THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST - From Commencement to Completion (video series)- Chapter 6, Revealing the Annointed King Part 20
by Brett Jacobsen
The focus of this teaching is to promote the biblical truth that Christ’s Kingdom is active and increasing right now on this earth, in this age. Erroneous eschatology has detracted from this truth in many circles of the Christian faith.
All of the major eschatological (study of how things end) passages are covered but the end of the world is not the important issue and true eschatology is merely a means to an end- Christ Himself as King of kings. Though we will look at the glorious end of earthly history from time to time, we will more so continually use the scriptures to interpret the scriptures and arrive at the present victorious Kingdom of Christ.
For most Christians this teaching will challenge you deeply in your understanding of the New Covenant and Christ’s Kingdom as well as liberate you greatly in the truth of His Word.
Revelation chapter 20
Below are the notes from this teaching so you can read along:
Chapter 20:1-3
20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. [1]
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, [2] and bound [deo] him a thousand years, [3]
3 And cast [ballo] him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, [4] that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. [5]
[1] This is Jesus who has declared “I am he that lives, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” (Rev 1:18) “…delivered them into chains of darkness…” (2 Pet 2:4) “reserved in everlasting chains under darkness” (Jude 6).
[2] dragon symbol- Revelation, serpent symbol - Genesis
[3] This is speaking of Satan being bound by Jesus at the cross:
And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. 28 But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come to you. 29 Or else how can one enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind [deo] the strong man? and then he will spoil [diarpazo- plunder] his house. (Matt 12:27-29)
…For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8)
And he said to them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. 19 Behold, I give to you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. 20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject to you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. (Luke 10:18-20)
And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Col 2:15)
For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell [tartaroo- (the deepest abyss of Hades); to incarcerate in eternal torment], and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; (2 Pet 2:4)
And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness to the judgment of the great day. (Jude 6)
And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with you, Jesus, you Son of God? are you come here to torment us before the time [kairos]? (Matt 8:29)
(The two other Legion verses - Mark 5:7-10, Luke 8:28-31)
- “a thousand” is a biblical figure which symbolises manyness:
He is the LORD our God; his judgments are in all the earth. Be you mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations; Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath to Isaac; And has confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant, (1 Chron 16:14-17)
Prayer of Moses the man of God. LORD, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God. You turn man to destruction; and say, Return, you children of men. For a thousand years in your sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night. (Ps 90:1-4)
O give thanks to the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Sing to him, sing psalms to him: talk you of all his wondrous works. Glory you in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD. Seek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore. Remember his marvellous works that he has done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth; O you seed of Abraham his servant, you children of Jacob his chosen. He is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth. He has remembered his covenant for ever [owlam- the vanishing point, time out of mind, perpetual], the word which he commanded to a thousand generations. Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath to Isaac; And confirmed the same to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant: (Ps 105:1-10)
There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, and it is common among men: A man to whom God has given riches, wealth, and honour, so that he wants nothing for his soul of all that he desires, yet God gives him not power to eat thereof, but a stranger eats it: this is vanity, and it is an evil disease. If a man beget an hundred children, and live many years, so that the days of his years be many, and his soul be not filled with good, and also that he have no burial; I say, that an untimely birth is better than he. For he comes in with vanity, and departs in darkness, and his name shall be covered with darkness. Moreover he has not seen the sun, nor known any thing: this has more rest than the other. Yea, though he live a thousand years twice told, yet has he seen no good… (Eccl 6:1-6)
Your people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the LORD will hasten it in his time. (Is 60:21-22)
For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have you not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. (1 Cor 4:15)
Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an unknown tongue. (1 Cor 14:19)
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. (2 Pet 3:8)
[4] - “cast him into the bottomless pit [abussos]” – “…What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him. And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep [abussos].” (Luke 8:30-31) (Also, Rev 9 – demon plague from the abussos; Rev 11 & 17 – the beast ascends from the abussos)
- “shut [kleio- close] him up”
- “set [sphragizo] a seal [sphragizo] upon him” – sphragizo- to stamp (with a signet or private mark) for security or preservation (lit. or fig.); by impl. to keep secret, to attest:–(set a, set to) seal up.
[5] This binding, shutting in and sealing Satan in the abussos is symbolic and for the main purpose of:
- “that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled:” – He can’t stop the nations from coming to Christ unless they allow themselves to be shut out.
Chilton – “Christ came “to rule over the Gentiles” (Rom 15:12). That Satan has been bound does not mean that all his activity has ceased. The New Testament tells us specifically that the demons have been disarmed and bound (Col 2:15; 2 Pet 2:4; Jude 6) – yet they are still active. It is just that their activity is restricted. And, as the gospel progresses throughout the world, their activity will become even more limited. Satan is unable to prevent the victory of Christ’s Kingdom.” (TDOV p503)
- “after that he must be loosed a little season” – v 7-10 describes…
Chapter 20:4-6
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment [krima- avenge, condemn] was given to them [1]: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God [2], and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands [3]; and they lived and reigned [basileuo- rule, king] with Christ a thousand years. [4]
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. [5]
6 Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign [basileuo- rule, king] with him a thousand years. [6]
[1] This is the saints who reign with Christ throughout the Kingdom age. Adam (and all mankind) was called to have dominion and we are now redeemed:
“…Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” (Gen 1:28)
You have put all things in subjection under his [man’s] feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus [who redeemed man] (Heb 2:8-9)
[2] The first group he mentions are martyrs. Remember that Revelation is written to encourage the Asiatic first century church amidst global upheaval and persecution that they rule in Christ. The dead martyrs are enjoying that very privilege.
[3] NASB – “and those who had not worshipped…” It would seem this is a distinct group from the beheaded. Not only are the martyrs ruling with Christ in heaven, those on earth are ruling with Christ in heaven, as has been stated throughout Revelation.
[4] The first century martyrs, and the faithful living saints (as well as us now) “reign [basileuo- rule, king]” with Christ for the same period that Satan is bound/restricted. It is this very reason why he is restricted.
- The period is the same symbolic 1000 years- an undetermined yet large age:
The chariots of God are twenty [ribbow] thousand [ribbow], even thousands [eleph] of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. (Ps 68:17)
Ribbow - a myriad, i.e. indef. large number:–great things, ten ([eight] -een, [for] -ty, + sixscore, + threescore, X twenty, [twen] -ty) thousand.
Eleph – (an ox’s head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand:–thousand.
A Psalm of Asaph. The mighty God, even the LORD, has spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun to the going down thereof. Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God has shined. Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that he may judge his people. Gather my saints together to me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice. And the heavens shall declare his righteousness: for God is judge himself. Selah. Hear, O my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against thee: I am God, even your God. I will not reprove you for your sacrifices or your burnt offerings, to have been continually before me. I will take no bullock out of your house, nor he goats out of your folds. For every beast of the forest is mine, and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are mine. (Ps 50:1-11)
[5] “This is the first resurrection” - Christ’s resurrection is the first and if we’re in Him we are part of the first resurrection:
But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming. 24 Then comes the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he has put all enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. (1 Cor 15:20-26)
For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: (Rom 6:5)
… they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. (Acts 4:2)
Martha said to him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 25 Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: (John 11:24-25)
That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable to his death; (Phil 3:10)
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who has raised him from the dead. (Col 2:12)
If you then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sits on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall you also appear with him in glory. (Col 3:1-4)
- “the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished” – This should be after “this is the first resurrection” to make better sense.
v 11-13 speaks of the judgement when “the thousand years [are] finished”.
[6] “he that has part in the first resurrection” – The 1st Century martyrs and the then living saints (and us) have part in Jesus’ resurrection: “the first resurrection”.
- “on such the second death has no power” v 14-15 speaks of the 2nd death- the lake of fire- the final judgement.
- “they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign [basileuo- rule, king] with him” – It is the saints in heaven and those on earth (yet in heaven) who are “kings and priests” (Rev 1:6, 5:10).
Chapter 20:7-10
7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison [phulake],
8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle [1]: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved [agapao] city [2]: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. [3]
10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever [aion] and ever [aion]. [4]
[1] Satan’s prison: the abussos, is now called phulake- a guarding or (concr. guard), the act, the person; fig. the place, the condition, or (spec.) the time (as a division of day or night), lit. or fig.:–cage, hold, (im-) prison (-ment), ward, watch.
- “Gog and Magog” – Imagery from Ezek 38-39 where Gog = a prince, Magog = a land
Ezekiel’s fulfilment is said to be – “the Maccabees’ defeat of the Syrians in the second century B.C.” (Chilton TDOV p.520)
- This is not Armageddon which is premillennial; this battle is clearly postmillennial.
- Read ‘Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy’ J. Barton Payne p367-368.
“prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal. Their equation with Moscow and Tobolsk, and Rosh with Russia, is unsupportable”
“Concerning Gog, the Lord says, ‘I will bring thee forth and all thine army’- comprising many peoples, which include Persia, Ethiopia, and areas ‘in the uttermost parts of the north’ (38:4)- ‘upon the mountains of Israel’ (38:8, 39:2), ‘to them that are at rest, that dwell securely … without walls’ (38:11).”
- “to gather them together to battle” this is clearly a celestial battle because – 1. Satan isn’t physical, 2. the saints tabernacle in heaven with Christ, 3. and because the next three statements are purposely hyperbolised.
[2] “the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.”- [innumerable- celestial number (Abe- stars n sand)]
- “they went up on the breadth of the earth” [impossible, figurative]
- “compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved [agapao] city” – New Jerusalem which is celestial. (Rev 21, Heb 12, Gal 4…)
[3] “fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them”:
And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume you and your fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty. 11 Again also he sent to him another captain of fifty with his fifty. And he answered and said to him, O man of God, this has the king said, Come down quickly. 12 And Elijah answered and said to them, If I be a man of God, let fire come down from heaven, and consume you and your fifty. And the fire of God came down from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty. (2 Kin 1:10-12)
Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; 25 And he overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground. (Gen 19:24-25)
Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. 39 And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God. 40 And Elijah said to them, Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape. And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there. 41 And Elijah said to Ahab, Get you up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. (1 Kin 18:38-41)
[4] “the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are” – Rev 19:20 has the beast and false prophet thrown into the lake alive/destined for final torments. Now, at the final battle, Satan is cast into the lake for final judgement.
- “shall be tormented day and night for ever [aion] and ever [aion]” – The jury is out on the term of tormentation. Aion and aion seems to say for ages and ages, but what then????????????????????????????????????????
Chapter 20:11-13
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. [1]
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. [2]
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. [3]
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” (John 5:28-29)
[1] Father or Son. Son- White throne is like white cloud, white hair, white horse, robes- white in the blood of the Lamb. Rev 6:16 – Father on throne + wrath of Lamb.
[2] The righteous are judged as righteous out of “the book of life”. The dead are judged out of “the books, according to their works”. The righteous are not even mentioned here, just the book of life. It is a judgement of the dead not the living.
[3] Again, it is the dead who are judged according to their works, not the righteous. All the dead in the graves and in hades (the spiritual grave) are judged here.
He that rejects me, and receives not my words, has one that judges him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” (John 12:48)
The Righteous Resurrection
The righteous will be physically resurrected on the last day, judged righteous by the book of life, and “ever be with the Lord”:
I Myself will raise him up on the last day (John 6:39, 40, 44, 54)
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that you sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain to the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (1 Thess 4:13-17)
The whole of first Corinthians fifteen. Especially – 22-26, 35-44, 51-54.
Chapter 20:14-15
14 And death and hell [haides] were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. [1]
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. [2]
[1] Hades, which includes “torments” is finally “cast into the lake of fire”- the final judgement (Luke 16:19-25).
- “the second death” – “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb 9:27)
[2] You are either judged righteous by the book of life, or you are judged to damnation in the lake of fire: the second death, by the “books” “according to [your] works”.
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Thank you.