INTRODUCTION

 Revelation 20 is a very difficult passage.  One reason it is difficult is because so much has been added to it by men.

 We may not know exactly what everything in it means, but we can easily show what it does not mean.  This chapter does not in any way teach the idea that there is going to be a 1000-year reign of Christ on earth.

 The Bible teaches that when the end of time comes, the following events will take place:

 1. Second coming of Christ (Matthew 24:36-25:30).
  2. Resurrection (John 5:28,29; I Thessalonians 4:15-5:11).
  3. Judgment (Matthew 25:31-46).
  4. Everyone sent to heaven or hell (II Thessalonians 1:6-10).

 These are plain Bible teachings.  There is no room in God’s plan for a 1000-year reign on earth.  We are going to be disappointed if we expect it, and we have to deny these plain teachings in order to work this false theory into the Bible.

 Please read Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6; and Revelation 22:18,19.  

 Also read I Peter 4:11; I John 2:3-6.

 Let us study our Bibles and realize that we cannot agree unless we are going to be satisfied with a “thus saith the Lord” on every subject.

DISCUSSION

I. DEFINITION OF PREMILLENNIALISM.

 A. The word:  “premillennialism.”

  1. Pre = before.

  2. Millennium = 1000 years.

  3. It means that Christ will return before the millennium and set up His kingdom.
 B. What kingdom?
  
  1. The one prophesied by Daniel, Isaiah, Micah.

  2. The one announced by Jesus and John the Baptist.

 C. Why not set it up in the first century?  They say He postponed it because   the Jews rejected Him.

 D. What happened instead?  He established His church as an afterthought,   a substitute that would be here until the millennium comes.  They say that   the millennium will be far better than the church.

 E. When will the kingdom come?  No one knows, but a lot of people think   that it is going to happen very soon (Billy Graham, Garner Ted 
  Armstrong, Jehovah’s Witnesses, TV evangelists, etc.).

II. REASONS WHY I KNOW THAT THIS THEORY IS WRONG.
 

 A. Daniel prophesied that the kingdom would come in the days of the fourth   kingdom—Rome.  If it did not come, Daniel was a false prophet.  (This   same point applies to Isaiah, Micah, and the other Old Testament    prophets).

 B. If the kingdom did not come in the first century, then John was wrong   (Matthew 3:2).

 C. If it did not come in the first century, then Jesus was wrong (Matthew   4:17).

 D. If it did not come, then Christ is not our high priest, because Zechariah   6:12,13 shows that Jesus would be priest and king at the same time.  But   since Jesus is high priest (see the book of Hebrews), then He is also   king:  therefore His kingdom is here and the 1000-year reign theory is   false.

 E. This theory makes the church an afterthought, but see Ephesians    3:10,11 and Acts 20:28.

 F. This theory makes the Jews stronger than Christ, since they say that He   did not set up the kingdom due to the fact that His people rejected Him.  If   the theory is true (and it is not), who is to say that the Jews won’t thwart   Him again?
 

 G. Jesus did not—
  
  1. Ever say a word bout the 1000-year reign.

  2. Tell the apostles to preach about it.

  3. Shed His blood for a 1000-year reign of peace on earth.

  4. Die for a church that is only an afterthought.

  5. Make a mistake in Matthew 4:17.

  6. Allow the Jews to thwart His purpose.

 H. Jesus did come to set up His kingdom, and He did it exactly as He    planned it (Daniel 2:44,45; Matthew 16:13-20).

 I. Not one of the verses that the “1000 year reign on earth” people use says   what they try to make it say.
 

III. SOME THINGS THAT ARE NOT IN REVELATION 20:1-6 (See also Revelation  22:18,19).

 A. It says nothing about a 1000-year reign OF Christ.
 
 B. It says nothing about a 1000-year reign of Christ on earth.

 C. It does not say that we will reign with Him.

 D. It does not use the word “millennium.”

 E. It does not mention the second coming of Christ.

 F.  It does not mention a bodily resurrection.

 G. It does not mention either Jerusalem or Palestine.

 H. It says nothing about an earthly throne.

IV. SOME THINGS THAT ARE IN REVELATION 20.

 A. A reign with thrones in heaven.

  1. Christ is in heaven.

  2. Christ is reigning.

  3. Heaven is the place of His reign.

 B. There are many figures of speech (1000 = completeness; 
  see Deuteronomy 7:9).

 C. The defeat of Satan (the whore, false prophet, and beast were already   defeated).

 D. If the 1000 years means exactly 1000 years, then only those who are   beheaded can be a part of it.

 E. The “first resurrection” is spiritual (figurative).

  1. Ezekiel 37;1-14.

  2. Romans 11:15.

 F. It is another vision of victory.

  1. Chapter 6 - “how long...”

  2. Chapter 20 - they reign with Christ.

 G. Compare Revelation 2:11 with 20:6.

  1. Overcoming the persecutions = exemption from the second death.

  2. Partake in the first resurrection = exception from the second death.

  3. Therefore, overcome the persecutions = partake in the first 
   resurrection.

 H. Thrones.

  1. Regeneration (Matthew 19:28; Titus 3:4,5).

  2. Kingdom and glory.

   a. Matthew 20:21; Mark 10:37.

   b. Luke 24:26; Hebrews 1:8.

  3. God’s and Christ’s throne are the same (Hebrews 1:8).
 
4. Revelation 3:21,22—this applies to all the faithful from then until now.  We can be a part of it if we overcome (we do not have to wait for the literal 1000-year reign, because there is not going to be one).

CONCLUSION

 This is a very serious subject.  Premillennialism makes Daniel, Isaiah, Micah, and others false prophets.  It turns John the Baptist into a preacher who did not know what he was talking about.  It makes Jesus a failure.  It makes God a liar.  But see Romans 3:4.  The Bible is right, and premillennialism is wrong.

 God has given us enough evidence in His word to show that this theory of a 1000-year reign on earth is a false doctrine.  We need to study it and stand where we should (see II John 9-11; I John 2:3-6).

        Skip Andrews