Study #24

The closing chapters of the book of Revelation describe the final events of this worlds history and the plan of redemption. One of the events it records is the 1,000 years that is commonly known as the Millennium. The word millennium comes from two Latin words joined together — mil,meaning one thousand, and annum, meaning year.
Unfortunately, there is much confusion in the Christian church regarding this doctrine of the Millennium. The only way we can clearly understand the true meaning and purpose of this doctrine is to examine it in the light or context of the Day of Atonement, when the whole universe will be made “at-one-ment” with God.
The purpose of the Millennium is part and parcel of the objectives of the Day of Atonement, which is to eradicate sin and usher in everlasting righteousness. God cannot bring sin to an end, He cannot usher in everlasting righteousness, until all doubt about Him and His dealing with the sin problem is removed.
It is only when the entire universe, including the devil and his angels, as well as the lost, admits to God that “just and true are your ways.” Finally, at the end of the Millennium, when Satan, his angels, and the wicked are judged, they too will confess to God, “just and true are your ways.”
Then, and then only, will God destroy Satan, the originator of sin, the wicked angels who have joined him in the rebellion, and the unbelievers (those who have deliberately, persistently, and ultimately rejected the gift of salvation in Christ.
In this study we will turn our attention to the thousand years, the doctrine of the Millennium, when God will remove all doubt from the minds of the saints about Himself and His dealings with the sin problem.

1. What are the two kinds of resurrections that Jesus taught?

Note: The Bible speaks of two resurrections. The first is the resurrection of the believers, all those who have accepted Christ as their Saviour. The second resurrection is that of the lost, those who have deliberately and ultimately rejected Christ. The “time” between these two resurrections is the millennium.

2. When will the resurrection of the believers take place?

1 Thessalonians 4:16 __________________________________________________

Note: The resurrection of the righteous will take place at the second coming of Christ. This is the first resurrection, the blessed hope of all believers. This is when the thousand years, or millennium, begins.

3. What will happen to the believers at the second coming of Christ?

1 Thessalonians 4:17 __________________________________________________

Note: The last generation of Christians, those who go through the time of trouble, will not experience death but will experience a change.

4. What change will take place to the believers in the resurrection?

1 Corinthians 15:51-53 __________________________________________________

Note: Until the second advent, Christians will still have sinful natures and mortal bodies. Immortality as a subjective experience will not be a reality for the saints until the second coming of Christ. This is the blessed hope.

5. Where will Jesus take the believers after they are resurrected?

John 14:1-3 __________________________________________________

6. What promise was made to the disciples who saw Christ’s ascension?

Acts:1:10, 11 __________________________________________________

Note: When Jesus ascended into heaven after His resurrection, He went to prepare a place for the believers. At His second coming, He will come to take them to His heavenly home. This is the promise He made to His disciples and to all who believe.

7. How many who are alive will witness Christ’s second coming?

Revelation 1:7 __________________________________________________

Note: Besides the living, God will raise those who crucified Christ in a special resurrection, just before the second advent. This is to fulfill what Christ promised them at His trial (see Matthew 26:64).

8. What will happen to the wicked at the second coming of Christ?

2 Thessalonians 2:8 __________________________________________________

Note: God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29); therefore, when Christ comes in His divine glory, all those who have accepted the deceptions of Satan and rejected the gift of salvation in Christ will be destroyed in the presence of that brightness.

9. What serious question did Jesus ask of those who reject Him?

Matthew 16:26 __________________________________________________

Note: When the wicked face death at the second coming of Christ, they will realize what they have given up for the pleasures of sin. But it will be too late!

10. What condition will this earth be reduced to after the second advent?

Jeremiah 4:23 __________________________________________________

Note: This was the condition of the earth before creation week began (see Genesis 1:2).

11. What will happen to the vegetation and the cities when Jesus returns?

Jeremiah 4:26 __________________________________________________

12. Describe the condition of the lost after the righteous are taken to heaven?

Jeremiah 25:33 __________________________________________________

13. What will God do to Satan at that time?

Revelation 20:1,2 __________________________________________________

Note: The “bottomless pit” means that the earth will once again be “without form and void.” Out of this formless and lifeless earth did God create a perfect world. When Satan introduced sin to our planet it meant doom to that perfect creation. Satan will have a thousand years to ponder over and think about what sin has done to this earth.

14. What will happen to Satan after the thousand years are over?

Revelation 20:3 (last part) __________________________________________________

Note: At the end of the Millennium, the wicked will be raised up. This is the second resurrection. At this time Satan will take advantage to deceive them again (see verses 7,8).

15. What will Satan and the wicked do at this time and what will happen to them?

Revelation 20:9 __________________________________________________

Note: When Satan uses the wicked to attack God and the saints, it clearly proves that the thousand years did not produce any repentance or change in his attitude towards God. He and those who have joined him deserve to be destroyed. This is the final end of Satan, the wicked angels, and the lost (see verse 14).

16. What will the saints be doing in heaven during the thousand years?

Revelation 20:6 __________________________________________________

Note: Reigning with Christ involves investigating the lives of the lost. This is what it means to be “priests of God and of Christ.”

17. How does Paul describe reigning with Christ during the Millennium?

1 Corinthians 6:2 __________________________________________________

Note: During the thousand years, all the questions concerning God’s dealing with the sin problem will be answered and the saints will be satisfied that God was just.

18. Before the judgment takes place what blame does God assume?

Isaiah 45:7 __________________________________________________

Note: Because God is sovereign, nothing can happen without His permission. For this reason, He assumes all the blame for the havoc and atrocities that sin has produced in this world. It is only after the thousand years, when all will have had the opportunity to examine God’s dealings with the sin problem, that all His creatures will confess “just and true are your ways.”

19. On whom will God ultimately place the blame for the sin problem?

Leviticus 16:20-22 __________________________________________________

Note: The goat in this verse represents Satan, the originator of the sin problem. After God has vindicated Himself on the Day of Atonement, He will put the blame for the havoc that sin has produced where it really belongs, on Satan.

20. How will the righteous finally respond to God’s judgments?

Revelation 16:7 __________________________________________________

Note: The whole purpose of the Millennium is to clear all doubt from the minds of the righteous regarding God and His dealings with sin. It is only when this is done that He can put the real blame for the sin problem where it belongs, i.e., on Satan. Only then can Christ usher in everlasting righteousness.

21. Will heaven be the permanent home for the saved?

Revelation 21:1-3 __________________________________________________

Note: At the end of the Millennium, Christ and all the saints dwelling in New Jerusalem will return back to earth. This is when Satan and the wicked will be destroyed. Following this, Christ will create a new heaven and a new earth which will be the permanent home of the saved. Please bear in mind that the final restoration of a perfect universe without sin will become reality because of the wonderful truth that God loved us so much that He willingly gave of Himself by sacrificing His only Son, Jesus Christ, to be the Saviour of the world. This salvation is not limited to only the human beings who were held in the bondage of sin but also involves the absolute re-creation of the eternal home of the redeemed, the earth made new. This will be the topic of our next study.