Perhaps as you look back at this almost ending 2020, you might recall how difficult this year has been, especially during this pandemic. Then there are many who are still waiting on the fulfillment of one or more of His promises... but hold on my friend let me remind you He is always working on our behalf; He is always preparing the way and even if in this earthly life we are not able to see their fulfillment, He is Faithful and just as some of the Heroes of the Bible set their hope and faith in Him, through His Word we are encouraged as we read that: 

“All these died in faith [guided and sustained by it], without receiving the [tangible fulfillment of God’s] promises, only having seen (anticipated) them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. ¹⁴ Now those who say such things make it clear that they are looking for a country of their own. ¹⁵ And if they had been thinking of that country from which they departed [as their true home], they would have had [a continuing] opportunity to return. ¹⁶ But the truth is that they were longing for a better country, that is, a heavenly one”. (Hebrews 11:12-15)

Shouldn´t we also set our hopes on our heavenly home, where there will be no more pain and suffering?

In today´s chapter we find that there will be a period of time: The Millennium in which Jesus Christ will bind Satan in the Abyss for 1,000 years: “so that he would no longer deceive and seduce the nations, until the thousand years were at an end. After these things he must be liberated for a short time.” (20:3b)

What is the purpose of the 1000-year reign?

The main purpose of Jesus’ 1,000-year reign is to fulfill God*s prophecies given to Israel, to Jesus, the nations, and the whole earth. God’s covenants to His people will then be fulfilled! He promised He would bless Israel and restore the world in specific ways, and He will! You and I and the rest of the saints – and those who were saved during the tribulation- will be there!! (20:4-5) Isn´t this awesome?

“Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) and holy is the person who takes part in the first resurrection; over these the second death [which is eternal separation from God, the lake of fire] has no power or authority, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and they will reign with Him a thousand years.” (20:6)

 Just as Peter wrote:

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God’s own possession, so that you may proclaim the excellencies [the wonderful deeds and virtues and perfections] of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9)

Jesus Himself will rule the world, and Jerusalem will be the capital. He will reign with His saints for one thousand years and fully restore Israel to her land. This will be a 1,000-year period of peace and prosperity on earth (Isaiah 60–62). Memorial sacrifices will be offered in a rebuilt temple in Jerusalem (Ezekiel 40–48). (Gotquestions.org)

So let me remind you, that we as Christians and children of God must look back at the difficulties of life and perhaps this 2020 and realize that He has not only “covered us, sheltered us and… surrounded us with favor as with a shield.!”  (Psalm 5: 11-12 Emphasis mine), but that: “He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” 1 Peter 1:3-4

Let us rejoice in Him as we realize how blessed we are!

^“Blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and who keep the things which are written in it [heeding them and taking them to heart]; for the time [of fulfillment] is near. (Revelation 1:3 AMP). Amen!!

Mari