See the series here
Continuing to explore perceived parallelisms between mankind’s first and final millennia on Earth (types and anti-types), reflect on this fact. Though the earth was likely ‘filled with the knowledge of God’, in part as a result of Adam’s presence for 930 years on Earth; and though he undoubtedly shared about his and Eve’s direct Garden of Eden experiences walking/talking with God, mankind still corrupted themselves, with lots of help from fallen angels (now demons). Apparently, knowing about God has little or no effect on our decision whether to pursue/follow after Him. Demons know well about Him, yet they rebelled! You also know about Him…
Sadly, even with such expansive knowledge, mankind’s corruption occurred exponentially (as the population slowly grew), starting and remaining low for a long time, as exponential functions work, then SHAZAM!!! The exponential soaring of sins on Earth metaphorically ‘reached Heaven!’ God’s response? Send a second savior after His Day of rest was over -- a ‘Christ-type’, whose name was Noah. 2 Similarly, even with the direct, frontal presence of Jesus Christ as ‘King of All the Earth’ during our (possible) final millennium, it is possible/likely that the mortals who will be born during that age to survivors of the great tribulation judgments may experience exponential corruption, starting and remain low for a long time, then SHAZAM!!! 3 Why/how? Consider this: God informed John in Revelation 20:1-3, and 7
Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the devil and satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.
(Oh oh, watch out!)
This, my Friend, may be the results of frustrations and tensions that may have built up during The Millennial Reign, under The Lord's strict 'iron rod' global rule. Zechariah 14:16-19 gives us a hint that, even though all devils will be locked away during that time, and Jesus will be present with all His governing saints, people will still be inclined to sin, just as we are now! They will also become long livers, and will have plenty of time to learn well and possibly even perfect 'how to sin', just as we do, though they will be severely constrained to do so. The combination of these factors suggests to me a potential pattern of exponential corruption, repeating mankind's experience in our first millennium. The cumulative effect of the pent-up frustrations will become apparent very quickly during very short post-Millennial Reign age when people will be greatly aided by devils released from their lengthy prison sentence. (Revelation 20:7-10)
This potential scenario suggests that all The Lord's saints from the first four ages of history, then immortal and glorified, will have our ‘work cut out for us!', as we will be tasked with facilitating the execution of Christ’s thousand year ‘iron scepter reign' over mortals who survive the tribulation judgments, and their offspring born during this thousand year period. (Psalm 2:9, Revelation 2:27, 12:5, 19:15, Isaiah 11:1,4) Increasing numbers of sin-prone people on the Earth may require increasingly stronger ‘iron rod’ responses from us saints, The Lord's ‘governing and priestly corps’ (Revelation 1:5-6, 5:10, 19:16, 1 Peter 2:9), located both in the New Jerusalem and also scattered across the Gentile world.
This potential scenario suggests that all The Lord's saints from the first four ages of history, then immortal and glorified, will have our ‘work cut out for us!', as we will be tasked with facilitating the execution of Christ’s thousand year ‘iron scepter reign' over mortals who survive the tribulation judgments, and their offspring born during this thousand year period. (Psalm 2:9, Revelation 2:27, 12:5, 19:15, Isaiah 11:1,4) Increasing numbers of sin-prone people on the Earth may require increasingly stronger ‘iron rod’ responses from us saints, The Lord's ‘governing and priestly corps’ (Revelation 1:5-6, 5:10, 19:16, 1 Peter 2:9), located both in the New Jerusalem and also scattered across the Gentile world.
Given human history, I suspect some of these sins may reflect growing unease and displeasure with a monarchy, a form of government that is neither popular in our current day, nor do I believe it will be ever again in our (pre-Tribulation) history!
Can you imagine living in/under a monarchy??
I can, but under only ONE.
So it seems as if our first millennium history will likely repeat itself, at least in the ‘corruption arena!’ Stay tuned as I explore other possible parallelisms (types and anti-types) between our first and final millennia on earth.
Millennial Parallelism #2:
Corruption Tensions Growing Exponentially on Earth
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1 Whether The Millennial Reign age will be our final millennium on this current Earthdepends upon the length of the 'little while' duration of the post-Millennial Reign age, noted in Revelation 20:3
2 Adam is widely believed to be the first Christ-type.
3 For some background on mortals in the final millennium, see the post, Ready for Things Millennial? (http://jwootenjr.blogspot.com/2016/03/ready-for-things-millennial.html)
Yes, what a blessing to live under the reign of Jesus Christ, the Sinless One who suffered for our sins and gave His life for us!
ReplyDeleteWith Christ reigning on earth, it will truly be a different situation than mankind has yet experienced.
Satan will have no power because of the righteous choices of the people privileged to live during that time.
Still, as you say, after a thousand years of peace, it is foretold people will choose wickedness and the great and final battle will ensue.
As followers of Christ who seek to encourage others to follow Him, it appears we will always have our work cut out for us!
According to Revelation 20:1-3, the reason satan will be powerless is because he (and presumably all of his kingdom) will be locked up in the bottomless pit for a thousand years, not because of the righteous choices of mortal people on earth. This is important and also a very curious issue. The iron rod rule of Christ will bring a degree of peace. Yet some degree of rebellion may occur according to Zechariah 14. Also, imagine the likely very old ages of the (mortal) soldiers in the army of Gog and Magog, after satan (and presumably his kingdom) is released to tempt mankind. I posit he will be successful because of resentments built up during the thousand years. If this scenario may occur, ask yourself whether a 'forced' peace is really 'peace'?
DeleteCould it be that real 'peace on earth' may only occur AFTER the thousand year reign of Christ, AFTER the slaughter (not really a battle) of Gog and Magog, AFTER the Great White Throne judgment, and finally AFTER the new Heaven and new earth are created?? As long as mortal humans exist, can there really ever be Peace?!?!
These are my ponderings. Thanks for your comments.