"And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years." Revelation 20:4
The Bible tells us about “thrones” which represent the administration of the messianic kingdom. Those whom John sees come to life are the Tribulation martyrs, who refused to worship the “beast”. They will rule the earth “with Christ” for “a thousand years”. Christ will rule through three classes of kingdom administrators:
Old Testament saints (compare Isa. 26:19; Dan. 12:2), who will be resurrected at this time;
The apostles and the church (compare Matt. 19:28-29);
Tribulation saints (compare Luke 19:12-27).
Only believers will enter the Millennium at its beginning (compare John 3:3, 5). God’s promises to Abraham (Gen. 12:2-3), and David (2 Sam. 7:16), will be fulfilled (compare Luke 1:31-33; After the Millennium, Christ will deliver the kingdom to God the Father and will then be appointed Ruler forever. The book of Revelations speaks about “The souls of them that were beheaded” These are tribulation saints (martyrs) who were killed for believing and trusting in Jesus Christ. The Mark of the Beast, is real and not something made up. Tribulation martyrs (Saints) will be executed for refusing the mark of the beast (see article “Mark of the Beast”).
Many of the writers and biblical scholars and theologians do not believe that this thousand years is a literal time. I personally do. They believe that this is spiritual, and that Jesus bound the devil when He defeated him on the cross. If that were so, who is this terrible thing that has been nipping at my heels all the time that I have been working for God. The devil is real. Just as he brought trials and tribulation (with permission from God), on Job, Christians are allowed to go through tribulation here on this earth to make them strong. Believe me; the devil is not locked up now. In the referenced scripture above, we find that the martyrs and those who refuse to take the mark of the beast will reign with Christ right here on this earth. Christians, from all generations, will live here on this earth during the millennium and will rule and reign with the Lord Jesus. We will rule with Christ during those years but we will not be equal as we will reign as His subordinates. Won't it be wonderful to reign with the martyrs like Stephen? This 1000 year Millennial reign of Jesus Christ here on this earth, I believe, has to be 1000 years. Mankind has worked six 1000 year days since Adam, and this will be the one “1000” year day of rest (sabbath). God set this universe up on six days of work, one day of rest. The land was set to work six years and one year of rest. Jesus hung on the cross six hours to complete his work. This will be a literal 1000 year of rest to conform to this pattern that God set up. Most Gracious God my Father and Creator, I praise you and I thank you for the victory through Jesus Christ, my Saviour. Amen!
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