My Sheep Hear My Voice- Rev. 20:6

My Sheep Hear My Voice- Rev. 20:6

Before Jesus was crucified He told the disciples to watch and pray, something so simple, but they let their physical bodies take over and they fell back asleep. In these last hours of time you need to hear His voice. When He tells you something, it is very important, but most ignore my voice or just discuss it and go on with what they were doing. You will see many things start to happen shortly and if you do not hear and obey His voice,... it will mean death for some of you....Jesus has only your best interest in mind. Christ knows you heart, and if you are truly His you will hear His voice. He awakes many of you at 3am on the dot, but most will roll over and go back to sleep. There are a few who will get up and pray. Your day is filled with so many things and Jesus is the last thing many of you give your time to. But Christ needs to talk to you,... to fellowship with you and only when you are still and quite (3am) can you hear Him,... the rest of your day is so busy you do not have time for Him,... but you need to make time, for time is short and the Lord has instructions for you.

Revelation 20

The Resurrection And Reward Of The Martyrs

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” Rev. 20:6

Blessed and holy... All who have part in the first resurrection are blessed and holy. Those who die in the Lord (Rev. 14:13), are blessed with the privilege of entering His kingdom (see note on Rev. 1:3).

We Christians are the blessed. You can easily see that the wicked dead have no part in this resurrection. We believers in Christ (the redeemed), are not subject to death because we have life (which Jesus breathed into us), when we were born again. We will never die. This second death mentioned here is for the lost. Not only will the Christians reign on this earth with Jesus for 1000 years, but we will live for all eternity in heaven with Jesus, because we have eaten of the Tree of Life which is Jesus Christ our Lord.

The second death... The first death is only physical, the second is spiritual and eternal in the lake of fire, the final, eternal hell (Rev. 14). It could exist outside the created universe as we know it, outside of space and time, and is presently unoccupied (see Rev. 19:20 for the first two occupants).

This second death mentioned here is for the lost. Not only will the Christians reign on this earth with Jesus for 1000 years, but we will live for all eternity in heaven with Jesus, because we have eaten of the Tree of Life which is Jesus Christ our Lord.

a thousand years... Fifty Facts about the Millennium:

1. Definition: Latin, mille, a thousand, and annus, year. The phrase "thousand years" is used 6 times in Rev. 20:1-7.

2. It is the last dispensation for man before the final removal of the curse (Rev. 22:3). In Scripture it is called:

(1). The thousand years reign of Christ (Rev. 20:2, 20:4, 20:5, 20:6, 20:7)

(2) The dispensation of the fullness of times (Eph. 1:10)

(3) The day of the Lord. Called that day many times in the prophets (Isa. 2:11; 4:1; 19:21; 24:21; 26:1; Eze. 39:22; 48:35; etc.)

(4) The world (age) to come (Mat. 12:32; Mar. 10:30; Eph. 1:21; 2:7; 3:21)

(5) The kingdom of Christ and of God (Eph. 5:5; 2Tim. 4:1; Rev. 11:15)

(6) The kingdom of God (Mar. 14:25; Luke 19:11; 22:14-18)

(7) The kingdom of heaven (Mat. 3:2; 4:17; 7:21; 8:11; 10:7; 18:1-4)

(8) The regeneration (Mat. 19:28)

(9) The times of the restitution (restoration) of all things (Acts 3:20-21)

(10) The consolation of Israel (Luke 2:25)

(11) The redemption of Jerusalem (Luke 2:38)

(12) The kingdom of His dear Son (Col. 1:13; 2Pet. 1:11)

3. Satan will be bound (Rev. 20:1-10).

4. It will be between the second coming and the New Heaven and New Earth (see Rev. 19:19).

5. The kingdom will be literal and earthly (Isa. 9:6-7; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:13-27; Zec. 14:1-21; Luke 1:32-33; Rev. 5:10; 11:15; 20:1-10; 22:4-5).

6. It will be a theocratic government (Isa. 2:2-4; 52:7; Eze. 43:7; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:13-14; Zec. 14:1-21; Mat. 25:31-46; Luke 1:32-33; Rev. 11:15; 20:1-10).

7. Christ will rule under God (Isa. 9:6-7; Dan. 7:13-14; Luke 1:32-33).

8. David will rule over all Israel under Christ (Jer. 30:9; Eze. 34:24; 37:24-28; Hos. 3:4-5).

9. The apostles will rule over one tribe each (Mat. 19:28; Luke 22:30).

10. All saints will have part in ruling as kings and priests (Rev. 20:4).

11. The world capital will be Jerusalem (Isa. 2:2-4; Eze. 48:1-35; Zec. 14:1-21).

12. The kingdom will be worldwide (Rev. 11:15; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:13-27; Zec. 14:1-21).

13. Certain classes will not inherit the kingdom (1Cor. 6:9; Gal. 5:19-21).

14. Certain classes will be excluded from entrance into the kingdom (Mat. 5:20; 13:39-50; 24:45-51; 25:31-46; Rev. 14:9-11).

15. The judgment of the living nations at the second coming will determine who is worthy of entrance into the kingdom (Mat. 25:31-46).

16. All nations will be required to send representatives to Jerusalem once a year to acknowledge Christ (Zec. 14:16-21; Isa. 2:1-4; 35:8-9).

17. The wicked dead will not be resurrected to live again in the Millennium or be given a second chance (Rev. 20:4-6, 20:11-15; Heb. 9:27).

18. The earth will not be desolate during the Millennium (Isa. 2:2-4; Zec. 14:16-21; 1Cor. 15:24-28; Rev. 20:1-10).

19. There will be civil and religious laws for all nations (Isa. 2:2-4; 9:6-7; 11:3-5; 65:20; Zec. 14:16-21; 1Cor. 15:24-28).

20. The Gentile nations will be located in the part of the earth God gave to each nation and race (Deut. 32:8; Acts 17:26).

21. Israel will be given all the original promised land (Gen. 15:14-18; 17:6-19; Isa. 60:20; Eze. 47:13-48:35).

22. The world-capital building will be the future Jewish temple at Jerusalem (Eze. 43:7; Zec. 6:12-13).

23. A river will flow out from under the temple southward and part into two branches—one going into the Mediterranean and one into the Dead Sea, the waters of which will be healed and have many fish (Eze_. -23; Zec. 14:8).

24. There will be earthly priests and Levites serving in the future temple (Isa. 66:19-24; Eze. 43:19-27; 44:9-31).

25. All the former sacrifices, feasts, and rituals of the temple worship will be continued as an eternal memorial of what they were types of before Christ fulfilled them (Eze. 43:19-27; 44:5, 44:30; 45:17-25; 46:1-24; Zec. 14:16-21; Isa. 66:19-24).

26. The Holy Spirit will be poured out upon all flesh (Isa. 32:5; Eze. 36:25-27; Joel 2:28-32).

27. Universal knowledge of the Lord will be manifest (Isa. 11:9; Zec. 8:22-23).

28. Jews will again be the missionaries to evangelize the nations (Isa. 2:2-4; 40:9; 52:7; 61:6; 66:18-21; Zec. 8:23).

29. There will be one universal religion (Mal. 1:11; Zec. 14:16-21; Isa. 2:2-4; Joel 2:28-31; Jer. 31:31-36).

30. The glory of God will be continually manifest (Isa. 4:4-6; Eze. 43:1-5).

31. Salvation in its fullness will be for all (Joel 2:28-32; Acts 2:16-21; Isa. 2:2-4; 11:9; 52:7; Heb. 8 tru 10).

32. Divine healing for the body will be experienced by all (Isa. 32:1-5; 33:24; 35:3-6; 53:5; Mat. 8:17; 1Pet. 2:24).

33. There will be universal peace (Isa. 2:4; 9:6-7; Mic. 4:3-4; Mal. 1:11).

34. Universal prosperity will be a reality (Isa. 2:2-4; 65:20-25; Mic. 4:4-5).

35. The financial system will be as in Israel (Gen_ 14:20; 28:22 with Heb. 6:20; 7:1-10; Mat. 23:23; Rom. 2:22; 1Cor. 9:7-18; 16:1-3; Mal. 3:10-12).

36. Full justice will be meted out to all alike (Isa. 9:6-7; 11:3-5; 65:20-25; 66:1-2; Mat. 5:1 tru 7:29).

37. Human life will be prolonged indefinitely (Isa. 65:20-25; Zec. 8:4).

38. Light from the planets will be increased sevenfold (Isa. 30:26; 60:18-22).

39. Animals natures will be changed as before the fall (Isa. 11:6-8; 65:17-25; Rom. 8:18-23).

40. Deserts will blossom again as a rose (Isa. 35:1-10; 55:12-13; Eze. 36:8-12; Joel 2:18-27; 3:17-21; Amos 9:13-15).

41. Love and righteousness will prevail (Isa. 9:6-7; 11:5; 32:1-5; 65:17-25).

42.The Jews will be the head of all nations under the Messiah (Deut 28:1-14).

43. The test for man will be to obey Christ, the resurrected saints, and the laws (Psm. 2:1-12; Rev. 2:26-27; 5:10; 11:15; 12:5; 20:1-10).

44. Fruitful seasons will be enjoyed without interruption (Isa. 30:23-25; 33:20-21; 35:6-7; 41:17-18; 49:10; Eze. 34:26; 47:1-12; Zec. 14:8).

45. Material blessings will fill the earth (Isa. 29:17; 30:23-24; 32:15; 35:1-7; 41:19; 49:9-10; 51:3; 55:13; 60:5-17; 62:8-9; Jer. 31:27-28; Eze. 34:27; 36:25-35; Joel 3:18; Amos 9:13).

46. Waste places of the earth will be restored stored to usefulness (Isa. 32:16-18; 49:19; 52:9; 61:4-5; Eze. 36:8-38; Amos 9:14-15; Acts 15:13-18).

47. Great highways will cover the earth (Isa. 11:16; 19:23-25; 35:7-8).

48. Normal increase of mankind (Gen. 1:26-28; 9:12; Isa. 9:6-7; 59:20; 65:20-25; Jer. 30:19; 33:22; Hos. 1:10).

49. The tenfold purpose of God in the millennial reign of Jesus Christ:

(1) To put down rebellion on earth, so that God may be all and all again as before the rebellion by Lucifer and Adam (1Cor. 15:24-28; Heb. 2:7-9; Eph. 1:10)

(2) To fulfill the everlasting covenants made with Abraham (Gen. 12:1-20; 13:1-18; 15:1-21; 17:1-27), Isaac (Gen. 26:1-35), Jacob (Gen. 28:1-22), David (2Sa. 7:1-29), and others (Mat. 26:28; 2Cor. 3:6-15; Heb. 7:1-28; 8:1-13; 9:1-28; 10:1-39)

(3) To vindicate and avenge Christ and the saints (Mat. 26:63-66; Rom. 12:19; Psm. 2:1-12; Isa. 63:1-19; Rev. 1:7; 6:9-11; 19:1-10; 1Pet. 1:10-12; 2Tim. 4:7-8; Rom. 8:17-21)

(4) To restore Israel and deliver them from the nations and make them the head of all nations forever (Acts 15:13-18; Mat. 24:31; Isa. 11:10-12; Eze. 20:33-44; Deut. 28:1-68)

(5) To exalt the saints of all ages to a kingly and priestly position according to their works (Rom. 8:17-21; 14:10; 2Cor. 5:10-11; Phlp. 3:20-21; Col. 3:4; 1Pet. 1:10-13; 5:1-4; Rev. 1:5; 2:26-27; 5:10; 11:15-18; 12:5; 20:4-6)

(6) To gather together in one all things in heaven and earth (Eph. 1:10)

(7) To judge the nations in righteousness and restore the earth to its rightful owners (Isa. 2:2-4; 11:1-11; Mat. 25:31-46; Dan. 7:9-27)

(8) To restore a righteous and an eternal government on earth as originally planned (Isa. 9:6-7; 11:1-9; 42:1-5; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:13-27; Luke 1:32-33; Rev. 11:15; 20:4-6; 22:4-5)

(9) To fulfill hundreds of prophecies concerning the eternal reign of the Messiah (Dan. 9:24; 1Pet. 1:10-13; Acts 3:20-21)

(10) To restore all things as before sin entered the world (Acts 3:20-21; Isa. 66:22-24; 2Pet. 3:10-13; Rev. 21-22)

50. The Millennium will end in one more short period of rebellion. Then the final destruction of all rebels will take place, leaving the saints, natural and resurrected, in charge of the eternal perfect earth (Rev. 20:7-10; 21:1-22:5; 2Pet. 3:10-13; Isa. 66:22-24).

What is the Millennium? Christ's 1000 year reign upon David's throne is the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, Israel and to David, but its more than that, it is the final proof of the incorrigible nature of man's sinful heart. Christ is present in Jerusalem, ruling the world, and the saints of all ages in resurrected bodies administer the kingdom righteously under His direction. All evil is prohibited and punished immediately. Even Satan is locked away so that he cannot in any way influence mankind (see Rev. 20:2).

All those who share in the resurrection of the righteous are said to be blessed and holy, and 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. While all the righteous will be raised before the Millennium, individuals will retain their identities and their group identifications such as Gentile believers and believers in Israel in the Old Testament, the church of the New Testament, and saints of the Tribulation.

It should be noted that the term “a thousand years” occurs six times in Rev. 20:1-15. This was not something that could be seen visually; John had to be informed of it and the vision had to be interpreted as relating to a period of a thousand years. While amillenarians and others have tended to view this as non-literal, there is no evidence to support this conclusion. This is the only chapter in Revelation where a period of a thousand years is mentioned, and the fact that it is mentioned six times and is clearly described as a period of time before which and after which events take place lead to the conclusion that it means a literal thousand-year period.

Since other time designations in Revelation are literal (e.g., “42 months,” Rev. 11:2; 13:5; “1,260 days,” Rev. 11:3; 12:6) it is natural to take “a thousand years” literally also. If the term “a thousand years” designates a nonspecific but long period of time, the present Age between Christ’s two advents, as amillenarians hold, then one would expect John to say simply that Christ would reign “a long time,” in contrast to the “short time” of Satan’s release (John 20:3).

Events which precede the thousand years are (a) the second coming of Christ, (b) the beast and the false prophet thrown into the fiery lake, (c) the armies destroyed, (d) Satan bound and locked in the Abyss, (e) thrones of judgment introduced, and (f) the martyred dead of the Tribulation resurrected. These events revealed in their proper sequence make it clear that the thousand-year period follows all these events, including the second coming of Christ. The conclusion that the Second Coming is pre-millennial is clearly supported by a normal, literal interpretation of this text.

These passages show that the tribulation martyrs will also have a part in the reign of Christ in the Millennium and forever. What Rev. 20 says about the Millennium:

Satan must be bound before the Millennium can begin, Rev. 20:1-10. Shows the fulfillment of Rev. 4-19. Therefore, the thousand years cannot come until these things are fulfilled.

Satan will be bound during the Millennium, Rev. 20:3

After the binding of Satan, John saw “thrones” and their occupants, Rev. 20:4. The occupants of the thrones will be the tribulation martyrs. They will reign as kings and priests with Christ, as well as all other redeemed heavenly peoples.

In Rev. 20:5 John shows that the tribulation martyrs have a part in the first resurrection, which is before the thousand years and includes all the different companies of redeemed and every individual saved from Adam to the binding of Satan. This verse also implies that the tribulation saints will be the last redeemed company resurrected and translated. The first resurrection ends with the catching up of this company and the two witnesses. All other passages on the resurrection in Scripture, except a few on the rapture of the Church, speak of the first and second resurrections as being one, and occurring at the same time, but this passage and 1 Cor. 15:20-23, 51-58; Phil. 3:10-14; 1 Thess. 4:13-18; 2 Thess. 2:1, 6-8; 2 Cor. 5:1-6; Eph. 5:26-27; Heb. 11:35; 1 Jhn. 3:1-3 speak of a resurrection from out of the dead, or the resurrection and translation of all dead and living saints before the thousand years. In Rev. 20:11-15 “the rest of the dead” of Rev. 20:4-6, or the wicked dead who have no part in the first resurrection and who will be resurrected after the thousand years, are pictured as standing before the white throne to be judged. This will be the second resurrection. It includes all the wicked dead from Adam to the end of the Millennium.

Next, a blessing is pronounced upon all that have part in the first resurrection, for “on such the second death (the Lake of Fire, Rev. 2:11; 19:20; 20:10-15; 21:8) hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign one thousand years.”

“When the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison. And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them” against God. Then fire will come down out of heaven to devour his armies, and he himself will be cast into the Lake of Fire, where the beast and the false prophet are and have been for the one thousand years, Rev. 19:20; 20:7-10.

Then, the wicked dead will be resurrected and there will be the final judgment, after which the renovation of the earth and heavens will take place. The result will be a new heaven, and a new earth, as pictured in Rev. 21-22.

With these facts , we can understand the many other Scriptures which speak of the reign of the Messiah without distinguishing between His reign during the first 1,000 years and His reign forever.

A Favorable Beginning

Man will have a beginning more favorable than in any other dispensation. Besides many of the wonderful conditions of the other ages, man will have the God of heaven for a ruler and enjoy all the privilege's that such rulership will bring. The following points concerning the divine government and the blessed conditions on the earth during the Millennium will clearly reveal the favorable conditions in this dispensation.

1. The Kingdom Foretold

God's earth-bound covenants to Abraham and David guaranteed to Israel an everlasting earthly kingdom and that they would be the channel of blessing to all the families of the earth. It seemed that these covenants and promises would fail when Israel was divided into two kingdoms about 1009 B.C. After this, God raised up many prophets who continued emphasizing to Israel that God would still bring to pass His promises to them, but would have to use different means of doing it than would be necessary if they would fulfill His righteous requirements. Sixteen of these prophets left writings concerning the coming king and kingdom.

2. When will the kingdom be set up?

A. At the return of the King of Glory, Mt. 25:31-46; Isa. 9:6,7; Dan. 2:44,45; 7:13,14; 8:18-22; Zech. 14; 2 Thess. 1:7; Jude 14; Rev. 17:14; 19:11-20:7.

B. After the Church is raptured (1 Cor. 15:51-58; 1 Thess. 4:13-17), for the Church comes back with Christ to help Him set up the kingdom and reign over the nations, Zech. 14:1-5; Jude 14; Rev. 1:4,5; 5:10; 17:14; 19:11-21. It is not until after the days of the Church that Christ comes to build again in the house of David, Acts 15:13-18; Isa. 9:6,7; 11:11; Hos. 3:4,5; Lk. 1:32-35. The Church is raptured before the Antichrist is revealed (2 Thess. 2:7,8), and Antichrist is revealed before Christ comes (2 Thess. 2:1-6), so the kingdom cannot be set up until these events take place.

C. At the time Ezekiel's temple is built, Ezek. 40:1-43:7. The reign of Christ will be set up in Jerusalem in Ezekiel's temple; therefore, the kingdom cannot be set up in the temple until it is built, Isa. 9:6,7; 52:1-8; 62:6-14; Ezek. 36:24-36; 41:1, etc.

According to these facts and others, the kingdom is yet future – after all the above events. 

The Test, Psm. 2; Rev. 5:10; 11:15; 20:1-10

The test of man in this dispensation will be to obey the laws of the divine government, obey Christ and the glorified saints, and to mold one's character in harmony with God by the Holy Spirit and the power of the gospel.

The Purpose of God in This Dispensation

To put down all rebellion and all enemies under the feet of Christ, so that God may be all and all as before rebellion, 1 Cor. 15:24-28; Heb. 2:7-9; Eph. 1:10.

To fulfill the everlasting covenants made with Abraham (Gen. 12,13, 15, 17); Isaac (Gen. 26); Jacob (Gen. 28:13); David (2 Sam. 7).

To vindicate and avenge Christ and His saints, Mt. 26:63-66; Rom. 12:19; Psm. 2; Isa.63; Rev. 1:7; 6:9-11; 19:1-10; 1 Pet. 1:10,11; 2 Tim. 4:7,8; Rom. 8:17-21.

To restore Israel and deliver them from the nations and make them the head of all nations forever, Acts 15:13-17; Mt. 24:31; Isa. 11:11; Ezek. 20:33-44; 38,39; Deut. 28.

To exalt the saints of all ages in some kingly or priestly capacity according to the promises and according to their works, Rom. 8:17-21; 14:10,11; 2 Cor. 5:10; Phil. 3:20-21.

To gather together in “one” all things in Christ which are in heaven and in earth (Eph. 1:10), and restore all things as before rebellion, Acts 3:20,21; 1 Cor. 15:24-28.

To judge the nations in righteousness and restore the earth to its rightful owners, Isa. 2:2-4; 11:1-11; Mt. 25:31-46; Dan. 7:9-27; 1 Cor. 6.

To restore a righteous and eternal government on earth as originally planned, Isa. 9:6,7; 11:1-9; 42:1-5; Dan. 2:44,45; 7:13-27; Lk. 1:32-35; Rev. 11:15; 19:11-16; 20:4-6.

To fulfill the scores of prophecies concerning the reign of the Messiah, Dan. 9:24; Acts 3:20,21; 1 Pet. 1:10-13. 

The Means of Accomplishing This Purpose

God will send His Son Jesus Christ with the mighty angels and all the resurrected and glorified saints from heaven to put down all rebellion on the earth, bring all rebels into judgment and complete the dispensational dealings of God with men, so that all the curse may be removed and the kingdom of God become established permanently over the earth as in the beginning, Mt. 24:29-31; 25:31-46; 2 Thess. 1:7-10; Rev. 19:11-21; 20:1-10.