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
