The Christ in Prophecy Journal

Revelation Chapter 20 Continued

The most frequently requested Christ in Prophecy television show episodes on Revelation have been pulled out of the vault and re-released!

Over the six episodes, Dr. David Reagan and guests Don McGee of Crown and Sickle Ministries and Dennis Pollock of Spirit of Grace Ministries go chapter by chapter through the book of Revelation, explaining that the book of Revelation isn’t difficult to understand, rather it is difficult to believe. But, if you will believe it for its plain sense meaning, you will understand it. For anyone who’s been born again and has the Holy Spirit residing within them, Revelation can become very clear.

We last looked at Revelation Chapter 20 as it related to life for the glorified believer living in the Millennium — the one thousand year reign of Jesus Christ over all the new nations of the world. As we continue exploring the Chapter 20 and the Millennium, we’ll switch to looking at life for those living in fleshly bodies.

Feel free to watch, listen, or read along by clicking one of the icons below.

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Revelation Revealed: Chapter 20

[Read Chapter 20 in the NASB version via Biblegateway.]

Who will be saved in the Millennial Kingdom?

Dr. Reagan: You may think, “Well, of course everyone will accept Jesus during the Millennial Kingdom. After all, they will be able to see Him in His glorified body, and they will experience first-hand the blessings of His rule.” But remember, Jesus was here once before, and all He did was love people and heal them and feed them, and they responded by nailing Him to a cross.

The heart of man is going to be no different during this Millennial period. Sin will be less because Satan and his demonic hoards will be restrained, but there will still be sin and rebellion in people’s hearts because we are born with a sin nature. According to Jesus, the evil that is in the world comes from within man. All Satan does is multiply it through temptation. In fact, that’s one of the purposes of the Millennium. God is going to use the Millennium to prove that Satan’s religion — humanism — is wrong when it says that the way to change the world is to change society. Humanists take that position because they believe that evil is rooted in society. But, the word of God says that evil is rooted in the fallen nature of man and that the only way to change the world is to change people’s hearts.

So, God is going to put all of mankind into a perfect environment for a thousand years, and at the end of that time He’s going to let Satan loose. Satan will then expose the seed of rebellion that is in people’s hearts. He will do this by convincing the nations to rebel against Jesus.

How can man rebel while in a paradise?

At this point you are probably wondering, “Well, why would people rebel after experiencing one thousand years of peace, righteousness and justice?” Well, think for a moment, think what it would be like to live under “the rule of the rod of iron” in the flesh. The flesh would want all the pleasures of the world: drugs, gambling, illicit sex, and pornography. But, these things would not be allowed under Jesus’ rule of the rod of iron. Any attempt to indulge the flesh would be met with swift and sure justice. Violators would be tried before judges in glorified bodies, and there would be no appeal, because the judge’s decision would be perfect.

And so, people on the surface will say, “We praise you Jesus!” But, there will be seething rebellion in their hearts. Satan is going to expose that rebellious spirit.

We’re told in Revelation 20:7 that Satan will be let loose to test mankind, and he will rally the nations of the earth against Jesus. This will be man’s last revolt against God, and through it God will prove conclusively that we do not change people by simply changing their environment. It is their hearts that must be changed, and that can be done only through the power of the Holy Spirit.

What is the final judgment?

The Millennium will conclude with God pouring out His wrath upon Satan and those who follow him. Satan will be thrown into the Lake of Fire to join the Antichrist and the False Prophet.

And then, God will resurrect and judge all the unrighteous who have ever lived, whether in Old Testament times, the Church Age, or the Millennium. This judgment is called “The Great White Throne Judgment.” It is the judgment of the damned. All those who ever lived and died outside a faith relationship with God will be judged of their works to determine their eternal destiny. And, since no man can be justified before God by his works, all those who come before the Great White Throne Judgment — all of them — will be condemned to the Lake of Fire to experience what the Bible calls the “Second Death.”

In the next part on this series on Revelation, we’ll gather our teachers back together again to discuss Chapter 20.

Resource

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Dr. Nathan E. Jones

As the Internet Evangelist at Lamb & Lion Ministries, Nathan reaches out to the over 4.5 billion people accessible over the Internet with the Good News of Jesus Christ. He also co-hosts the ministry's television program Christ in Prophecy and podcast The Truth Will Set You Free.

16 CommentsLeave a Comment

  • Proposal for a blog article (or off topic discussion here):

    I was referred to an article linked by hallindsey.org re: "Growing Israeli interest in Yeshua (Jesus)"

    In the article…the following sentence is found "The group was reportedly surprised at the level of kindness shown by the Messianics despite frequent harassment of and attacks on believers in Jesus in Israel."

    So, since Lamb & Lion staff have been to Israel then perhaps you can set me straight on that matter.

    What is the truth? I NEED TO KNOW! Is it illegal to be Christian in Israel? Do they "harass", "attack" or even condone or promote violence against Christians?

    If yes, I would be quite distressed that a country and people I support 1000% would do such a thing. My "blind" and "absolute" support would be damaged a bit.

  • How could Adam and Eve rebel against God in a paradise situation? Brother Reagan is right on as he points out in the word. Like the old saying (YOU CAN TAKE THE MAN OUT OF THE COUNTRY, BUT YOU CAN'T TAKE THE COUNTRY OUT OF THE MAN!) when I was a child, I was never thought how to lie, yet when I had my hand in the cookie jar and the evidence around my mouth as a ring of chocolate; I lied. The word of God doesn't actually reveal why persay satan (must) be loosed a little (season). But I strongly agree that this reveals the sin nature that is with in us all.

  • Matthew 15: 8-this people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; butg their (heart) is far from me. 9-but in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 18 but those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the( heart) and they defile the man. 19-for (out of the heart) proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

    WOW! can't get more plain than that. Glory to God, it's like God can see into history, the present, and the future all at the same time. Like he can declare the end from the beginning or something.
    Heart has to be changed, only in Christ what he did at the cross, and allowing the Holy Spirit to do his work by renewing minds and hearts. Reguardless of what Obami says, only in this way can true (CHANGE) come!!!
    Maranatha

  • billy, its my understanding that there is indeed persecution in isreal tho not to the extent of islamic nations. the promise to bless isreal is not a blanket statement just because its isreal.

  • one of the things that boggles my mind at times is that many churches don't want anything to do with this book of Christ. Even at my own church it was a huge struggle to bring about the importance of the prophetic word to the forefront. Churches sing I'll fly away, but giving only lip service Lord Help Us. We must live and work as though we have a 100 years, but serve the Lord and minister as though today is our last! When vs 10 comes about, what a day that will be, 100% restoration will begin to take place. Hallelujah in deed lizzyha

    MARANATHA

  • Hi Billy, I never had the honor to go to God's special place if you will. How ever I know those who have. Israel is a place with people who are like us all. saved, and the lost. atheist and so forth. So there are areas like in our own USA that are more hostile to others including Christians like some of our area's are towards Jews! Fact is majority is apparently very pro christian especially when we make a majority of the tourism wealth for them. Perry Stone did a study last year as well, showing that there is a awakening taking place within the people of Israel and the reality of Jesus and the prophesies of the Messiah, and the new covenant. Just as there is an awakening with the church and the old covenant. This all leads up to the remnant that will be preserved. Plus they are still under the law, looking for Messiah.

  • Dennis,

    One thing to consider about the garden of Eden, though, is that Adam and Eve's INTENT was not wicked. They wanted to be "like God." We always construe that as something bad, but stop and think about it for a minute–their motivation was to be more like the One they loved (after all, most Christians today wouldn't consider THAT to be a bad thing–think about all the "What Would Jesus Do?" crap, all the "keep the commandments" crap, and so on).

    However, God wanted them to stay away from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (the trying tree) and stick with the tree of life (the trusting tree).

    I believe the millennial reign will be the same way–people will desire what looks "good" and forego what is best. In other words, they will desire once again to discern good and evil and to try to keep the rules VS. trusting Christ in them and through them.

    The trying method is called "humanism" or "religion" and, deep down, it is man's attempt to fix himself, either apart from God or "with God's help." Either way, it's a subtle trap, a dead-end street, and, sadly, so very prevalent in the church today!

  • Nathan,
    I saw the ongoing Facebook discussion "The "Restrainer" – removed" and followed your link: Who or What is the "Restrainer?"

    There still seems to be some confusion on whether or not the Church is the restrainer and whether or not the HS is "removed" when the Church is.

    Charles said…
    …Only the Church is indweld by the Spirit, not the world, removing the Church removes the Spirit…" ???

    Dr. David is correct on the work of the HS during the Tribulation, but fails to make the key point on why the HS is still here, and still mistakes the Church for the "Restrainer"

    Scott and I [ IMHO 😉 ] answer why the HS is the "Restrainer", why He is not removed with the Church, and what He does instead here
    And
    here .

    PS. There's no window for posting when I view your Facebook forum… probably 'cause I don't have a "privacy-invading" account with Big Bro…

  • Since there under the law, they are trying to reach God by merits alone, following 613 mitzvot of the torah. So having Christian churches, and all that intales is blastphemous in there sight, and us worshiping Jesus in there law is a great sin if they were to do so. But Under the ( Noahic commandments) given to all gentiles as moral priniples, any non jew who follows these laws has a place in the world to come. Bottom line is God commands us to love them, and they are our spiritual neighbor if you will. We must be the good samaritan to them no matter what they do. Because this is right in the eyes of God period. If they were our enemy we still are commanded to to Love them, and go the extra mile, give them our coat as well. There lamps are only half full at this time. They are really looking for the (mashiach) a great human leader like King David; mashiach means the anointed one. you can see how they will believe the lie of anti-christ.

    check out this site. CALLED JUDAISM 101 A look into the jewish thought
    http://www.jewfaq.org MARANATHA

  • good point Laura, but no matter thier intent by our understanding, in the site of God it was wicked, and like we all have done on many occations gave into something that we thought would be good, but didn't take heed to the warnings of those who been there done that rule. We seem to think our outcome will be different. I agree, even today people desire what is good (problem is its good outside of the living God) evil will still be present like at the G of E, just put under the rod of Christ.
    MARANATHA

  • Billy, Israelis are primarily secular humanist in faith, though there is an Orthodox group that makes up something like 10% of the population. Among them all is the view that Christians have persecuted the Jews for centuries and can't be trusted.

    The Jewish view of Christianity is Catholicism, the more pagan elements like kissing stones and gaudy cathedrals. According to our guide, the average Jew doesn't see a difference between Catholicism and Protestantism.

    The secular humanists welcome Christians to the country as tourists, but if you want to stay they'll find every legal way to oppose them. The orthodox are like modern pharisees and hate all things Jesus, seeing Messianic Judaism a threat. They now control the immigration dept in Israel, so its been a battle for Messianic Jews wanting to become Isralis to move into the country.

    There are a few nuts from the orthodox who leave mail bombs at Messianic Christian homes, but overall I've not heard of more than constant legal challenges by the orthodox. The orthodox, though, tend to be poor by choice and don't have a lot of money to throw into greater resistance against Jews who believe in Yeshua.

    What we're looking for when we ask the Lord to bless Israel is to bless His plans to restore to faith the remnant of the Jews. For that kind of prayer we can always feel confident in praying.

  • Dennis,

    Yes, you're absolutely right–God saw Adam and Eve's actions as wicked; however, their hearts were not evil (that came with the fall). Even so, their sin of trying to know good from evil simply reinforces the very valid point that "whatever is not from faith [such as "trying" to keep the commandments/Laws] is SIN" (Rom. 14:23b).

    From the beginning, God desired that humans walk by FAITH–not worrying about what is right or wrong AND not being sin conscious (see Hebrews 10:1-2).

    Grace and peace to you.

  • Laura,
    1sam 16:7b the Lord looketh on the heart.

    I agree they were pure before the fall, but I believe fall came from within first, not when they acted apon it, but when they already lusted in their hearts to be gods. If God didn't want us to know wrong from right, why did he warn them in the first place of what was wrong and right. what to eat, and not to eat, why you can, and can not; and the penalty for disobeying? Romans 14:23 shows that even though eating a meat is ok, a person who is not yet convinced of it being ok, thinks it would still be sin to eat it. and so it is a sin to himself, or to his own conscience it will bring condemnation, a lot like what the devil does to a true new convert who slips into sin, and questions if they are truly saved. It can be a dangerous thing. Hebrews 10: 1,2 is great, prophitic out line a shadow of good things to come, Christ the substance. We become spiritualy free of the wages of sin, because the blood of Christ cleanses us, and once we accept him as Lord first and then savior we are not conscience of sin, there is therefore now no condemation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who "walk" not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Many in the church don't want to hear you have to walk. They want to go to the alters on sunday, and back to their gay lifestyles, and bar joints etc the rest of the week. Peace to you in Christ our soon to return King. thanks for chating

  • Dennis
    I also accept that mankind’s fall began in the hearts of Adam and Eve.

    Satan’s own fall began with PRIDE centred upon “I will be like the most High” which in turn led to his rebellion against God. Satan deceived Eve by introducing doubt with “Hath God said” (don’t eat) and stirred Eve’s heart with PRIDE to be like God just as Satan had done.

    Adam KNEW what Eve had done. It is possible Eve had lost the Shekinah or ‘covering’ which was the evidence of God’s Holy Spirit within her, thus Eve appeared naked for the first time. Deliberately and wilfully Adam rebelled against God in favour of his wife’s prideful decision.

    Essentially Adam gave up his life for love of his wife and rejected God’s love. No doubt God would have given Adam a new sin free ‘Eve’. Pride in the heart is what caused the sin of rebellion (which is like witchcraft). Pride always goes before destruction.

    Jesus, the last Adam, also gave His life for love of His bride, the Church. Perhaps The Father offered a new sinless bride for His Son; but Jesus’ love for us preferred the way of the cross to bring His bride back into righteousness. Such love!

  • expected imminently,
    yes indeed. Pride pride pride, like sodom pride was first, than the sexual impurity. Pride keeps many accepting the message of salvation. and how sad many will continue to refuse because they will be full of pride in their sin. Praise God he loves us enough to tell us the truth, that in our fallen state we are bound for hell, but he has made a way of pardon for us. Jesus told us that he came to bring devision. He has to be first in our life. Thank you prescious Lord. thanks for your insight. It very uplifting to chat about the things of God with ya'll.

    MARANAtHA

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