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Lesson #10: The Millennial Reign Introduction: Premillennialist assert that Jesus will return to this earth before he establishes his kingdom spoken of in the Old Testament and that he will rule with his saints in Jerusalem for a period of 1,000 years. This theory is taken out of Revelation 20:1-6. Yet, these verses say nothing of... The second coming of Christ. Does not specify a reign on earth. A bodily resurrection. Does not mention all the righteous. (John saw "the souls of them that were beheaded" - the martyrs). Does not locate Christ on earth. Says nothing of the establishment of a kingdom. Says nothing of the throne of David. Says nothing of the Jews being gathered to Palestine. THESE THINGS ARE THE VERY "HEART AND SOUL" OF THE DOCTRINE! YET, THEY DO NOT APPEAR IN THEIR IS SO-CALLED "PROOF TEXT!" Premillennialist Position: After the second coming of Christ, the Millennium finally is here. Destroyed are the forces of evil, Christ is victorious. He sits ruling on David’s throne, the temple is rebuilt and the 1000 years of ultimate utopia begins. Scofield tells us, “It is impossible to conceive to what heights of spiritual, intellectual, and physical perfection humanity will attain in this, it’s coming age of righteousness and peace.” A Return to Judaism. “Passages of the Old Testament which have been studied previously anticipating a future day of glory for Israel find their fulfilment in the millennial reign of Christ. The regathering of Israel, a prominent theme of most of the prophets, has its purpose realized in the re-establishment of Israel in their ancient land. Israel as a nation is delivered from her persecutors in the time of tribulation and brought into the place of blessing and restoration.” (The Millennial Kingdom, John F. Walvoord, Grand Rapids, Zondervan Publishing House, 1974. P. 303) During the 1,000 year reign of Christ, several things will happen. 1) Gentiles will be the servants of the Jews. Is. 14:1-2, 49:22-23, 60:14, 61:5, Zech 8:22-23. 2) Jerusalem will be the center of the world. Is. 2:2-4, Jer. 3:17. 3) Worship in Ezekiel’s Temple. Is. 2:4, Micah 4:1-4, Ezek. 37:26, 49:22-23, 60:14, 61:5, Zech 8:22-23. 4) Reinstitution of s system of animal sacrifices in the Temple. Ezek. 43:18, 46:24, Zech. 14:16, Is. 56:6-8. (Things to Come, Pentecost, J. Dwight, Grand Rapids, Zondervan Publishing House, 1964. P. 508, 514, 517) “Christian ordinances will be terminated at the beginning of the millennium.” (Ryrie, p. 150) “The millennium is a period of a thousand years of the visible, earthly reign of the Lord Jesus Christ, who after His return from heaven, will fulfill during that period the promises contained in the Abrahamic, Davidic and new covenants to Israel, will bring the whole earth to a knowledge of God, and will lift the curse from the whole earth.” (Ryrie, The Basis of the Premillennial Faith, p. 145-146). Questions for Discussion (Biblical Position): 1. What was to happen to Satan during the 1,000 years (Re. 20:1-3)? “The chain is not literal; one would hardly use a literal chain on a spiritual being. The thousand-year period is no more literal than the chain. Numbers in Revelation are symbolical. “Ten” is a complete