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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 1000 years.
1.
Satan loosed when 1000 years
finish.
2. Nations deceived no more until
2.
Nations deceived after 1000
1000 years finish.
years finish.
3. Thrones and judgment given to
3.
The camp of the saints
saints.
encompassed.
4. The first resurrection. Priests of
4.
The resurrection of the rest of
God and of Christ.
the dead.
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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."
A further reference to Rev. 20: 4-6 is found in Volume 14: 97. Space forbids the
quoting of that article (it should be read through), but we will give a short citation,
omitting the proof texts contained in the article itself:--
"The millennial kingdom is Israel's sphere of blessedness wherein all the promises
related to them as a peculiar people to the Lord shall be fulfilled. The millennium
foreshadows the perfect kingdom. What will take place over the breadth of the earth after
the millennium, takes place during the thousand years in Israel's land only. One nation,
Israel, shall be `born at a stroke' (Isa. 66: 8). One people, Israel, `shall be all righteous'
(Isa. 60: 21), and the days of their mourning shall be ended. But the ends of the earth will
slowly learn the lesson. A brighter and better day succeeds the thousand-year reign of
Christ and His people. The royal priesthood will have accomplished its purpose."
Under the heading "Revelation--all things new" in the "Index of Subjects", we find
that 21: 1-5 and 21: 1 - 22: 5 are referred to in Volume XV, page 65. We
accordingly turn up this reference and find the following subdivision:--
"During the ages which span this section the wondrous purposes of grace and
redemption are worked out. The last act which pertains to this section is that of
casting death and hades into the lake of fire. The millennium is the day of the Lord
(II Pet. 3: 10), and this is followed by the day of God (II Pet. 3: 12).
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The subject `the new heaven and new earth' occupies chapters 21: 1 - 22: 5. First
we have a brief statement occupying 21: 1-5, then secondly we have an expansion of
one aspect . . . . .
The new creation and its heirs.
A1 | 21: 1-5.
All things new.
A2 | 21: 6 - 22: 5.
These things inherited.