Part 50 (2/2)

The millennium is the closing period of G.o.d's great week of time--a great sabbath of rest to the earth and to the people of G.o.d.

It follows the close of the gospel age, and precedes the setting up of the everlasting kingdom of G.o.d on earth.

It comprehends what in the Scriptures is frequently spoken of as ”the day of the Lord.”

It is bounded at each end by a resurrection.

Its beginning is marked by the pouring out of the seven last plagues, the second coming of Christ, the resurrection of the righteous dead, the binding of Satan, and the translation of the saints to heaven; and its close, by the descent of the New Jerusalem, with Christ and the saints, from heaven, the resurrection of the wicked dead, the loosing of Satan, and the final destruction of the wicked.

During the one thousand years the earth lies desolate; Satan and his angels are confined here; and the saints, with Christ, sit in judgment on the wicked, preparatory to their final punishment.

The wicked dead are then raised; Satan is loosed for a little season, and he and the host of the wicked encompa.s.s the camp of the saints and the holy city, when fire comes down from G.o.d out of heaven and devours them. The earth is cleansed by the same fire that destroys the wicked, and, renewed, becomes the eternal abode of the saints.

The millennium is one of ”the ages to come.” Its close will mark the beginning of the new earth state.]

[Ill.u.s.tration: CHRIST COMING FOR HIS OWN

”They lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years,” Rev. 20:4.]

THE MILLENNIUM

The word ”millennium” means ”a thousand years.” This definite period is referred to specifically in but one chapter of the Bible, the twentieth of Revelation; and in that chapter it is spoken of repeatedly. We find it to be:

The period during which the saints reign with Christ in judgment.

The period during which Satan is bound.

The measure of time between the two resurrections, that of the just and that of the unjust.

An examination of the scriptures bearing upon the millennium will show:

1. The events that mark its beginning.

2. The events that occur during the thousand years.

3. The events that come at the end of the period.

We shall find it clearly taught in these scriptures:

That the millennium begins at the second coming of Christ.

That the reign of the saints with Him in judgment is not on this earth, but in heaven.

That this earth, void of human inhabitants, is Satan's prison house during the thousand years.

That at the end of the thousand years the judgment determined is executed upon Satan and all the wicked.

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