And I Saw Thrones

A FEW WORDS ABOUT THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM…. And I Saw Thrones

“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison.…” Rev 20:4-6

John says he saw thrones and those who were sitting on them, and power to rule was given them, ……. and having been resurrected from among all the dead in the first resurrection they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years as priests of God and Christ. But the rest of the dead lived, that is to say were not resurrected, until that Kingdom period was at least 1000 years old.
At the end of that period John continues to prophesy that satan will then be loosed from Hades, that is to say the Great Abyss within Hades, for a little while. After which he is cast into the lake of fire for eternity just preceding the 2nd Resurrection, those remaining dead who are to be judged at the White Throne, those left in Hades at the First resurrection, that is to say those remaining in the 3 compartments of Hades revealed in Scripture wherein there are dead beings being held. 1)Abraham’s Bosom/Paradise, 2) The place where men are in torment (931. βάσανος básanos; gen. basánou, fem. noun. A touchstone, a black siliceous stone used to test the purity of gold, silver and other metals, hence any test or criterion by which the qualities of a thing are tried. Metaphorically meaning instrument of torture by which one is forced to divulge the truth, examination, trial by torture. In the NT, torment, pain from disease (Matt. 4:24; Septuagint.: Ezekiel 12:18); also used of punishment (Luke 16:23,28. And 3)  The Great Abyss.

John further says that those who are raised in the First Resurrection will be free from any concern of judgment in the 2nd resurrection with the power of a 2nd death which accompanies a casting into the lake of fire Rev 20 and 21.

THE SUBJECT MATTER IS BRIEFLY DEFINING THAT MILLENNIAL PERIOD AS THE “REST” OF GOD… HEBREWS 3&4.
WHO ARE THOSE WHO ENTER THAT REST AND REIGN WITH CHRIST?
WHAT WILL THEY DO IN THAT PERIOD?

The first resurrection and the Millennial Period spoken of by John is throughout Scripture. Psalm 1 is an allusion and Daniel 12 declares it etc… In the NC the book of Hebrews, chapter 3:1 declares the Mysterious heavenly kingdom call…. a call that is compared to entering into God’s Rest. As it is God’s Rest, it is compared to the 7th Day in which God rested. It is this Rest that remains for the Believer. It is not the entering into the new birth or eternal life as it is something remaining to enter into. It is neither present or eternal but is set before us to strive and labor to enter. In type, it is the Israelites land of Canaan, which holds forth the example of finally overcoming, as reflected in the Millennial Rest. That Period of Rest following the 6 Days of working, seen in our entering into the work of the Lord that we might enter into His 1000 yr Day of Rest having obtained His joint heirs, kings and priests (Rev 1:6) they now rule and reign.

WHO ARE THESE WHO SHALL REIGN WITH CHRIST
1) Potentially all the regenerate or born again 1 Cor 6:2 & Rev 1:6.
2) The Apostles Luke 22:28-30
3) Overcomers Rev 2:26,27 3:21
4) Martyred Witnesses Rev 20:4 Rev 14:12,13

In our opening text we read and note that special emphasis is afforded those who come out of the tribulation faithful, having a great part in ruling and reigning with Christ as priests. It is understood from Scripture that many of these were not alert and watching at the catching away of Rev 12 and therefore left upon the earth and are exhorted in Rev 14 “Here is the patience (endurance) of the saints, here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus…. Write blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from hence forth (from Rapture forward) yea saith the Spirit, that they may REST from their labours (co-working) with the Lord in the final hours of the 6th Day)….