So as we continue in Revelation 20, lets renew our minds to the mind of Christ, which understands the things of the Spirit, and come out of our natural minds (1 Corinthians 2:13-15). Is the key a “literal” key? Is the chain a “literal” chain? Is it perhaps made of titanium, or alloy? Would such a chain bind Satan, a spirit being? Just as these descriptions are used in a metaphorical since, so too is the reigning of Christ for a thousand years.
Revelation 20:2 “And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him “A THOUSAND YEARS.” A complete binding and stripping of Satan's authority resulted in his house, family, and children being spoiled and plundered! They “went everywhere preaching the word.” (Acts 8:4) Not in the four walls of a church building, something they didn't possess (Acts 20:20),but everywhere! In the market place, on the streets, everywhere they went as they lived out their lives for this purpose. The gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 24:14), which they preached, was a release of the power of God, which did BIND THE STRONG MAN/SATAN (Matthew 12:28,29)!!! Here is the revelation of Revelation 20:2 and Satan being bound!!! Satan's goods being spoiled are those who are turned, “from the power of Satan to God” (Acts 26:18)!!! Again, the “Thousand Years” here is to be taken mathematically, as much as the key is to be taken physically, that is, a metal key locking the lock of metal chains binding a slithering reptile (serpent).
We must remember that the book of Revelation begins and ends with clear guidelines for the timing of the unfolding events described within. In the first verse of the first chapter, it says that the books contents are “things which must shortly come to pass…” In verse 3 it says, “for the time is at hand”. In chapter 3:11 it says, “Behold, I come quickly.” At the end of the book it says, “the things which must shortly be done.” (22:6) The next verse says, “Behold I come quickly” (22:7) 22:10 says, “ Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.” 22:12 says, “And, behold, I come quickly…” And finally, “Surely, I come quickly. (22:20) Is God maybe trying to say something here? Perhaps he is stating the same thing over and over again, so as to emphasis the importance of the timing of the books content? Or, should we use the “day is as a thousand years” model of interpretation for these passages? Remember, that that's God's perspective of time. God always relates to man, who is in time (Time, which God created), in a precise manner. The following scriptures use years, as God is communicating to man about how long it will take for specific events to transpire. These numbered years reveal God's use of time in a very precise manner: 1,3,7,15,40,50,65,70,80,100,120,400,483,490. God can tell time!
The “thousand year model” fails embarrassingly in the following scripture as well. In Ezekiel 12:22-28, certain events we're thought, by those under the pronounced judgment upon Israel, to be “prolonged” and “times that are “far off.” God corrects them and says that, “The day's are at hand. ” (vs.23) And concludes to say that, “none of my words shall be prolonged.” If we applied the “thousand year model” then “shortly”, “quickly”, and “at hand”, could really mean “far off.” Then the opposite would be true as well, and “far off” could really mean “shortly”, “quickly”, or “at hand.” The bottom line is that these timing words could mean whatever you want them to, if you don't take them literally. We must not spiritualize (spiritual lies) them. They are put there as book ends in the book of Revelation, at the beginning, and at the end for a reason. These timing words have to mean something, because the rest of scripture tells us that they do. THEREFORE, BECAUSE THE SAYINGS OF THIS BOOK WERE TO COME TO PASS “SHORTLY” , “QUICKLY” , AND THEY WERE “AT HAND” , THE SAYINGS WITHIN COULD NOT EXTEND INTO THE FUTURE BEYOND THAT IMMEDIATE TIME. THAT IS, THEY COULD NOT GO ON FOR ANOTHER “THOUSAND YEARS” INTO THE FUTURE. THAT “COMING TO PASS” WOULD BE “FAR OFF.”
Furthermore, the “thousand year model” fails miserably again when we examine the following passage.
Revelation 22:10 “…Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.” To “Seal not” the book, is one of Revelation's final instructions to us. The books ending instructions are that the prophecies within it are not to be delayed.
Daniel 12:4 “…Seal the book, until the time of the end…” Daniel informs us that his book's ending instructions are that the prophecies within are to be delayed. (For nearly six hundred years.)
Five hundred plus years, are a delayed time span in Daniel's prophecies, which call for the book to be Sealed. That is, it did not immediately apply, because events were “far off.” Things were to be put on a shelf for some time, so seal the book, until…
If Revelation's prophecies were intended to speak of events thousands of years in the distant future, then Revelation's prophecies would be Sealed as well. But they are not sealed, for the time was at hand. Therefore, none of the sayings of the book of Revelation were speaking of events that extend into the distant future, that is, 1000 years into the future, such as would be the case with a mathematical 1000 year reign.
So, when this chapter refers to A THOUSAND YEARS, it is no more to be taken mathematically than is the invading army with “the NUMBER of whom is AS THE SAND OF THE SEA , as we see in Rev.20:8. Is there even a number that goes so high? Shouldn't it be taken about as “literal” as the key and chain are be taken literally, in Rev.20:1. Of course, there is no physical chain, as there is no PHYSICALLY OVERSIZED WOMEN standing on the moon reaching to the sun in chapter 12. There is no physical SEA BEAST rising up out of the physical sea, WITH SEVEN HEADS in chapter 13. It is all prophetic language and imagery. It's not in the style of Western minded peoples, relating to the world in hard, cold, mathematical, and scientific measurements. The Book of Revelation is prophetic in nature, and is the most symbolic and figurative of books. Yet, it is clearly speaking to events that were at hand, and were ready to come to pass shortly, and quickly. A THOUSAND YEAR REIGN WAS A TIME OF COMPLETE, AND UTTER AUTHORITY UNLEASED UPON THE god OF THAT AGE, SATAN. HIS RULE OVER THE WORLD WAS BEING TURNED UPSIDE DOWN (Acts 17:6) , DETHRONING HIM FROM HIS PLACE ON TOP TO THE BOTTOM, UNDER THE FEET OF JESUS. JESUS' FEET ARE IN THE BODY! (Romans 16:20) “HER SEED, IT SHALL CRUSH THY HEAD.” (Gen.3:15) “THE LORD SAID UNTO MY LORD, SIT THOU AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I MAKE THINE ENEMIES THY FOOTSTOOL.” (Ps.110:1) “A PLACE CALLED GOLGATHA, THAT IS TO SAY, A PLACE OF A SKULL.” (Mt. 27:33) (Satan's head under Jesus' feet.)
Revelation 20:3 “And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, 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.” This loosing is also described in verses 7-9. This was a last ditch effort, a final counter attack, if you will. Truly a battle of the bulge took place. Satan had been overthrown and overturned (Act 17:6), especially during the reign of Claudius Caesar (41A.D. to 54 A.D.). Claudius Caesar puts into Roman Law, “Religio Licita”, which permitted religious rights throughout the empire. The proclamation of the Gospel was given this open door (2 Thes.3:1), until the “man of sin” was revealed. Claudius had been the restrainer of the “man of sin”, until the “man of sin” had him poisoned. (2 Thess. 2:7) Claudius' name is of Latin origin, meaning; TO LIMP, TO BE LAME, HALT, TO RESTRAIN, CONFINE, SHUT UP, BLOCKAGE, BOLT, BAR, PRISON. Satan remained bolted up, behind bars, in prison, shut up, restrained, confined, and blocked under Claudius' reign. Nero began closing this open door, which had allowed the word of God to have free course, and slammed it shut in 64 A.D. when he blamed the Christians for the fire in Rome. From 64 A.D. to 70 A.D, the world's worst and only worldwide persecution exploded. This persecution was Satan being “LOOSED A LITTLE SEASON.”
Revelation 20:4 “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.”
What does the rest of the New Testament tell us about thrones, and judgment given to individuals. Matthew 19:28 states, “…ye which have followed me, in the REGENERATION when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” The timing of this verse is quite clear here. The word “regeneration” is only used twice in the New Testament. Here in Matthew 19:28, and also in Titus 3:5. “Not of works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of REGENERATION, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;” Can you say “this is that” scripture's fulfillment. These clear connections, are speaking of the same reign, upon the same thrones, in the same regeneration. Revelation 20:4 is therefore, fulfilled here in the first century as well.
Revelation 3:21 “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” These first century believers were promised conditionally, to sit with Jesus in His throne. That is, they would take part in ruling and reigning with him. That is what Revelation 20:4 is saying as well. They would have to overcame the temptation to pronounce Caesar as Lord, which was a pronouncement of worship. (John 19:15) They would have to overcome the command to worship the many statues and images of Nero. They would have to overcome and not give their minds (“mark” of ownership upon the forehead), or their service (“mark of ownership upon the hands) as well, and be faithful unto death. (Rev.2:10) They would then take part in reigning with Christ. Even if they died, yet shall they live (John 11:25), and neither would they miss out on reigning with Him.
*For more on “the mark,” examine these passages of scripture: Ezekiel 9:4-6, Numbers 6:6-8, Rev.14:1,7:2, 3, 9:4, 22:4, Gen. 4:15, Exodus 13:9,16, 28:36-38, Isaiah 44:5. The mark's in all of these passages are clearly speaking of a figurative, nonphysical “mark.” Even today, we will say, “He's a marked man.” It was a mark of ownership. In Revelation 13:16,17, one's thoughts (forehead), and service (hand) was given in loyalty to Emperor/state worship. This occurred as allegiance was made by believing in one's heart, and confessing with one's mouth that, “Caesar is Lord.” To buy or sell, one would be required to state their allegiance to this worship by saying, “Hail Caesar.”
Finally, Revelation 20:4 ends as they “reigned with Christ A THOUSAND YEARS.” Again, throw the mathematics out here. It was absolute and complete rule, which transpired from about 30 to 64 AD. In 64 A.D., Satan gave it one last shot, as did the Nazi's in the Battle of the Bulge. This wrecked some serious havoc, but shortly there afterwards it was all over for any of Satan's authority over the saints!
Revelation 20:5 “But the rest of the dead lived not again until the THOUSAND YEARS were finished. This is the first resurrection.” The previous verse had physically dead people, who were actually alive, that is, alive in Christ. This was the case, even though their physical bodies had been beheaded. Beheading was a method of execution used by Rome. It is believed that Nero had Paul beheaded. This verse has the opposite dynamic taking place, with people whose bodies were alive, but these people were spiritually dead, not alive in Christ. Not alive, UNTIL after the complete rule (THE THOUSAND YEARS) was finished. They came to faith under fire, during the besieging of Jerusalem, in a death bed conversion. Remember, these are Jews in Israel, the epicenter of this tribulation period. (Mt.24:16) These Jewish Tribes, would “SEE” / DISCERN, PERCEIVE, and UNDERSTAND, that this coming judgment proved that Jesus was the messiah! (Rev.1:7) The main reason for this “SEEING,” was because He had for told of it plainly and clearly. The leader of these tribes , Caiaphas, did SEE the coming judgment, and perceived that Jesus was THE GREAT HIGH PRIEST exercising His POWER! (Mt.26:64) Every eye did SEE/PERCEIVE that Jesus was the messiah, and the tribes mourned in repentance. (Rev.1:7, Zech.12:10,11) “THE REST OF THE DEAD, had the blinders taken off at that point, (Romans 11:25), and subsequently ROSE FROM THE DEAD (Romans 11:15, Eph.2:1) in the FIRST RESURRECTION!
Revelation 20:6 “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.” The first resurrection is the Spirit's quickening, and raising up those who were dead in trespasses and sins. (Ephesians 2:1) The second death is the death/judgment that would fall upon the heads of those who have rejected the Good news, and life giving spirit. They would not heed the words of Jesus to be born of the Spirit, neither would they heed His words to get out of the Old Jerusalem/Old Covenant system. Therefore, they would receive DOUBLE, THAT IS, TWO HORRIBLE DEATHS for all her sins. Those who had rejected the blood sacrifice continued in their corrupt, manipulative ways under that works based system. As we read 'according to her WORKS.” (Rev.18:6) The first death would be their current state of being spiritually dead in this life, and forever separated from God in everlasting punishment. The second death would be going through the physical and emotional horrors and death of the tribulation period. This death was invoked by invading Roman Armies, bringing about physical death, which propelled one into eternal spiritual death, if repentance toward Jesus had not taken place. Therefore, “they that had done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation”. The Old Covenant, works based system, and its ministry of DEATH was judged. (2 Cor. 3:7,20:12-14) We will see the “WORKS”/“DEATH” connection in this passage later. The judgment of “fire” is described metaphorically as the lake of fire. (20:12-14) It is not a physical lava lake here! Such a thing could do no harm to a spirit being like Satan, who was to be cast into it. (20:10)
“Shall be priests of God and of Christ.” Being born of the Spirit in the first resurrection positions one as a priest with the right of access to come boldly to the throne of Grace. This priesthood for believers took place in the true spiritual temple, not in the old physical one about to be destroyed. (Heb.4:16) The throne is the place to bring men to God (In petition for mercy, or judgment) , and to bring God from the THRONE/HEAVEN to men on the EARTH. ( Isaiah 66:1/Acts 7:49, Mt.6:13, 16:16-19, 18:15-20) “The most High dwelleth not in temples made with hands,” (The temple is the central theme of Eschatology. Mt 24:1,2, Heb. 9:8, Rev. 21:3, and if you can handle it, examine all of the “heaven” and “earth” talk in Rev.21:1, which is covenant language.) as saith the prophet, HEAVEN is my THRONE, and EARTH is my footstool: what house will ye build me? Saith the Lord:” (Act 7:48,49) This is the same throne that believers are to minister from, as the we read in Rev. 3:21 , “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my THRONE, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his THRONE.” This throne is a place for believers to exercise judgment. It was also the same place of authority given to believers in Rev. 20:4. Chapter one of Revelation says this very thing. “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (Rev.1:6) In Revelation 5:10, we read, “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”
“Reign with him A THOUSAND YEARS.” Kings reign! This reign is spoken of throughout the rest of the New Testament. It is never mentioned in a numeric since, that is, in relation to a mathematical THOUSAND YEARS. It's not even so used in any other chapter in Revelation. Scripture is always confirmed in at least two or three other passages. The entire Old Testament, John in the rest of Revelation, Jesus in the gospels, and the apostles in the epistles, never mention a mathematical THOUSAND YEAR reign. But they do mention a complete reign.
Isaiah 9:7 “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever.” Notice that there is only an increase and an expansion of the kingdom as leaven. (Mt.13:33) Not a decrease and contraction, as we're being led to believe today by the futurist view. In reality, this evil report is not the current state of affairs in our world today. This self-fulfilling prophecy is being fulfilled in American culture though. This is due to the eschatology of the evil report, which says, “worse and worse, and darker and darker unto the imperfect day.” BIBLE PROPHECY MATTERS!
Matthew 19:28 “…in the regeneration (Titus 3:5) when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Luke 1:32, 33 “…the Lord shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: And He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” (times)
Acts 2:30 “…of the fruit of his loins (David's), according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne.”
Romans 15:12 “There shall be a root of Jesse, and He that shall rise to reign over the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.”
Romans 16:20 “And the God of peace shall crush Satan under YOUR FEET shortly” . Your feet shortly, in the first century! Not “theirs” , thousands of years away. These feet are in Jesus' body, the Church, with Himself being the head. (Col.1:24, Eph.5:23, Gen.3:15)
1 Corinthians 4:8 “…I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.”
2 Timothy 2:12 “If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:”
This passage in Revelation 20 is the only passage in all of the Bible referring to “A THOUSAND YEAR REIGN.” Therefore, it cannot be taken by itself, in a nonfigurative since to substantiate an entire doctrine. A doctrine which files one third, to one half of the New Testament into the wrong filing cabinet! Even the rest of the book of Revelation speaks of this REIGN, without using the phrase “A THOUSAND YEARS.” Look up the following such verses in Revelation. (1:6, 2:26,27, 5:10, 11:15, 22:5)
Also, the numerous examples of “A THOUSAND” being used in the Old Testament, makes it clear that it is a figurative expression.
Revelation 20:7 “And when the THOUSAND YEARS are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,” Satan could now be loosed from the binding effects of the Gospel, to go on the attack against the messengers of the Gospel. The Gospel had taken free course, and was proclaimed throughout the empire. By preventing such freedoms, through his man, Caesar Nero, Satan was loosed for a short time. (verse 3) Claudius Caesar had allowed the gospel to be freely proclaimed, “Religio Recita” assured this. Claudius had restrained the man of sin (2 Thes.2:3-8) from coming to power, until Nero had him poisoned to death. Nero began to close the open door for the Gospel, and then slammed it shut in 64 A.D. by beginning the persecution. At this point there was to be no proclamation of any God but one, CAESAR NERO! He proclaimed himself to be the son of god, and commanded all to hail him, or else. This began after the Fire that burned Rome was blamed on the Christians, by Nero. Afterwards, the resulting public opinion was used as the momentum to carry out the persecution. This loosing would only be for a short time (Verse 3), but it would be a time of horrible tribulation, particularly for those living closest to the epicenter, Jerusalem.
Revelation 20:8 “And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth/land, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea”
Let's back out of the trees for a second. We must remember that John is instructed to “Seal not the sayings (Not some of the sayings) of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.” (Rev.22:10)
Rev.20:8 “And shall go out to deceive the nations …” Rome ruled over all the nations within the empire's grasp. This did not include, for example, North America, Australia, China, Japan, etc.. “And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.” (Acts 2:5) That is, every nation under Rome's rule. It's a fact, that none of the above listed nations were represented at Jerusalem. Nero's edict to hail Caesar as Lord, was a deception that was placed upon the nations within the empire. (2 Thess. 2:10)
Gog and Magog: Let's identify these players.
“Gog; A SYMBOLIC NAME , prince, head, an antichrist.”
“Magog; a nation, an Antichristian party.”
We are left to conclude only that the symbolic name here is describing one who is against Christ, an Antichrist. They would be A PERSECUTOR OF CHRISTIANS. Who does the New Testament say were the persecutor's of Christians in the first century? “…The Jews: Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have PERSECUTED US;…Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles…for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.” (1 Thes.2:14,16) “But as then he that was born after the flesh PERSECUTED him that was born after the Spirit, EVEN SO IT IS NOW. (Galatians 4:29) The Old Jerusalem that now is (In the first century, now is.), is the Old Covenant people, in bondage, after the flesh, persecuting the New Jerusalem which is above, the New Covenant and its people. (Galatians 4:22-31) How could they carry out a persecution without a military. “We have no King but Caesar”. (John 18:15) An alliance with Rome was formed as Babylon/The Harlot, “THE GREAT CITY”, where our Lord was crucified, Jerusalem, rode, manipulated, and controlled the Beast that was Rome. (Revelation 11:8, 14:8, 16:19, 17:5,7,9,18, 18:2,10,18,19,21, 19:2 ,Isaiah 1:21, Jeremiah 2:2,20, 3:1,3,6,8, 22:8) To identify “THE GREAT CITY”, is to identify Babylon/The Harlot! This harlot rides the Beast that is Rome. (17:7,9) To ride a beast, one is in complete control, so as to direct it's every move. This point can't be made any clearer. With the exception of perhaps the timing verses, this is the single greatest key to understanding the sayings of this book. (1:3)
What city was our Lord crucified in? It's clearly JERUSALEM (Mt.16:21,Lk.13:33, Is.1:1,10), “THE GREAT CITY.” Revelation 11:8 Therefore, the Great City/Babylon/The Harlot is Jerusalem.
Revelation 11:8 “ …THE GREAT CITY, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.” (That is, Jerusalem)
Revelation 14:8 “BABYLON is fallen, is fallen, THAT GREAT CITY.”
Revelation 16:19 “THE GREAT CITY…and GREAT BABYLON came in remembrance…”
Revelation 17:1 “THE GREAT WHORE that sitteth upon many waters. (17:15)
Revelation 17:5 “…BABYLON THE GREAT, the mother of HARLOTS.”
Revelation 17:18 “the woman/HARLOT, which thou sawest is THAT GREAT CITY,”
Revelation 18:2 “BABYLON THE GREAT is fallen…”
Revelation 18:10 “THAT GREAT CITY BABYLON…”
Revelation 18:18 “What CITY is like unto THIS GREAT CITY.”
Revelation 18:19 “Alas, alas, THAT GREAT CITY!”
Revelation 18:21 “…THAT GREAT CITY BABYLON…”
Revelation 19:2 “…THE GREAT WHORE…” (Acts 15:2,7)
1 Peter 5:13 “The church that is at BABYLON , elected together with you, saluteth you… (Jerusalem)
The book of Revelation is clearly identifying ONE GREAT CITY, which is also referred to as BABYLON, THE HARLOT, THE WHORE, WHICH IS JERUSALEM! Revelation draws from the Old Testament more than any other New Testament book. Does the Old Testament speak of JERUSALEM in these same terms? (Rev.17:5)
Isaiah 1:21 “How is the FAITHFUL CITY become an HARLOT!” (An UNFAITHFUL HARLOT )
Jeremiah 2:2,20 “…Jerusalem…, playing the HARLOT.
Jeremiah 3:1 “…but thou hast played the HARLOT…”
Jeremiah 3:3 “thou hadst a WHORES FOREHEAD…” (“upon her FOREHEAD”, Rev.17:5)
Jeremiah 3:6 “…hath played the HARLOT.”
Jeremiah 3:8 “…went and played the HARLOT.”
Jeremiah 22:8 “Wherefore hath the Lord done thus unto THIS GREAT CITY?
*Nineveh, who came into relationship with God, is once referred to as that great city. (Jonah 4:11) They would “rise in judgment with this generation (as well), and did condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas was there.” (Matthew 12:41) Nineveh repented in 40 days to much less of a messenger. “This generation” in Jerusalem was given 40 years to repent, after rejecting a message from the creator of the universe. Oh, the severity of this judgment! “That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation! (Luke 11:50)
Therefore, the HARLOT rides upon the BEAST/ROME to use Rome's power and armies to assist in carrying out the persecution. GOG AND MAGOG are the symbolic name for this antichristian party. In the Old Testament Magog was known as the land of the world's most feared savages, the “Scythians.” Just the mentioning of them brought fear upon listeners residing in the more civilized world. This imagery would bring up this same fear of an invading barbaric army, to listeners in the first century.
Remember, that the book of Revelation uses many Old Testament types, such as Egypt, Sodom, Babylon, and Jezebel. Gog and Magog are simply one of those types. All of these types are now being applied to Jerusalem, “…the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt (Ch.16), where also our Lord was crucified.” (Rev.11:8) This judgment of Jerusalem was to be a Judgment of Judgments. “That upon you may come all the righteous blood upon the earth! (You will pay the death penalty required for that shed blood.)… Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon THIS GENERATION!” (Mt.23:35,36) The same “THIS GENERATION” is mentioned in the very next chapter, in Matthew 24:34. That generation, which at the time would have been referred to as this generation in the first century, is being addressed. Jesus is not addressing this generation today, which would have been a future that generation. Also, note that generation is not referring to race a single time in the entire New Testament.
This invading army is described, size wise, as “the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.” Should we approach this number mathematically? I think not. Similarly, we would not take Abraham's descendants, being as many in number “as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore, to be speaking in terms that require a mathematical understanding. (Gen.17:22) Neither should we approach A THOUSAND YEARS with a mathematical understanding. Such a conclusion would be our leaning unto our own western understanding.
Revelation 20:9 “And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints, about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.”
“… compassed the camp of the saints, about, and the beloved city.” The compassing, is the surrounding forces of persecutors. These were persecutors of the beloved city, the New Jerusalem, The New Covenant. (Gal.4:22-31) The Old Jerusalem, and the Old Covenant Jews were the surrounding persecutors. The Harlot persecutes the Bride, as Hagar persecuted Sarah. Even when it was Rome persecuting, it was the harlot rider (17:7, 9) of the beast, who was responsible for the actions of the beast. They manipulated Rome, and got burned in the process. This occurred when Rome turned on the Jews in 66 A.D.. History tells us through Titus, that Rome's strategy went as follows. “The temple is distinguished above all human achievements. It's destruction will take care of the root, and the offshoot.” The root being Judaism, and the offshoot being Christianity. “And the ten horns (10 provinces of the empire, each with a king) which thou sawest upon the beast, these SHALL HATE THE WHORE, and shall make her DESOLATE (Mt.23:38, 24:15) and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and BURN HER WITH FIRE.”
