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'The Millennial reign is bounded at its two extremes by a series of
events which indicate the peculiar character of that Kingdom.
At the beginning
At the close
(1)
Satan bound for 1,000 years.
(1)
Satan loosed when 1,000
years finished.
(2)
Nations deceived no more
(2)
Nations deceived after
until 1,000 years finish.
1,000 years finish.
(3)
Thrones and judgment given
(3)
The camp of the saints
to the saints.
encompassed.
(4)
The first resurrection.Priests
(4)
The resurrection of the
of God and of Christ.
rest of the dead.
'The Millennium ends exactly as every other dispensation has ended,
i.e. in failure. This one fact enables us to see that instead of
understanding this kingdom to be the beginning of the Lord's work of
power and glory, it is to be understood rather as the last of His
dealings with men under delegated authority'.
A further reference to Revelation 20:4 -6 is found in The Berean
Expositor Vol. 14, page 97, which is reproduced here for the sake of those
who do not have access to that volume:
Millennial Failure and Foreshadowing (Rev. 20:4-6).
When we think of the millennium, we usually think of that condition of
peace that is intimated in the words:
'The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat
straw like the bullock' (Isa. 65:25).
It is a mistake however to assume that such is said to be the condition of
things all over the earth at that time. Both Isaiah 65 and Isaiah 11 add
these important words:
'They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain'.
'In all My holy mountain' is not the same in extent as all the earth,
and this passage is one of many that indicate the peculiar position of Israel
in the millennium. Another passage of similar import is Isaiah 60:1,2:
'Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is
risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and
gross darkness the peoples, but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His
glory shall be seen upon thee'.
There is the greatest difference indicated between the nation of Israel
and the nations during this kingdom:
'The sons of strangers shall build up thy walls, and their kings shall
minister unto thee ... The nation and the kingdom that will not serve
thee shall perish: yea those nations shall be utterly wasted' (Isa.
60:10-12).