Israel’s destiny was foretold in Deuteronomy 4:27-29, “And the Lord shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the Lord shall lead you… But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.”

Our generation has witnessed the gathering of the Jews from all over the earth into their homeland. The history of Israel was one of the saddest and most gruesome amongst the nations; the present is very serious, but their future will be glorious. ‘Jacob’s trouble’ is not yet over. The same God who scattered them in His anger gathers them in His love. “… Hear the word of the Lord, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock” (Jer. 31:7-10).

We are living on the verge of time in which the Gentile dispensation is almost over and God will turn towards the Jews and the remnant of Israel will be saved. “Isaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved.” (Rom. 9:27; Isa. 10:20-23)

As God has His way with the Church, He also has a plan and fulfils His purpose with Israel. Their history began with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their destiny was foretold by Moses and all the prophets. “As concerning the Gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes” (Rom. 11:28).

Amongst those millions of Jews who have returned to their homeland, God has a chosen number of 144,000 (Rev. 7:3-8). These are not called sons and daughters, but servants, because they will get saved after the dispensation of the church ages. We are sons and daughters of God, but Israel was always called ‘servant’. “Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen…” (Isa. 43:10). “Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen” (Isa. 44:1).

God has called individuals out of the Gentile nations, but has chosen Israel as a nation. “Or hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation…” (Deut. 4:34). The entire Bible testifies to the fact that Israel was chosen as a nation to be a witness of the One True God, as they had marvellously experienced His miracles, provision and power. “Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children … Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her” (Is. 66:8, 10). Every true Christian loves Israel, sympathises with them, and blesses them in the Name of the Lord.

We read of two prophets, who will minister in Jerusalem after the time of grace is over for the Gentiles (Rev. 11). Those Jews cannot and will not belong to a Gentile church.

If you’ll turn with me to Revelation 7, we can read of the sealing of the 144,000. “Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel…” When this has taken place, they are shown with the Lamb on Mt. Zion. John testifies: “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps” (Rev. 14:1–2).

Revelation 19:1-7 tells us that the Bride is the one singing, playing and rejoicing in heaven. “And after these things I heard a great voice of many people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God … And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready”.

The 144, 000 who at that time gather on Mt. Zion will be the only ones on earth able to learn that song of redemption, as they are to join the Bride when she comes down with the Groom after the marriage supper of the Lamb. The Bride of Christ is clean, untouched, undefiled, and therefore is called ‘wise virgin.’ So are the 144,000 called ‘virgins’. The Bible says, “They were not defiled with women.” Prophetically speaking, ‘women’ represent churches. Revelation 12 represents the true Church, Revelation 17 describes the false one.

The true Church is crowned with the doctrines of the twelve Apostles, standing on the foundation laid by the prophetic Word of the Old Testament, represented by the moon, covered with the sun of righteousness – the grace of God with all the blessings of Jesus Christ throughout the New Testament era.

The elect from the Jews will then follow the Lamb and recognise Jesus Christ as their Messiah and His shed blood for their atonement. They are the firstfruits unto God and the Lamb at that time, just as the Bride is the firstfruit from amongst all nations. They are included in the first resurrection although they will not partake of the marriage supper. Of them it is said “And in their mouth was found no guile, for they are without fault…” This was already foretold by the prophet Zephaniah: “I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid” (Zeph 3:12-13).

According to the fifth seal, the Jews will go through a time of persecution (Rev. 6:9-11): “And the dragon was wroth with the woman and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 12:17). The Bible does not say that the manchild or the woman kept the commandments of God, but the remnant, the Jews, did. They will be delivered into the hands of the anti-Christ for 3½ years and are overcome. “And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His Name, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven” (Rev 13:5-10).

The prophet Daniel speaks of the same time in reference to the Jews almost using the same words. “And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time” (Dan. 7:25).

The question arises whether this can be the same period of 3½ years wherein the prophets minister to the Jews? “I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom” (Dan. 7:21-22).

Immediately after it says that all kings under heaven were given to the people of the saints of the Most High. Please note! This takes place at the end of the tribulation, for the Bible says: “But the judgment shall sit and they shall take away his dominion to consume and to destroy until the end” (vs. 26). This brings us to Revelation 20 from verse 4: “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands, and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years”.

The Old Testament prophet already prophesied: “Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army” (Eze. 37)

If we follow the God-given order, we behold the most beautiful picture. The Bride of Jesus Christ is described in Rev. 19:1-10, and from verse 11, the Lord, the King of Kings, comes on a white horse and all the heavenly host follows Him on white horses. Right then, the final battle takes place and the enemies are destroyed. “And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God”.

After the wedding supper, the Lord finishes with all His enemies, who have gathered themselves against Jerusalem. He will slay the anti-Christ and those who are joined with him at that time. Once the Bride is raptured, the wicked one will be openly manifested, but when Christ returns, he will find his doom. “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming” (2 Thess. 2:8). Please compare this with Revelation 19:15.

Immediately following, chapter 20 takes place. “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years”.

According to Revelation 12, there was a war in heaven as soon as the man child was taken up, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. Please note that this is a promise given to the over-comers (Rev. 2:26-27).

The moment those overcomers are taken into Glory, the accuser of the brethren is cast down to earth. Christ takes His own up; Satan takes his down. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death” (Rev. 12:11).

While the redeemed rejoice in heaven, Satan is wroth on earth. And when the millennial reign is about to start, an angel comes down from heaven, takes a hold of Satan, binds him and casts him into the bottomless pit. “… that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.” (Rev. 20:1-3)

John then testifies: “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God…” (Rev. 20:4) Please note the similarity with the fifth seal. It speaks of the souls of those who were beheaded or slain. In the fifth seal it says, “I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the Word of God and for the testimony which they held”. Can you see that Revelation 20:4 can only pertain to the Jews? – the Bible does not say that the graves were opened, neither does it speak about those who are alive to be translated, it does not say they were raptured, nor does it refer to the wedding supper. It simply says: “…and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years”. This takes place right after the marriage supper and makes the first resurrection complete, because the next verse says: “But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years”.

All those who raise before the ‘one-thousand-year- reign’ are classified under the first resurrection.

The prophet Ezekiel also spoke about the resurrection of the Old Testament saints at the first coming of Christ. “O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel” (Eze. 37:12b). Matthew testifies: “And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose. And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared to many” (Matth. 27: 52-53).

This, of course, has happened. There is no mentioning of graves opening in Revelation 20. The Jews are slain and live again and, according to God’s holy Word, they will also be in the one-thousand-year-reign.

To the amazement of all, even Israel’s enemies will finally surrender and join them in peace. “And in that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: Whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.” (Isa. 19: 23-25)

The prophet Zechariah speaks about the time that follows after that final battle. “And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles” (Zech. 14:16).

Isaiah also speaks of that time: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountains of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Isa. 2:2-3). Please see Micah 4:1-3).

How does this coincide with the things that are taught that all will be destroyed except the Bride and the 144,000?

At the very end, as the millennium is ushered in, the Lord will judge between the nations. The judgment of individuals will be at the ‘White Throne’ after the millennial reign. “And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord” (vs. 4-5).

The Lord Jesus Christ almost used the same words as Isaiah: “When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him; then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth His sheep from the goats: And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left” (Matth. 25:31-33).

The ones the Lord puts to His right will be in the kingdom. “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren (not the Bride) ye have done it unto Me.” (v. 40)

The Bible doesn’t say: “And the Judge will answer them,” but, “The King”. The ones who have taken up for the Jews during the time of the greatest trouble will be rewarded and will be in the millennium.

Isaiah also deals with that space of time in chapters 65-66. “And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord. And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcase of men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be abhorring unto all flesh” (66:23-24). Please compare this with Matthew 25:46. One group goes into eternal life; it does not say they were born again or have received eternal life. They are considered righteous and will have part in the millennial reign. The other group is considered wicked and goes into everlasting punishment.

That situation does not refer to the ’White Throne Judgment,’ the new heaven or the new earth, but rather to the millennium, although the promise of the new heaven and the new earth is given in that connection.

Revelation 21 and 22 has often been misunderstood as well because of the promise of the new heaven and the new earth, thinking that description which follows pertains to the new heaven and the new earth. This is not the case at all. Right up to chapter 22, time and not eternity is dealt with. “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Rev. 21:24-27)

All the nation will be gathered and the kings of the earth will bring their valuables, “Therefore thy gates shall be opened continually; they shall not be shut day or night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought. For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.” (Isa. 60:11-12) During the millennial reign, God and the Lamb are still mentioned. Once eternity has set in after the White Throne Judgment, God will be all in all (1 Cor. 15:28).

The description in Revelation 22 and Ezekiel 47 is identical: “And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.” (Ez. 47:12)

“In the midst of the street of it, and either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for healing of the nations” (Rev. 22:2). As long as we still read of a time element such as ‘months’, eternity has not yet set in.

Some maintain that there will be a total annihilation. May I ask you, who the nations are that will be ruled over in the millennium? And how can Revelation 20:7-8 be fulfilled? “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations, which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea”. As we understand the Battle of Armageddon (Rev. 16) is before the one-thousand-year-reign, and the one described as Gog and Magog right after the millennium.

After the White Throne Judgment, there will be the new heaven and the new earth. The sinners will have met their destiny. All who are not found in the Book of Life will be cast into the lake of fire. That is the second death and we shall hear and see them no more.

Now the question arises about the New Jerusalem. The New Jerusalem and the Bride are identical “And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes”. Please note that the same words are written of the great number of Rev. 7: “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” (v.7b).

Chapter 21 speaks about the Bride – the wife, after the marriage supper. “... Come hither I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God” (Rev. 21: 9-10). The Bride takes her abode in the New Jerusalem. That is forever her dwelling place.

The LORD has ordered all things, be it for the Bride Church from the nations, the 144,000 elect from the Jews, and then with all the peoples who remain for the Millennial Kingdom. The LORD and His own will reign over them.

“But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it. For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God forever and ever.” (Mic 4:1-5) We have already covered what happens after the Millennial Kingdom.

Israel’s destiny was foretold in Deuteronomy 4:27-29, “And the Lord shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the Lord shall lead you… But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.”

Our generation has witnessed the gathering of the Jews from all over the earth into their homeland. The history of Israel was one of the saddest and most gruesome amongst the nations; the present is very serious, but their future will be glorious. ‘Jacob’s trouble’ is not yet over. The same God who scattered them in His anger gathers them in His love. “… Hear the word of the Lord, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock” (Jer. 31:7-10).

We are living on the verge of time in which the Gentile dispensation is almost over and God will turn towards the Jews and the remnant of Israel will be saved. “Isaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved.” (Rom. 9:27; Isa. 10:20-23)

As God has His way with the Church, He also has a plan and fulfils His purpose with Israel. Their history began with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and their destiny was foretold by Moses and all the prophets. “As concerning the Gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes” (Rom. 11:28).

Amongst those millions of Jews who have returned to their homeland, God has a chosen number of 144,000 (Rev. 7:3-8). These are not called sons and daughters, but servants, because they will get saved after the dispensation of the church ages. We are sons and daughters of God, but Israel was always called ‘servant’. “Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen…” (Isa. 43:10). “Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen” (Isa. 44:1).

God has called individuals out of the Gentile nations, but has chosen Israel as a nation. “Or hath God assayed to go and take him a nation from the midst of another nation…” (Deut. 4:34). The entire Bible testifies to the fact that Israel was chosen as a nation to be a witness of the One True God, as they had marvellously experienced His miracles, provision and power. “Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children … Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her: rejoice for joy with her, all ye that mourn for her” (Is. 66:8, 10). Every true Christian loves Israel, sympathises with them, and blesses them in the Name of the Lord.

We read of two prophets, who will minister in Jerusalem after the time of grace is over for the Gentiles (Rev. 11). Those Jews cannot and will not belong to a Gentile church.

If you’ll turn with me to Revelation 7, we can read of the sealing of the 144,000. “Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel…” When this has taken place, they are shown with the Lamb on Mt. Zion. John testifies: “And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps” (Rev. 14:1–2).

Revelation 19:1-7 tells us that the Bride is the one singing, playing and rejoicing in heaven. “And after these things I heard a great voice of many people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God … And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to Him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready”.

The 144, 000 who at that time gather on Mt. Zion will be the only ones on earth able to learn that song of redemption, as they are to join the Bride when she comes down with the Groom after the marriage supper of the Lamb. The Bride of Christ is clean, untouched, undefiled, and therefore is called ‘wise virgin.’ So are the 144,000 called ‘virgins’. The Bible says, “They were not defiled with women.” Prophetically speaking, ‘women’ represent churches. Revelation 12 represents the true Church, Revelation 17 describes the false one. 

The true Church is crowned with the doctrines of the twelve Apostles, standing on the foundation laid by the prophetic Word of the Old Testament, represented by the moon, covered with the sun of righteousness – the grace of God with all the blessings of Jesus Christ throughout the New Testament era.

The elect from the Jews will then follow the Lamb and recognise Jesus Christ as their Messiah and His shed blood for their atonement. They are the firstfruits unto God and the Lamb at that time, just as the Bride is the firstfruit from amongst all nations. They are included in the first resurrection although they will not partake of the marriage supper. Of them it is said “And in their mouth was found no guile, for they are without fault…” This was already foretold by the prophet Zephaniah: “I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted and poor people, and they shall trust in the name of the Lord. The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies; neither shall a deceitful tongue be found in their mouth: for they shall feed and lie down, and none shall make them afraid” (Zeph 3:12-13).

According to the fifth seal, the Jews will go through a time of persecution (Rev. 6:9-11): “And the dragon was wroth with the woman and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Rev. 12:17). The Bible does not say that the manchild or the woman kept the commandments of God, but the remnant, the Jews, did. They will be delivered into the hands of the anti-Christ for 3½ years and are overcome. “And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His Name, and His tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven” (Rev 13:5-10).

The prophet Daniel speaks of the same time in reference to the Jews almost using the same words. “And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time” (Dan. 7:25).

The question arises whether this can be the same period of 3½ years wherein the prophets minister to the Jews? “I beheld, and the same horn made war with the saints, and prevailed against them; Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom” (Dan. 7:21-22).

Immediately after it says that all kings under heaven were given to the people of the saints of the Most High. Please note! This takes place at the end of the tribulation, for the Bible says: “But the judgment shall sit and they shall take away his dominion to consume and to destroy until the end” (vs. 26). This brings us to Revelation 20 from verse 4: “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands, and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years”.

The Old Testament prophet already prophesied: “Then said he unto me, Prophesy unto the wind, prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind, Thus saith the Lord God; Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain, that they may live. So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army” (Eze. 37)

If we follow the God-given order, we behold the most beautiful picture. The Bride of Jesus Christ is described in Rev. 19:1-10, and from verse 11, the Lord, the King of Kings, comes on a white horse and all the heavenly host follows Him on white horses. Right then, the final battle takes place and the enemies are destroyed. “And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God”.

After the wedding supper, the Lord finishes with all His enemies, who have gathered themselves against Jerusalem. He will slay the anti-Christ and those who are joined with him at that time. Once the Bride is raptured, the wicked one will be openly manifested, but when Christ returns, he will find his doom. “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming” (2 Thess. 2:8). Please compare this with Revelation 19:15.

Immediately following, chapter 20 takes place. “And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years”.

According to Revelation 12, there was a war in heaven as soon as the man child was taken up, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. Please note that this is a promise given to the over-comers (Rev. 2:26-27).

The moment those overcomers are taken into Glory, the accuser of the brethren is cast down to earth. Christ takes His own up; Satan takes his down. “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death” (Rev. 12:11).

While the redeemed rejoice in heaven, Satan is wroth on earth. And when the millennial reign is about to start, an angel comes down from heaven, takes a hold of Satan, binds him and casts him into the bottomless pit. “… that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.” (Rev. 20:1-3)

John then testifies: “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God…” (Rev. 20:4) Please note the similarity with the fifth seal. It speaks of the souls of those who were beheaded or slain. In the fifth seal it says, “I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the Word of God and for the testimony which they held”. Can you see that Revelation 20:4 can only pertain to the Jews? – the Bible does not say that the graves were opened, neither does it speak about those who are alive to be translated, it does not say they were raptured, nor does it refer to the wedding supper. It simply says: “…and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years”. This takes place right after the marriage supper and makes the first resurrection complete, because the next verse says: “But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years”.

All those who raise before the ‘one-thousand-year- reign’ are classified under the first resurrection.

The prophet Ezekiel also spoke about the resurrection of the Old Testament saints at the first coming of Christ. “O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel” (Eze. 37:12b). Matthew testifies: “And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose. And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared to many” (Matth. 27: 52-53).

This, of course, has happened. There is no mentioning of graves opening in Revelation 20. The Jews are slain and live again and, according to God’s holy Word, they will also be in the one-thousand-year-reign.

To the amazement of all, even Israel’s enemies will finally surrender and join them in peace. “And in that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: Whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel my inheritance.” (Isa. 19: 23-25)

The prophet Zechariah speaks about the time that follows after that final battle. “And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles” (Zech. 14:16).

Isaiah also speaks of that time: “And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountains of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” (Isa. 2:2-3). Please see Micah 4:1-3).

How does this coincide with the things that are taught that all will be destroyed except the Bride and the 144,000?

At the very end, as the millennium is ushered in, the Lord will judge between the nations. The judgment of individuals will be at the ‘White Throne’ after the millennial reign. “And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. O house of Jacob, come ye, and let us walk in the light of the Lord” (vs. 4-5).

The Lord Jesus Christ almost used the same words as Isaiah: “When the Son of man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him; then shall He sit upon the throne of His glory: And before Him shall be gathered all nations: and He shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth His sheep from the goats: And He shall set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left” (Matth. 25:31-33).

The ones the Lord puts to His right will be in the kingdom. “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren (not the Bride) ye have done it unto Me.” (v. 40)

The Bible doesn’t say: “And the Judge will answer them,” but, “The King”. The ones who have taken up for the Jews during the time of the greatest trouble will be rewarded and will be in the millennium.

Isaiah also deals with that space of time in chapters 65-66. “And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the Lord. And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcase of men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be abhorring unto all flesh” (66:23-24). Please compare this with Matthew 25:46. One group goes into eternal life; it does not say they were born again or have received eternal life. They are considered righteous and will have part in the millennial reign. The other group is considered wicked and goes into everlasting punishment.

That situation does not refer to the ’White Throne Judgment,’ the new heaven or the new earth, but rather to the millennium, although the promise of the new heaven and the new earth is given in that connection.

Revelation 21 and 22 has often been misunderstood as well because of the promise of the new heaven and the new earth, thinking that description which follows pertains to the new heaven and the new earth. This is not the case at all. Right up to chapter 22, time and not eternity is dealt with. “And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” (Rev. 21:24-27)

All the nation will be gathered and the kings of the earth will bring their valuables, “Therefore thy gates shall be opened continually; they shall not be shut day or night; that men may bring unto thee the forces of the Gentiles, and that their kings may be brought. For the nation and kingdom that will not serve thee shall perish; yea, those nations shall be utterly wasted.” (Isa. 60:11-12) During the millennial reign, God and the Lamb are still mentioned. Once eternity has set in after the White Throne Judgment, God will be all in all (1 Cor. 15:28).

The description in Revelation 22 and Ezekiel 47 is identical: “And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.” (Ez. 47:12)

“In the midst of the street of it, and either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for healing of the nations” (Rev. 22:2). As long as we still read of a time element such as ‘months’, eternity has not yet set in.

Some maintain that there will be a total annihilation. May I ask you, who the nations are that will be ruled over in the millennium? And how can Revelation 20:7-8 be fulfilled? “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations, which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea”. As we understand the Battle of Armageddon (Rev. 16) is before the one-thousand-year-reign, and the one described as Gog and Magog right after the millennium.

After the White Throne Judgment, there will be the new heaven and the new earth. The sinners will have met their destiny. All who are not found in the Book of Life will be cast into the lake of fire. That is the second death and we shall hear and see them no more.

Now the question arises about the New Jerusalem. The New Jerusalem and the Bride are identical “And I John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes”. Please note that the same words are written of the great number of Rev. 7: “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes” (v.7b).

Chapter 21 speaks about the Bride – the wife, after the marriage supper. “... Come hither I will shew thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God” (Rev. 21: 9-10). The Bride takes her abode in the New Jerusalem. That is forever her dwelling place.

The LORD has ordered all things, be it for the Bride Church from the nations, the 144,000 elect from the Jews, and then with all the peoples who remain for the Millennial Kingdom. The LORD and His own will reign over them. 

“But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it. For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the LORD our God forever and ever.” (Mic 4:1-5) We have already covered what happens after the Millennial Kingdom.