The Millennium

Before the Millennium, vv. 1-5

A. The Unholy Trinity

1. The Beast and False Prophet are cast into hell.
2. Satan is imprisoned in the bottomless pit; his final judgment is yet to come.

B. The First Resurrection to Life, John 5:24-29

1. The Church is already resurrected before the Tribulation.
2. Old Testament and Tribulation Saints are resurrected, see Daniel 12:1-3.
3. The Saved are all raised (at different times) in the First Resurrection.
4. The Lost are raised at the 2nd Resurrection. 1000 years separate the First and the Second Resurrections.

C. The Judgment of Living Gentiles before the Millennium Begins, Matthew 25:31-46.

During the Millennium, v. 6

A. The Millennial Government

1. King Jesus rules with a rod of iron, permitting no injustice or sin.
2. The Saints will rule with Christ, Matthew 19:28.
3. The Capitol will be Jerusalem.

B. Living Conditions in the Millennium.

1. Peace on earth among men and animals, Isaiah 11:7-9; 54:13-14.
2. Humans on earth still have a sin nature.
3. Long life

C. The Purpose of the Millennium.

1. Mankind is still sinful, even in a perfect society.
2. At the end of the Millennium, Satan will be able to muster an army of rebels against God.
3. If people are not changed by the grace of God, nothing will change them.

After the Millennium, vv. 7-15

A. The Final Battle, vv. 7-10

1. The Rebellion
   • Satan released from the bottomless pit.
   • The Beast and False Prophet remain in hell. There is no way to escape hell.
   • Satan recruits Millennial men to rebel.
   • They attack the Millennial Jerusalem.
2. The Defeat of the Rebellion
   • Fire from heaven devours the rebel army.
   • Satan is captured and consigned to the Lake of Fire forever.

B. The Final Judgment, vv. 11-15

1. The Great White Throne Judgment
   • Great because all sinners of all history will stand before it.
   • White because of the unchanging holiness of God.
   • Heaven and earth flee away; there is no place to hide from judgment.
2. The Judge–>Jesus, see John 5:22-23.
   • Today, He is the Savior of the world.
   • On that Day, He is the Judge of the world.

C. The Second Resurrection–all lost sinners

D. The Books Are Opened.

1. The Bible (John 12:48): The exact Word that sinners hear and reject today will judge them on that Day.
2. The Book of Life: no record of their name there, and the soul is cast into the Lake of Fire.
3. The Book of Deeds: God keeps a record of their deeds and punishes each one justly.
4. The condemned stand speechless before Christ, see Romans 3:19.

Conclusion

Satan and sin have been judged; human rebellion has been put down; now God can usher in the New Heaven and the New Earth–eternal bliss for the people of God!

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