Questions about the timing of the thousand years

grafted branch

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Some think it's meaning in this age and that it's not a literal thousand years. Others believe it happens in the next age after Christ has returned.

Maybe what needs to be figured out first, what can occur during the thousand years and what can't.

I would like to pose some questions then.

1----can satan deceive any nations during the thousand years?

2----can satan wage war with anyone during the thousand years?

3----can saints be persecuted and killed during the thousand years?

4----can satan continue to do what is said of him in 1 Peter 5:8, during the thousand years?

5----does satan still act as god of this world during the thousand years, where he can still continue to blind the minds of them which believe not?

6----can anyone begin reigning with Christ after the fact, meaning they weren't yet reigning with Him when the thousand years initially began, but begin reigning with Him at some future point during the thousand years?

If you were to ask a Premil all 6 of these questions, I'm pretty sure all would be in full agreement about the answers. The answers to all 6 questions being no. But not everyone is Premil though.

Hi DavidPT,

It seems that the binding of Satan and free will are closely related to each other. I think most everyone would agree that Satan is bound during the millennium, and mainly differ on when the millennium takes place. Premills are quick to point out that Satan can’t currently be bound because deception and sinful acts are presently happening; therefore the millennium is future. If there are sinful acts occurring in the millennium (present or future) then it would seem to be influenced by Satan even though he is bound. Any argument made to support the idea of sin in a future millennium could also be used to support the idea that we are currently in the millennium and Satan is currently bound.

It seems that both the memorial and ceremonial views of sacrifices being made in a future temple require the knowledge of good and evil to remain with mankind during a future millennium. If the knowledge of good and evil is removed from mankind during the millennium then it raises the problem of what purpose the sacrifices would serve when no one has any knowledge of sin or evil.

Currently someone who believes in election might say “we have a choice but no one can choose Christ because we are dead in our trespasses and sins”. Someone in a future millennium might say “there is a choice but no one can choose sin because we are made alive in Christ”. So does Satan have to be loose in order to have free will? If so then what happens to free will when Satan is bound?
 
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Brian Mcnamee

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I'm on the same page with most of what you said here, so not all that you said here. I wouldn't be on the same page with you about a 3rd temple if that temple is involving a rebuilt one.
HI in 2 Thes it describes the man of sin being revealed in the temple declaring himself to be some sort of God; this man is destroyed by the coming of the LORD. This makes the abomination of desolation that Jesus pointed to as a future event more relevant when you look at Dan 9 in the middle of the week the prince to come puts an end to the daily sacrifice. This makes 3 places where 42 months is mentioned as a time left before the LORD comes. Dan 7 the pompous one has a time times and half a time as does the beast in Rev 13 who after surviving the mortal wound then sets up the mark and image of the beast for 42 months. If these chapters are speaking of the same event, the pompous one in Dan 7 the beast in Rev the man of sin in 2 Thess and the prince who shall come in Dan 9 then we can see the centrality of the temple for the abomination of desolation to occur in. Hosea 3 speaks of the return of the sacrifice being linked to the return of the kingdom after many days without and notes that David will be raised up too. 4 For the children of Israel shall abide many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred pillar, without ephod or teraphim. 5 Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They shall fear the LORD and His goodness in the latter days.
The fact is Israel is prepared to resume the daily sacrifices right now and that is evidence that this is going to play out.
 
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BABerean2

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The fact is Israel is prepared to resume the daily sacrifices right now and that is evidence that this is going to play out.

Based on the verse below, it played out long ago.

Antiochus Epiphanes stopped the daily sacrifices during 167 BC.
They were resumed when the Maccabees re-dedicated the temple about 3 years later.
The Jews of Jesus time celebrated this re-dedication every year.


John 10:22

(CJB) Then came Hanukkah in Yerushalayim. It was winter,

(ESV) At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter,

(Geneva) And it was at Hierusalem the feast of the Dedication, and it was winter.

(Greek NT TR) εγενετο δε τα εγκαινια εν τοις ιεροσολυμοις και χειμων ην

(GW) The Festival of the Dedication of the Temple took place in Jerusalem during the winter.

(LITV-TSP) And the Feast of Dedication took place in Jerusalem, and it was winter.

(KJV) And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.

(KJV+) AndG1161 it wasG1096 atG1722 JerusalemG2414 theG3588 feast of the dedication,G1456 andG2532 it wasG2258 winter.G5494

(NKJV) Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter.

(YLT) And the dedication in Jerusalem came, and it was winter,

The covenant with the many in Daniel 9:27 is the covenant with the many in Matthew 26:28.
It was promised in Jeremiah 31:31-34, and is found fulfilled in Hebrews 8:6-13, and Hebrews 10:16-18.


Daniel Chapter 9: Dr. Kelly Varner

.
 
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Dave L

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satan isn't bound forever, he's only bound for a thousand years, then he is loosed a little season. How can what you said above still apply when he is loosed? There is no logic in what you said above.
If you begin with Jesus and the clear passages of scripture, and make Revelation conform to them, we are now in the portion of Revelation 20 where Satan has been loosed. In what many call the post Christian era. This coincides with the imminent return of Christ at any time now.
 
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mkgal1

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There is NO SUCH THING as an earthly millennium.

Remember that in the Psalter and ST. Peter, we are told that we should not interpret 1000 in an earthly created manner.
St. Augustine said we are living in the 1000 years between Christ's first and second comings. During this time Satan is bound: not rended inoperative, but limited in power.

For that matter, there is no such thing as a pre-trib rapture, either.
I agree with you. What I'd shared was an outline that compared the different views of interpretation of Revelation 20.

From what I originally shared:

Revelation Chapter 20 Outline

1. Revelation Chapter 20: Introduction and Outline (this post)
2. John Piper Hosts “An Evening of Eschatology” (Subject: “The Millennium”)
3. Revelation Chapter 20: Amillennial Viewpoint (Part 1: Verse-by-Verse Study)
4. Revelation Chapter 20: Amillennial Viewpoint (Part 2: Verse-by-Verse Study)
5. Revelation Chapter 20: Amillennial Viewpoint (Part 3: Two Articles)
6. Revelation Chapter 20: Amillennial Viewpoint (Part 4: Two More Articles)
7. Revelation Chapter 20: Post-millennial Viewpoint
8. Revelation Chapter 20: Pre-millennial Viewpoint
9. Revelation Chapter 20: Minority Viewpoints on the Millennium (Part 1)
10. Revelation Chapter 20: Minority Viewpoints on the Millennium (Part 2)
11. Revelation Chapter 20: Four Views on Gog and Magog
12. A Discussion of Two Ages: “This age and the age to come” ~ Revelation Chapter 20: Introduction and Outline
 
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mkgal1

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Something else to add about the amillennialist view:


The general Amillennial approach to Revelation 20 as follows:

  • The binding of Satan represents the victory of Christ over the powers of darkness accomplished at the cross.
  • The 1000 years is symbolic of a long, indeterminate period, corresponding to the age of the church (now).
  • Satan will be loosed briefly to wreak havoc and to persecute the church in the end of the age.
  • The fire coming from heaven and consuming the wicked is symbolic of Christ’s Coming.
  • A general resurrection and judgment of the evil and the good will occur at Christ’s coming, followed by the creation of new heavens and a new earth.

    Steve Gregg also notes that, among amillennialists, there is no single interpretration for the previous chapters of Revelation (chapters 1-19). In other words, some amillennialists have been Historicists (like Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Sam Storms); others preterists (like Jay Adams and Steve Gregg himself, though he doesn’t say so in this book); others have taken the Spiritual approach; and in rare cases some have even been futurists. Steve Gregg goes on to say,

    Thus the categories pertaining to the four approaches of the Apocalypse simply do not transfer to the millennial debate. This is because Revelation 20, like many other prophecies in Scripture, deals with the ultimate question of God’s kingdom being established on earth. The interpretation of Revelation 4-19, on the other hand, is concerned only with the timing of the Great Tribulation, whether it be placed early or late in the church age, or whether it is coextensive with the whole of the church age [Historicism]. Thus the timing of the Tribulation and the timing of the kingdom of God are separate and independent concerns (pp. 459-460).

    ~ Revelation 20: Amillennial Viewpoint (Part 1)
 
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mkgal1

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Still quoting from that same linked article:


Kenneth Gentry has written[1] that the large, perfectly rounded numbers found in Revelation are more likely to be understood as symbolic (e.g. 1000; 144,000; 200 million). The smaller numbers and time-frame references are far more likely to be taken literally (e.g. the seven heads and ten horns of the beast; the seven churches which initially received the book of Revelation; 42 months (corresponding with 1260 days; and a time, times, and half a time). Steve Gregg adds:

The number “a thousand” is frequently used in Scripture without the intention of conveying statistical information. It is given as the number of generations to which God keeps His covenants (Deut. 7:9), the number of hills upon which God owns the cattle (Ps. 50:10), the number of enemy troops that one Israelite shall chase (Josh. 23:10), the number of those who shall fall “at your side” as opposed to the ten thousand who will fall at your “right hand” (Ps. 91:7), etc. Furthermore, the expression “a thousand years” is never used elsewhere in Scripture for an actual number of years, but only to suggest the idea of a very long time (cf. Ps. 90:4; Eccl. 6:6; 2 Peter 3:8). So also here, the reign of the martyrs during the time of Satan’s incarceration is simply a very long time, as the figure “a thousand years” generally means (pp. 467-468). ~ Revelation 20: Amillennial Viewpoint (Part 1)
 
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DavidPT

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This is not what Jesus taught. He said his kingdom is not of this world. It comes without observation. And only the born again can see it. You need to adjust Revelation which is symbolic to Jesus' words that are literal.


I don't understand what the issue is here though? If we are told in Daniel 7 that Jesus received a kingdom after He had ascended back to heaven, and that we are also told basically the same thing in the parable in Luke 19:11-27, who would even be disputing this kingdom is not of this world? I know I wouldn't be.
 
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Semper-Fi

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If Jesus says his kingdom is not of this world

The bible talks about 3 worlds, the world [that was],
the world [that is], and the world [to come].
All three talks about this same Earth.

[World] G2889 κόσμος kosmos kos'-mos
Probably from the base of G2865; κολυμβος
(to tend, that is, take care of); properly to provide for,
that is, (by implication) to carry off (as if from harm;
generally obtain): - bring, receive.

Abraham is the heir of the world.
We are heirs of the kingdom.

Matthew 4:8 the devil tried to bribe him" all the
kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;..

The bible says we are not of this current world,
even as Jesus is not of the world.

He pictured Himself asthe young nobleman going away
(to heaven) to be coronated, and to return to Earth.

Jesus Kingdom is not of this current [Age].
Revelation 11:15, the seventh angel sounds,
The kingdoms of [this world] are [become] the
kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ.

“in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven
set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed:

and the kingdom shall not be left to other people,
but it shall break in pieces and consume [all these
kingdoms], and it shall stand for ever.”

I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms[Haggai 2:22

The living Christ is coming as “King of kings and
Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:11-21), to put down
the rebellion of warring nations (Revelation 17:14),
and establish God’s world-ruling government over
all the nations (Daniel 2:44; 7:9, 13-14, 18, 22, 27;
Isaiah 9:7).

Will commit thy government into his hand, established
with judgement and jutice.(Isaiah 22:21)
Of the increaseof his government and peace there shall be no end,upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom,...(Isa 9:7)

A picture of the soon time to come on earth.
“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them,
and judgment was given unto them…and they
lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years”

We pray " thy Kingdom come, thy will be done
in earth, as it is in heaven."

Jesus said: “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron…” (Rev 2:26-27).

And again, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne [on this Earth]” (Rev 3:21;
Luke 1:32-33).And, “…we shall reign on the earth”(Revelation 5:10).

And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath
appointed unto me;(Luke 22:29)

Parable of some resurrected saints will rule over
10 cities, some over five (Luke 19:12-19). Saints
shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom
for ever, (Daniel 7:18). We shall inherit the earth.
(Psalms 25:13-22:26, 37:9, 22,29)

At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the
Lord; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to
the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem: neither shall they
walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.

And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all
kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name,which the mouth of the Lord shall name.
(Isaiah 62:2)
 
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mkgal1

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I don't understand what the issue is here though? If we are told in Daniel 7 that Jesus received a kingdom after He had ascended back to heaven, and that we are also told basically the same thing in the parable in Luke 19:11-27, who would even be disputing this kingdom is not of this world? I know I wouldn't be.
Apparently miamited would be one person as he posted:

Hi david,

Well, as I understand the Scriptures, the 1,000 year reign of Christ upon the earth will be after the rapture and after all the wicked have drawn themselves up to do battle against Israel. After those events, then God will raise up all those who died with Jesus as their Savior and they will live 1,000 years with him upon this very earth that we are living on today.

God bless,
In Christ, ted

....which is the premillennial view that's a modern belief system that our early church writers never seemed to have considered.
 
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DavidPT

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If you begin with Jesus and the clear passages of scripture, and make Revelation conform to them, we are now in the portion of Revelation 20 where Satan has been loosed. In what many call the post Christian era. This coincides with the imminent return of Christ at any time now.


Currently I disagree, me being Premil and all. Yet at the same time, at least there is some logic to what you said here. The way I tend to look at things in general is like such. If there is some logic to something it then makes that something at least a possibility.
 
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DavidPT

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The bible talks about 3 worlds, the world [that was],
the world [that is], and the world [to come].

[World] G2889 κόσμος kosmos kos'-mos
Probably from the base of G2865; κολυμβος
(to tend, that is, take care of); properly to provide for,
that is, (by implication) to carry off (as if from harm;
generally obtain): - bring, receive.

Abraham is the heir of the world.
We are heirs of the kingdom.

Matthew 4:8 the devil tried to bribe him" all the
kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;..

The bible says we are not of this current world,
even as Jesus is not of the world.

He pictured Himself asthe young nobleman going away
(to heaven) to be coronated, and to return to Earth.

Jesus Kingdom is not of this current [Age].
Revelation 11:15, the seventh angel sounds,
The kingdoms of [this world] are [become] the
kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ.

“in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven
set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed:

and the kingdom shall not be left to other people,but it shall break in pieces and consume [all these kingdoms], and it shall stand for ever.”

I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms[Haggai 2:22

The living Christ is coming as “King of kings and
Lord of lords” (Revelation 19:11-21), to put down
the rebellion of warring nations (Revelation 17:14),
and establish God’s world-ruling government over
all the nations (Daniel 2:44; 7:9, 13-14, 18, 22, 27;
Isaiah 9:7).

Will commit thy government into his hand, established
with judgement and jutice.(Isaiah 22:21)
Of the increaseof his government and peace there shall be no end,upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom,...(Isa 9:7)

A picture of the soon time to come on earth.
“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them,
and judgment was given unto them…and they
lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years”

We pray " thy Kingdom come, thy will be done
in earth, as it is in heaven."

Jesus said: “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron…” (Rev 2:26-27).

And again, “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne [on this Earth]” (Rev 3:21;
Luke 1:32-33).And, “…we shall reign on the earth”(Revelation 5:10).

And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath
appointed unto me;(Luke 22:29)

Parable of some resurrected saints will rule over
10 cities, some over five (Luke 19:12-19). Saints
shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom
for ever, (Daniel 7:18). We shall inherit the earth.
(Psalms 25:13-22:26, 37:9, 22,29)

At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the
Lord; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to
the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem: neither shall they
walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.

And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all
kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name,which the mouth of the Lord shall name.
(Isaiah 62:2)


Unless I misunderstood your post altogether, there is nothing in this post I find myself disagreeing with.
 
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miamited

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The passages are literal. If Jesus says his kingdom is not of this world and you say it is, you are adding to Revelation. If Jesus says only the born again can see the kingdom, and you say anyone can see it, you are adding to Revelation. And so on throughout the entire list. Ar you denying Christ and concocting your own version of the kingdom?

Hi dave,

I didn't say that Jesus' kingdom was of this world. In fact, I think I was quite clear that it wasn't. You're the one who's claiming that the 1,000 year reign of Christ with his believers is the same as Jesus' kingdom. Here was my response to you on the subject:
My post never mentioned the 1,000 years as being Jesus' kingdom and so I must assume that you're making that point to establish, somehow, that this 1,000 year reign and Jesus' kingdom are not the same thing.

You then wrote:
If Jesus says only the born again can see the kingdom, and you say anyone can see it, you are adding to Revelation.

I'd ask you to please show me where I said that.

You ended by writing:
And so on throughout the entire list. Ar you denying Christ and concocting your own version of the kingdom?

I have no idea what 'list' you are referring to. I'm not even trying to define or concoct anything about the kingdom that Jesus was referring to when he said that his kingdom was not of this earth. I'm merely offering my explanation of the 1,000 year reign of Jesus upon the earth with his believers prior to the day of his Father's judgment. That's all. As I think I've been clear to explain, as I understand the Scriptures, the 1,000 year reign of Christ and the kingdom that Jesus spoke of are not a reference to the same place or thing.

God bless,
In Christ, ted
 
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DavidPT

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As I think I've been clear to explain, as I understand the Scriptures, the 1,000 year reign of Christ and the kingdom that Jesus spoke of are not a reference to the same place or thing.

The way I tend to reason it, right or wrong, once Jesus returns the everlasting age is then in affect. Because in my mind, if it isn't, what about those that put on immortality at the 2nd coming? How can immortality not involve an everlasting age? So in my mind as well, assuming a thousand years and a little season post the 2nd coming, these would simply be part of the everlasting age, IOW the first 1000 years of it, plus however long satan's little season pans out to be.


As to the thousand years, whether literal years or not literal years, the following is clear to me. If they don't have to be literal years, this indicates a position such as Amil is a possibility. If they have to be literal years, this indicates Amil has to be thrown out the window altogether. It therefore is no wonder that Amils go out of their way bigtime in order to try and prove a thousand shouldn't be taken in the literal sense. No Premil is doing the Premil position any favors by agreeing that it's at least possible that the 1000 years are not a literal 1000 years. That in my opinion of course.
 
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mkgal1

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On the idea of a future physical kingdom centered around an earthly Jerusalem (again - quoting from that in depth article linked):


Kim Riddlebarger articulates an important distinctive between Amillennialism and Dispensational Premillennialism, as regards the modern nation of Israel:

Understanding the difference between the amillennial hermeneutic and the dispensational hermeneutic is the key to understanding the essence of this debate. Every major dispensational theologian from Walvoord to Pentecost to Ryrie to MacArthur himself, insists that God has two distinct redemptive programs–one for national Israel and one for the Gentiles. Reformed amillennarians reject this understanding of God’s redemptive purposes. God’s purpose is not to save two distinct peoples (divided by ethnicity), but to save his people (the elect), a multitude which no man can number (Revelation 7:9), and which includes each and every one of those whom God has chosen, whether they be Jew or Gentile.

In Ephesians 2:11-22, Paul addresses this very point when discussing God’s redemptive purpose for Gentiles and national Israel. Here, Paul flat-out contradicts the dispensational assertion that God has distinct redemptive purposes for national Israel and for the church. According to Paul, God’s purpose in the New Covenant is to remove the ethnic distinctions between Jew and Gentile (between Israel and the church) which had been dividing them. Paul says that Jesus came to tear down the barrier wall which formerly divided the two, in order to make the two peoples into one so as to form Jew and Gentile together into the one living temple of the Lord–the church. In this spiritual temple, Christ is the chief cornerstone, and the foundation is the prophets and apostles. ~ Revelation 20: Amillennial Viewpoint (Part 1)
 
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Semper-Fi

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-Jerusalem, the future headquarters city
of the Earth (Haggai 2:6-8)

-Land Beneath Sea Reclaimed, converted
to Jerusalem(Isaiah 60:5, 11:15).

World’s gold and silver reserves under the
seas for beautiful decorations there.

-Gods latter house shall be greater than
of the former (Haggai 2:9)

-Jerusalem is uniquely describes as
being “compact together,” tall 122:3

-Desolate land shall be tilled - will be like
the garden of Eden (Ezekiel 36:34-35)

-Build the waste cities-fresh produce-drink
there own wine-farming (Amos 9:14)

-Waste cities “filled with flocks of men”
being very social(Ezekiel 36:36-37-38)

-Superhighways between major cities (Is 19:23)

-Cities being crime-free , dwell safely-none
be made afried (Ezekiel 34:28-Micah 4:4)

-No more Violence, nor wasting,
nor destruction (Isaiah 60:18)

-Cities overflow with prosperity (Zechariah 1:17)

- every man shall own his vine and fig tree
(Micah 4:4-Lev25)

-“Joy and gladness-thanksgiving-the voice
of melody(Isaiah 51:3)(Jeremiah 33:10-11)

-Where old men and old women dwell -full
of boys and girls playing (Zechariah 8:4-5)

-No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous
beast shall go up (Isaiah 35:9 )

-There will be Shepherds and local
animal husbandry (Jer. 33:12)

-Pure Water—Fertile Deserts where
trees grow (Isaiah 35)

-No more hunger-He will raise up
a plant of renown (Ezekiel 34:29)

-A new sharp threshing instrument ,
the mountains made small(Isaiah 41:14-16)

-If any thrist and seek water, the God of
Israel will not forsake them. (ver 17-18)

Trees planted and growing-consider and
understand that the [Eternal] hath done this,
and the Holy One of Israel hath created it” .

-All will speak the same language, a pure
language from God (Zephaniah 3:9).

-God will also destroy the idols, Ezekiel
30:13, Micah 5:10-15, Zechariah 13:2

Thy graven images also will I cut off, and
thy standing images out of the midst of
thee; and thou shalt no more worship the
work of thine hands.

The whole earth is at rest, and is quiet:
they break forth into singing. (Isaiah 14:7)

All the earth shall worship thee, and shall
sing unto thee; they shall sing to thy name.
Psalms 66:4 -God has spoken it, and He is
not one to go back on His word (Isaiah 55:11)
 
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mkgal1

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Still quoting - regarding the binding of Satan (please excuse the length - I couldn't see anything I could exclude):


Verses 2-3: This angel seizes, binds, and seals the devil for “one thousand years.” This has the effect of not allowing him to “deceive the nations any longer.” Does this mean that Satan has no other abilities during these one thousand years, or only that he is restricted in this one area? I appreciate the following explanation by Alan Nairne (1931-2009) in this regard:

Up until that time the Gentile nations and empires – Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome had been in bondage to idolatry. They were completely under the dominion of Satan. But following the ministry of Christ, culminating in his death, burial, resurrection and ascension to the right hand of God, and the pouring out of the promised Holy Spirit, the whole Roman Empire was evangelised within a generation. The effect upon society provoked reaction–

  • These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also (Acts 17:6).
Paul could write to the Romans (10:18): “Their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.”

One of the indications of a non-literal binding of Satan, says Gregg, is the fact that Satan is a spiritual being and “one would think of spiritual beings as not being susceptible to confinement by physical restraints” (p. 460). Gregg also says (p. 462, 464),

The nature of the binding itself is not absolute, so as to preclude every activity of Satan. It is specifically limited in this passage to the devil’s power to deceive the nations (v. 3) for the duration of this period. That Jesus in some sense bound Satan during His ministry is affirmed by Christ Himself [Gregg then points to Matthew 12:29, where Jesus speaks of the binding of the strong man, and the parallel account in Luke 11:14-23]. Thus, according to Christ’s own teaching, the imagery of “binding Satan” conveys the fact that Satan has been rendered incapable of successfully resisting the forward advance of God’s kingdom. Additional passages in the New Testament use similar images to describe the decisive victory of Christ over His foes. Colossians 2:15 exults in the fact that Christ “disarmed principalities and powers” through the cross, and Hebrews 2:14 states that Jesus endured death so that He might thereby “destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil.” The meaning of this binding of Satan, then, is that Christ, at His first advent, brought about a conclusive victory, leaving Satan impotent to prevent the success of God’s kingdom (underlining added).

Kenneth Gentry, representing the preterist position in C. Marvin Pate’s book Four Views on the Book of Revelation, sums up the amillennialist position[2] on this matter (pp. 83-84):

Christ bound Satan for a well-defined purpose: “to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore” (Rev. 20:3, italics added). In Old Testament times only Israel knew the true God (Ps. 147:19-20; Amos 3:2; Luke 4:6; Acts 14:16; 17:30). But Christ’s incarnation changed this as the gospel began flowing to all nations (e.g., Isa. 2:2-3; 11:10; Matt. 28:19; Luke 2:32; 24:47; Acts 1:8; 13:47). In fact, Christ judged the Jews and opened His kingdom to the Gentiles (Matt. 8:11-12; 21:43; 23:36-38)…

Despite Satan’s “authority” before Christ’s coming (Luke 4:6; John 12:31; 14:30; 16:11; Eph. 2:1-2), Christ now claims: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:18-19). Christ commissioned Paul for this very task: “I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God” (Acts 26:17-18).

Consequently, the New Testament speaks frequently and forcefully of Satan’s demise in this regard (see Matt. 12:28-29; Luke 10:18; John 12:31; 16:11; 17:15; Acts 26:18; Rom. 16:20; Col. 2:15; Heb. 2:14; I John 3:8; 4:3-4; 5:18). Jesus’ own words harmonize well with Revelation 20: “Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out [Gk. ekballo]” (John 12:31). Revelation 20:3 says that Christ “threw” [Gk. ballo] Satan into the Abyss. Other New Testament writers agree. Paul wrote: “Having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross” (Col. 2:15). The author of Hebrews noted: “Since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil” (Heb. 2:14). And John expressed it this way: “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work” (I John 3:8).

The binding of Satan, then, began in the first century. Christ initiated it during His ministry (Matt. 12:24-29), secured it in legal fact at His death and resurrection (Luke 10:17; John 12:31-32; Col. 2:15; Heb. 2:14-15), and dramatically “proved” it in the collapse of Christianity’s first foe, [ancient oppressive] Judaism (Matt. 23:36-24:3; I Thess. 2:14-16; Rev. 3:9). Jerusalem’s demise [in 70 AD] is significant in that the satanic resistance to Christ’s kingdom first comes from the [ancient] Jewish persecution of Christ and Christianity.


Sam Storms, agreeing with this position, notes some of Satan’s current activity despite being bound with regard to deceiving the nations: professing believers could be delivered to him “for the destruction of the flesh” (I Cor. 5:5); he blinds the minds of unbelievers “to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ” (II Cor. 4:3-4); he has schemes and flaming darts, and presides over darkness and “spiritual forces of evil” (Eph. 6:10-20); he hinders workers of the gospel (I Thess. 2:18); he needs to be resisted and will flee when God’s people do this (James 4:7); he “prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (I Peter 5:8-9); he “is in the world” but is not as great as God (I John 4:4); and “the whole world lies” in his power (I John 5:19). Thus, his binding is clearly not absolute, but is specific with regard to the advance of the gospel among the nations of the world.

The binding of Satan also appears to parallel the picture of Satan being thrown down to the earth in Revelation 12:7-12. There, his work as the “deceiver of the whole world” (12:9) and “accuser of our brothers” (12:10) is brought to an end by the coming of “the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ,” and God’s people conquer him “by the blood of the Lamb” (verse 11). In short, this is brought about by the work of the cross. As we wrote in our study on Revelation 12, “We can certainly see [Satan] playing [the role of accuser of the brethren] in Old Testament times, and before Jesus went to the cross. We see this in the case of Job (Job 1:6-7), where Satan stands before God accusing Job of being incapable of serving God if he is left unprotected. We see this again in Zechariah 3:1, where Satan is pictured standing before the angel of the Lord to accuse Joshua the high priest. In Luke 22:31 we are told that Satan has put in a specific request to sift Peter as wheat… Steve Gregg also writes,

Because the great dragon was cast out (v. 9) as a consequence of the battle, we can pinpoint the heavenly battle as being at the same time as as the accomplishment of the atonement at the death and resurrection of Christ.” One of several evidences of this is found in Jesus’ statement (recorded by the same author): “now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out (John 12:31). Another evidence appears in the announcement that Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ has come (v. 10). This also coincides with the atonement. In addition, other New Testament authors confirm that a victory of this sort over Satan was accomplished by Christ in His death (cf. Col. 2:15, Heb. 2:14-15).

The death of Christ did not put Satan entirely out of business, but it ended his career as the accuser of our brethren (v. 10), his principle role in pre-Christian times (cf. Job 1-2; Zechariah 3). The blood of Christ has undermined the grounds of every charge that Satan might bring against the brethren [Romans 8:33-34]. Satan is cast to the earth. He cannot accuse the saints before God any longer, as they overcame his accusations by appeal to the atoning blood of the Lamb (vs. 11). They also take territory from the satanic kingdom by the word of their testimony (that is, preaching the gospel), and by their willingness to die rather than be intimidated by persecution (vs. 11).

Interesting in this light is a statement that Jesus made to His disciples in response to a question from Judas: “I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on Me” (John 14:30). Well-known amillennialist Anthony Hoekema adds the following[3] to this discussion:

When the seventy returned from their preaching mission, they said to Jesus, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” Jesus replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven” (Lk. 10:17-18, NIV). These words, needless to say, must not be interpreted literally. They must rather be understood to mean that Jesus saw in the works his disciples were doing an indication that Satan’s kingdom had just been dealt a crushing blow — that, in fact, a certain binding of Satan, a certain restriction of his power, had just taken place. In this instance Satan’s fall or binding is associated directly with the missionary activity of Jesus’ disciples… Another passage which ties in the restriction of Satan’s activities with Christ’s missionary outreach is John 12:31-32:

“Now is the time for judgment on this world; now the prince of this world will be driven out. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself’” (NIV). It is interesting to note that the verb here translated “driven out” (ekballo) is derived from the same root as the word used in Revelation 20:3, “He [the angel] threw [ballo] him [Satan] into the Abyss.” Even more important, however, is the observation that Satan’s being “driven out” or “cast out” (RSV) is here associated with the fact that not only Jews but men of all nationalities shall be drawn to Christ as he hangs on the cross.

We see then that the binding of Satan described in Revelation 20:1-3 means that throughout the gospel age in which we now live the influence of Satan, though certainly not annihilated, is so curtailed that he cannot prevent the spread of the gospel to the nations of the world.

There are some, however, who do more or less hold to the amillennial view, but who believe that the Millennium began (officially, perhaps) in 70 AD following the destruction of Jerusalem. We will take note of this view in our post on Minority Views of the Millennium. ~ Revelation 20: Amillennial Viewpoint (Part 1)
 
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DavidPT

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Getting back to the OP for a bit. Obviously, if the thousand years have been underway for the past 2000 years, every single question I asked in the OP, the answer to them would have to be yes. So why are no non Premils at least indicating they would answer all of those questions with a Yes? I'm still hoping to get some input about those 6 questions I asked in the OP. But not from Premils so much, but from non Premils, such as Amils. Why are non Premils basically avoiding the 6 questions I asked in the OP altogether?
 
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DennisTate

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Some think it's meaning in this age and that it's not a literal thousand years. Others believe it happens in the next age after Christ has returned.

Maybe what needs to be figured out first, what can occur during the thousand years and what can't.

I would like to pose some questions then.

1----can satan deceive any nations during the thousand years?

2----can satan wage war with anyone during the thousand years?

3----can saints be persecuted and killed during the thousand years?

4----can satan continue to do what is said of him in 1 Peter 5:8, during the thousand years?

5----does satan still act as god of this world during the thousand years, where he can still continue to blind the minds of them which believe not?

6----can anyone begin reigning with Christ after the fact, meaning they weren't yet reigning with Him when the thousand years initially began, but begin reigning with Him at some future point during the thousand years?

If you were to ask a Premil all 6 of these questions, I'm pretty sure all would be in full agreement about the answers. The answers to all 6 questions being no. But not everyone is Premil though.

For questions one to five I lean heavily toward No but for number six.......
6----can anyone begin reigning with Christ after the fact, meaning they weren't yet reigning with Him when the thousand years initially began, but begin reigning with Him at some future point during the thousand years?

... I cannot possibly rule out the possibility of somebody in the future being elevated to a place of rulership but......
it would be as a child vs as a member of the Bride of Messiah...... I would think???
 
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