Notes of Faith October 2, 2024
Prelude to Eternity
Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
Revelation 20:6
The modern era has witnessed the arrival of only one new millennium—the one that began in the year 2000. The rarity of a new millennium reveals how long a thousand years truly is.
Rev 20:1-6
20 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time.
4 Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.
When we speak of the biblical Millennium, we forget what a lengthy period it will be. A thousand years. And that term is not figurative. Based on the law of repetition in biblical interpretation, the author of Revelation meant a literal thousand years when he mentioned the “thousand years” five times in the space of six verses (Revelation 20:1-6). It will last more than 13 times the length of the average human life span of 75 years. But here is the exciting truth: We who have died in Christ—or are alive in Him when He returns—will “reign with Him a thousand years” (Revelation 20:6).
Our eternal life with God will begin in the thousand-year reign of Christ on earth. The Millennium will be the prelude to our glorious eternity in the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21).
There is a land of pure delight, where saints immortal reign.
Isaac Watts
Currently we see the world following the leadership of Satan and doing his will and desire. The prophecies of Scripture are unfolding before our eyes. The signs of the times are clear. The time of the Lord’s return is not far off! Read the Word of God. Take His Word literally first and foremost. Do not make it mean what you want it to mean. Ask God to give you understanding. Jesus is coming to claim what He created and what belongs to Him! Rejoice and be ready for His return!
Pastor Dale