Examining the Premillennial View in Revelation 20

 

Summary

In our exploration of the 20th chapter of the Book of Revelation, we have been examining the various interpretations of this pivotal scripture, particularly focusing on the premillennial view. This perspective suggests a literal thousand-year reign of Christ on Earth, a concept that is not explicitly supported elsewhere in the New Testament. This interpretation raises several significant objections, which we have discussed in detail.

Firstly, the premillennial view is unique to this chapter and lacks corroboration from other New Testament writings. The absence of references to an earthly kingdom in the teachings of Jesus or the apostles suggests that this interpretation may not align with the broader scriptural narrative. The emphasis on a physical, earthly kingdom contrasts with the spiritual nature of Christ's kingdom as depicted in the Gospels and Epistles.

Secondly, the notion of postponing the kingdom to a future millennial reign contradicts the scriptural teaching that the kingdom of God is already present among believers. Christians are described as already being part of God's kingdom, having been transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His Son.

Thirdly, the idea of a future distinction between Jews and Gentiles during this millennial reign reintroduces a division that the New Testament declares abolished. The unity of all believers, regardless of ethnic background, is a central theme in the teachings of Paul and the New Testament.

Furthermore, the premillennial view suggests multiple comings of Christ and multiple resurrections, which contradicts the New Testament's teaching of a single second coming and a general resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked.

Finally, the concept of glorified saints coexisting with those in the flesh during the millennium, along with the sudden rebellion led by Satan after a thousand years of Christ's reign, presents logical and theological challenges. These scenarios seem inconsistent with the transformative power and finality of Christ's return as depicted in scripture.

Key Takeaways:

- The premillennial interpretation of Revelation 20 is unique to this chapter and lacks support from other New Testament writings, which emphasize a spiritual rather than an earthly kingdom. This suggests a need for caution in adopting this view. [03:21]

- The kingdom of God is already present among believers, as Christians are described as having been transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's Son. This contradicts the idea of postponing the kingdom to a future millennial reign. [07:05]

- The New Testament teaches the unity of all believers, regardless of ethnic background, which is contradicted by the premillennial view's reintroduction of a distinction between Jews and Gentiles. [09:16]

- The New Testament consistently teaches a single second coming of Christ and a general resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked, challenging the premillennial view's suggestion of multiple comings and resurrections. [11:42]

- The concept of glorified saints coexisting with those in the flesh during the millennium, along with the sudden rebellion led by Satan, presents significant theological and logical challenges, questioning the coherence of the premillennial view. [19:24]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:12] - Introduction to Revelation 20
[00:30] - Overview of Premillennial View
[01:09] - Historical Context of Doctrine
[02:01] - Literal Interpretation and Its Implications
[03:21] - Absence of Earthly Kingdom in New Testament
[04:52] - Earthly vs. Spiritual Kingdom
[06:34] - Present Reality of God's Kingdom
[08:07] - Unity of Jews and Gentiles
[11:09] - Multiple Comings and Resurrections
[13:03] - Contradiction with Jesus' Teachings
[16:10] - Glorified Saints and Earthly Coexistence
[19:24] - Satan's Rebellion and Its Improbability
[20:36] - Peter's Teachings on the End Times
[25:22] - Objections from Revelation 20 Itself
[34:23] - Symbolic Interpretation of Revelation 20
[41:29] - Future Discussions and Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Revelation 20:1-6
2. John 5:28-29
3. 2 Peter 3:10-13

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Observation Questions:

1. What is the premillennial view of Revelation 20, and how does it interpret the thousand-year reign of Christ? [00:30]

2. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the absence of references to an earthly kingdom in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles? [03:21]

3. How does the sermon describe the current state of the kingdom of God among believers? [07:05]

4. What are the theological challenges presented by the idea of glorified saints coexisting with those in the flesh during the millennium? [19:24]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the premillennial view's emphasis on a future earthly kingdom contrast with the spiritual nature of Christ's kingdom as depicted in the Gospels and Epistles? [05:30]

2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the premillennial view contradicts the New Testament's teaching on the unity of all believers, regardless of ethnic background? [09:16]

3. How does the sermon address the concept of multiple comings of Christ and multiple resurrections, and what implications does this have for the understanding of the second coming? [11:42]

4. What are the logical and theological challenges associated with the sudden rebellion led by Satan after a thousand years of Christ's reign, as discussed in the sermon? [19:24]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the idea that the kingdom of God is already present among believers. How does this understanding influence your daily life and spiritual practices? [07:05]

2. Consider the sermon’s emphasis on the unity of all believers. How can you actively promote unity within your church community, especially among diverse groups? [09:16]

3. The sermon challenges the notion of postponing the kingdom to a future millennial reign. How does this perspective affect your sense of urgency in living out your faith today? [07:05]

4. How do you reconcile the concept of a single second coming of Christ with the various interpretations of Revelation 20? What steps can you take to deepen your understanding of eschatology? [11:42]

5. The sermon raises questions about the coexistence of glorified saints and those in the flesh. How does this challenge your current beliefs about the end times, and what resources can you explore to gain clarity? [19:24]

6. Reflect on the potential for a sudden rebellion after a thousand years of Christ's reign. How does this scenario impact your view of human nature and the transformative power of Christ's return? [19:24]

7. How can you apply the teachings from 2 Peter 3:10-13 to live a life that is prepared for the day of the Lord, which will come like a thief in the night? [23:59]

Devotional

Day 1: The Spiritual Kingdom of Christ
The premillennial interpretation of Revelation 20 suggests a literal thousand-year reign of Christ on Earth, a concept that is not explicitly supported elsewhere in the New Testament. This interpretation is unique to this chapter and lacks corroboration from other New Testament writings. The absence of references to an earthly kingdom in the teachings of Jesus or the apostles suggests that this interpretation may not align with the broader scriptural narrative. The emphasis on a physical, earthly kingdom contrasts with the spiritual nature of Christ's kingdom as depicted in the Gospels and Epistles. Therefore, it is important to approach this view with caution and consider the spiritual kingdom that is already present among believers. [03:21]

"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." (Romans 14:17, ESV)

Reflection: How can you focus on experiencing the righteousness, peace, and joy of God's spiritual kingdom in your daily life today?


Day 2: The Present Reality of God's Kingdom
The notion of postponing the kingdom to a future millennial reign contradicts the scriptural teaching that the kingdom of God is already present among believers. Christians are described as already being part of God's kingdom, having been transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His Son. This present reality of God's kingdom emphasizes the transformative power of Christ's work in the lives of believers today. It challenges us to live as citizens of this kingdom, reflecting its values and principles in our daily lives. [07:05]

"He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13-14, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you actively live out your identity as a citizen of God's kingdom today, demonstrating the values of redemption and forgiveness?


Day 3: Unity in Christ
The New Testament teaches the unity of all believers, regardless of ethnic background, which is contradicted by the premillennial view's reintroduction of a distinction between Jews and Gentiles. This unity is a central theme in the teachings of Paul and the New Testament, emphasizing that in Christ, all barriers are broken down. Believers are called to live in harmony, celebrating their diversity while being united in their faith in Christ. This unity reflects the heart of the gospel and the inclusive nature of God's kingdom. [09:16]

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28, ESV)

Reflection: How can you promote unity and inclusivity within your community, breaking down barriers that divide?


Day 4: The Second Coming and Resurrection
The New Testament consistently teaches a single second coming of Christ and a general resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked, challenging the premillennial view's suggestion of multiple comings and resurrections. This teaching underscores the finality and completeness of Christ's return, where all will be judged and the new creation will be fully realized. It invites believers to live with an eternal perspective, anticipating the fulfillment of God's promises and the restoration of all things. [11:42]

"For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first." (1 Thessalonians 4:16, ESV)

Reflection: How does the promise of Christ's return and the resurrection of the dead influence the way you live your life today?


Day 5: The Coexistence of Saints and the Final Rebellion
The concept of glorified saints coexisting with those in the flesh during the millennium, along with the sudden rebellion led by Satan, presents significant theological and logical challenges. These scenarios seem inconsistent with the transformative power and finality of Christ's return as depicted in scripture. The New Testament portrays Christ's return as a decisive event that ushers in the new creation, where sin and death are no more. This understanding calls believers to trust in the ultimate victory of Christ and the hope of a restored creation. [19:24]

"But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells." (2 Peter 3:13, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you live with hope and anticipation for the new creation, trusting in the ultimate victory of Christ over sin and death?

Quotes


It is a teaching which is found nowhere else in the gospels or in the Epistles of the New Testament and that of course is agreed by all. There are no references to this idea of an Earthly Kingdom with our Lord reigning in person on Earth for a literal thousand years. [00:03:18]

The kingdom is to come in one sense but the kingdom has come in another and in any case you remember constantly in the Epistles we know that Christians are described as those who have been translated from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God's dear son. [00:07:10]

There was nothing that the Apostle Paul in particular so gloried in is that there is no longer Jew nor Gentile Barbarian or cian Bond nor free the middle wall of partition has been broken down the kingdom is now open to Gentiles as to Jews. [00:08:45]

Where is surely the whole of the remainder of the New Testament teaches that the there is only to be one second coming of Our Lord the one that will be associated with the general resurrection of the dead and the final judgment. [00:11:24]

It surely is a most serious difficulty with regard to that view and another thing that seems to follow is this that surely there must be some on the earth who are still Sinners during this supposed glorious period. [00:17:48]

Are we asked to believe that Satan by one stroke as it were can suddenly turn this tremendous multitude that is as numerous as the sand of the sea in this world into enemies of Christ? [00:18:41]

Surely if you do believe in the unity of scripture you would believe you must believe that the scripture acts as a ho and that when this particular doctrine of our Lord's Second Coming is dealt with in other parts of the scripture. [00:03:55]

The New Testament teaching is that all nations and tribes and tongues are to be in this Kingdom Even This Book of Revelation teaches that and indeed there there is no suspicion of any difference between the Jew and the Gentile even in this 20th chapter itself. [00:10:19]

The whole creation granth and travaileth in pain together until now and not only they but ourselves also which have the first fruits of the spirit we ourselves grow Al within ourselves waiting for what for the millennial reain now for the adoption to with the Redemption of our body. [00:37:13]

The scene is in heaven where the Departed souls are of those who are in Christ and who are have been true and faithful and have suffered for the witness and the testimony of Jesus so this is a very vital Point Charli in the chapter itself. [00:33:49]

The numbers in this book as we have seen many times are obviously symbolical numbers we've looked at the number of them and surely the same thing applies here this number thousand as we've seen is a most important symbolical number it suggests a period of completeness a whole period a long period yes but above all a complete period. [00:31:55]

The Comfort he holds out for them is not that this is going to be a glorious period of a thousand years reign with Christ on Earth no no he says the thing we are looking forward to is this the whole creation granth and travaileth in pain together until now. [00:37:06]

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Transcript
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