Everyday Life in Revelation Part 10: The Final DaySample

There is a thousand-year period in which Satan is bound and Jesus reigns (Rev. 20:1–10), so we should have that position on the millennium. Based on our look at Revelation 20 thus far, the premillennial position, wherein Christ reigns on earth for one thousand years after He returns, seems less likely than the majority Christian position throughout church history. This majority position says the millennium occurs before Jesus’ return, concurrent with the church age. This might mean that the world will be shaped by Christian teaching, and a long period of peace will ensue before Christ returns (postmillennialism). Some say the entire period from Christ’s ascension to His return may feature a series of ups and downs for the church, and there will be no worldwide peace and prosperity before Jesus’ return (amillennialism). As I am trying to understand this passage, I know I have more questions than answers about how this will unfold. For all the questions, I do know one thing for certain. I do know for sure, that Christ is currently on His throne and that history proceeds according to His perfect design.

Our Lord does not reign alone; alongside Him sit the “souls of those beheaded for the testimony of Jesus.” These men and women have shared in the first resurrection (vv. 4–6). Given that John sees “souls,” this entails a spiritual resurrection, not the bodily resurrection that occurs at Jesus’ return. Almost certainly, these are those who die in faith, preeminently those martyred for their Christian confession. When believers go to be with the Lord, they reign alongside Him. We need not fear what others can do to us, for we are reigning with Christ now, and we will do so forever.