1 Corinthians 15
A. Christ reign with all saints.
B. Christ reigns on David's throne.
C. Reign began on Pentecost - Acts 2:30-35
D. Reign continued until last enemy is destroyed.
V. What About The "Rapture"?
A. Examination of 1 Thess. 4:13-18.
1. Christians were concerned about dead brethren.
2. Nothing said about a "rapture" in these verses.
3. Some think because verse 16 says "first" there is of necessity a second
resurrection but this is not so.
4. The nearest to a second resurrection is those who are living and will be
"caught up".
5. Teaching about the rapture is:
a. Said to be the silent and sudden coming of Christ
b. For the purpose of taking away the Christians.
c. After rapture, there will follow 7 years of great tribulation
d. After tribulation Christ will come again (second phase).
e. Christ will punish the wicked and establish his kingdom on earth
for 1000 years.
6. Many variations of this teaching.
7. If some of these things sound familiar, you have no doubt heard people
talking about the rapture.
B. Wrong With This Theory?
1. Christ will come the second time. Heb. 9:27,28
a. He came the first time to offer Himself for sins..
b. He will come the second time to execute judgement.
2. Christ's second coming will be unannounced 2 Pet. 3:10
a. But it will be a visible coming. Acts 1:11
b. And there will be a lot of noise associated with it. 1 Thess. 4:16
c. He will bring everything to an end. 2 Pet. 3:10
C. Important Events That Will Take Place At His Second Coming.
1. All the dead will raise. Jn 5:28,299
a. Rapture says just the dead saints will rapture and 7 years later
the wicked
b. Yet, Jesus says, In "that HOUR"!
2. It will occur on "last day"'. Jn 6:40,44,54.
a. How is it possible to get 7 years in the "last day" and "that hour"?
3. All will be changed 1 Cor. 15:51,52
4. Meet Jesus in the air. 1 Thess. 4:16
a. Some say Jesus is coming back to earth but Scriptures say closest
Christ will come to this earth is '"in the air".
5. Judgment will take place. Heb. 9:27; 2 Cor. 5:10
a. As we are in death, so will we be in judgment.
6. Heaven and earth will "pass away". 2 Pet. 3:12
a. Many folks are building and laying up things on this earth.
b. They will not last.
7. Will bring end to Christ's kingdom. 1 Cor. 15:24,25.
a. When will death be destroyed?
(1) Ans.: When everyone is resurrected
b. Rapture theory says just opposite.
(1) They say Christ is going to set up his kingdom.
8. Saints will be gloried Col. 3:4
9. Wicked will be damned. Phil. 3:21; 2 Thess. 2:7-12
H. The word "rapture" can be rightfully used as in some of our songs.
1. Other definitions for the word are:
a. "The state of being carried away with joy, love, etc.; ecstasy."
b. "An expression of great joy, pleasure, etc."
I. Bible does not teach a rapture with all the particulars that go with it.
1. Christ's return will not be a silent return.
2. Nor will it have two or more resurrections.
3. There will be no 1000 year reign of Christ on earth.
Conclusion:
A. The Devil is pictured throughout Scripture as one who makes war against God,
Christ, and the Lord's people, whether the children of Israel in the Old
Testament or Christians in John's day.
B. Although he is constantly at war, he can never be victorious over God's people as
long as they remain true and faithful to keep God's commandments.
C. When defeated, he may stop or slow down for a while but rest assured he will be
back up to steam before long. (Luke 4:13; Rev. 20:3)
D. Though he always loses the war, he wins many battles and takes many casualties.
1. This has to be what keeps him going.
2. As in our day and age, he can't win the war but he will win many battles
by taking many souls with him to that lake of fire and brimstone.
E. The book of Revelation stands to assure us that if we are "faithful unto death",
we will be given a "crown of life" (2:10). If we "do His commandments", we can
have the "right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the
city." (22:14).
F. Let us determine not to be a casualty in this war but, instead, "fight the good
fight of faith" that we may "lay hold on eternal life". (1 Timothy 6:11)
G. To accept any tenet of this false theory will only make us one of those casualties!
I. What Is "Pre-millennialism"?
A. There are actually two doctrines pertaining to "millennialism":
1. "Pre-millennialism"- theory that the second coming of Christ will occur
before (pre-) the thousand years begins. Upon His return, Christ will
establish His kingdom and begin the millennial reign.
2. "Post-millennialism" - theory that there will be a thousand year period
on earth; but coming of Christ will not occur till after (post) the
millennium.
B. "Premillennialism" is most popular; thus we will focus this study on it. It
teaches:
1. Kingdom of Old Testament prophesy (Daniel 2:44) has not yet happened.
2. This kingdom, though announced by John and Jesus, has never yet
appeared; it was postponed because the Jews rejected Christ.
3. In consequence of their rejection, Jesus stopped the divine plan and
introduced what is called the "church age". Jesus went back to heaven to
return again and establish His kingdom.
4. Jesus is King by right only; not in fact or act.
5. Pagan Rome must return to existence to fulfill "the days of these kings"
in Dan. 2:44.
6. Jews must be restored as a nation and return to Palestine in order for
Jesus to be a king in fact and act instead of just a "crowned prince"
waiting at God's right hand to become king.
7. Temple of Solomon must be rebuilt.
8. When 6 and 7 happen, Jesus will then leave the throne of God, "rapture"
the resurrected saints, and take them back to heaven with Him for a time.
9. The interval of time between the "Rapture" and His coming back to earth
to set up His kingdom will be seven years. This they call "The
Tribulation".
10. Afterwards, He will return with them to earth where He will occupy
David's throne in Jerusalem and reign on earth.
11. After He reigns for a thousand years, Satan will muster his forces once
more for a final battle; The Battle Of Armageddon. Satan will be defeated
in physical battle with Christ and His saints. Then Christ will take the
saints to heaven to stay.
II. Is Pre-millennialism Found In Revelation 20?
A. Revelation 20 is a "hot bed" for all types of ideas and beliefs:
1. Thousand year reign of Christ on earth.
2. The Rapture.
3. The Battle Of Armageddon.
4. More than one resurrection at Christ's return, etc.
B. If there is ever a verse quoted from the book of Revelation in support of
pre-millennialism, chances are it will be from chapter 20.
C. Things we need to remember about the book of Revelation:
1. It uses signs and symbols to reveal its message.
a. The reason for this is John wrote during troublesome times. The
personal safety of both the writer and reader were in danger if
the enemy understood the true meaning of the book.
2. Revelation CONCEALS and REVEALS: Conceals the message from
the enemy and reveals the message to the people of God.
3. Other examples of this style of writing is Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and
Joel.
4. No interpretation of Revelation is correct if it is meaningless and
fails to bring practical help and comfort to the Christian's of John's day.
5. Symbols are qualities, ideas, and principles represented by things
concrete. It is a language with a double meaning.
6. The proper way to understand symbols is like that of understanding
parables: find the main point and let the details fit in the most natural way.
7. The main point of Revelation is: Despite persecution and oppression,
whatever it's source, if we will remain true and faithful to the Lord,
the victory will ultimately be ours through Christ. "Worthy is the
Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and
strength, and honor, and glory, and blessing." (Rev. 5:12)
III. A look at the context in which Revelation 20 is found.
A. In chapter 17 John describes Babylon and in chapter 18 John tells of her fall.
1. What Babylon was to fleshly Israel, Rome was to the Christians of John's day.
2. What Jabin and Sisera was to fleshly Israel, the beast and false
prophet were to the Christians of John's day. Judges 4.
B. In chapter 19 there is rejoicing in Heaven and God is praised for His judgment
upon Babylon. Vrs. 1-10.
1. Christ is presented as the Victorious Warrior. Vrs. 11-21.
2. Beasts and false prophet are cast into the lake of fire.V.20.
IV. Examination Of Revelation 20.
A. Satan is bound and overthrown.
1. Angel comes from heaven with key of bottomless pit and bounds Satan for
1000 years. Vrs. 1,2.
2. Angel cast Satan into the bottomless pit, shut him up, and set a seal
upon him. V. 3.
3. Satan bound so he can deceive the nations no more, till 1000 years
fulfilled.
a. Much of the symbolism of Revelation is found in its use of
numbers:
Number 1: Stands for lonliness but also for unity or
uniqueness or independence.
Number 2: Stands for strength, confirmation.
Jesus sent His disciples out by twos. Mk. 6:7
Two witnesses confirmed truth. Mt. 18:16
Truth of God confirmed by two witnesses. Rev. 11:3-12
Two beasts supported one another against righteousness. Rev. 13
Number 3: Stands for Divinity, Diety. (Complete divine
number)
Number 4: Is the cosmic number: 4 winds, 4 walls, 4
directions, four beasts. Rev. 4
four horsemen. Rev. 6
four angels and four winds. Rev. 7:1
Number 5: Stands for human completeness. (5 fingers, 5
toes)
Double 5 and you have 10.
The whole duty of man was summed up in "10 commandments"
Complete power in government represented by beasts with 10 horns.
As a multiple 10 occurs in many higher numbers in Revelation.
"70" - a very sacred number, "1000"- the ultimate completeness.
Number 7: Take the perfect divine number (3) and add it to
the perfect cosmic number (4) and you have 7, the most sacred
number to the Hebrews.
Seven represented completeness through union of earth and heaven-
seven Spirits Rev. 1:7; seven churches 1:7; seven golden
candlesticks 1:20, seven stars 1:20.
The sacred number 7 multiplied by the complete number 10 gives
the very sacred number 70.
Jesus sent out seventy. Lk. 10
Jesus told disciples to forgive his brother till seventy times
seven. Mt. 18:22
Number 12: Multiply 3 and 4 you get 12, the symbol of
organized religion in the world. 12 tribes, 12 apostles, 12 gates
to the holy city (Rev. 21:21)
This number was reduplicated to 144,000 to picture the security
of the perfect number sealed from the wrath of God. (Rev. 7)
Number 3 1/2: Divide the sacred number (7) in half results
in 3 1/2, the imperfect number. It represented restless longings
not yet fulfilled, something indefinite, the incomplete, or the
dissatisfied.
"Time, times, and half time", "forty-two months", "1,260 days"
all have the same meaning: Two witnesses preaches 1,260 days
(Rev. 11:3), the court of the Temple was trampled by the ungodly
"forty and two months" (Rev. 11:2), the church was in the
wilderness for a "time, times, and half times" (Rev. 12:14)
Number 6: As 7 was the perfect sacred number, 6 fell short
of it.
6 was to the Jews what 13 is to us today: An Evil Number.
Thus 666 would be the ultimate in evil. (Rev. 13:18).
b. Thus, Satan's being bound is showing how he is restrained from
deceiving the nations into their continuing to worship emperor
(Beast of Rev. 13). This "binding" of Satan results when God's
judgment is exercised over the affairs of men.
4. After 1000 years he is loosed a little season. V. 3,7.
a. Goes out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the
earth-Gog and Magog. V. 8
b. Gathers nations together to battle. Number as the sand of the
sea. V.8.
c. Attacks camp of the saints and the beloved city. Fire comes from
heaven and devours them. V. 9.
5. Devil cast into lake of fire and brimstone where beasts and false
prophets are to be tormented day and night forever. V.10.
B. Revelation 20 is similar to Ezekiel 37-39:6.
1. In Ezekiel 37 we have the restoration of Israel out of Babylonian
captivity compared to the resurrection of a valley of dry bones.
2. However, neither passage is talking about a bodily resurrection. It is
symbolical:
a. As God resurrected Israel from the captivity of Babylon, He would
resurrect the martyred saints who had been killed by the beast.
3. Rev. 20: 4-6 does not teach more than one resurrection when Christ
returns.
a. 1 Thessalonians 3:13 - "To the end he may establish your
hearts unblamable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the
coming of the Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints."
(1) While the millennialists teach Christ is coming "for his
saints", this teaches He will come "with all his saints".
(2) Thus, Paul has Christ coming seven years too early to fit
the millennial doctrine.
b. 1 Thessalonians 4:14 - "For if we believe that Jesus died and
rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring
with him."
(1) When the Lord comes, He will "bring with them" those
"which sleep".
(2) This passage is also totally opposite to millennial
teaching.
c. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10
(1) He will recompense tribulation "to them that trouble
you"-the wicked.
(2) He will recompense rest to those "who are troubled"-the
righteous.
(3) He will take vengeance on them that refuse to know God
and reject the gospel of Christ.
(4) He will punish all cases of disobedient described with
everlasting punishment from His presence.
(5) He will reward all who are worthy of the calling with His
own glory.
(a) What we have in these passages is judgment 1000
years too early.
(b) These passages puts the judgment of the wicked
and the reward of the righteous at the same time.
(6) There is no time for the rapture nor two resurrections
and two comings as the rapture doctrine teaches.
d. Acts 23:6; 24:15
(1) Paul only speaks of the "resurrection" in the singular.
(2) There is but one resurrection and it is of "the dead"-
all the dead!
(3) There is to be no play made of the phrase "of the dead"
and "from the dead" because Jesus is called the
"firstborn from the dead" in Colossians 1:18 and the
"firstborn of the dead" in Revelation 1:5.
(a) Paul did not hope to be in two resurrections: one
FROM the dead and the other OF the dead.
(b) Neither is Christ the firstborn of two resurrections.
(4) Also, note Matthew 22:30,31 and the parallel account in
Luke 20:35.
(a) The same event, the same people being spoken to,
the same resurrection, yet Matthew says "of the
dead" and Luke says, "from the dead".
4. Gog of the land of Magog were ancient enemies of God's people. (38:17).
5. Thus, the Holy Spirit could have no better way to describe enemies
against Christians than to describe them as "Gog and Magog" in Rev. 20:8.
6. No sooner than Satan is "bound" by defeat until he is "loosed" to begin
his work of deceiving agaian. No sooner is Satan defeated than he is out
again to "make war" against God's people. It was true in Old Testament
times and it continues to be true of Christians in the past as well as present.
7. This will continue to be so until the final and ultimate destruction of
the Devil in "the lake of fire and brimstone". V. 10; Matthew 25:41.
REVELATION 20
I. This chapter says nothing about:
I. Christ setting up a kingdom.
II. Christ reigning on earth a thousand years. (Does not mention "reign of Christ"
but "reign of souls with Christ".
III. A rapture.
IV. A bodily resurrection.
V. All Christians reigning.
VI. Second coming of Christ.
VII. Throne of David, or any other throne of earth.
VIII. Jerusalem or Palestine.
IX. Us.
2. The Reigns Of Revelation 20 and 1 Corinthians 15 Contrasted:
Revelation 20
A. Christ reigns with beheaded souls.
B. Christ reigns where souls are.
C. Reign began when souls were beheaded and Satan was bound.
D. Reign continued until Satan loose out of prison for little season.
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