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The Millennial Reign of Christ

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Signs Publishing Co. · Melbourne, Victoria · May 31, 1920

FromAustraliasian Signs of the Times, Vol. 35, No. 22.

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The Millennial Reign of Christ

By W. R. Carswell

W. R. CARSWELL
1. Where is the definite period of one thousand years in our world’s history (called the millennium) mentioned?—In Rev. 20:1-9.
2. What events mark the beginning and close of the one thousand year period?—Two resurrections. Rev. 20:5.
3. What class is raised in the first resurrection?—The blessed and holy. Rev. 20:6.
4. Who is the Lifegiver in the first resurrection?—The Lord Jesus. I Thess. 4:16, 17.
5. Is this also true of the second?—Yes. John 5:28, 29.
6. How are the ungodly affected by the Lord’s presence, and that of His angels?—2 Thess. 1:6-8; 2:8.
Note.—The presence of one angel at the tomb of Jesus caused the Roman guard to fall like dead men. When Jesus comes and “all the holy angels with Him,” all the unholy will actually perish. See Matt. 25:31; Rev. 19:19-21.
7. Has a prophet of God been given a view of that time in vision?—Yes. Jer. 4:23-27.
8. What causes the destruction and desolation of the earth?—The presence of the Lord. Verse 26. See also Zeph. 1:17, 18.
Note.—Jeremiah says “there was no man,” and Zephaniah says God will “make a speedy riddance of all them that dwell in the land.” Hence the earth will be desolated in “the day of the Lord.” Now is “the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2); but in the day of the Lord the time of salvation will be past. “The Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.” Isa. 2:11, 12.
9. What causes the shaking of the mountains and hills mentioned by the prophet Jeremiah?—The greatest earthquake ever known, which occurs under the seventh plague. Rev. 16:17-21.
10. Of what are the seven last plagues a manifestation?—Of God’s unmingled wrath, because the time of salvation will then be past. See Rev. 14:9, 10; 15:1.
11. In connection with the earthquake which removes every mountain and island, what great event takes place?—The coming of the Lord in awful glory. Rev. 6:14-17.
12. As the saints are caught up to meet the Lord at His coming, and the wicked are slain, who alone remain on the earth?—Satan and his evil host. Rev. 20:1, 2.
Note.—Satan is cast into the abussos (as the Greek reads); but this is the word used in the Greek Old Testament for the desolate earth, before life was created upon it. The English word in Gen. 1:2 is “deep,” and clearly applies to the desolate earth. Here Satan will dwell during the thousand years.
13. Where are the saints taken at the coming of the Lord?—To the mansions prepared in heaven. John 14:1-3; Rev. 19:1.
Note.—After the judgments of God on Babylon, which represents the wicked world (Rev. 18:2-4), the prophet John saw the redeemed “in heaven,” praising God for His just judgments upon apostate men. Rev. 19:1, 2.
14. In what work will the saints be engaged “in heaven” during the thousand years?—In a work of judgment. They will judge wicked men and angels. Rev. 20:4; 1 Cor. 6:2, 3; 4:5.
15. At the expiration of the thousand years, how is Satan affected? What causes the change?—Satan is loosed by the reversal of the conditions prevailing during the millennium; viz., the return of the saints, and the resurrection of the wicked. Rev. 20:7, 5.
16. Where will Jesus stand when He comes at the end of the thousand years?What place is thus prepared?—Jesus will stand on the Mount of Olives, which will cleave asunder, forming a great plain, on which the New Jerusalem will rest. Zech. 14:4, 5; Rev. 21:2.
Note.—Those who will flee in terror from the glory of Christ are the wicked, who will be raised by the Lifegiver at that time.
17. As Satan will then again have material on which to work, what does he immediately do?—He deceives the resurrected nations of sinners into the belief that they may yet capture the New Jerusalem, and overcome the Lord and His saints. Rev. 20:7-9.
18. What is their final end as pictured by the holy prophets?—Eternal death or destruction. Ps. 37:10, 11, 20; Mal. 4:1-3; 2 Thess. 1:9; Matt. 13:41, 42.
Note.—The wicked are compared to combustibles such as fat, stubble, etc. The fire is said to “devour” them; to consume them “into smoke”; to “burn them up” “root and branch”; to punish them with “everlasting destruction”; to bring them “to ashes.” Satan, the root, and his followers, the branches, of the tree of sin will be consumed together.
19. Where will the Lord and His saints then reign forever?—On the earth. Matt. 13:43; Dan. 7:27; Rev. 11:15.
20. From the above scriptures, where will the Lord reign during the thousand years?—In heaven, for there is no scripture that informs us that He will reign one thousand years on earth. When His reign on earth begins, it is to continue to all eternity. But during the thousand years’ reign, Christ with His saints will decide the just punishment of all who have rejected Him.