September 8, 202

     Here is the event for which all of the various theories regarding the end times get their name. Premillennialists are so named because of their belief that Christ will return to earth before his thousand year reign or “millennium.” The key passage is Revelation 20:1-6 Christ is said to reign with some of the dead for 1000 years. To the premillennialist this will be Christ ruling in Jerusalem during a time of peace and prosperity, when everyone will be good and right and the world will be a beautiful place.

     We know from Jn 18:36 that Jesus never intended an earthly kingdom. But let’s focus a little on Revelation 20. First, Revelation is a figurative book (Rev 1:1). Further, the images used in these verses are clearly figurative. Can a pit literally have no bottom? 1000 is simply a number indicating a large but definite period of time. We will use the number this way today when we say “If I’ve told you once I’ve told you a thousand times.” Wayne Jackson points out that a number of key things are missing from Revelation 20 that we would expect to find his comments on these verses are especially helpful:

Significant Omissions

Nothing is said of: Christ’s second coming, the establishment of a kingdom, an earthly regime, a bodily reining, the throne of David of the Jews being regathered to Palestine. 

     It makes more sense to understand that in the context of Revelation we are seeing the reversal of the oppression and persecution that Christians were experiencing. Those martyred from chapter 6:9-11 are now reigning. 

     We know that Jesus is seated at the right hand of the throne of God Mrk 16:19; Rom 8:34; Heb 1:3; 1Pet 3:22. These verses and others would indicate that the reign of Christ is now and those who accept and respond to the gospel experience that reign in their lives.

     The question we must ask ourselves is given what we know about Jesus work, position and intersession are we willing to give him the rightful trust and submission that he has earned? 

     As he has told us “I stand at the door and knock if anyone should hear my voice and open the door then I will come in to him and will dine with him and he with me.” Jesus doesn’t barge in a take-over we must invite him. 

     My prayer is that we accept Jesus reign in our hearts and in our churches. 

~ Kevin Cleary