --> 00:16:08.459
 before the great

00:16:08.459 --> 00:16:09.000
 white throne

00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:09.839
 and then thrown

00:16:09.839 --> 00:16:10.339
 into the lake

00:16:10.339 --> 00:16:10.759
 of fire.

00:16:12.079 --> 00:16:12.419
 Now this

00:16:12.419 --> 00:16:12.899
 understanding

00:16:12.899 --> 00:16:13.799
 of Revelation 20

00:16:13.799 --> 00:16:14.899
 makes good sense

00:16:14.899 --> 00:16:15.620
 in light of

00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:16.419
 Revelation 2

00:16:16.419 --> 00:16:18.120
 26 where Christ

00:16:18.120 --> 00:16:18.759
 promised

00:16:18.759 --> 00:16:20.159
 the one who

00:16:20.159 --> 00:16:21.100
 conquers

00:16:21.100 --> 00:16:22.439
 and who keeps

00:16:22.439 --> 00:16:23.120
 my works

00:16:23.120 --> 00:16:23.840
 until the end

00:16:23.840 --> 00:16:24.959
 to him I will

00:16:24.959 --> 00:16:26.100
 give authority

00:16:26.100 --> 00:16:27.279
 over the nations

00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:28.579
 and he will

00:16:28.579 --> 00:16:29.299
 rule them

00:16:29.299 --> 00:16:29.980
 with a rod

00:16:29.980 --> 00:16:30.519
 of iron

00:16:30.519 --> 00:16:31.740
 as when earth

00:16:31.740 --> 00:16:32.159
 and pots

00:16:32.159 --> 00:16:32.559
 are broken

00:16:32.559 --> 00:16:33.019
 in pieces

00:16:33.019 --> 00:16:34.199
 even as I

00:16:34.199 --> 00:16:34.959
 myself have

00:16:34.959 --> 00:16:35.879
 received authority

00:16:35.879 --> 00:16:37.120
 from my father.

00:16:37.799 --> 00:16:38.419
 So God's

00:16:38.419 --> 00:16:39.699
 people who endure

00:16:39.699 --> 00:16:40.360
 who conquer

00:16:40.360 --> 00:16:41.100
 and who endure

00:16:41.100 --> 00:16:41.559
 to the end

00:16:41.559 --> 00:16:42.019
 faith

00:16:42.019 --> 00:16:43.179
 are supposed

00:16:43.179 --> 00:16:43.739
 to at some

00:16:43.739 --> 00:16:44.359
 point rule

00:16:44.359 --> 00:16:44.979
 over the nations

00:16:44.979 --> 00:16:45.579
 with the rod

00:16:45.579 --> 00:16:45.959
 of iron

00:16:45.959 --> 00:16:46.579
 joining in

00:16:46.579 --> 00:16:47.219
 Christ's rule.

00:16:47.919 --> 00:16:49.039
 When does that

00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:49.939
 happen in the book

00:16:49.939 --> 00:16:50.399
 of Revelation?

00:16:51.359 --> 00:16:52.159
 Are the saints

00:16:52.159 --> 00:16:53.239
 right now in heaven

00:16:53.239 --> 00:16:54.039
 reigning over

00:16:54.039 --> 00:16:54.599
 the nations

00:16:54.599 --> 00:16:55.119
 with the rod

00:16:55.119 --> 00:16:55.500
 of iron?

00:16:55.959 --> 00:16:56.599
 It doesn't seem

00:16:56.599 --> 00:16:56.959
 that way.

00:16:57.639 --> 00:16:58.519
 If there is no

00:16:58.519 --> 00:16:59.379
 millennial reign

00:16:59.379 --> 00:17:00.459
 after Christ's

00:17:00.459 --> 00:17:00.899
 second coming

00:17:00.899 --> 00:17:01.579
 this rule

00:17:01.579 --> 00:17:02.299
 that was promised

00:17:02.299 --> 00:17:02.919
 in Revelation

00:17:02.919 --> 00:17:03.779
 2 26

00:17:03.779 --> 00:17:04.740
 never takes place.

00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:06.559
 So the timeline

00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:07.440
 I am suggesting

00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:08.200
 is confirmed

00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:08.900
 also by

00:17:08.900 --> 00:17:10.019
 Zechariah 14

00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:11.180
 which describes

00:17:11.180 --> 00:17:12.180
 it's a prophecy

00:17:12.180 --> 00:17:12.980
 of Christ's

00:17:12.980 --> 00:17:13.299
 return

00:17:13.299 --> 00:17:14.559
 and the war

00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:15.539
 that takes place

00:17:15.539 --> 00:17:16.160
 with the kings

00:17:16.160 --> 00:17:16.960
 after his return

00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:18.019
 and it says

00:17:18.019 --> 00:17:18.799
 in 14 16

00:17:18.799 --> 00:17:19.420
 that everyone

00:17:19.420 --> 00:17:20.480
 who survives

00:17:20.480 --> 00:17:21.740
 of all the nations

00:17:21.740 --> 00:17:23.519
 shall go up

00:17:23.519 --> 00:17:24.440
 year after year

00:17:24.440 --> 00:17:24.900
 to worship

00:17:24.900 --> 00:17:25.279
 the king

00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:26.000
 the lord of hosts

00:17:26.000 --> 00:17:26.460
 and to keep

00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:27.200
 the feast of boots.

00:17:27.860 --> 00:17:28.580
 So it sounds

00:17:28.580 --> 00:17:29.140
 like there are

00:17:29.140 --> 00:17:29.720
 survivors

00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:30.819
 after the war

00:17:30.819 --> 00:17:31.440
 among the nations

00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:32.480
 and this seems

00:17:32.480 --> 00:17:33.100
 to be describing

00:17:33.100 --> 00:17:33.840
 the millennial reign

00:17:33.840 --> 00:17:34.299
 of Christ.

00:17:35.640 --> 00:17:36.140
 So then

00:17:36.140 --> 00:17:37.080
 when is

00:17:37.080 --> 00:17:37.680
 a thousand years?

00:17:37.680 --> 00:17:38.380
 I think it's

00:17:38.380 --> 00:17:39.660
 after Christ's

00:17:39.660 --> 00:17:40.180
 second coming

00:17:40.180 --> 00:17:40.840
 which is

00:17:40.840 --> 00:17:41.779
 I am a historic

00:17:41.779 --> 00:17:42.900
 pre-millennialist

00:17:42.900 --> 00:17:44.080
 who believes

00:17:44.080 --> 00:17:44.460
 that Christ

00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:45.000
 will return

00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:46.060
 pre-millennium

00:17:46.060 --> 00:17:47.460
 before the thousand years.

00:17:48.380 --> 00:17:49.100
 Now let's turn

00:17:49.100 --> 00:17:49.539
 to another

00:17:49.539 --> 00:17:50.279
 interpretive issue

00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:51.000
 that has bearings

00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:51.660
 on this question.

00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:54.080
 By the way

00:17:54.080 --> 00:17:56.560
 I cut six

00:17:56.560 --> 00:17:57.200
 single pages

00:17:57.200 --> 00:17:58.560
 out of my sermon

00:17:58.560 --> 00:17:59.640
 for this

00:17:59.640 --> 00:18:00.140
 and so

00:18:00.140 --> 00:18:02.060
 I'm gonna

00:18:02.060 --> 00:18:03.140
 just either

00:18:03.140 --> 00:18:04.039
 I didn't have

00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:04.299
 a chance

00:18:04.299 --> 00:18:04.759
 to print it out

00:18:04.759 --> 00:18:05.480
 but I'll share

00:18:05.480 --> 00:18:05.880
 that with you

00:18:05.880 --> 00:18:06.560
 as a PDF form

00:18:06.560 --> 00:18:07.340
 on our church slack

00:18:07.339 --> 00:18:08.099
 so if you are

00:18:08.099 --> 00:18:08.899
 actually familiar

00:18:08.899 --> 00:18:09.359
 with some of

00:18:09.359 --> 00:18:09.839
 these arguments

00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:11.279
 and want to know

00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:12.779
 how more extensive

00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:13.559
 interaction with

00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:14.179
 the Amel positions

00:18:14.179 --> 00:18:14.819
 I'd encourage you

00:18:14.819 --> 00:18:15.339
 to read that

00:18:15.339 --> 00:18:17.019
 for the sake of

00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:18.519
 not boring you

00:18:18.519 --> 00:18:18.839
 to death

00:18:18.839 --> 00:18:19.519
 and also actually

00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:20.059
 sharing something

00:18:20.059 --> 00:18:20.720
 that's encouraging

00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:21.179
 I'm gonna

00:18:21.179 --> 00:18:22.099
 I abbreviate a lot

00:18:22.099 --> 00:18:22.639
 of the details

00:18:22.639 --> 00:18:23.599
 so bear with me

00:18:23.599 --> 00:18:24.059
 I know this

00:18:24.059 --> 00:18:24.659
 is kind of hard

00:18:24.659 --> 00:18:25.059
 to follow.

00:18:27.159 --> 00:18:28.019
 Where was I?

00:18:29.059 --> 00:18:30.000
 What does it mean

00:18:30.000 --> 00:18:31.179
 that Satan is bound?

00:18:31.180 --> 00:18:32.920
 So Amel and

00:18:32.920 --> 00:18:34.120
 Postmill people

00:18:34.120 --> 00:18:35.519
 cite Matthew 12

00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:36.480
 28 to 29

00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:37.759
 as evidence

00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:38.680
 that the millennium

00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:39.299
 begins with the

00:18:39.299 --> 00:18:40.400
 first coming of Christ

00:18:40.400 --> 00:18:41.279
 and I think that's

00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:41.759
 actually one of

00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:42.340
 their strongest

00:18:42.340 --> 00:18:42.940
 arguments.

00:18:43.880 --> 00:18:44.960
 In Matthew 12

00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:46.400
 Jesus is casting

00:18:46.400 --> 00:18:46.880
 out demons

00:18:46.880 --> 00:18:48.580
 and his detractors

00:18:48.580 --> 00:18:49.560
 argue that he's

00:18:49.560 --> 00:18:51.440
 using the power

00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:52.039
 of the prince

00:18:52.039 --> 00:18:52.539
 of demons

00:18:52.539 --> 00:18:53.620
 the Beelzebul

00:18:53.620 --> 00:18:54.860
 in order to cast

00:18:54.860 --> 00:18:55.400
 out these

00:18:55.400 --> 00:18:56.299
 little demons

00:18:56.299 --> 00:18:56.859
 demons

00:18:56.859 --> 00:18:57.799
 but Jesus

00:18:57.799 --> 00:18:58.700
 exposes their

00:18:58.700 --> 00:18:59.659
 folly by telling

00:18:59.659 --> 00:19:00.200
 them well if

00:19:00.200 --> 00:19:01.200
 Satan casts out

00:19:01.200 --> 00:19:02.119
 Satan then he is

00:19:02.119 --> 00:19:02.919
 divided against

00:19:02.919 --> 00:19:03.779
 himself how then

00:19:03.779 --> 00:19:04.319
 will his kingdom

00:19:04.319 --> 00:19:04.720
 stand?

00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:06.240
 Instead he tells

00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:06.700
 them that he's

00:19:06.700 --> 00:19:07.460
 casting out demons

00:19:07.460 --> 00:19:08.339
 by the spirit of

00:19:08.339 --> 00:19:09.639
 God and then he

00:19:09.639 --> 00:19:10.259
 adds this

00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:11.440
 how can someone

00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:12.279
 enter a strong

00:19:12.279 --> 00:19:12.879
 man's house

00:19:12.879 --> 00:19:13.460
 and plunder

00:19:13.460 --> 00:19:14.039
 his goods

00:19:14.039 --> 00:19:15.799
 unless he first

00:19:15.799 --> 00:19:17.099
 binds the strong

00:19:17.099 --> 00:19:18.799
 man then indeed

00:19:18.799 --> 00:19:19.480
 he may plunder

00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:19.980
 his house.

00:19:20.779 --> 00:19:21.399
 So that word

00:19:21.399 --> 00:19:22.960
 bind is the

00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:23.740
 exact same word

00:19:23.740 --> 00:19:24.220
 that's used in

00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:24.819
 Revelation 20

00:19:24.819 --> 00:19:25.440
 verse 2

00:19:25.440 --> 00:19:26.059
 when it says

00:19:26.059 --> 00:19:26.819
 an angel

00:19:26.819 --> 00:19:28.220
 bound Satan

00:19:28.220 --> 00:19:28.839
 for a thousand

00:19:28.839 --> 00:19:29.159
 years.

00:19:29.779 --> 00:19:30.339
 So Jesus

00:19:30.339 --> 00:19:31.720
 has bound

00:19:31.720 --> 00:19:32.339
 Satan

00:19:32.339 --> 00:19:34.159
 the strong

00:19:34.159 --> 00:19:34.500
 man

00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:35.839
 in his first

00:19:35.839 --> 00:19:36.359
 coming which

00:19:36.359 --> 00:19:37.339
 is why he

00:19:37.339 --> 00:19:38.099
 is able to

00:19:38.099 --> 00:19:38.659
 plunder his

00:19:38.659 --> 00:19:39.179
 house and

00:19:39.179 --> 00:19:40.200
 cast out demons

00:19:40.200 --> 00:19:40.639
 and bring

00:19:40.639 --> 00:19:41.679
 salvation to

00:19:41.679 --> 00:19:42.480
 all nations.

00:19:43.399 --> 00:19:44.139
 At his death

00:19:44.139 --> 00:19:44.639
 and resurrection

00:19:44.639 --> 00:19:45.839
 Jesus defeated

00:19:45.839 --> 00:19:46.599
 Satan and

00:19:46.599 --> 00:19:47.299
 secured the

00:19:47.299 --> 00:19:48.039
 gift of the

00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:48.859
 spirit for all

00:19:48.859 --> 00:19:49.480
 of his people

00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:50.139
 and this is a

00:19:50.139 --> 00:19:50.779
 fulfillment of

00:19:50.779 --> 00:19:51.259
 the prophecy

00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:51.960
 in Psalm 82

00:19:51.960 --> 00:19:53.299
 when he said

00:19:53.299 --> 00:19:53.839
 that God

00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:54.460
 himself will

00:19:54.460 --> 00:19:54.799
 come to

00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:55.919
 dispossess

00:19:55.920 --> 00:19:56.519
 the so-called

00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:56.940
 gods of

00:19:56.940 --> 00:19:57.420
 the nations

00:19:57.420 --> 00:19:58.300
 and inherit

00:19:58.300 --> 00:19:58.880
 all nations

00:19:58.880 --> 00:19:59.500
 to himself.

00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:01.200
 This is why

00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:01.840
 in the Old

00:20:01.840 --> 00:20:02.259
 Testament

00:20:02.259 --> 00:20:03.360
 the movement

00:20:03.360 --> 00:20:04.140
 of salvation

00:20:04.140 --> 00:20:05.560
 is centripetal.

00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:06.539
 It goes

00:20:06.539 --> 00:20:07.019
 toward the

00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:07.360
 center

00:20:07.360 --> 00:20:07.840
 toward the

00:20:07.840 --> 00:20:08.200
 people of

00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:08.480
 God

00:20:08.480 --> 00:20:09.140
 in Jerusalem.

00:20:09.880 --> 00:20:10.660
 But in

00:20:10.660 --> 00:20:11.140
 the New

00:20:11.140 --> 00:20:11.600
 Testament

00:20:11.600 --> 00:20:12.940
 the movement

00:20:12.940 --> 00:20:13.500
 of salvation

00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:14.539
 is centrifugal.

00:20:14.740 --> 00:20:15.060
 It goes

00:20:15.060 --> 00:20:16.100
 out from

00:20:16.100 --> 00:20:16.539
 Jerusalem

00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:17.500
 to all Judea

00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:17.860
 and Samaria

00:20:17.860 --> 00:20:18.160
 and to the

00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:18.560
 ends of the

00:20:18.560 --> 00:20:18.820
 earth

00:20:18.820 --> 00:20:19.720
 to bear

00:20:19.720 --> 00:20:21.300
 witness to

00:20:21.300 --> 00:20:21.740
 the nations.

00:20:22.580 --> 00:20:23.160
 In the Old

00:20:23.160 --> 00:20:23.600
 Covenant

00:20:23.599 --> 00:20:24.599
 salvation

00:20:24.599 --> 00:20:25.500
 was restricted

00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:26.179
 mostly to

00:20:26.179 --> 00:20:26.699
 the Jews

00:20:26.699 --> 00:20:27.359
 though there

00:20:27.359 --> 00:20:27.719
 were some

00:20:27.719 --> 00:20:28.119
 Gentiles.

00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:28.599
 But in the

00:20:28.599 --> 00:20:29.039
 New Covenant

00:20:29.039 --> 00:20:29.379
 salvation

00:20:29.379 --> 00:20:30.139
 comes upon

00:20:30.139 --> 00:20:30.899
 the Gentiles.

00:20:31.619 --> 00:20:32.279
 So this is

00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:33.119
 all true

00:20:33.119 --> 00:20:33.899
 and biblical

00:20:33.899 --> 00:20:34.619
 which is why

00:20:34.619 --> 00:20:34.959
 I think this

00:20:34.959 --> 00:20:35.240
 is one of

00:20:35.240 --> 00:20:35.519
 their most

00:20:35.519 --> 00:20:35.839
 compelling

00:20:35.839 --> 00:20:36.319
 arguments.

00:20:37.419 --> 00:20:37.819
 However,

00:20:38.379 --> 00:20:39.319
 I don't

00:20:39.319 --> 00:20:40.359
 think Revelation

00:20:40.359 --> 00:20:41.719
 20 verse 2

00:20:41.719 --> 00:20:42.740
 has in view

00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:43.399
 that binding

00:20:43.399 --> 00:20:43.959
 for several

00:20:43.959 --> 00:20:44.259
 reasons.

00:20:45.139 --> 00:20:45.599
 First,

00:20:45.699 --> 00:20:46.240
 it's interesting

00:20:46.240 --> 00:20:47.519
 that all of

00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:48.039
 the Synoptic

00:20:48.039 --> 00:20:48.539
 Gospels,

00:20:48.699 --> 00:20:48.959
 Matthew,

00:20:49.119 --> 00:20:49.299
 Mark,

00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:49.819
 and Luke

00:20:49.819 --> 00:20:50.980
 contain that

00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:51.679
 passage about

00:20:51.679 --> 00:20:52.179
 the binding

00:20:52.180 --> 00:20:52.900
 of the strong

00:20:52.900 --> 00:20:53.279
 man.

00:20:53.920 --> 00:20:54.799
 The only

00:20:54.799 --> 00:20:55.380
 Gospel that

00:20:55.380 --> 00:20:55.840
 does not

00:20:55.840 --> 00:20:56.519
 contain that

00:20:56.519 --> 00:20:57.220
 passage is

00:20:57.220 --> 00:20:57.700
 the Gospel

00:20:57.700 --> 00:20:58.299
 of John

00:20:58.299 --> 00:21:00.039
 which happens

00:21:00.039 --> 00:21:00.380
 to be written

00:21:00.380 --> 00:21:00.799
 by the same

00:21:00.799 --> 00:21:01.259
 author as

00:21:01.259 --> 00:21:01.680
 Revelation.

00:21:02.620 --> 00:21:03.320
 The language

00:21:03.320 --> 00:21:04.019
 that John

00:21:04.019 --> 00:21:04.580
 uses to

00:21:04.580 --> 00:21:05.259
 describe the

00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:05.660
 defeat of

00:21:05.660 --> 00:21:06.120
 Satan is

00:21:06.120 --> 00:21:06.799
 not one of

00:21:06.799 --> 00:21:07.840
 binding but

00:21:07.840 --> 00:21:08.320
 of being

00:21:08.320 --> 00:21:09.380
 cast out.

00:21:09.980 --> 00:21:10.600
 John 12

00:21:10.600 --> 00:21:11.019
 31,

00:21:11.259 --> 00:21:11.840
 now is the

00:21:11.840 --> 00:21:12.259
 judgment of

00:21:12.259 --> 00:21:12.740
 this world,

00:21:12.920 --> 00:21:13.519
 now will the

00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:14.019
 ruler of this

00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:14.560
 world be

00:21:14.560 --> 00:21:15.720
 cast out.

00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:17.080
 And where

00:21:17.080 --> 00:21:17.580
 is Satan

00:21:17.580 --> 00:21:18.640
 cast out of?

00:21:19.259 --> 00:21:19.920
 Not out of

00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:20.440
 this world.

00:21:20.440 --> 00:21:22.820
 John writes

00:21:22.820 --> 00:21:23.460
 elsewhere in

00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:24.519
 1 John 5

00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:25.000
 19,

00:21:25.900 --> 00:21:27.019
 we know that

00:21:27.019 --> 00:21:27.559
 we are from

00:21:27.559 --> 00:21:28.740
 God and the

00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:29.640
 whole world

00:21:29.640 --> 00:21:30.360
 lies in the

00:21:30.360 --> 00:21:30.799
 power of the

00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:31.259
 evil one.

00:21:31.880 --> 00:21:32.420
 Does it sound

00:21:32.420 --> 00:21:32.940
 like he's cast

00:21:32.940 --> 00:21:33.279
 out of the

00:21:33.279 --> 00:21:33.519
 world?

00:21:35.440 --> 00:21:36.180
 2 Corinthians

00:21:36.180 --> 00:21:37.080
 4, 3-4,

00:21:37.640 --> 00:21:38.380
 and even if the

00:21:38.380 --> 00:21:38.880
 Gospel is

00:21:38.880 --> 00:21:39.420
 veiled, it is

00:21:39.420 --> 00:21:40.000
 veiled to those

00:21:40.000 --> 00:21:40.680
 who are perishing.

00:21:40.799 --> 00:21:41.420
 In their case,

00:21:41.500 --> 00:21:42.180
 the God of

00:21:42.180 --> 00:21:43.640
 this world has

00:21:43.640 --> 00:21:44.420
 blinded the

00:21:44.420 --> 00:21:44.920
 minds of the

00:21:44.920 --> 00:21:45.620
 unbelievers to

00:21:45.620 --> 00:21:46.360
 keep them from

00:21:46.360 --> 00:21:46.840
 seeing the

00:21:46.840 --> 00:21:47.200
 light of the

00:21:47.200 --> 00:21:47.620
 Gospel of the

00:21:47.620 --> 00:21:48.299
 glory of Christ.

00:21:48.740 --> 00:21:49.279
 Does that sound

00:21:49.279 --> 00:21:49.860
 like Satan being

00:21:49.859 --> 00:21:50.619
 cast out of

00:21:50.619 --> 00:21:51.099
 this world and

00:21:51.099 --> 00:21:51.639
 being unable to

00:21:51.639 --> 00:21:51.979
 deceive?

00:21:53.659 --> 00:21:54.879
 1 Peter 5, 8

00:21:54.879 --> 00:21:55.539
 says, be sober

00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:56.219
 minded, be

00:21:56.219 --> 00:21:56.740
 watchful.

00:21:56.819 --> 00:21:57.500
 Your adversary,

00:21:57.619 --> 00:21:58.599
 the devil, prowls

00:21:58.599 --> 00:21:59.219
 around like a

00:21:59.219 --> 00:21:59.799
 roaring lion,

00:21:59.939 --> 00:22:00.679
 seeking someone

00:22:00.679 --> 00:22:01.279
 to devour.

00:22:02.539 --> 00:22:03.839
 Is Satan bound

00:22:03.839 --> 00:22:05.139
 with chains in

00:22:05.139 --> 00:22:06.359
 the abyss or

00:22:06.359 --> 00:22:07.419
 prowling around like

00:22:07.419 --> 00:22:08.039
 a roaring lion?

00:22:08.859 --> 00:22:09.740
 Is he no longer

00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:10.339
 deceiving the

00:22:10.339 --> 00:22:11.899
 nations or is he

00:22:11.899 --> 00:22:12.919
 blinding the

00:22:12.919 --> 00:22:13.439
 minds of the

00:22:13.439 --> 00:22:13.879
 unbelievers?

00:22:15.319 --> 00:22:16.259
 What John is

00:22:16.259 --> 00:22:16.939
 describing in

00:22:16.939 --> 00:22:17.779
 John 12, 31,

00:22:17.959 --> 00:22:18.959
 is not Satan being

00:22:18.960 --> 00:22:20.120
 cast out from

00:22:20.120 --> 00:22:20.980
 the earth to

00:22:20.980 --> 00:22:21.900
 the abyss.

00:22:22.319 --> 00:22:22.660
 No, he's

00:22:22.660 --> 00:22:23.720
 describing Satan

00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:24.680
 being cast out

00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:26.039
 from heaven to

00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:26.460
 earth.

00:22:27.079 --> 00:22:27.559
 Isn't that what

00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:28.380
 Jesus said in

00:22:28.380 --> 00:22:29.600
 Luke 10, 18,

00:22:29.660 --> 00:22:30.019
 19?

00:22:30.140 --> 00:22:31.000
 I saw Satan

00:22:31.000 --> 00:22:31.700
 fall like

00:22:31.700 --> 00:22:32.779
 lightning from

00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:33.440
 heaven.

00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:35.620
 This is what

00:22:35.620 --> 00:22:36.559
 we saw described

00:22:36.559 --> 00:22:37.420
 in Revelation 12

00:22:37.420 --> 00:22:38.319
 when after Jesus'

00:22:38.460 --> 00:22:38.819
 death and

00:22:38.819 --> 00:22:39.500
 resurrection and

00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:40.720
 ascension on

00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:41.480
 earth, from

00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:43.019
 earth, Satan is

00:22:43.019 --> 00:22:43.680
 defeated by

00:22:43.680 --> 00:22:45.460
 Archangel Michael

00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:46.460
 in heaven and

00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:46.940
 it said in

00:22:46.940 --> 00:22:48.120
 Revelation 12, 8-9,

00:22:48.119 --> 00:22:48.839
 but the dragon

00:22:48.839 --> 00:22:49.599
 was defeated and

00:22:49.599 --> 00:22:50.000
 there was no

00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:50.959
 longer any place

00:22:50.959 --> 00:22:51.719
 for them in

00:22:51.719 --> 00:22:52.119
 heaven.

00:22:52.739 --> 00:22:53.359
 And the great

00:22:53.359 --> 00:22:54.199
 dragon was thrown

00:22:54.199 --> 00:22:55.779
 down, the ancient

00:22:55.779 --> 00:22:56.419
 serpent who is

00:22:56.419 --> 00:22:57.019
 called the devil

00:22:57.019 --> 00:22:58.119
 and Satan, the

00:22:58.119 --> 00:22:59.219
 deceiver of the

00:22:59.219 --> 00:23:00.000
 whole world.

00:23:00.339 --> 00:23:00.939
 He was thrown

00:23:00.939 --> 00:23:01.859
 down to the

00:23:01.859 --> 00:23:02.639
 earth and his

00:23:02.639 --> 00:23:03.439
 angels were thrown

00:23:03.439 --> 00:23:04.219
 down with him.

00:23:04.279 --> 00:23:04.979
 That word thrown

00:23:04.979 --> 00:23:06.619
 down is a

00:23:06.619 --> 00:23:07.359
 variation of the

00:23:07.359 --> 00:23:08.199
 same Greek word

00:23:08.199 --> 00:23:09.179
 that John used in

00:23:09.179 --> 00:23:10.179
 John 12, 31 when

00:23:10.179 --> 00:23:11.239
 he said this ruler

00:23:11.239 --> 00:23:12.159
 of this world is

00:23:12.159 --> 00:23:13.979
 cast out.

00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:16.319
 So people who

00:23:16.319 --> 00:23:17.259
 claim that

00:23:17.259 --> 00:23:18.599
 Revelation 20, 1-6

00:23:18.599 --> 00:23:19.299
 is this

00:23:19.299 --> 00:23:19.920
 description of the

00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:20.700
 first coming of

00:23:20.700 --> 00:23:22.740
 Christ argue that

00:23:22.740 --> 00:23:24.160
 it's a recapitulation

00:23:24.160 --> 00:23:25.599
 or repeat of what

00:23:25.599 --> 00:23:26.360
 happened in Revelation

00:23:26.360 --> 00:23:27.400
 12 that I was just

00:23:27.400 --> 00:23:27.880
 talking about.

00:23:28.400 --> 00:23:29.259
 But there are key

00:23:29.259 --> 00:23:29.779
 differences.

00:23:31.059 --> 00:23:31.880
 I can highlight that

00:23:31.880 --> 00:23:32.019
 for you.

00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:33.620
 In 12, 8-9, Satan

00:23:33.620 --> 00:23:34.579
 is thrown down to

00:23:34.579 --> 00:23:35.400
 the earth from

00:23:35.400 --> 00:23:35.720
 heaven.

00:23:36.480 --> 00:23:37.759
 But in 20, verse 3,

00:23:37.860 --> 00:23:38.480
 Satan is thrown

00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:39.299
 down into the

00:23:39.299 --> 00:23:40.519
 bottomless pit from

00:23:40.519 --> 00:23:41.059
 earth.

00:23:41.579 --> 00:23:42.160
 That's why the

00:23:42.160 --> 00:23:43.160
 angel in chapter 20,

00:23:43.160 --> 00:23:43.900
 verse 1, comes down

00:23:43.900 --> 00:23:44.680
 from heaven to

00:23:44.680 --> 00:23:45.580
 earth in order to

00:23:45.580 --> 00:23:46.440
 seize, bind, and

00:23:46.440 --> 00:23:47.000
 imprison Satan.

00:23:47.680 --> 00:23:49.620
 In 12, 12-13, 18,

00:23:49.880 --> 00:23:51.200
 the result of Satan

00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:52.360
 being thrown down

00:23:52.360 --> 00:23:53.140
 to the earth, the

00:23:53.140 --> 00:23:53.740
 deceiver of the

00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:55.220
 whole world, is that

00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:56.420
 he becomes furious

00:23:56.420 --> 00:23:57.700
 and makes war

00:23:57.700 --> 00:23:58.519
 against the saints.

00:23:58.960 --> 00:23:59.860
 And then he makes

00:23:59.860 --> 00:24:00.800
 the beast and the

00:24:00.800 --> 00:24:01.700
 false prophet rise

00:24:01.700 --> 00:24:03.940
 forth from the

00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:05.779
 abyss and he makes

00:24:05.779 --> 00:24:06.820
 them deceive the

00:24:06.820 --> 00:24:07.160
 nations.

00:24:08.180 --> 00:24:08.779
 He's called the

00:24:08.779 --> 00:24:09.519
 deceiver of the

00:24:09.519 --> 00:24:10.100
 whole world in

00:24:10.100 --> 00:24:10.580
 12, 9.

00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:12.040
 He deceives those

00:24:12.040 --> 00:24:12.660
 who dwell on

00:24:12.660 --> 00:24:12.980
 earth.

00:24:13.660 --> 00:24:14.040
 Through the

00:24:14.040 --> 00:24:14.400
 beast and the

00:24:14.400 --> 00:24:14.800
 false prophet

00:24:14.800 --> 00:24:15.560
 in chapter 13,

00:24:15.620 --> 00:24:16.160
 verse 14.

00:24:16.440 --> 00:24:18.320
 He deceives the

00:24:18.320 --> 00:24:18.900
 nations through

00:24:18.900 --> 00:24:19.980
 Babylon sorcery in

00:24:19.980 --> 00:24:20.840
 1823.

00:24:21.600 --> 00:24:22.460
 Again and again,

00:24:22.540 --> 00:24:23.240
 we're told throughout

00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:24.519
 the Revelation that

00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:25.620
 in the church age,

00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:26.320
 Satan and his

00:24:26.320 --> 00:24:27.540
 minions are deceiving

00:24:27.540 --> 00:24:29.840
 the nations, which

00:24:29.840 --> 00:24:30.960
 is exactly what verse

00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:31.759
 3 tells us Satan

00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:33.019
 cannot do while he's

00:24:33.019 --> 00:24:35.740
 bound in the pit, so

00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:36.420
 that he might not

00:24:36.420 --> 00:24:37.340
 deceive the nations

00:24:37.340 --> 00:24:39.440
 any longer until the

00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:39.840
 thousand years

00:24:39.840 --> 00:24:40.080
 were ended.

00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:40.940
 So which is it?

00:24:40.940 --> 00:24:43.820
 Is Satan furious on

00:24:43.820 --> 00:24:44.940
 earth, wreaking havoc

00:24:44.940 --> 00:24:45.860
 as the deceiver of

00:24:45.860 --> 00:24:46.500
 the world with

00:24:46.500 --> 00:24:47.600
 authority over the

00:24:47.600 --> 00:24:49.059
 nations, or is Satan

00:24:49.059 --> 00:24:50.160
 bound and unable to

00:24:50.160 --> 00:24:50.840
 deceive the nations?

00:24:51.920 --> 00:24:53.519
 The immediate context

00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:54.180
 of the book of

00:24:54.180 --> 00:24:55.779
 Revelation, which is

00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:56.820
 the most important

00:24:56.820 --> 00:24:57.920
 biblical context for

00:24:57.920 --> 00:24:58.779
 us to consider in

00:24:58.779 --> 00:24:59.480
 interpreting this,

00:24:59.840 --> 00:25:00.700
 suggests that these

00:25:00.700 --> 00:25:01.700
 two chapters are not

00:25:01.700 --> 00:25:02.920
 referring to the same

00:25:02.920 --> 00:25:04.000
 events, Revelation 12

00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:04.700
 and Revelation 20.

00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:06.460
 Revelation 12 is

00:25:06.460 --> 00:25:07.279
 describing the first

00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:08.000
 coming of Christ.

00:25:08.000 --> 00:25:09.220
 Revelation 20 is

00:25:09.220 --> 00:25:10.079
 describing the second

00:25:10.079 --> 00:25:10.819
 coming of Christ.

00:25:11.920 --> 00:25:13.900
 In Revelation 9, Satan

00:25:13.900 --> 00:25:15.220
 was given the key to

00:25:15.220 --> 00:25:16.220
 the bottomless pit and

00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:17.140
 he opened the shaft of

00:25:17.140 --> 00:25:18.140
 the bottomless pit to

00:25:18.140 --> 00:25:18.880
 release the demonic

00:25:18.880 --> 00:25:19.500
 locusts.

00:25:19.819 --> 00:25:21.180
 In Revelation 20, Satan

00:25:21.180 --> 00:25:22.720
 is locked in this

00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:23.420
 bottomless pit.

00:25:24.579 --> 00:25:25.779
 These two things cannot

00:25:25.779 --> 00:25:27.420
 be referring to the

00:25:27.420 --> 00:25:28.460
 same event.

00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:31.259
 Revelation 11, 7 and

00:25:31.259 --> 00:25:32.319
 17, 8 says that the

00:25:32.319 --> 00:25:33.859
 beast rises from the

00:25:33.859 --> 00:25:34.920
 bottomless pit and makes

00:25:34.920 --> 00:25:35.660
 war on the saints.

00:25:35.660 --> 00:25:37.420
 So are they rising from

00:25:37.420 --> 00:25:38.440
 the bottomless pit or are

00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:39.400
 they bound in the

00:25:39.400 --> 00:25:39.900
 bottomless pit?

00:25:39.960 --> 00:25:40.779
 They're not referring to

00:25:40.779 --> 00:25:41.759
 the same events.

00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:44.320
 So now why does all of

00:25:44.320 --> 00:25:44.720
 this matter?

00:25:46.100 --> 00:25:47.800
 The point of chapter 20

00:25:47.800 --> 00:25:49.500
 verses 1 to 3 isn't to

00:25:49.500 --> 00:25:51.779
 tell us Satan is bound

00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:52.860
 and can no longer

00:25:52.860 --> 00:25:53.400
 deceive.

00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:55.080
 So the advance of the

00:25:55.080 --> 00:25:56.140
 gospel all over the

00:25:56.140 --> 00:25:57.660
 world is unstoppable and

00:25:57.660 --> 00:25:58.779
 the triumph of the

00:25:58.779 --> 00:25:59.779
 gospel throughout human

00:25:59.779 --> 00:26:00.960
 society is inevitable.

00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:02.779
 So go boldly and

00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:03.580
 change the world.

00:26:04.120 --> 00:26:05.160
 The tide has turned,

00:26:05.160 --> 00:26:06.680
 momentum is on your

00:26:06.680 --> 00:26:07.340
 side.

00:26:08.820 --> 00:26:10.759
 That's not the point of

00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:12.259
 Revelation 20, 1 to 6.

00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:14.160
 That is the argument of

00:26:14.160 --> 00:26:15.180
 the postmillennialists.

00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:16.779
 However, the point of

00:26:16.779 --> 00:26:18.180
 Revelation 20, 1 to 3 is

00:26:18.180 --> 00:26:19.460
 to cultivate Christian

00:26:19.460 --> 00:26:20.360
 triumphalism.

00:26:21.519 --> 00:26:22.840
 It's intended to cultivate

00:26:22.840 --> 00:26:24.840
 Christian hope and

00:26:24.840 --> 00:26:25.400
 endurance.

00:26:26.940 --> 00:26:28.380
 Christ did not send us

00:26:28.380 --> 00:26:30.080
 out as lions among wolves.

00:26:30.180 --> 00:26:31.720
 He sent us out as sheep

00:26:31.720 --> 00:26:32.580
 among wolves.

00:26:32.579 --> 00:26:34.960
 to follow in the footsteps

00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:36.159
 of the lamb who was

00:26:36.159 --> 00:26:37.539
 slain by enduring

00:26:37.539 --> 00:26:39.159
 suffering and even death

00:26:39.159 --> 00:26:40.299
 for the sake of Christ.

00:26:40.939 --> 00:26:43.139
 Right now, Satan is at

00:26:43.139 --> 00:26:44.359
 large prowling around

00:26:44.359 --> 00:26:45.339
 like a roaring lion.

00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:47.039
 Right now, he is making

00:26:47.039 --> 00:26:48.379
 war against the saints and

00:26:48.379 --> 00:26:49.720
 conquering us and killing

00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:50.679
 us, God's people.

00:26:51.159 --> 00:26:52.619
 Right now, he is deceiving

00:26:52.619 --> 00:26:54.079
 the nations and blinding

00:26:54.079 --> 00:26:54.699
 the minds of the

00:26:54.699 --> 00:26:55.819
 unbelievers so that they

00:26:55.819 --> 00:26:57.039
 cannot see the light of the

00:26:57.039 --> 00:26:57.960
 glory of the gospel of

00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:58.339
 Christ.

00:26:58.779 --> 00:26:59.759
 Don't we all know that

00:26:59.759 --> 00:27:00.319
 frustration?

00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:01.160
 We've seen it.

00:27:01.940 --> 00:27:04.440
 But we go bear witness

00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:05.180
 anyway.

00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:08.319
 Because blessed are you

00:27:08.319 --> 00:27:09.539
 when people persecute and

00:27:09.539 --> 00:27:10.460
 revile you and say all

00:27:10.460 --> 00:27:11.759
 kinds of false things about

00:27:11.759 --> 00:27:12.359
 you on the economy.

00:27:13.920 --> 00:27:14.980
 Because in the same way

00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:15.759
 they persecuted the

00:27:15.759 --> 00:27:16.519
 prophets who were before

00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:16.759
 you.

00:27:20.379 --> 00:27:21.920
 For rejoice and be glad,

00:27:22.059 --> 00:27:23.059
 for your reward is great

00:27:23.059 --> 00:27:23.480
 in heaven.

00:27:23.480 --> 00:27:26.640
 Don't lose hope.

00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:28.339
 Persevere.

00:27:28.960 --> 00:27:30.460
 Because Satan is a lame

00:27:30.460 --> 00:27:32.220
 duck whose regime is about

00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:32.839
 to be toppled.

00:27:33.620 --> 00:27:34.660
 His days are numbered.

00:27:34.839 --> 00:27:36.259
 The timer is ticking down.

00:27:36.579 --> 00:27:38.140
 Christ is coming soon.

00:27:39.779 --> 00:27:41.120
 So pledge your allegiance,

00:27:41.640 --> 00:27:42.880
 loyalty to Christ the King

00:27:42.880 --> 00:27:43.880
 who will reign during the

00:27:43.880 --> 00:27:45.059
 millennium and forevermore.

00:27:45.460 --> 00:27:46.420
 That's the point of

00:27:46.420 --> 00:27:47.940
 Revelation 20 verses 1 to 3.

00:27:49.400 --> 00:27:50.440
 Now that we've looked at

00:27:50.440 --> 00:27:51.559
 the jailing of Satan during

00:27:51.559 --> 00:27:52.640
 the thousand years, let's

00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:53.960
 look at the reign of Christ

00:27:53.960 --> 00:27:54.880
 during the thousand years

00:27:54.880 --> 00:27:55.920
 in verses 4 to 6.

00:27:56.640 --> 00:27:57.660
 He says in verse 4,

00:27:58.460 --> 00:28:00.120
 Then I saw thrones, and

00:28:00.120 --> 00:28:01.460
 seated on them were those

00:28:01.460 --> 00:28:02.680
 to whom the authority to

00:28:02.680 --> 00:28:03.460
 judge was committed.

00:28:04.160 --> 00:28:05.740
 Also I saw the souls of

00:28:05.740 --> 00:28:06.920
 those who had been beheaded

00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:08.220
 for the testimony of Jesus

00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:09.360
 and for the word of God,

00:28:09.740 --> 00:28:10.740
 and those who had not

00:28:10.740 --> 00:28:11.720
 worshipped the beast or

00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:12.759
 its image and had not

00:28:12.759 --> 00:28:13.900
 received its mark on their

00:28:13.900 --> 00:28:15.180
 foreheads or their hands.

00:28:15.660 --> 00:28:17.600
 They came to life and

00:28:17.600 --> 00:28:19.280
 reigned with Christ for a

00:28:19.280 --> 00:28:20.280
 thousand years.

00:28:20.279 --> 00:28:23.059
 People who subscribe to

00:28:23.059 --> 00:28:24.519
 amillennialism argue that

00:28:24.519 --> 00:28:26.059
 these thrones are a picture

00:28:26.059 --> 00:28:27.980
 of deceased saints reigning

00:28:27.980 --> 00:28:29.160
 with Christ in heaven,

00:28:29.720 --> 00:28:31.399
 like the 24 thrones and the

00:28:31.399 --> 00:28:32.799
 24 elders that were in

00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.720
 heaven around the throne of

00:28:33.720 --> 00:28:34.440
 God that we saw in

00:28:34.440 --> 00:28:35.519
 Revelation 4 and 11.

00:28:36.639 --> 00:28:38.079
 However, I think it's more

00:28:38.079 --> 00:28:39.339
 likely that John is seeing

00:28:39.339 --> 00:28:40.460
 those heavenly thrones now

00:28:40.460 --> 00:28:42.500
 appearing on earth because

00:28:42.500 --> 00:28:44.720
 verse 1 already narrated the

00:28:44.720 --> 00:28:46.039
 transition of the scene from

00:28:46.039 --> 00:28:46.839
 heaven to earth.

00:28:46.839 --> 00:28:48.779
 He saw an angel coming down

00:28:48.779 --> 00:28:50.480
 from heaven, which means the

00:28:50.480 --> 00:28:51.419
 angel is on earth now.

00:28:52.039 --> 00:28:52.720
 And that means the

00:28:52.720 --> 00:28:53.919
 subsequent events described

00:28:53.919 --> 00:28:55.480
 in verses 1 to 6 are

00:28:55.480 --> 00:28:56.819
 happening on earth and not

00:28:56.819 --> 00:28:57.220
 in heaven.

00:28:57.879 --> 00:28:59.179
 He said in verse 3 that the

00:28:59.179 --> 00:29:00.599
 purpose of the jailing of

00:29:00.599 --> 00:29:01.720
 Satan for a thousand years

00:29:01.720 --> 00:29:02.720
 was so that he might not

00:29:02.720 --> 00:29:04.139
 deceive the nations any

00:29:04.139 --> 00:29:04.619
 longer.

00:29:05.079 --> 00:29:06.459
 And where are these nations?

00:29:07.220 --> 00:29:08.619
 There are no nations in

00:29:08.619 --> 00:29:09.819
 heaven that do not yet know

00:29:09.819 --> 00:29:10.220
 God.

00:29:10.559 --> 00:29:12.319
 There are no nations to be

00:29:12.319 --> 00:29:13.079
 deceived in heaven.

00:29:13.819 --> 00:29:15.059
 The events of Revelation

00:29:15.059 --> 00:29:16.319
 verse 6 are happening on

00:29:16.319 --> 00:29:16.639
 earth.

00:29:17.460 --> 00:29:18.879
 These thrones and those who

00:29:18.879 --> 00:29:20.579
 are seated on them with the

00:29:20.579 --> 00:29:22.399
 authority to judge might be

00:29:22.399 --> 00:29:24.639
 the 24 elders, representatives

00:29:24.639 --> 00:29:26.039
 of the 12 tribes of Israel

00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:27.299
 and the 12 apostles of the

00:29:27.299 --> 00:29:28.679
 Lamb, since we've seen them

00:29:28.679 --> 00:29:29.700
 sitting on thrones before.

00:29:30.339 --> 00:29:31.259
 And if that is the case,

00:29:31.319 --> 00:29:32.480
 this is the fulfillment of

00:29:32.480 --> 00:29:33.619
 Jesus' promise to his

00:29:33.619 --> 00:29:35.480
 apostles in Matthew 19, 28.

00:29:35.939 --> 00:29:38.259
 In the new world, when the

00:29:38.259 --> 00:29:39.579
 Son of Man will sit on his

00:29:39.579 --> 00:29:41.679
 glorious throne, you who have

00:29:41.679 --> 00:29:43.519
 followed me will also sit on

00:29:43.519 --> 00:29:45.779
 12 thrones, judging the 12

00:29:45.779 --> 00:29:46.700
 tribes of Israel.

00:29:47.460 --> 00:29:49.160
 The Greek word translated the

00:29:49.160 --> 00:29:50.859
 new world is rendered by the

00:29:50.859 --> 00:29:52.440
 NIV and the CSB as the

00:29:52.440 --> 00:29:53.680
 renewal of all things.

00:29:54.339 --> 00:29:55.839
 This is not speaking of the

00:29:55.839 --> 00:29:58.039
 apostles presently reigning in

00:29:58.039 --> 00:30:00.099
 Christ in heaven while our

00:30:00.099 --> 00:30:02.059
 fallen world groans under the

00:30:02.059 --> 00:30:03.759
 weight, in pains of child

00:30:03.759 --> 00:30:04.539
 birth, under the weight of

00:30:04.539 --> 00:30:04.799
 sin.

00:30:05.539 --> 00:30:07.240
 It's speaking of the time when

00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:08.819
 the apostles will reign over and

00:30:08.819 --> 00:30:10.720
 judge the world at the time of

00:30:10.720 --> 00:30:12.420
 Christ's return, at the renewal

00:30:12.420 --> 00:30:14.600
 rule of all things in the new

00:30:14.600 --> 00:30:15.080
 world.

00:30:16.340 --> 00:30:18.660
 But it's not only the 24 elders

00:30:18.660 --> 00:30:20.200
 who will be ruling and judging

00:30:20.200 --> 00:30:20.660
 the world.

00:30:21.080 --> 00:30:22.240
 In addition to those who are

00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:23.420
 seated on the thrones, it says

00:30:23.420 --> 00:30:24.039
 in verse 4,

00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:26.279
 also I saw the souls of those

00:30:26.279 --> 00:30:27.820
 who had been beheaded for the

00:30:27.820 --> 00:30:29.779
 testimony of Jesus and for the

00:30:29.779 --> 00:30:31.539
 word of God, and those who had

00:30:31.539 --> 00:30:32.920
 not worshipped the beast or its

00:30:32.920 --> 00:30:34.160
 image and had not received this

00:30:34.160 --> 00:30:36.160
 mark on their foreheads or their

00:30:36.160 --> 00:30:36.519
 hands.

00:30:36.800 --> 00:30:38.279
 They came to life and reign with

00:30:38.279 --> 00:30:39.460
 Christ for a thousand years.

00:30:39.460 --> 00:30:43.019
 So these are the souls of those

00:30:43.019 --> 00:30:44.380
 who had been beheaded for

00:30:44.380 --> 00:30:45.539
 bearing witness to Jesus.

00:30:46.299 --> 00:30:47.980
 But not only the martyrs, not

00:30:47.980 --> 00:30:48.920
 only those who were killed for

00:30:48.920 --> 00:30:50.779
 their faith, but also all those

00:30:50.779 --> 00:30:52.579
 who did not bow down to the

00:30:52.579 --> 00:30:53.460
 beast and its image.

00:30:54.360 --> 00:30:55.579
 All believers, that means.

00:30:56.600 --> 00:30:58.900
 Not only the apostles will get to

00:30:58.900 --> 00:31:00.740
 partake in the reigning and

00:31:00.740 --> 00:31:02.259
 judging of Christ in the

00:31:02.259 --> 00:31:02.860
 millennial kingdom.

00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:05.440
 I think this is what 1 Corinthians

00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:06.900
 6, 2 spoke of.

00:31:07.019 --> 00:31:08.700
 Do you not know that the saints

00:31:08.700 --> 00:31:10.420
 will judge the world?

00:31:11.559 --> 00:31:12.720
 This is a fulfillment of

00:31:12.720 --> 00:31:14.380
 Revelation 5, 9 to 10, that

00:31:14.380 --> 00:31:15.940
 Jesus had made, that Jesus

00:31:15.940 --> 00:31:18.660
 made his people a kingdom and

00:31:18.660 --> 00:31:20.980
 priests to our God, and they

00:31:20.980 --> 00:31:23.420
 shall reign on the earth.

00:31:24.700 --> 00:31:25.539
 Remember, note that.

00:31:25.600 --> 00:31:26.840
 It says that they'll reign on the

00:31:26.840 --> 00:31:29.140
 earth as kingdom and priests to

00:31:29.140 --> 00:31:30.400
 our God, and that matches

00:31:30.400 --> 00:31:32.539
 chapter 20, verse 6, which

00:31:32.539 --> 00:31:33.840
 clarifies that we'll be priests

00:31:33.840 --> 00:31:35.759
 of God and reign with Christ.

00:31:35.759 --> 00:31:38.839
 On the earth today, we

00:31:38.839 --> 00:31:40.579
 Christians are on the dock.

00:31:42.220 --> 00:31:44.019
 In the court of public opinion,

00:31:44.259 --> 00:31:45.539
 as Bible-believing Christians, we

00:31:45.539 --> 00:31:47.740
 are often objects of the world's

00:31:47.740 --> 00:31:49.640
 judgment and ridicule and

00:31:49.640 --> 00:31:50.400
 condemnation.

00:31:51.720 --> 00:31:53.779
 How many times have you heard your

00:31:53.779 --> 00:31:55.619
 peers at school or your co-workers

00:31:55.619 --> 00:31:58.220
 or media pundits make snide remarks

00:31:58.220 --> 00:31:59.920
 about our theological or ethical

00:31:59.920 --> 00:32:00.379
 beliefs?

00:32:00.380 --> 00:32:04.200
 The world stands in judgment over

00:32:04.200 --> 00:32:04.740
 us.

00:32:05.940 --> 00:32:07.480
 But remember this.

00:32:08.180 --> 00:32:09.320
 Do you know that in the

00:32:09.320 --> 00:32:11.600
 millennium, the saints will judge

00:32:11.600 --> 00:32:12.520
 the world?

00:32:14.720 --> 00:32:17.240
 And if the saints' reign will take

00:32:17.240 --> 00:32:19.300
 place on the earth, as it says in

00:32:19.300 --> 00:32:22.460
 Revelation 5, then verse 4 cannot be

00:32:22.460 --> 00:32:24.300
 speaking of a spiritual resurrection

00:32:24.300 --> 00:32:25.760
 and reign of the saints in heaven.

00:32:25.759 --> 00:32:28.920
 So then the first resurrection in

00:32:28.920 --> 00:32:31.099
 view in verse 4 has to be a

00:32:31.099 --> 00:32:32.059
 physical resurrection.

00:32:32.420 --> 00:32:33.140
 That's what we're going to talk

00:32:33.140 --> 00:32:33.599
 about next.

00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:35.140
 It says in verse 4,

00:32:35.299 --> 00:32:36.900
 I saw the souls of those who had

00:32:36.900 --> 00:32:38.240
 been beheaded for the testimony of

00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.519
 Jesus.

00:32:39.240 --> 00:32:40.900
 They came to life and reigned with

00:32:40.900 --> 00:32:42.500
 Christ for a thousand years.

00:32:43.039 --> 00:32:45.599
 The word beheaded clearly speaks of

00:32:45.599 --> 00:32:48.180
 physical death, which means that the

00:32:48.180 --> 00:32:51.200
 souls is a reference to disembodied

00:32:51.200 --> 00:32:51.640
 souls.

00:32:52.559 --> 00:32:55.700
 So what does it mean that disembodied

00:32:55.700 --> 00:32:57.880
 souls came to life?

00:32:59.000 --> 00:33:01.340
 The only thing that it can mean is

00:33:01.340 --> 00:33:03.420
 that they were physically resurrected

00:33:03.420 --> 00:33:07.420
 because these souls were not dead to

00:33:07.420 --> 00:33:07.880
 begin with.

00:33:08.880 --> 00:33:11.920
 The Bible teaches that it does teach

00:33:11.920 --> 00:33:13.519
 the immortality of the soul.

00:33:14.019 --> 00:33:15.740
 And for that reason, when it speaks of

00:33:15.740 --> 00:33:18.120
 the soul of deceased believers being

00:33:18.120 --> 00:33:20.360
 translated into heaven in the

00:33:20.360 --> 00:33:22.620
 intermediate state between the first

00:33:22.620 --> 00:33:23.880
 and second coming of Christ, between

00:33:23.880 --> 00:33:24.920
 physical death and physical

00:33:24.920 --> 00:33:27.580
 resurrection, it never speaks of the

00:33:27.580 --> 00:33:29.120
 soul coming to life.

00:33:29.680 --> 00:33:31.000
 It never uses the language of

00:33:31.000 --> 00:33:31.500
 resurrection.

00:33:32.200 --> 00:33:34.420
 For example, it says in Philippians 1,

00:33:34.420 --> 00:33:37.259
 21 to 23, for to me, to live is

00:33:37.259 --> 00:33:39.200
 Christ and to die is gain.

00:33:39.860 --> 00:33:41.880
 If I am to live in the flesh, that

00:33:41.880 --> 00:33:43.920
 means fruitful labor for me, yet which

00:33:43.920 --> 00:33:45.320
 I shall choose I cannot tell.

00:33:45.660 --> 00:33:47.180
 I am hard pressed between the two.

00:33:47.259 --> 00:33:50.259
 My desire is to depart and be with

00:33:50.259 --> 00:33:52.140
 Christ, for that is far better.

00:33:52.140 --> 00:33:55.560
 So here Paul speaks of remaining physically

00:33:55.560 --> 00:33:58.640
 alive in order to minister.

00:34:00.420 --> 00:34:03.980
 But he talks also of dying physically so

00:34:03.980 --> 00:34:06.400
 that he can depart and be with Christ.

00:34:06.640 --> 00:34:09.260
 He doesn't say that his soul will come to

00:34:09.260 --> 00:34:10.400
 life or be resurrected.

00:34:11.280 --> 00:34:14.420
 He says that his soul will be departing to

00:34:14.420 --> 00:34:14.960
 be with Christ.

00:34:15.420 --> 00:34:18.019
 Similarly, in 2 Corinthians 5, 8, Paul writes,

00:34:18.019 --> 00:34:20.920
 we would rather be away from the body and

00:34:20.920 --> 00:34:22.360
 at home with the Lord.

00:34:22.940 --> 00:34:24.900
 Once again, Paul uses the language of

00:34:24.900 --> 00:34:27.440
 travel rather than of resurrection.

00:34:28.380 --> 00:34:30.920
 Away home, from home, depart.

00:34:31.619 --> 00:34:34.059
 And that makes good sense because the soul

00:34:34.059 --> 00:34:35.159
 never dies.

00:34:35.619 --> 00:34:37.940
 So it is nonsensical to speak of a soul being

00:34:37.940 --> 00:34:38.699
 raised to life.

00:34:39.719 --> 00:34:41.559
 Even in the book of Revelation, when John

00:34:41.559 --> 00:34:43.500
 speaks of souls in the intermediate state in

00:34:43.500 --> 00:34:46.719
 heaven, for example, Revelation 6, 9, 11, and 14, 13,

00:34:47.079 --> 00:34:49.920
 it uses the word rest to describe their state.

00:34:50.059 --> 00:34:51.960
 It never uses the language of resurrection.

00:34:53.360 --> 00:34:55.760
 The Greek word that is translated resurrection

00:34:55.760 --> 00:34:59.619
 here in Revelation 20 appears 41 times in the

00:34:59.619 --> 00:35:00.059
 New Testament.

00:35:00.920 --> 00:35:03.059
 And it refers to a physical resurrection

00:35:03.059 --> 00:35:05.840
 all of those times except for one.

00:35:05.840 --> 00:35:07.400
 It's Luke 2, 34.

00:35:07.400 --> 00:35:10.920
 And in Luke 2, 34, the word is used figuratively

00:35:10.920 --> 00:35:14.780
 to refer to the fall and rising of many.

00:35:15.119 --> 00:35:17.619
 Similar to how we say that somebody's career

00:35:17.619 --> 00:35:18.740
 was resurrected.

00:35:18.960 --> 00:35:21.539
 It's being used figuratively in Luke 2, 34.

00:35:22.260 --> 00:35:24.360
 So then, apart from that one instance where the

00:35:24.360 --> 00:35:26.039
 word is not even being used literally,

00:35:27.019 --> 00:35:29.519
 all instances of the word resurrection refers

00:35:29.519 --> 00:35:32.380
 to the physical resurrection of people in the

00:35:32.380 --> 00:35:32.800
 New Testament.

00:35:33.599 --> 00:35:37.019
 So then, there must be compelling, contextual

00:35:37.019 --> 00:35:40.619
 evidence in Revelation 20 itself for us to not

00:35:40.619 --> 00:35:42.440
 understand this word as referring to a physical

00:35:42.440 --> 00:35:42.860
 resurrection.

00:35:43.719 --> 00:35:47.000
 But in this case, no such compelling evidence

00:35:47.000 --> 00:35:47.780
 exists.

00:35:48.900 --> 00:35:52.599
 In Revelation 2, verse 8, which is a very close

00:35:52.599 --> 00:35:54.780
 parallel, Jesus says the words of the first and

00:35:54.780 --> 00:35:58.500
 the last who died and came to life.

00:35:58.759 --> 00:36:02.820
 Exact same Greek word in the exact same tense as the

00:36:02.820 --> 00:36:05.480
 one in Revelation 24 to 5 and refers to Christ's

00:36:05.480 --> 00:36:06.699
 physical resurrection.

00:36:07.679 --> 00:36:10.179
 Similarly, it refers to the beast's physical

00:36:10.179 --> 00:36:12.300
 resurrection using the same language in Revelation

00:36:12.300 --> 00:36:13.840
 13, 14.

00:36:16.079 --> 00:36:19.099
 Furthermore, the nature of the second resurrection

00:36:19.099 --> 00:36:21.480
 that we see here gives us a clue for understanding

00:36:21.480 --> 00:36:22.780
 the nature of the first resurrection.

00:36:23.659 --> 00:36:24.759
 It says in verse 5,

00:36:24.760 --> 00:36:30.540
 the rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand

00:36:30.540 --> 00:36:31.580
 years were ended.

00:36:33.220 --> 00:36:37.600
 The believing dead come to life at the beginning of the

00:36:37.600 --> 00:36:41.640
 millennium, but the unbelieving dead come to life after the

00:36:41.640 --> 00:36:42.100
 millennium.

00:36:42.099 --> 00:36:45.860
 This is what Jesus talks about in John 5, 28 to 29.

00:36:45.860 --> 00:36:49.299
 Do not marvel at this for an hour is coming when all who are in

00:36:49.299 --> 00:36:52.559
 the tombs will hear his voice and come out.

00:36:52.880 --> 00:36:56.119
 Those who have done good to the resurrection of life, those who have

00:36:56.119 --> 00:36:58.099
 done evil to the resurrection of judgment.

00:36:58.099 --> 00:37:03.940
 It's interesting that Jesus distinguishes those two resurrections, the

00:37:03.940 --> 00:37:05.599
 resurrection of life and the resurrection of judgment.

00:37:05.599 --> 00:37:10.319
 And here it's clearly a physical resurrection.

00:37:10.759 --> 00:37:12.139
 They come out from the tombs.

00:37:12.539 --> 00:37:17.679
 For this reason, among all the millennial positions, there is almost universal

00:37:17.679 --> 00:37:20.719
 agreement that the second resurrection in view here is a physical

00:37:20.719 --> 00:37:21.159
 resurrection.

00:37:21.159 --> 00:37:28.599
 And if the second resurrection is physical, then in all likelihood, the first

00:37:28.599 --> 00:37:30.559
 resurrection is also physical.

00:37:31.460 --> 00:37:34.980
 The first resurrection, the believing dead come to life.

00:37:35.500 --> 00:37:38.920
 And in the second resurrection, the unbelieving dead come to life.

00:37:38.980 --> 00:37:43.079
 The exact same words are used to describe these two resurrections in the span of

00:37:43.079 --> 00:37:43.779
 two verses.

00:37:45.279 --> 00:37:49.579
 Verse 5 says that the rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand

00:37:49.579 --> 00:37:50.420
 years were ended.

00:37:51.159 --> 00:37:56.099
 That implies that the other dead, because rest of the dead implies rest of the

00:37:56.099 --> 00:37:56.259
 dead.

00:37:56.339 --> 00:38:01.219
 So that means the other dead, the believing dead, already came to life in the

00:38:01.219 --> 00:38:04.319
 same way that the unbelieving dead will come to life after the millennium.

00:38:05.219 --> 00:38:06.000
 Namely, physically.

00:38:07.639 --> 00:38:10.920
 And this is not the only place where the Bible speaks of two resurrections.

00:38:11.079 --> 00:38:14.920
 We already saw how Jesus distinguished the resurrection of life from the

00:38:14.920 --> 00:38:16.279
 resurrection of judgment in John 5.

00:38:16.739 --> 00:38:21.139
 Similarly, Paul describes the order of the resurrections in 1 Corinthians 15, 22,

00:38:21.159 --> 00:38:21.779
 to 25.

00:38:22.159 --> 00:38:28.319
 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive, but each in his

00:38:28.319 --> 00:38:29.019
 own order.

00:38:29.399 --> 00:38:36.519
 Christ the first fruits, then at his coming, those who belong to Christ, then comes the

00:38:36.519 --> 00:38:42.000
 end when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every

00:38:42.000 --> 00:38:42.920
 authority and power.

00:38:43.259 --> 00:38:46.539
 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

00:38:46.539 --> 00:38:49.579
 The last enemy to be destroyed is the death.

00:38:50.059 --> 00:38:51.920
 So you see the three resurrections there.

00:38:52.559 --> 00:38:55.300
 Revelation 20 follows this precise order.

00:38:55.920 --> 00:38:57.119
 First, Christ is resurrected.

00:38:57.619 --> 00:39:00.360
 Second, saints are resurrected at his second coming.

00:39:00.840 --> 00:39:02.400
 And apparently that is not the end.

00:39:03.059 --> 00:39:08.559
 Because third, and it says in Revelation 20, 13 to 14, death and Hades gave up the dead who

00:39:08.559 --> 00:39:11.980
 were in them and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done.

00:39:12.019 --> 00:39:13.159
 There's another resurrection there.

00:39:13.159 --> 00:39:15.940
 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire.

00:39:16.099 --> 00:39:17.920
 This is the second death, the lake of fire.

00:39:18.539 --> 00:39:20.559
 So the order is first, Christ's resurrection.

00:39:21.039 --> 00:39:24.559
 Second, the first resurrection of the saints at the second coming.

00:39:25.000 --> 00:39:28.639
 Then third, the second resurrection of unbelievers after the millennium.

00:39:29.179 --> 00:39:34.440
 And then the final judgment and the second death in which death itself will be destroyed.

00:39:34.440 --> 00:39:42.679
 The center for the study of global Christianity based in Gordon-Conwell's theological seminary

00:39:42.679 --> 00:39:48.360
 estimates that 70 million Christians have been martyred for their faith over the last 2,000 years.

00:39:48.820 --> 00:39:49.679
 70 million.

00:39:51.599 --> 00:40:02.800
 Open Door's ministry estimates that 5,621 Christians were murdered because of their faith this past year.

00:40:02.800 --> 00:40:07.500
 And all that seems so final, doesn't it?

00:40:08.440 --> 00:40:10.640
 What can be done about their lost days?

00:40:11.740 --> 00:40:13.980
 What can be done about their lost lives?

00:40:14.380 --> 00:40:19.320
 Do we just tell them, well, hey, be happy that, you know, at least your souls are alive in heaven?

00:40:21.019 --> 00:40:21.500
 No.

00:40:22.000 --> 00:40:24.160
 We have a greater hope than that.

00:40:24.159 --> 00:40:35.420
 The victory of Christ is not total and the vindication of the saints is not complete until death, our last enemy, is vanquished.

00:40:37.420 --> 00:40:42.500
 Though the dragon, the beast, and the false prophet make war against the saints and conquer them,

00:40:42.920 --> 00:40:51.159
 all the damage that they do, including death itself, will be finally and irrevocably reversed.

00:40:51.159 --> 00:41:01.920
 Our great hope, brothers and sisters, is not in the immortality of the soul, but the resurrection of the body.

00:41:05.159 --> 00:41:12.519
 But then why doesn't God just bring about the final consummation and a new heaven and a new earth depicted in Revelation 21 right away,

00:41:13.059 --> 00:41:16.539
 along with the second coming and the resurrection of the saints?

00:41:16.539 --> 00:41:22.779
 What is the purpose of this intervening millennial reign of Christ on earth?

00:41:25.460 --> 00:41:29.139
 In this present world, we walk by faith and not by sight.

00:41:31.699 --> 00:41:35.559
 We don't get to see the reign of Christ on earth today.

00:41:35.559 --> 00:41:42.820
 But in the millennial kingdom, the reign of Christ, which is at present invisible,

00:41:43.340 --> 00:41:49.059
 will find its visible expression in history so that all might see.

00:41:51.059 --> 00:41:59.559
 Have you ever felt aggrieved, pained, injured, and wronged by the reality that Christ's name is blasphemed

00:41:59.559 --> 00:42:03.860
 and that the word of God is trampled upon by sinful men?

00:42:05.420 --> 00:42:14.799
 Have you ever lamented the sinful leaders of our world and how different it would be if Christ the king were to reign physically here over the earth?

00:42:16.039 --> 00:42:18.900
 In the millennium, we will get to see that.

00:42:18.900 --> 00:42:32.460
 The people of heaven for millennia, we had to, the Christians for millennia, had to endure living in a sinful world that is under the tyrannical regime of the dragon,

00:42:33.139 --> 00:42:37.700
 being persecuted and harassed by the beast, the false prophet, and the Babylon.

00:42:37.699 --> 00:42:48.779
 So there is symmetrical justice and vindication when the people of earth have to live in the millennium where the dragon is imprisoned

00:42:48.779 --> 00:42:51.739
 and Christ is reigning from the throne where he belongs.

00:42:53.819 --> 00:43:00.199
 In the millennium, we will see the nations of the world give Christ finally the honor and the glory that is due to his name

00:43:00.199 --> 00:43:05.319
 that we have longed to see but have failed to see here in our own life.

00:43:07.699 --> 00:43:13.659
 That's the intended effect of this passage, to fill us with hope that enables us to endure

00:43:13.659 --> 00:43:19.019
 because Satan is a lame duck and a glorious regime change is coming.

00:43:20.159 --> 00:43:21.279
 He says in verse 6,

00:43:21.419 --> 00:43:24.739
 Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection.

00:43:25.460 --> 00:43:30.339
 Over such, the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ

00:43:30.339 --> 00:43:33.059
 and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

00:43:33.059 --> 00:43:41.219
 Do you fret now that unbelieving sinners live to ripe old age while some faithful Christians are persecuted and killed

00:43:41.219 --> 00:43:43.279
 for being witnesses of Jesus?

00:43:44.719 --> 00:43:50.980
 Does it seem unfair to you that the true king goes unrecognized and that his servants are disrespected?

00:43:53.019 --> 00:43:57.739
 Fret not because though the dragon and the beast make war against doesn't kill us.

00:43:58.299 --> 00:44:00.019
 That's only the first death.

00:44:00.019 --> 00:44:08.119
 Though Christians might be the first to die, we will get to share in the first resurrection.

00:44:09.840 --> 00:44:14.380
 And over those, the second death has no power.

00:44:16.059 --> 00:44:23.619
 Jesus has removed the sting of death on our behalf so that it no longer has power over those who have put their trust in him.

00:44:23.619 --> 00:44:32.500
 A killer bee sting can be very painful and deadly if there's more than one.

00:44:33.559 --> 00:44:37.440
 But if a bee sting, if the bee sting gets wedged inside your skin,

00:44:37.819 --> 00:44:43.759
 when the killer bee tries to run away, its sting is ripped away along with part of its abdomen

00:44:43.759 --> 00:44:49.739
 and the internal organs so that it dies from disembowelment in several minutes.

00:44:49.739 --> 00:44:58.319
 That's what Jesus has done to death itself when he died on the cross for our sins.

00:44:58.679 --> 00:45:03.039
 He bore our punishment and the wrath that we deserved on the cross.

00:45:03.279 --> 00:45:04.339
 Death stung him.

00:45:04.459 --> 00:45:05.159
 It killed him.

00:45:05.739 --> 00:45:11.819
 But because Jesus was the sinless and blameless son of God, death could not hold him down.

00:45:11.820 --> 00:45:15.940
 And in his resurrection from the dead, Jesus de-stinged death.

00:45:16.519 --> 00:45:25.440
 He disemboweled death itself so that the day when death and Hades itself will be thrown into the lake of fire is surely coming.

00:45:27.400 --> 00:45:29.880
 Death is swallowed up in victory.

00:45:30.700 --> 00:45:32.860
 Oh, death, where is your victory?

00:45:33.420 --> 00:45:35.740
 Oh, death, where is your sting?

00:45:35.739 --> 00:45:39.379
 The sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the law.

00:45:39.639 --> 00:45:44.779
 But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

00:45:46.000 --> 00:45:47.919
 That's why we need not fear death.

00:45:49.399 --> 00:45:53.599
 Saints of Christ, remember that our defeat and death are temporary.

00:45:55.419 --> 00:46:00.139
 Our eternal destiny is resurrection and rule.

00:46:01.139 --> 00:46:02.279
 Let's pray together.

00:46:02.279 --> 00:46:02.319
 Let's pray together.

00:46:05.739 --> 00:46:16.419
 Oh, Father, please help us to look past the nitty-gritty exegetical details of this passage

00:46:16.419 --> 00:46:20.979
 and to be able to grasp this blessed hope.

00:46:23.459 --> 00:46:30.439
 Enlarge our understanding, our vision of our destiny, what you want for us in Christ,

00:46:30.439 --> 00:46:32.919
 our future resurrection and reign with him,

00:46:32.920 --> 00:46:43.740
 so that we are captivated by that reality and we walk daily in light of that reality by faith and not by sight.

00:46:45.500 --> 00:46:48.900
 Oh, but Lord, we long for that day when our faith will be turned to sight,

00:46:50.240 --> 00:46:54.800
 when we will see your reign over all the earth, over all the nations.

00:46:56.059 --> 00:46:56.980
 Come, Lord Jesus.

00:46:56.980 --> 00:47:00.440
 In your precious name we pray.

00:47:00.920 --> 00:47:01.320
 Amen.