Session #9 – Christology in the Book of Revelation

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A Theology of the Book of Revelation

Session #9 – Christology in the Book of Revelation (Continued) Review

What is God portrayed as doing in the book of Revelation? He is establishing His kingdom on earth through Christ and His church. The story of this triumph is being told by means of three images: A Messianic War led by the Davidic King that leads His people out of oppression in an Eschatological Exodus by being the Faithful and True Witness unto Death. Last week, we spent our time considering the Harvest of the Earth at Christ’s return where we see believers brought to Christ in the “grain harvest” for reward and unbelievers brought to Christ in the “grape harvest” for judgment. Tonight, we turn our attention to the return of Christ (Parousia) and the millennial reign of Christ. The Return of Christ (Parousia)

The return of Christ is sometimes referred to as “the Parousia.” The Parousia is the third and final stage of Christ’s eschatological work. The first aspect of Christ’s work is seen in His own “faithful witness to death as the Passover Lamb of the new exodus, wherein he won the comprehensive victory over all evil.” The immediate result of Christ’s work is the creation of a people “drawn from all nations, who already God’s kingdom in the midst of opposition in this rebellious world.” This is the second aspect of Christ’s work. As the church fulfills God’s mission as a faithful witness to Christ in the context of trial and tribulation, the nations either come to know Christ or reject Christ, which prepares us for the third and final aspect of Christ’s work at his returns. It is here that we see Jesus bringing His victory to completion. In Christ’s return, that is, the Second Coming, God is coming to earth “to judge the earth and mankind and to redeem His people.” (Ladd – 43) In Christ’s first coming, He came in humiliation. In His second coming, He comes in exaltation and triumph. Revelation 19 depicts this exalted and triumphant second coming. Let’s read Revelation 19:11-21… As we read this passage, it is clear to see the contrast between Christ’s first coming and his second coming. Christ’s comes, as I said this morning, to settle all accounts – to reward those who trusted in Him and punish those who rejected His offer of grace and mercy. If Christ’s incarnation is D-Day for Satan and his kingdom, then Christ’s second coming is V-Day, it is day of full victory. This is the day that Christian’s call the “blessed hope.” We long for the day of Christ’s return when He makes all things right. To be sure, when Christ returns, it will be public. There is nothing secretive about His second coming. As Paul notes in 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17: “the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God.” Unlike the cults that have falsely predicted the return of Christ then attempt to cover their mistakes by saying that Jesus returned secretly, when Christ comes again, it will be clear. Those who are alive at that time will meet Christ in the air and be joined with the believers who died before his second coming. Those who died before His second coming will be resurrected.

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In other words, Christ’s return will mark the beginning of the events we see in Revelation 20, which is often referred to as the millennial reign of Christ… The Reign of Christ (Millennium)

Now, it is important to mention an old saying among Christians about the millennial reign of Christ. When asked about the millennium, one pastor described it as “A thousand years of peace that Christians like to fight about.” There is no need for Christians to fight about millennium. There are aspects of it that we can be sure about and there are aspects about it that we cannot be sure about. Let’s read Revelation 20:1-15… As we read Revelation 20, there are few things that jump out to us. First, an angel binds Satan for a thousand years “so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended.” Then we see those who were faithful to Christ reigning with him. Those that reign with Him are those who do not bow the knee to the beast. They stayed faithful to Christ even in suffering and persecution. Those who die in faithfulness to Christ only die once. Those who reject Christ, however, they die twice. First, they die naturally; then, they die eternally. At the end of the millennial reign, Satan and his satanic army will be released once last time only to be immediately crushed by Christ. Satan is thrown into the lake of fire, and those who have followed Him stand before the judgment seat of Christ to be judged and ultimately cast into the lake of fire as well. To be sure, there are a lot of disputes over the specifics of the millennium, but I want to attempt to provide us with two basic points that we can agree to, rejoice in, and celebrate, regardless of the opinions held in this room. First, in Revelation 20, we see that Christ is victorious and those who have followed Him are vindicated forever. Second, in Revelation 20, we see that Satan is defeated and those who follow Him are judged forever. What these two basic points mean for us today is that we must align ourselves with the victorious One! The day of the end of all things on earth is nearing. We, along with our loved ones and friends, only have a little more time before Christ returns. Why does he tarry? 2 Peter tell us that it is so more people will come to Christ before it is too late. So, who do you know that needs to come to know Christ before it is too late? Why would you wait to tell them about His grace? He is coming soon. And when He comes, that’s it! No second chances. It will be too late. Let us, then, be heavenly-minded that we might actually do some earthly good!



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