(Revelation 20:1-6)  And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. {2} He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. {3} He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. {4} I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. {5} (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. {6} Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

We do believe that Jesus will return, but we do not believe He is coming to reign on earth for 1000 years.

2 Peter 3:8-13 teaches that the return of Christ will bring the destruction of the earth.

(2 Peter 3:8-13)  But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. {9} The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. {10} But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. {11} Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives {12} as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. {13} But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

I Thessalonians 4:13-18 shows that when Jesus returns the righteous will join Him in the air.

Revelation 20 is the scripture used by Pre-Mil to establish their doctrine of the 1,000 year reign of Christ. Pre-millennialism is the view of the “last things” which holds that the second coming of Christ will be followed by a period of world-wide peace and righteousness, before the end of the world, called “the millennium” or “the kingdom of God” during which Christ will reign as King in person on this earth.” (J.G. Vos)

We need to see that Revelation 20 does not teach an earthly reign of Christ. Christ is now King, reigning on David’s throne in Heaven. What this passage DOES NOT mention:

• A second coming of Christ.
• A bodily resurrection
• A reign on earth.
• The literal throne of David.
• Jerusalem or Palestine
• Us – you and me
• Christ on earth

Literal or figurative – which?

Revelation is a book of symbols, figures, and signs. Signs, symbols, and types do not signify, symbolize and typify themselves. It is a violation to make literal application of the figurative imagery of Revelation.

Books like Revelation are clearly figurative in nature (Rev. 1:20).  To say that the “1,000 years” of Revelation 20:1-6 is literal while the “chain,” “dragon,” and “serpent” are said to be figurative is a style of interpretation that does not convict.

PREMILLENNALISM- WILL JESUS REIGN ON EARTH FOR 1,000 YEARS?

IS CHRIST NOW REIGNING ON DAVID’S THRONE?  (Acts 2:22-36)

1. Old Testament prophecies concerning reign of Christ (Psa. 110:1; Dan. 7:13-14; 2 Sam 7:12-16; Isa. 55:3; Amos 9:11-12; Zech. 6:12-13).
2. New Testament fulfillment of these prophecies.
   1. Psalms 110:1 – Acts 2:34-36
   2. Daniel 7:13-14 – Acts 2:32-33. Jesus received the Kingdom when he ascended into heaven – not when He comes back.
   3. 2 Samuel 7:12-16 – Acts 2:29-30. Peter argued that Christ was on David’s throne now in heaven.  This was to be done while David was in the tomb, not after his resurrection.
   4. 55:3 – Acts 13:32-38
   5. Amos 9:11-12 – Acts 15:13-18
      1. Setting up of tabernacle is the establishment of the Church and the admission of Gentiles.
      2. A descendant of David (Jesus) would be seated on David’s throne when the tabernacle was restored (built).
      3. Thus Christ was sitting on David’s throne at that time and the Gentiles were being admitted to it.
      4. If this is future – then no Gentiles can have salvation now.
   6. 6:12-13 – 1 Cor. 3:16; Eh. 2:19-20; Heb. 1:3, 8; Acts 2:36; Heb. 4:14-16; 8:4.
      1. The branch is Christ – Isa. 11:1; Romans 15:12
      2. Will build the temple – Eph. 2:21-22; 1 Cor. 3:16 – Church is the Temple
      3. Sit on His throne – Acts 2:34
      4. Rule on His throne – Heb. 1:8
      5. Priest on His throne – Heb. 8:4; 7:14)

Christ cannot be a priest on earth.

Christ is a priest on His throne.

Therefore His throne cannot be on earth.

Christ is priest on His throne now.

Christ is priest in Heaven now.

Therefore His throne is in Heaven now.

• New Testament teaching about reign of Christ.
  1. 1 Cor. 15:25 – must reign till…death is destroyed. Then deliver Kingdom back to Father (1 Cor. 15:24).
  2. 1:20-21 – Sit at right hand in Heavenly places.
  3. 1 Timothy 6:15 – King of Kings.
  4. John 18:37 – Jesus was born to be King.

1. CHRIST’S THRONE NOT ON EARTH!
   1. 22:28-30 –Coniah or Jeconiah
      1. Coniah last King of Judah.
      2. No more descendents of Choiah ever sat on the throne of David, ruling in Judah.
      3. Yet, Jesus is a descendant of Coniah (Matt. 1:12-16).
      4. Conclusion:

Since Christ is the seed of Coniah, and since no man of Coniah’s seed can set on David’s throne and rule any more in Judah, it follows that Jesus Christ cannot occupy the throne of David on earth.

But, since Jesus Christ is said to occupy David’s throne, and since the throne is not on earth, it follows that Jesus is reigning on David’s throne in Heaven.

WHAT ABOUT ISRAEL AND THE JEWS? (Acts 28:16-20)

M.R. DeHaan said, “Following the Rapture of the church, God will gather Israel into Canaan, rebuild the temple, re-establish the Old Testament form of worship and sacrifices. Christ then appears to set up the earthly kingdom with Jerusalem as its capital.

Hal Lindsey – “Late Great Planet Earth” pp. 42-47. Uss Matthew 24 to teach a rebuilt temple. Israel restored to her land. Sacrificial system and Sabbath re-instituted.

According to Pre-Mill., the land promises God made to Israel have not been fulfilled, and were eternal in nature.

Questions to be answered:

1. WHAT WERE THE PROMISES GOD MADE TO ISRAEL? (Gen. 12:1-7; 13:14-17).

God promised Abram:

• A new land.
• Would be a great nation
• God would bless him and make his name great
• Through Abram, all families of the earth would be blessed.
• Physical and spiritual blessings.

What land was promised?

• The land he traveled to upon the command of God (Gen. 12:6-7).
• The larger land of Canaan (Gen. 15:18; Ex. 23:30-31) to the river Euphrates.
• Promises made to Abraham and His seed (Gen. 17:8; Ex. 6:4-8).

 II. HAVE THESE PROMISES BEEN FULFILLED?

1. Land of Promise has been fulfilled (Deut. 1:7-8; Joshua 21:43-45; 2 Samuel 8:3; 2 Chron 9:26; Neh. 9:7-8). When was this promise fulfilled?

• Following the bondage in Egypt as Moses let Israel to and Joshua lead them into the Canaan Land.
• Abraham himself received not one foot of Canaan – but his seed did.
• Pre-Mill. say that Abraham must be raised from the dead to enter millennial kingdom in order to possess the land.
• Stephen said “the time drew near” while Israel was in Egyptian bondage (Acts 7:17).

III. WERE LAND PROMISES CONDITIONAL OR UNCONDITIONAL?

1. Pre-Mill. Say unconditional (Gen. 17:7-8). “Everlasting covenant”
   1. Word translated “everlasting” means “age-lasting.” Same for Sabbath and other O.T. rituals which are not kept today.
   2. As long as Law of Moses lasted, these things lasted. When Law of Moses ended, these things ended.
2. Notice the conditions of keeping the land (Deut. 8:19-20; 28:29-30, 63, 64; Josh. 23:14-16; 1 Kings 9:3-7).
3. Israel lost their land.
   1. Northern Kingdom carried away by Assyria.
   2. Southern Kingdom carried away by Babylon (2 Chron. 36:17-19).
4. Restoration promises (Deut. 30:1-3; Ezek. 37:11-22; Isa. 10:20-23 (remnant return) Jer. 30:3).
5. Has Israel been restored? (2 Chron. 36:20-23; Jer. 25:11-13; Ezra 9:9).
   1. All prophecies concerning the return to the land, rebuilding of the temple, etc., were made prior to 516 B.C. Since the rebuilding of the temple of that time – following a return to Palestine – there have been no prophecies concerning a return to the land or a rebuilding of the temple.

1. WHO ARE THE ISRAEL – JEWS OF GOD TODAY?

1. Jesus spoke of a “new kingdom” to the Jews of his day (Matt. 21:41-45; 23:38; 24:1-35).
2. Circumcision nor uncircumcision avail anything – but new creature (Gal. 5:6).
3. Christians are now God’s Jews – God’s Israel (Rom. 2:28-29; Gal. 3:26-29; Rom. 4:13-16; 9:7-8).
4. Conversion destroys nationality (Col. 3:10-11).
5. Paul’s allegory of two women (Gal. 4:21-31).
   1. Two women are two covenants – OLD AND NEW.
   2. Two sons – two nations – fleshly and spiritual.
   3. Hagar and Ishmael had nothing in common with Sarah and Isaac. National Israel has nothing in common with spiritual Israel.
   4. Final verdict – “Cast out the bondwoman and her son.” National Israel cannot have an inheritance with Spiritual Israel.  CHRISTIANS ARE THE ONLY ISRAEL GOD HAS TODAY!
6. Can Jews be saved today?
   • Yes, all men come to God the same way, through Christ (Eph. 2:14-18).
   • The same gospel is for all (Matt. 28:18-20).
   • Great commission was for the Jews also (Acts 10:34-43).
   • Paul’s prayer for Israel was “that they might be saved” (Rom. 10:1-4).
   • No New Testament passages affirm or predict a return of Jews to Palestine and a second chance to accept Christ as Messiah. It is now or never.

— Appreciation to Bill Craddock for the material at the end of this article.