The Signs of the Times (49): Thousand

‘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 about Jesus and because of the Word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended)’
Revelation 20:4-6

‘Thousand years’ is mentioned six times in this chapter. It indicates a specific period and we can see no reason to not take this number literally, even though others have said that a thousand could stand for 10x10x10, ten to the third power. In that case the number ten would represent fullness, and the number three would represent the Trinity. It would mean that God would reign fully, without it having to be a literal thousand years.

We fail to see how people can say that the devil has already been bound. The past two thousand years of world history (and Church History!) clearly show the contrary.

Time and again the nations have been deceived to war, to even two world wars in the 20^thcentury. The Church and Christianity have not always been a good representation of the government of Christ. The ‘heretics’ have been persecuted terribly, the Jews have been treated horribly, and the Church has contributed to colonialism and slavery, even though there have been many good things done by the Church and Christians as well. The devil and the powers of darkness are still alive and kicking!

No, the devil is yet to be bound, and he will be bound! Real world peace won’t come until the Prince of Peace has come. Then the martyrs will rise from the dead to reign with Him, no matter how hard it is to imagine this. Bodily resurrection. But that’s what it says in Scripture, so that’s how it shall be.

How wonderful for the souls under the altar (Revelation 6:9-11), who once were slain because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus! How wonderful for the people who said ‘no’ to the civilization of the anti-Christ, and consequently became dropouts. Many of whom could not save their lives, for they did not participate in this end-times’ civilisation ‘Babylon’. But one-day they will sit on thrones, judge with Christ and rule with Him. That’s what Christ has promised to the ones who are victorious. (Revelation 2:26-27, 3:21)

Daniel 7 speaks about thrones as well and about how the kingship, the power and the greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be given to the nation of the saints of the Most High. Many recognize that the people of Israel will play a central role in the government of Christ, also because according to Isaiah 2:2-4 the law will go out from Jerusalem and peace will cover the whole earth.

Then (representatives of) the nations will go up to Jerusalem every year to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles (Zechariah 14:16-21). Nothing is said about how the resurrected saints of the first resurrection, will relate to those living on earth. Only speculations can be made. We’ll find out when the time comes!

Christ appeared on earth after His resurrection and spoke with His friends and ate and drank with them. For 40 days He went back and forth between there and here. In the Bible sometimes angels – celestial beings – also appear visibly on earth, coming from the other dimensions that surround us. Crossing over. How that will be in the future we will find out! What’s more important: will you be a part of it? If you know Christ and trust God, you are heading fora incredibly wonderful and glorious future!