They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4b, NIV 1984).
My Musings – A literal post tribulation period of one thousand years, begs at least one question: Why is there a thousand-year interlude between the return of Christ and the eternal state?
God’s Unconditional Promise. The primary reason given is so that the unconditional Old Testament prophecies of a glorious Messianic kingdom on earth can be fulfilled.
Mankind’s Incurable Sin Nature. But perhaps even more may be involved. One suggestion is, that absent God’s grace, sin’s incurable nature is demonstrated even in paradise restored. This alone should argue for the need of a separate place (Hell) for those who have rejected the cure (the cross).
Sin has found expression in individuals throughout the various dispensations (paradise, law and prophets, age of grace, age of wrath). Many claim that our society or the environment compels people to do things, which in a just and moral society or environment they would never voluntarily choose.
But society is nothing more than individuals living together in organized communities and environments with shared laws, traditions, etc. Thus, do individuals fail because of society and environment, or does society and environment fail because of individuals? Or does an ideal environment depends upon a moral society, and a moral society depends upon moral individuals.
In the millennium, the rule of Jesus will provide a truly just and moral society as well as an ideal environment. The question is – will individual human beings choose to be good under these ideal conditions? The Book of Revelation says that ultimately many will not. Just like we did not in the Garden of Eden. So, to whoever might claim that a second chance under such circumstances might justify no hell, the millennium will demonstrate that the unredeemed are unredeemable, under even ideal conditions.
For many centuries, man has dreamed of a golden age, a utopia in which humans will be free from war, sickness, and even death. Men have tried to achieve this goal on their own and have failed. It is only when Jesus Christ reigns on David’s throne that the kingdom will come, and the earth be delivered from the oppression of Satan and sin. Nevertheless, in the end, the millennium will conclusively demonstrate that mankind cannot be changed, even under a perfect rule in a perfect environment, apart from the saving grace of Jesus Christs sacrifice. For, at the end of the thousand years, Satan will be able to muster a huge army to rebel against Christ! If people are not changed by the grace of God, nothing else can or will change them.
My Advice – Don’t count on a second chance. Truth is, if you are reading this and have not accepted Christ’s offer of salvation, you have many opportunities. And when you stand before the Great White Throne, you will not be able claim His judgement is unfair. It’s a hard truth. But it is the truth. And it will be justified. God offered up HIs Son, to offer you life. An immeasurable cost that was refused.
Resources:
Richards, L., & Richards, L. O. (1987). The teacher’s commentary (pp. 1086–1087). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 620). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1992). Wiersbe’s expository outlines on the New Testament (p. 853). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
The Brew Is A Musing 