Revelation 20
< Back to Revelation Index
TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS
The Millennial Kingdom of Christ on this Earth
BACKGROUND NOTES
DOCTRINAL POINT(S)
Satan will be bound during the Millennium.
Tribulation Saints will be resurrected before the Millennium.
Satan will be consigned to Hell after the Millennium.
Unbelievers will be judged after the Millennium.
PRACTICAL APPLICATION
Remember 2 Ls and 2 Ns.
QUESTIONS
Why is Christ’s earthly kingdom called the “Millennium”?
What do Christians who hold to the “amillennial” theology believe? Why is the teaching here called “premillennial”?
What are the first and second deaths spoken of in verses 4-6?
Outline how the first resurrection comes in three stages, like a harvest.
Who will join Satan in the final rebellion at the end of the Millennial Kingdom?
ANSWERS
Because the Lord Jesus will reign on this earth as king for a literal 1,000 years.
The amillennial view takes a non-literal position on Christ’s kingdom. They would say that Christ is reigning now in heaven and even here on this earth, in a spiritual sense, because the Lord is king and reigns in the hearts of all believers who make up the kingdom of Christ. The view taught in this study is called “premillennial” because Christ will return before the literal 1,000 year reign.
“Death” means separation. The first death is physical death – separation of the soul and spirit from the body. The second death is spiritual death – eternal separation of the soul and spirit from God.
- Stage 1\First fruits: The Resurrection of Christ (1 Corinthians 15:23) - Stage 2\Harvest: The Rapture of the Church - Stage 3\Gleanings: The Resurrection of the martyred Tribulation Saints
Many people will be born during the Millennium and not all will become believers. They will be born with sinful natures like us all, and even under the benevolent reign of Christ, their sinful heart of man will rebel.
DISCUSS/CONSIDER
What do you know of the debate between premillennial and amillennial theology? Review conflicting interpretations from this passage about Satan being bound. Your stance on this important area of theology will affect your interpretation of literally hundreds of passages of Scripture.
Our society wants us to believe that man is essentially good. It is said that given the right environment and lack of social pressure, man would only choose and do what is right. How does the rebellion at the end of the Millennium refute this claim? Do you agree that man is essentially evil and is born with a sin nature?
CHALLENGE
You don’t want to be judged at the Great White Throne Judgment! This judgment is for unbelievers – will you be there?
KEY VERSES
“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
“And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.” Revelation 20:12