On Earth As It Is In Heaven

On Earth as it is in Heaven
Revelation 20:1-15

Notes from Chuck Obremski’s Sermon 6-26-05

The millennium is 1,000 years in length. Jesus will establish his kingdom. It’s a literal 1,000 year period…mentioned 6 times in Rev 20:1-6.

1. The Binding of Satan (vs. 1-3)

It’s wonderful and even comforting to know that there will come a day when Satan will not be able kill, devour and destroy. 1 Peter 5:8 - 8Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Satan is on a mission, looking for people weak in their faith, not in the Word of God or praying. We need to be immersed in the Word of God so we can be better prepared for the days we will be attacked. How much time do you spend in the Word of God? Studying, memorizing it, meditating on it? Only one way to discern it…know God’s Word.

1 Cor 4:3-4 3 - And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Satan seeks to blind unbelievers...he deceives them. They are blinded by our enemy. Satan does not want people to hear the gospel message, to repent, receive Jesus Christ, or worship and praise God the Father. We should be in prayer for unbelieving family and friends. That God would remove the blinders and put a hedge of protection around them. We are engaged in a spiritual battle and Satan will not give up.

2 Cor 11:13-15 - 13For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

Those who reject Christ will be judged according to their deeds.

Satan…the slander, accusing us before God. During the 1,000 year reign Satan will be bound, thrown into the abyss. He will be shut up in the pit…no one will be able to hear what he has to say. Why will God do this, so Satan will not be able to deceive the nations during this time. God is in total control. Satan will then be released for a short period of time. Yet…God is still in total control. It must happen this way…for it is according to the scriptures. This will happen until God is through using him for his purposes.

Nothing can happen to God’s people without God being absolutely involved. It is comforting to know that nothing can happen in our lives without it being used for God’s purpose and glory.

If you are not happy with God’s plan and timing…get use to it. Make the best use of the time. We have to adjust to God’s way of thinking and God’s timing. He is God and we are not. If you approach it this way…you will have a peace you never thought possible. Just chill out and relax. Trust in God.

2. Blessings that believers will experience. (vs. 4-6)

When we see thrones mentioned…the thrones represent those responsible for judgment. Thrones = Judgment.

This is relevant for how we live our lives today. What we do today, will determine what we will be doing during the 1,000 reign. Those who die for their faith during the tribulation they will be raised and reign with Christ during that 1,000 year reign. Believers will be resurrected…we’ll be alive during the 1,000 year reign…ruling and reigning with Christ.

Luke 19:11-27 – parable about the 10 minas and the three servants. Jesus tells this parable about the kingdom of heaven. Rewards...obedience is what leads to rewards.

Are you faithful to use what God has given you? What will you be doing during the 1,000 year reign? What we do today…will determine what we will do then. It’s easy for us to get bogged down when we loose the eternal perspective.

The servant who had one mina and hide it was disobedient to what God had given him. Now is the time to think and ask yourself…will you be disappointed because of what you failed to invest and use faithfully…that which God has gifted you with?

There is a difference between the servant with the one mina who is like a believer who does not submit to Jesus ruling in his life and an unbeliever who rejects Jesus altogether.

What will you be doing during the 1,000 year reign? It will be based on what you are doing today. How is that day that stacking up for you now? Obedience now will determine what happens then.

3. The battle that reveals the hard heart of man. (vs. 7-10)

When Satan is released following the 1,000 years…he will be allowed to go to the four corners of the earth and deceive people once again. This will show the depth of depravity of man. For 1,000 years man has lived under the rule of God in a perfect world…with everything that is needed. Yet these people will still reject Christ after those 1,000 years. Man has a heart that is deceitfully wicked above all things.

Inward faith and commitment is different than an outward submission in which we do what we are told to do. Do you have a heart for God? Without a heart transplant…you will never be right with God.

Vs. 9…God will destroy all. God will do what he says he will do. Following the 1,000 years…Satan, the beast and the false prophet will be thrown into the lake of fire will the will be tormented forever and ever…for eternity.

4. The books that judge the dead. (vs. 11-15)

Great White Throne Judgment. Judgment of all unbelievers. They will finally see Jesus for who he really is…holy and perfect…righteous, fair and just. It will be a just judgment. There will be no place to flee. Doesn’t matter what you’ve accomplished or who you are. Unbelievers will be judged.

How long will it be when looking at the books of your deeds before you say, “Guilty as charged.”?

Believers are judged for rewards…for works done after coming to Christ. Unbeliever are judged…their deeds determine the level of their punishment. Judged according to their deeds. Can’t escape the judgment. Life continues on after you die…what you believe now…determines where you will spend eternity.

If anyone’s name is not written in the Lamb’s Book of Life…they will be thrown into the lake of fire.

Flee to the Grace of God. The Bible warns us of the terrible judgment to come. Now is the time for some self evaluation. Have you committed yourself to Christ? Are you ready for that day?