Reading
Revelation 19:1-20:15
Truth for Today
All attempts to equate this glorious reign of Christ over the whole earth with any past event or with the church is utterly foreign and contradictory to the clear eschatological teaching of Scripture. There is no way this text can be fulfilled except by the universal reign of Jesus Christ over the whole earth - as the prophets had for so long predicted.
Reflecting on the Text
1. How does this glorious picture of Jesus' returning and making all things right encourage you? Do you still have questions about Christ's coming reign on earth? If so, write them out here.
2. Which millennialist view of Christ's thousand-year reign do you support? Why?
3. What hopes and fears do the truths of these two chapters bring to the surface in your own soul?
4. Ask God for the opportunity this week to share the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ with someone for whom you have prayed (parent, sibling, friend, coworker, etc.).
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Christ and His Kingdom - Part 5 - Devo for 04/17/2009
Reading
Revelation 19:1-20:15
Going Deeper
The prophet Micah foresaw the time when God would reign over all. Read Micah 4:1-8.
Exploring the Meaning
1. How does the prophet Micah describe the coming Millennium time of peace?
2. What will draw people to God's mountain?
3. Read 2 Samuel 7:12-16. What promise did King David receive? How is it fulfilled in Jesus? Why is the premillennialist view necessary for the fulfillment of this prophecy?
Revelation 19:1-20:15
Going Deeper
The prophet Micah foresaw the time when God would reign over all. Read Micah 4:1-8.
Exploring the Meaning
1. How does the prophet Micah describe the coming Millennium time of peace?
2. What will draw people to God's mountain?
3. Read 2 Samuel 7:12-16. What promise did King David receive? How is it fulfilled in Jesus? Why is the premillennialist view necessary for the fulfillment of this prophecy?
Christ and His Kingdom - Part 4 - Devo for 04/16/2009
Reading
Revelation 19:1-20:15
Questions
1. How is the Second Coming of Christ described by John in chapter 19?
(Verses to consider: Matthew 24:27-31; Acts 1:9-11; 17:31)
2. Compare and contrast the judgment of Satan with the reward of the faithful witnesses during the thousand years. What will God do (20:1-6)?
3. Describe what will happen at the Great White Throne judgment. Who will be judged, and how?
(Verses to consider: Matthew 11:20-24; John 5:22-29; 12:48; Acts 17:31; Romans 2:5, 16; Hebrews 9:27; 2 Peter 2:9; 3:7; Jude 6)
Revelation 19:1-20:15
Questions
1. How is the Second Coming of Christ described by John in chapter 19?
(Verses to consider: Matthew 24:27-31; Acts 1:9-11; 17:31)
2. Compare and contrast the judgment of Satan with the reward of the faithful witnesses during the thousand years. What will God do (20:1-6)?
3. Describe what will happen at the Great White Throne judgment. Who will be judged, and how?
(Verses to consider: Matthew 11:20-24; John 5:22-29; 12:48; Acts 17:31; Romans 2:5, 16; Hebrews 9:27; 2 Peter 2:9; 3:7; Jude 6)
Christ and His Kingdom - Part 3 - Devo for 04/15/2009
Reading
Revelation 19:1-20:15
Questions
1. What reasons are given for heaven's rejoicing in 19:1-5?
2. Why would the redeemed of heaven be glad for God's judgment?
(Verses to consider: Isaiah 9:7; Jeremiah 23:5; Revelation 16:7)
3. What is "the marriage of the Lamb"?
(Verses to consider: John 14:1-3; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:4; 5:22-24)
Revelation 19:1-20:15
Questions
1. What reasons are given for heaven's rejoicing in 19:1-5?
2. Why would the redeemed of heaven be glad for God's judgment?
(Verses to consider: Isaiah 9:7; Jeremiah 23:5; Revelation 16:7)
3. What is "the marriage of the Lamb"?
(Verses to consider: John 14:1-3; 2 Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 1:4; 5:22-24)
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Christ and His Kingdom - Part 2 - Devo for 04/14/2009
Reading
Revelation 19:1-20:15
Keys to the Text
The Millennium: This is the thousand-year reign of Christ over the earth (20:2-7). There are three main views regarding the duration and nature of this period:
(1) Premillennialism says Christ will return before the thousand-year reign and sees this as a literal thousand-year period during which Jesus Christ reigns on the earth, in fulfillment of numerous Old Testament prophecies (for example, Psalm 2; Isaiah 11:6-12; 24:23; Hosea 3:4-5; Joel 3:9-21; Amos 9:8-15; and Zechariah 14:1-11). Premillennialism says that Christ will return after the events of the Great Tribulation but before the final judgments and the establishment of the new heavens and new earth. Using the same general principles of interpretation for both prophetic and non-prophetic passages leads most naturally to premillennialism. Another strong argument supporting this view is that many biblical prophecies have already been literally fulfilled, suggesting the future prophecies will likewise be fulfilled literally.
(2) Postmillennialism says Christ will return after the thousand years and understands the reference to a thousand-year period as only symbolic of a golden age of righteousness and spiritual prosperity. It will be ushered in by the spread of the gospel during the present church age and brought to completion when Christ returns. According to this view, references to Christ's reign on earth primarily describe His spiritual reign in the hearts of believers in the church. Postmillennialism essentially teaches that the church, by preaching the gospel, will "Christianize" the world and usher in a worldwide era of peace commonly called the "millennium." Following this Golden Age, Christ will return and eternity will begin.
(3) Amillennialism understands the thousand years to be merely symbolic of a long period of time. This view interprets Old Testament prophecies of a millennium as being fulfilled spiritually now in the church (either on earth or in heaven) or as references to the eternal state. But, using the literal, historical, grammatical principles of interpretation so as to determine the normal sense of language, one is left with the inescapble conclusion that Christ will return and reign in a real kingdom on earth for a thousand years. There is nothing in the text to render the conclusion that "a thousand years" is symbolic. Never in Scripture when "year" is used with a number is its meaning not literal.
1. Why is it so important to interpret all of Scripture by the same method?
2. List different beliefs about end time events that stem from each of these views.
Revelation 19:1-20:15
Keys to the Text
The Millennium: This is the thousand-year reign of Christ over the earth (20:2-7). There are three main views regarding the duration and nature of this period:
(1) Premillennialism says Christ will return before the thousand-year reign and sees this as a literal thousand-year period during which Jesus Christ reigns on the earth, in fulfillment of numerous Old Testament prophecies (for example, Psalm 2; Isaiah 11:6-12; 24:23; Hosea 3:4-5; Joel 3:9-21; Amos 9:8-15; and Zechariah 14:1-11). Premillennialism says that Christ will return after the events of the Great Tribulation but before the final judgments and the establishment of the new heavens and new earth. Using the same general principles of interpretation for both prophetic and non-prophetic passages leads most naturally to premillennialism. Another strong argument supporting this view is that many biblical prophecies have already been literally fulfilled, suggesting the future prophecies will likewise be fulfilled literally.
(2) Postmillennialism says Christ will return after the thousand years and understands the reference to a thousand-year period as only symbolic of a golden age of righteousness and spiritual prosperity. It will be ushered in by the spread of the gospel during the present church age and brought to completion when Christ returns. According to this view, references to Christ's reign on earth primarily describe His spiritual reign in the hearts of believers in the church. Postmillennialism essentially teaches that the church, by preaching the gospel, will "Christianize" the world and usher in a worldwide era of peace commonly called the "millennium." Following this Golden Age, Christ will return and eternity will begin.
(3) Amillennialism understands the thousand years to be merely symbolic of a long period of time. This view interprets Old Testament prophecies of a millennium as being fulfilled spiritually now in the church (either on earth or in heaven) or as references to the eternal state. But, using the literal, historical, grammatical principles of interpretation so as to determine the normal sense of language, one is left with the inescapble conclusion that Christ will return and reign in a real kingdom on earth for a thousand years. There is nothing in the text to render the conclusion that "a thousand years" is symbolic. Never in Scripture when "year" is used with a number is its meaning not literal.
1. Why is it so important to interpret all of Scripture by the same method?
2. List different beliefs about end time events that stem from each of these views.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Christ and His Kingdom - Part 1 - Devo for 04/13/2009
Reading
Revelation 19:1-20:15
Drawing Near
1. John's vision of the last days turns a corner here, when the King of kings returns to rule and reign in righteousness! What are you most looking forward to about Jesus' second coming?
2. The Bible makes it clear that we will be judged and rewarded according to our works. How does knowing Jesus will come again affect how you live each day?
The Context
How will the world end? There are many answers to that question as there are doomsday prophets, futurists, and scientists. Some speculate about collisions with giant asteroids. Others worry about nuclear conflagration. Still others fret over possible extraterrestrial invasion or the extinction of the human race due to pollution or disease. But those who study the Bible know that "history" is, literally, "His story." God is, and always has been, sovereign over the events of earth. The New Testament book of Revelation repeatedly reminds us of this truth. The day is coming when the Lord Jesus Christ will return to reward His followers and to punish His enemies.
Few passages in all of Scripture are as majestic and powerul as Revelation 19-20! It begins with the sound of rejoicing over the defeat of the evil world system called Babylon. It ends with the Battle of Armageddon and Christ's glorious second coming - events that mark the close of the Tribulation. Then we see the binding of Satan, Christ's thousand-year earthly kingdom, Satan's final rebellion, and the Great White Throne Judgment. In the end, Jesus Christ will make all things right. Alleluia!
Revelation 19:1-20:15
Drawing Near
1. John's vision of the last days turns a corner here, when the King of kings returns to rule and reign in righteousness! What are you most looking forward to about Jesus' second coming?
2. The Bible makes it clear that we will be judged and rewarded according to our works. How does knowing Jesus will come again affect how you live each day?
The Context
How will the world end? There are many answers to that question as there are doomsday prophets, futurists, and scientists. Some speculate about collisions with giant asteroids. Others worry about nuclear conflagration. Still others fret over possible extraterrestrial invasion or the extinction of the human race due to pollution or disease. But those who study the Bible know that "history" is, literally, "His story." God is, and always has been, sovereign over the events of earth. The New Testament book of Revelation repeatedly reminds us of this truth. The day is coming when the Lord Jesus Christ will return to reward His followers and to punish His enemies.
Few passages in all of Scripture are as majestic and powerul as Revelation 19-20! It begins with the sound of rejoicing over the defeat of the evil world system called Babylon. It ends with the Battle of Armageddon and Christ's glorious second coming - events that mark the close of the Tribulation. Then we see the binding of Satan, Christ's thousand-year earthly kingdom, Satan's final rebellion, and the Great White Throne Judgment. In the end, Jesus Christ will make all things right. Alleluia!
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