We continue with,

The Millennium and the End of Sin

In our last post it was suggested that only our Lord reigns the whole thousand years, and the Church only for those years following their resurrection. The sleeping saints first from the time they were resurrected in 1878 A.D., and the rest of the saints, those presently alive and remain from the time they have proven themselves faithful unto death (Rev 2:10), and are resurrected. However, there is an alternative viewpoint which suggest that although our Lord returned in 1874 A.D., he has yet to have begun his reign until first the body as a whole has been completed. The following leads to this supposition and appears to have scriptural support.

Excerpts were taken from the article, “The Reign of Christ–Present or Future?”

“The idea that Christ’ reign began in 1874 A.D. is “a convenient explanation as to the 1000 years establishing a “sort of reign” yet WITHOUT the remaining members, still here on the earth, unmarried, and WITHOUT being “glorified together” as “The Christ,” as is our hope. (Rom. 8:17)

“The Gospel is still being preached. The collective church has not yet been exalted to kingly power nor are they now reigning with him. The evidence is this: that both Christ and his completed and then married Church will begin their reign WHEN SATAN IS BOUND IN THE FUTURE AND CAST INTO THE PIT.

Revelation shows quite clearly that the “kingdom (basileia: Strong’s # 932) of this world (NOT “kingdoms” plural, as some prefer because of 1914, but as it is in the Greek, singular, i.e., Satan’s Kingdom), will become the Kingdom of Jehovah and of His Christ. (Christos: Strong’s # 5547; The Anointed One, the Church complete, head and body); and He (Jehovah) will reign forever and ever.” (Rev 11:15)

David, who symbolically represented the Church in the flesh, will be the David class in glory. They will begin their future reign together with the greater King David, The Lord Jesus Christ. Together and completed, they shall reign over Israel and the whole world of mankind.

The illustration is this: Two Kings may not reign over the world at the same time (the present evil world, ruled by the god of this world, and the kingdom to come, the kingdom of righteousness ruled by our Lord). The one must be completely removed BEFORE the other begins to reign.

Brother Russell correctly stated the matter when he said, “The full number of the Elect must be found and be glorified by the resurrection “change“—because “flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God (The heavenly phase, the spiritual ruling or governing phase of the kingdom)” 1 Cor 15:50

THEN the dominion of the world will be assumed. The glorified One (The Christ, the Anointed) will ask of the Father, and He will give Him the heathen [nations] for His inheritance and the uttermost parts [farthest reaches] of the earth for His possession. “He will rule them with a rod of iron. As the vessels of a potter shall they be broken into shivers.” (Psa. 2; Rev. 2:27)” Studies in the Scriptures, Vol. 3, Thy Kingdom Come, 1916, Foreword, P. iv

I believe what is being spoken of here is what we sometimes refer to as the Mediatorial reign, obviously in order for the mediation process to begin the Great Mediator, The Christ, head and body must first be completed in order for this process to commence.

As further confirmation we note the following excerpt taken from R2935 an article entitled “Drinking at the Brook”. You will note that the same text of scripture used in support of the first view is likewise used here. It all depends on how one interprets the text.

“The description of the Millennial Kingdom is continued by the Prophet (Psalms 110), who declares, “Jehovah shall send the rod of thy strength out of (or through) Zion“–primarily the Church, the “Bride,” the “body” of Christ; the rod or scepter or authority shall be exercised through the Church, by the Lord Jesus the Head of the Church, under the divine commission, –“Rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.”

This is not in any measure fulfilled yet. Jesus when in the flesh did not rule in the midst of his enemies, and the Church has not thus ruled; on the contrary, both he and his followers have been subject to the powers that be, and the violent have taken the kingdom by force and have despitefully used the Head and the body members. (Matt. 11:12) The enemies are not yet made the footstool of the Lord, Zion has not yet been glorified, and Messiah’s scepter or authority has not yet gone forth therefrom. On the contrary we are still in “this present evil world,” we still wait for the completion of the elect Church that together she may be glorified with her Lord–enter into His glory–when he, the due time having come, “shall take unto himself his great power and reign;”—then the nations will be angry, etc., (Rev. 11:18) and divine wrath will come upon them; and following that “day of wrath” shall come the promised blessing, upon all who shall demonstrate under the good opportunities of that Millennial Kingdom, that they love righteousness and hate iniquity.” (R2935)

A proper interpretation of Rev 20: 4-6 is prerequisite to understanding exactly what is being conveyed without which you run into many unfounded conclusions even as have our Adventist friends. In our next post we will take a look at Verses 1-3 and how they interpret them.