“David, when you get to England you are going to meet Christians who are amillennialists. How will you handle that?” It was one of the final questions posed at my ordination council thirty-four years ago.
Quickly and confidently I replied: “If an amillennialist invites me to speak in his church, I will do so. But I will never let him speak in my church. Everyone knows that an amillennialist allegorizes Scripture and so is just one step away from liberalism.”
“Amen, brother!” “Never lose that conviction!” The council’s response was immediate and affirming. I knew I would be recommended for ordination.
My theology was cultivated in the soil of dispensational premillennialism. Holding this view was almost as important as believing in the substitutionary atonement of Christ. I began ministry a convinced dispensationalist, with all other views suspect. It was for me a test of fellowship.
Regrettably, prophecy has often fueled conflict among Christians. There are three major millennial views which interpret the 1000 year reign of Christ mentioned in Revelation 20. Here are some basic definitions.
Premillennialism holds that Jesus will return to earth before the millennium begins – a literal 1000 year reign of Christ on earth. Among the many variations of premillennialism, two stand out: “historic” and “dispensational.” Space does not permit an extensive discussion of these views, but the main difference is that historic premillennialists see a one-stage second coming of Christ, whereas dispensationalists see a two-stage second coming – the rapture of the church followed by Christ’s return to establish his earthly kingdom.
Amillennialism, sometimes referred to as the “realized (or Gospel) millennium” believes that Christ’s kingdom is a spiritual kingdom and that the first resurrection mentioned in Revelation 20 is a spiritual one occurring at the moment of regeneration. The 1000 years mentioned in Revelation 20 symbolizes Christ’s present heavenly reign, after which He shall return.
Postmillennialism holds that the Christian faith will permeate the world, gradually ushering in a golden age on earth – the millennium. Like amillennialists, postmillennialists believe the 1000 year reign in Revelation 20 will occur before Christ’s return.
In some respects, historic premillennialism, amillennialism and postmillennialism are similar. All three see a one-stage second coming of Christ. Dispensational premillennialism is quite different in that it maintains a strict separation between Israel and the Church – two separate peoples with two separate programs. Unlike historic premillennialists, amillennialists and postmillennialists, who demonstrate flexibility with one another, dispensational premillennialists tend to separate from those who disagree in the details. I was among those separationist-prone dispensationalists.
It was in 1976, while rubbing shoulders with British “one-step-away-from-liberal” amillennialists that the Spirit of God began chipping away my youthful arrogance. Imagine my shock at discovering many godly amillennialist pastors who held the Scriptures in high esteem. They were hardly teetering on the brink of liberalism. I learned that equally devoted Christians can hold a number of views with reference to eschatology.
Somewhere along the way I gave up dispensationalism while retaining a premillennial outlook. I also discovered that one’s millennial view does not significantly impact daily life.
This is not to say that eschatology is unimportant, or that all views are equally valid. Every view cannot be right and Christians ought to wrestle with prophetic texts, coming to conclusions, but conclusions that are held with grace and humility.
My friend David Cooke, with whom I have often discussed eschatology, recently shared five interpretive principles he uses when studying biblical prophecy. I offer them to you as he gave them to me.
CONTEXT. We must pay careful attention to the context in which a prophecy occurs. Firstly, there is the cultural-historical context of the writer’s day and age. Secondly, there is the redemptive-epochal context of how God was dealing with His people in that particular time. Thirdly, there is the narrow literary context of the writer’s book. Fourthly, there is the broader literary context of all the writer’s books, all the books of that particular biblical genre, and all the books of the Bible as a whole. We must discover how each prophecy “fits in” to its context and how the context shapes the form and meaning of the prophecy.
PARALLELS. We should examine other prophecies and Bible texts that seem to relate to or parallel the prophecy in question. The principle is: “Scripture interprets Scripture.” A prophecy may be represented very differently in different times, but it will speak the same fundamental message.
RELEVANCY. We observe that some prophecies are relevant to certain subjects, themes, and topics in particular, while others are not. We must search the Scriptures to discover where certain prophecies are given to explicitly address a particular subject. If we go to a prophecy and apply it to a subject that it was not intended to address, then we have distorted the Scriptures.
PROGRESSION. Since the Bible is a progressive revelation, earlier (older) prophecies need to be interpreted in light of later (newer) prophecies. Specifically, Old Testament texts need to be understood in light of New Testament teaching and not vice versa. The New Testament provides the interpretive framework for discerning the true meaning of Old Testament prophecy.
FAITH. Most important of all is to have personal, saving faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Prophecy is a spiritual matter that requires spiritual discernment. Without the Holy Spirit operating in our hearts, we will be unable to grasp the essential truth of any prophecy. All interpretation must be done in faith and with prayer.
The importance of these principles is illustrated in the prophecy of Amos regarding “raising up the tabernacle of David” (Amos 9:11-12). Written prior to the Assyrian invasion of 722 BC, Amos describes a glorious Israel inhabiting a land of supernatural fruitfulness and ruling over elect Gentiles from around the world. Reading this prophecy without any further clues might lead one to imagine a future theocratic kingdom of Israel, replete with a temple, priestly service, and a king ruling the nations.
However, as the NT church began to grow, James declared to the council meeting in Jerusalem that the flood of Gentiles coming to faith was in fact the fulfillment of Amos’s prophecy (Acts 15:12-17). David’s raised tabernacle is nothing less that the NT Kingdom of God comprised of believing Jews and Gentiles.
By all means read and study prophecy. Come to conclusions. But hold them in graceful humility.
David,
I have always appreciated your gracious spirit and searching heart in any of our eschatalogical discussions. It is unfortunate that Bible-believing Christians, who are otherwise like-minded, are so apt to divide over an issue in which the Lord Himself has said, “you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming” (Matt. 25:13). I am glad that you are broaching this subject and opening up a dialogue.
God bless.
David Cooke
Dear Christian friend,
The ‘interpritive principles’ of your friend I find excellent. I also find that, should they be humbly followed, a position on eschatology will be derived at that is far different than the propositions that are out there and which you cited, not a few. At least that has been my experience.
I have been working first on Revelation and now Daniel. I will need to go back and update Revelation from what I have learned while studying Daniel. I should be complete with a sample shortly and will share the same with you when it is complete, if you so desire.
Thanks again for a good read.
Milt
David,
Thank you for your kind comments. I too have always appreciated your spirit in the many discussions we had. By the way, I really miss them!
Of course, you could always invite me to speak at Paisley Baptist, then over lunch we could have more discussions.
God bless you and the family in the coming days.
Blessings in Messiah,
David Daniels
Milt,
Over the years I have wrestled with principles of interpretation, particularly as it relates to eschatology. The real issue here is a firm stand for the visible, glorious and bodily appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ here on earth. As my friend David Cooke pointed out, Jesus himself reminded us that no human person knows the day or hour of Christ’s appearing.
I am encouraged that you are seeking to understand eschatology through studying the Scriptures themselves. I would enjoy hearing from you as to what conclusions you reach.
Thank you for reading the post, and for taking the time to comment.
Blessings in Messiah,
David
David: My short response back to you has long pasted. It took a lot longer than anticipated for me to complete the ‘sample’ that I promised you, being I am not a very good writer. Sorry about that.
About in the center of these ‘comments’ there is an “Explaination of Plate 3″ that should be read first, however, I do not know how to send you Plate 3 except by attaching to an e-mail address, which I do not have. Plate 3 is a PP presentation that is obviously pertinent to the “Explaination of Plate 3″. If you don’t mind giving me an e-mail address, I will send you the Plate post haste.
You comments would be most appriciated, should you understand what is being said. Thanks much.
Milt
El-Millennial
God-eternal
Chapter 1
The “Root” of 1000
It must be made known at the outset that the saints1000 year reign with Christ is symbolically referring to as an eternal reign beginning with a temporal setting, and not simply temporal or even literal as some scholars of eschatology have come to believe in one form or another. It is not only an eternal reign beginning with a temporal setting, but it is to be understood that the temporal setting, the created earth as possessed by man, is naturally dominated and governed by the eternal core Essence, namely, God. And being the eternal core Essence is God, therefore the coined name El-millennial; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in all completeness; 10 x 10 x 10 = ‘God-eternal’. This name, El-millennial, is significant for our understanding of God’s complete work of salvation in our lives. There is not only a covenantal relationship within the workings of the three Persons of the Godhead, but there is a Triune relationship of mercy toward the saints that works itself out within the everlasting covenant of grace. This holy work makes the elect saints perfect as they are made partakers of the divine nature and therefore lawfully justified before God. For it is our Mediator and Savior, Jesus Christ through the work of the Spirit, who presents us to God the Father as those made perfect (Col.1:22, 28; Jude1:21, 24).
This presentation of the saints before God by Christ is occasioned by the two special works of Christ at different settings in time. One setting was upon His completed work on the cross in His human nature after ascending to heaven, whereby we are justified by the covering of our sins by His blood (Rom.5:9). And the other setting was, is, and will be when He regenerates, internally called, converts, and freely gives us faith by the Spirit in His divine nature (Eph.2:8), whereby we are justified by believing in Him by faith, are thankful for His work on the cross which righteous act is imputed unto us, and finally walking in the truth by faith (James 2:24). By these works of faith, the saints fulfill their calling as prophets, priests, and kings, thus reigning with Christ eternally in time. And it is because of His gracious work that the saints are enabled to be faithful to their calling.
Christ’s two-fold work of salvation for the saints
What needs to be recognized is the relationship between God eternal and the temporal setting of the saints on earth during history. The connection between the eternal 1000 year reign the saints experience with Christ and the temporal setting of the saints in history is Christ Himself, for He was, is, and always will be eternal in His divine nature, the nature whereby we are regenerated by His Spirit and live and reign eternally in time according to the truth of the word of God. But He also came to the earth in His human nature to be as we are in our temporal setting, except without sin. Therefore, as has been alluded to, we, as saints, are born in sin in a temporal mode (Rom.3:12) until such time as we are regenerated, converted, and given faith freely by His Spirit in order for us to believe and walk with Him who saved us. It is at this point in time, the point of regeneration, that we then find ourselves in a temporal physical setting possessing the old man of sin, but also in an eternal, spiritual, and perfect state because of Christ’s operation of salvation by the Spirit freely obtained, whereby the saints become partakers of the divine nature (2Peter 1:4) and possess the new man of righteousness. It is because this operation of salvation by Christ, which requires the Spirit of Christ to dwell within out hearts, that we find ourselves partakers of the eternal, spiritual, and perfect divine nature. This is the teaching of many passages of the Bible. We will use Ephesians 3:14-21 to demonstrate the point:
14: For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
15: Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16: That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
17: That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
18: May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
19: And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.
20: Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
21: Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Paul bows the knee to the Supreme Being (vs.14), knowing that it is thereof that the whole body of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Church, is named (vs.15) in heaven and on earth. According to Rev.2:17, each member of the Church of Christ receives from Him a ‘white stone’, signifying ones purity, after which one obtains the ‘hidden manna’ (knowledge of the truth of the mystery of God presented by the preaching). And in the ‘white stone’ is written a new name which only the recipient of the white stone knows, for salvation is not to a nation or an instituted church, but to individuals in the line of chosen generations within nations and instituted churches, who are called by the Spirit of Christ internally (means of grace) and also externally called by the preaching (God’s providence). Our regeneration, internal calling, conversion, and faith are activated and freely given through the working of the Spirit of Christ in the “inner man”, the heart (vs.16, 17), for it is the instrument of faith that the saints freely receive from Christ that we believe in Him by faith and walk in truth by faith (James 2:24).
And, therefore, the knowledge of the truth that we are presented with by the external preaching (or reading and studying of God’s word), it is comprehended by the saints because of the work of the Spirit of Christ in our hearts. The truth to be delivered by the preaching is to be the truth ‘of ’ or about the knowledge (Rom.10:14) regarding the Triune God (‘breadth x length x height’), including His commands, mercies, and just judgments. This knowledge represents the all encompassing portion of a descriptive structure, formed as a cube, and therefore is of the greatest significance (vs18). It is the ‘depth’ mentioned in the text which is the smallest portion, being of one dimension. This number (144) has to do with the symbolic number of the Church and therefore is of the least significance (ref. Rev.21:16, 17 – to be discussed under pt. 5 below). However, the ‘depth’ is still one with the cube, being the depth is determined to be the thickness of the walls of the cube, and therefore the Church is One with the eternal Triune God, El-millennial, 1000 years (review Plate 1 & 3).
By the grace worked in us (faith to believe Him who is preached) by means of the Spirit, we thereby know His great mercy and love for His people and the thankfulness we owe to Him for His salvation and care of the Church (vs. 19-21). We must humbly realize that the least of significance, the Church, is saved by Him who is the greatest, our Creator. And because of the Spirit’s workings of this truth of the knowledge of His mercy toward the Church is eternal, spiritual, and incorruptible (1Cor.15:52-53), the saints are made incorruptible by virtue of the new man instilled within. And this incorruptible (new man) began for each individual saint at the time of the promises given to Adam and will continue in time up until the fulfillment of the everlasting covenant of grace when all the saints, the Church, are gathered into this covenant. This spiritual gathering of the Church will be completed shortly before Christ comes for the second time, which is virtually the entire history of the Old and New Testaments (Rev.6:11b). This is the same time that Satan is bound and then loosed ‘for a little season’ (Rev.20:2-3, 7). This eternal heavenly ‘time’ (a small span of eternity, so to speak) is known symbolically as 1000 years, whereby we spiritually ‘live (wicked remain spiritually dead) and reign with Christ’ (Rev.20:6b), being made One with Him. In addition, after the Church is spiritually saved by Christ and reigns with Christ for this symbolic 1000 years and Satan has gathered the nations for battle (20:8) and judgment of the wicked has taken place (vs.12) and the wicked cast into the ‘lake of fire’ (vs.14), then the regenerated saints will continue to reign with Christ in eternity, for eternity is not bound by ‘time’, being endless. However, when the symbolic 1000 years of eternity is measured in earthly time, then only one segment of the 10 x 10 x 10 cubical heavenly structure equaling a 1000 is used as a symbolic earthly number, i.e., 10 years (see Plate 2 & 3). The symbolic earthly or temporal number of 10 years is the only segment exposed of the symbolic heavenly and eternal number of 1000 years
It is during this time span of the gathering of the Church, basically the history of the world, that the human nature of the saints is united to the divine nature of Christ by the Spirit for all eternity, time without end. Initially, it is by His work of regeneration that the saints first experience their assurance of salvation. Also, in addition to the beginning work of regeneration, it is the amazing work of our Savior in His human nature, accomplished on the cross that saved all those that were given Him of the Father, our Triune God. And it is, therefore, the relationship of our Triune God to the work accomplished for us by Christ within the bounds of the everlasting covenant of grace during the symbolic 1000 year period of eternity that the term ‘El-millennial’ is to be developed; ‘God-eternal’.
The ‘Formula’
The initial formula necessary to develop the term ‘El-millennial’ is Length x Width x Height (L x W x H), which when each segment is multiplied times 10, the number of completeness, we arrive at the three-fold significance of the mystery number 1000, found 6 times in Revelation 20, namely, the Triune God-eternal; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This number represents the symbolic eternal identification of Him wherein the members of the Church (saints) are gathered in both the Old and New Testaments. And being this ‘eternal identification’, designated as 1000 years in Revelation 20, is not only the name of Him who saves through Christ but also represents the designated time and place when and where God-eternal has chosen to spiritually dwell with the saints who receive of Christ the ‘new man of righteousness’ and reign with Him.
As to the definition of El-millennial, God-eternal; God is everywhere present in all eternity. However, because man is of time and the saints are saved in time, God has placed dimensions about this saving work of His Son, L x W x H (10 x 10 x 10), which dimensions are the outline of the definition of El-millennial; God-eternal, Triune God – 1000 years. This formula of L x W x H is the symbolic designated eternal time of the Spirit of Christ’s indwelling and work toward our salvation, as members of the Church, while we were yet in a temporal setting. This is to say that our heavenly abode runs parallel with the temporal earthly setting that is opposed to God and from which we are redeemed. It is from our temporal earthly setting that we are transformed and incorporated into the heavenly covenant of grace as a new man made perfect (Rom.12:2).
The incorporation of the saints into the everlasting covenant of grace took the form of two distinct operations by Christ. The first operation was performed by His divine nature through the work of the Holy Spirit whereby each saint is regenerated, internally called, converted, and given the free gift of faith to believe in Him who saves to the uttermost. The second operation was accomplished by Him in His human nature on the cross. It was after his death on the cross, burial, and resurrection after three days in the grave, that He fulfilled the promise of the covenant of grace first made with Adam and was therefore able to present all saints as justified before God, having covered their sins by His own blood. After Jesus remained on the earth for 40 days, showing Himself to be the first born from the dead (Co.1:18), He ascended into heaven to be shown to the Old Testament saints that had passed on in death. These saints were waiting for His accomplished work under the altar (Rev.6:9, 10 – “under the altar” symbolized the waiting for the Lamb to be slain in order for His blood to formally cover their sins). Not that their sins were not previously forgiven of God, for they surely were by virtue of the promise already given by God to Adam, Noah, Abraham, David and the elect seed of Israel.
These saints of the Old Testament waited patiently for Christ’s return from earth, while heaven was silent for ½ hour (Rev.8:1). Not only the Old Testament saints were covered and given white robes (Dan.12:10a; Rev.6:11), being Christ imputed His righteous work unto them, but also the New Testament saint’s sins were also covered in all eternity, even though they had not yet been regenerated and brought into the sheep fold, many being not yet born. This phenomenon occurred, as we have said, because of the covenantal promise God gave the patriarchs of the Old Testament. The sins of all those predestined and called according to the decree of election, believed by faith that their sins were forgiven by the blood of Christ when He ascended into heaven some 2000 years ago. Although Satan deceived the whole world by the fall of Adam into sin at the beginning of time (Dan.12:10b; Rev.13:18 – ‘a man’). This tempting of Adam by Satan occurred after Satan and his angels were cast out of heaven upon warring with his archrival, Michael and his angels, never to return (Jude 6; Rev.12:7-9). But, although Satan deceived the whole world whereby all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, God is nevertheless gracious to some and therefore God’s decree of election, whereby He has determined to save a remnant, becomes the extent and number of the saints that are to be incorporated into the everlasting covenant of grace.
However, not intending to get ahead of ourselves, the entire fulfillment of the everlasting covenant of grace will not be completed until the last New Testament saint is born, regenerated, and saved. This is to occur at the same time Satan is loosed. And Satan is to be loosed to deceive the nations for only a short season (Rev.20:1-3). It is then that the Church of Christ will face tribulation to a degree that never before has or will ever again occur (Dan.12:1; Matt.24:21). But the saints yet remaining on the earth, although destined to be persecuted severely, will be safe from falling because of the Spirit of Christ who keeps His own in the faith. For, He has promised that He will never leave us or forsake us (Heb.13:5, 6). What a beautiful picture of hope that the saints have to rely on.
The ‘root’ number of the ‘Formula’
The more complex formula to develop the term El-millennial, God-eternal, the spiritual everlasting reign with Him of 1000 years, must begin with the root of 1 and not 10 as one might suppose. Understanding the root of 1 is important and even essential, for God is One, even the ‘I Am’ (Ex.3:14). However, as we have previously said, He is One in being, yet three in Person; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Therein is the expression of the comprehensiveness of eternal God made manifest by the multiplying of the number of completeness, i.e., the number 10, three times, the number of God’s Persons. The formula that would then explain the 1000 years mentioned 6 times in Revelation 20 is of this nature: (1) eternal God = ((1) Father x 10) x ((1) Son x 10) x ((1) Holy Spirit x 10) = 1000 years in which the saints ‘lived and reigned with Christ’ (vs.4b). What the formula is pointing out is that the temporal saints live and reign spiritually as one with eternal God within the form of a cubical structure that represents the name of God Triune, the place of His dwelling with the saints, and the time of His dwelling with the saints, even to the end of time and into all eternity. It is during this time of eternity, for God is eternal, when the Church is gathered, which is symbolically expressed as 1000 years, or almost the entire history of the world, that the Church becomes One with Him. This is the time in which both the Old and New Testament saints are regenerated, gathered and saved by God’s gracious work through and by Christ, whereby we are presented without spot before the Father and justified. Not until all the saints are gathered in time and Satan has gathered the nations together for battle, God and Magog (Rev.20:8), will God pronounce, “It is done” (Rev.16:17). Then time will be no more, yet we will continue to be ‘priests of God and of Christ’ forever, even as we were in time (Rev.20:6), ‘for the second death (eternal damnation) hath no power’ over us, thanks to our Savior.
“But”, you might rightly say, “How can eternity be expressed in temporal years, thus making God stoop to the level of man?” The answer is that God, through Christ in His humane nature, did stoop to our level, yet without sin. He humbled Himself by becoming like unto us, becoming a man as we, that He might die for our sins and that through and by Him we might be saved. It was He who imputed His righteousness to us as saints, thus making us perfect before the Father through His death on the cross in His human nature. But, as we have said before, He also gave us faith freely by the Spirit in His divine nature when we were regenerated, which is an eternal work of Christ.
We find then that both works of His human and divine natures are necessary for our salvation. We find this truth in Revelation 2:1 where we read in part, “…who [Christ] walked in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks [Church of Christ].” This walk of Christ with His saints is of both a temporal nature, lasting some 33 ½ years, and of an eternal nature, beginning at the time of our regeneration and continuing into all eternity. The ‘1000 years’ then, referred to in Revelation 20, symbolically represents a 1000 years in an eternal setting where God dwells, whereby temporal men (the ‘they’ of vs.4 and 6 in Revelation 20) reign temporally from the point of regeneration to all eternally with God in the body of Christ. As has been pointed out before, specifically the 1000 years is the symbolic time during which God dwells with His people. It is during this time that the fulfillment of the eternal covenant of grace takes place; even though ultimately, when the fulfillment of the covenant of grace is completed, time extends into all eternity (John10:28).
In the passage of Revelations 20:4 & 6, we read of the ‘they’ in different forms seven times. The ‘they’ obviously refers to the ‘saints’ that shall be kings and priests of God and lived and reign with Christ a 1000 years. If, as we previously developed, the 1000 is derived from the root number 1 (God), times 10 three times, which then representing the Triune God-eternal in name, place and time, which we have termed ‘El-millennial’, then it is fair to ask, “How does the ‘they’, the number of the saints according to election, the number that are made to partake of the everlasting covenant of grace; How are ‘they’ also represented in the covenant of grace with El-millennial, God-eternal?” For, it is the ‘they’ of the text, i.e., all the saints so called, which must yet be part of the formula which determined the name of God and His eternal dwelling place in time to be ‘1000 years’. The reason for the necessity of incorporating ‘saved man’ into the formula is that the ‘they’, the saints of all ages, are to by One with God and His Son (John 17:21); therefore the ‘they’ must be incorporated to fully understand the significance of the 1000 year reign ‘they’, the saints, have with God and Christ. This incorporation of the ‘they’, we will develop next.
However, before moving on, it is important to point out that ‘El-millennial’, God-eternal, is the primary Figure represented in the symbolic time span of ‘1000 years’. The ‘1000 years’ represents the spiritual, heavenly, and eternal aspects of God during the carnal, earthly, and temporal gathering of the saints into the everlasting covenant of grace. This ‘reign with Christ for a ‘1000 years’ is a vertical progression of events over the life span of the world based on the promises God first made with Adam. It is not a horizontal progression of name, place, and time, which the a-mil, post-mil, pre-mil, preterist, and dispensationalists promote in their theorems. The church world must begin to think in terms of God’s heavenly eternal purpose for the Kingdom with Christ, rather than visualizing man’s earthly temporal establishment of a Kingdom with Christ. Such a movement will be crucial in order for the church world to understand the doctrine of eschatology, a doctrine that is in turmoil at this point in history.
Identifying man in the ‘Formula’
Taking a look at the graphics of either Plates 1, 2, or 3, we find that the everlasting covenant of grace is always represented as a cube (L x W x H = 1000 years) or (10 x 10 x 10 = 1000 years). And although the 1000 is symbolically represented as the Triune God-eternal that forms the structure of a cube (conf. Eph.3:14-18; Rev.11:1; 21:15-17 – notice in verse 17 the thickness of ‘the wall’ of 144 cubits is cited separately from the overall cubic structure, yet very much a part of the cubic structure, in fact being one with the structure, God and man), it is within the limits of this cube that the great God-eternal, El-millennial, has chosen to gather an inconsequential people unto Himself through Christ in time. It is in time that we, as saints, are regenerated by the Spirit of Christ and eternally incorporated into this cubical place where God dwells, which is heaven. Scripture presents us with such a picture of God’s work in time to the spiritual state of eternity, for God is in no way limited by time, while the saints are limited to time while bodily alive in our human nature and yet made partakers of the eternal divine nature (2Peter 1:4). The ‘new man’ is elevated (H-heightened) to an eternal plane while still possessing the ‘old man’ of sin (see Plate 1). God, on the other hand, is omnipotent and omnipresent from eternity to eternity, yet makes an eternal place for us to abide with Him while we are on this sojourn below. Our identity of this union with God through Christ, as Christ by the work of the Spirit establishes the everlasting covenant of grace, is expressed in the following ways in Scripture:
1. The saints comprise the Church of Christ or the body of Christ and is expressed in the number 7, which is the sum of 6 (man) + 1 (God-Christ), which is the temporal idea of the Church. However, when the Church is expressed in the eternal sense as being One with the Triune God, then the number is represented as 7 x 1000 or 7,000, the number that will ‘not bow the knee to Baal’; the ‘remnant according to the election of grace’ (Rom.11:4-5); the Church that is saved throughout history, both of the Old Testament and the New Testament.
2. The same is true of what we read in Revelation 14:1-4, regarding the 144,000. The 144 represents the Church from a different perspective by multiplying the 12 prophets of the Old Testament times the 12 apostles of the New Testament, which is the symbolic number that are ‘redeemed from the earth’. To incorporate the eternal aspect and arrive at the figure 144,000, we do so by multiplying 144 (Church) x 1 (God) x 10 x 10 x 10 (Trinity or 1000) = 144,000. This symbolic number of 144,000 is the result of the workings of the everlasting covenant of grace, whereby the saints of the Old and New Testament are gathered by the Triune God through Christ during the history of the world, which is symbolically represented as 1000 years (reflecting both time and eternity). And being the covenant of grace unites the saints with God eternally; we continually live eternally within the sphere of the covenant of grace with God and His Son, Jesus Christ both now for a 1000 years while the Church is gathered and also after Christ’s second coming when our bodies will be resurrected and changed (1Cor.15:52) to accommodate the eternal state (see Plates 1 & 3).
3. We find this same idea in Revelation 5:10ff, where it is said that we are made ‘kings and priests’ with God and the number of the saints John heard was innumerable, yet expressed as ’10,000 times 10,000, and 1000’s of 1000’s’. There can be no doubt that such a large number is meant to give us a literal picture of the members of the Church with the Triune God in an eternal heavenly state. The number 10 of the 10,000 is significant in that it represents the temporal time that all the saints ‘shall have tribulation’ (Rev.2:10), which literally has been about 6,000 years thus far (the heavenly state is eternal and thus has no time description attached to it, except what God has given in various ways in His word in order that the ‘mystery’ of our salvation can be understood more clearly by the saints – Mark 4:11). This symbolic time of 10 is given in ‘days’, for the tribulation of the saints for ‘10 days’* is but a short time in relation to the blessedness the saints will receive in eternity (Jn.16:33; Rom.5:3; Rev.2:9). Also, one element of the 1000 (1000 representing the Triune God or 10 x 10 x 10) is 10 and represents the ‘Width’ or Christ in His divine and human natures, which is not only of an eternal mode but a temporal mode, as He became as we are, born of a virgin, yet without sin. As we have said, the eternal mode (work of the Spirit of Christ) spans the entire history of the ‘everlasting covenant of grace’, wherein Christ by the Spirit gathers in all the saints of time into a glorious eternity.
*(Symbolically ‘10 days’ is expressed as the lives of all saints, the entire literal history of the world, during which they were gathered (this period of time is also represented as ‘one week’ or ‘7 days’ – Dan.9:27a). But symbolically ‘10 years’ (one element of the 1000 years) also represents the life of all saints as linier time expressed from an eternal mode – conf. Rev.9:15. And finally, we find the individual life of a saint symbolically expressed as 1 hour or a very short time in relation to the whole scheme of time and eternity. This we find in Rev. 8:1, where we read that the life of Jesus was compared to ‘½ hour’ in that his life was shortened by half because of His final sacrifice on the cross. The normal life span of man is to be considered some 70 years – Ps.90:10. So, although there is relevance between hours, days, weeks, months, and years, all symbolic references to the same are not necessarily in proportion to each others time spans. In this way also the mystery of God has been kept till the end of time – Dan.12:4; Rev.10:7.)
4. Continuing on to the next example of man and God united, we have the list of the 12 tribes of Israel in Revelation 7:4-8, totaling 144,000. This number again represents both the Church of the Old Testament and the Church of the New Testament. It is not limited to the 12 tribes of Israel, but the 12,000 of each tribe is multiplied by the number of tribes, which equals the 144,000, which again is the symbolic number of the entire Church of Christ, consisting of both the Old Testament and the New Testament that was, is, and will be gathered into the everlasting covenant of grace and become One with God and Christ.
5. Finally, we have the same design spoken of in Revelation 21:16-17 regarding the picture of heaven where God is to dwell with the saints in perfect covenant communion. This reference is different than the former in at least one respect and that is there are two indications of the saints, whereas the previous references only mention one. The description of heaven begins with the length and width and height being all 12,000 furlongs. Again the 12 being a reference to the 12 prophets of the Old Testament Church and the 12 apostles being a reference to the New Testament Church, while the remaining 1000 again refers to the Triune God, including time (eternity) and place (heaven). Please notice again the vastness of the number referenced to God (1000) and the smallness of the number referenced to the gates (12) and foundations (12) of the City where God dwells with His people. In addition to the number 12, we read of the thickness of the wall of the City of God to be 144 cubits, the number of the members of the Church of Christ derived by multiplying the 12 disciples times the 12 apostles (Eph.2:20). These two references (l x w) of 12’s and the number 144 can be referred to as symbolically being both the souls and bodies of the saints, for the descriptive occurrence of heaven takes place after Christ’s second advent, when the bodies of the saints are resurrected and changed, even as our souls (new man – Eph.3:16; 4:13, 24) are made perfect at the time of regeneration. The temporal flesh and blood of the saints are necessarily changed to spiritual (1Cor.15:50). And again we read, ‘the corruptible must put on incorruption, the mortal must put on immortality’ (1Cor.15:52, 53; Gal.3:3). We have then, in affect, the length times the width as far as our human nature is concerned. But the Height (L x W x H) has always been of the eternal divine nature that the temporal human saints are partakers of (2Peter 1:4). The human and divine, as One, begun gathered in time and incorporated into the eternal covenant of grace and then at our Savior’s second coming extended to all eternity in the heavenly abode, time without end.
Conclusion
Therefore, in conclusion, based on the clear teaching of God’s word, the 1000 represents the name, eternal time and place of God (forms the structure of the everlasting covenant of grace – L x W x H) wherein the saved members of the Church reign with Christ while the Church is redeemed through Christ, our Mediator and Head. The different prefixes of the number 1000 are symbolic numbers of identifying in different ways the Church itself, the Church possessing the human nature in time, which becomes partaker of the divine nature in an eternal state at the time of regeneration by the Spirit of Christ (2Peter 1:4). We must keep in mind that this gathering of the redeemed people of God has taken place from the very establishment of the covenant of grace God made with Adam at the beginning of time, to the time of the fulfillment of the covenant of grace that is yet to come. This time of fulfillment will be at the same time when Satan is loosed to gather the unbelieving and apostate nations to battle, Gog against Magog (Rev.20:8).
But, the span of time while the saints of the Old and New Testament are being gathered by the Spirit of Christ as a body, namely, the gathering of elect nations during the time of world history (this body is the elect element called a remnant, which are redeemed from the heathen and apostate nations), this time can be considered the ‘Golden Age’, for it is the ‘golden oil’ (work of the Spirit within and upon the souls of the saints – Zech.4:12) that changes us from imperfection to perfection and from time to eternity in this life already (Eph.4:24). And ultimately, when Christ returns, our bodies will be changed from the earthly to the heavenly to be with Him and our God. He who understands this truth understands our hope through faith that is yet to come. Although Satan will have established seven kingdoms with their kings upon seven mountains (Rev.17:9-10) in an effort to destroy the Church of Christ over the ages, six of which have already been established and fallen; nevertheless, our Savior (stone) will have built one Church upon a great mountain (spiritually eternal mountain) during the same history of the world, symbolically1000 years, and He with the saints will destroy the seven kingdoms upon their mountains (the beast – Rev.17:9) when He comes for the second time (Daniel 2:35, 45; Rev.17:14).
David: Their is to be inserted here a PP of Plate 3
Explanation Regarding Plate 3
Again, there are two basic components displayed in Plate 3, The Covenant of Grace and the Covenant of Obedience. The Covenant of Grace is three dimensional and spiritual with equal measurements consisting of length x width x height. This symbolic cubical structure is a place where God dwells in an eternal state. It is a place where the living regenerated souls of the saints of world history take refuge, whether bodily dead or yet bodily alive, for when by God’s grace we are regenerated, we become One with God by the Spirit of Christ. But the Covenant of Obedience, also known as the Covenant of Life (calls for perfect works), is two dimensional, length x width, and is of a temporal status wherein man was originally created to be ‘very good’ (Gen.1:31). The main difference between the two covenants that God originally established with man from the beginning of time is that the Covenant of Grace has an added dimension, namely, height. This additional dimension of height represents the presents of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of the elect. It is by the working of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of God’s elect that they are saved by grace and are made partakers of the divine nature. It is the work of the Holy Spirit of Christ that the saints are renewed by regeneration, called, converted, and freely given faith to believe and walk in truth with Him who saves His people from eternal damnation as all men so rightly deserve, for by nature we are no different than the wicked unbeliever or hypocrite.
Scripture makes plain that it is within this cubical structure, which is pictured for us in such places as: Eph.3:14-19; Rev.11:1; 21:16, that God dwells with man spiritually, eternally, and perfectly because of the perfect work of the Spirit of Christ. By this perfect work the eternal Creator is untied with the temporal creature and those chosen of God become One with Him. In truth, this cubical structure is the spiritual, everlasting, and perfect place that the saints are presented before God and justified because of the perfect work of Christ in and for them. This is because Christ is true and perfect to His word in two ways, which ways are manifested in both His divine nature and His human nature. That we are made perfect by two operations of Christ is evident first of all by the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts whereby we are made to believe in Him by faith (Acts 16:31); trust in Him by faith to have washed us clean of our sins by the blood of the cross (Rom.5:9); and finally to work out our own salvation by walking in faith and doing the works of faith (Phil.2:12-13; James 2:24, 26). This work of Christ by the Spirit in His divine nature is all of faith, whereby the saints are enabled to do the works of faith perfectly, for ‘whatsoever is not of faith is sin’ (Rom.14:23); or again, “The just shall live by faith (Gal.3:11). This initial and continual active working operation of the Spirit of Christ begins with the eternal divine nature affecting and dwelling eternally within temporal man, called to be saints. Thereby temporal man is made partakers of eternal God within the everlasting covenant of grace, also described as a cubical structure, as pictured in “Plate 3”. This operation of Christ in His divine nature is essential for the salvation of the saints throughout all ages; Old and New Testament alike.
The second operation of Christ is of no less importance for our salvation, and such operation was done by Him in His human nature. This act of grace by Christ was accomplished on the cross for us in time; cleansing us from all our sins. This act of righteousness was imputing to the saints by Him. For, He became the perfect sacrifice for us, whereby we, as saints, are presented to God and seen by God through Christ as perfect and therefore justified in His sight. This occurs, not at the end of time, but at the time of our being regenerated by the work of the Spirit of Christ, for all Christ’s works are perfect in us and for us. And because we are made perfect in and by Christ at the time of our being regenerated, we are also called to reign (Matt.5:48; Heb.13:20-21) and enable to reign with Him the symbolic 1000 years, temporally and eternally, for the everlasting covenant of grace originates in the temporal/eternal mode as the souls of each saint is regenerated and united to Christ in His divine nature by the Spirit, and ends exclusively in the eternal mode when we are not only united to Christ by the Spirit but bodily joined with Christ in His human nature at the last day when the seventh trumpet shall sound (Rev.11:15-19), the day our bodies we are resurrected from the grave and joined with our souls. This must be our constant hope as we live by faith in this world of sin, even while tribulation is on every side (Rom.5:3-5). It is because of the gift of faith by the Spirit of Christ that the saints of the Church of Christ are enabled to believe and walk perfectly by faith, whereby we are justified before the Father in the new man (Eph.4:22-24; 5:26-27). Not that we have been shed of the old man of sin that cleaves to us in this life, but to the extent that Christ works in us by the Spirit, so too do we walk in truth according to His word (Eph.2:7).
It is, therefore, by these two operations of Christ, the work of His Spirit and the shedding of His blood, which He has worked in us and for us that the elect saints stand spiritually justified before God already in time and even unto all eternity (Eph.5:26-27). It is at the time of regeneration in time that the saints are already being judged according to the truth of the word, constantly in love being called to be holy and perfect by God because of the work of Christ in us. It is not at the end of time when the wicked are solely judged, as many suppose. This is true even though the old man of sin remains with us until the time of our death, for once we are regenerated and become ‘partakers of the divine nature’ (2Peter 1:4) we believe in Him and walk a sanctified walk by faith that points toward the cross, whether being spiritual members of the Old Testament Church or of the New Testament Church (see explanation of Plate 2). In the mean time our sins are removed from us as far as the east is from the west, either by God’s unconditional promise (Prov.20:22) or by material fact, namely, the work of the cross having been accomplished for all saints (Acts 2:30-33). We determine from God’s word that the removal of our sins took place in principle when God first established the everlasting covenant of grace with Adam, which gave the sure promise of a Savior, which in material fact took place some 4000 years later. Meanwhile, while waiting for the fulfillment of the promise, the Old Testament saints that passed on in death, received ‘white robes’ symbolizing their purity as they waited under the altar (Rev.6:9-11). They not only waited for Christ’s work on the cross but in patience they must also wait for the saints of the New Testament to be gathered into the heavenly fold as they were.
Not only does God see the saints through Christ as being perfect and therefore justified before Him (1Cor.6:11), but in and through the perfect work of Christ He preserves us by the Spirit, whereby we persevere in the faith. The work of Christ is perfect; therefore we are made perfect in faith because of Him. This fact must not be overlooked if we are to properly understand the doctrine of eschatology. The 1000 years of Revelation 20 is not just referring to time as we know it when all the members of the Church of Christ are being gathered, but to especially to the eternal state that we have been incorporated into by the work of Christ, even while yet on this earth. There is for the saints our earthly sojourn reflecting the ‘old man’ of sin, while at the same time their the heavenly presence of God and our Savior who we are able to approach by thought and prayer through the grace given us in the possession of the ‘new man’ of righteousness.
The arrow within the cubical structure of Plate 3 indicates the symbolic linear time span in which the Holy Spirit of Christ, in both the Old and New Testaments, works salvation, while dwelling within the hearts of the saints after regeneration. This span of time is described in Scripture in several different ways, but always equals the length of time that Christ gathers His Church by spiritually incorporating the people of God into the everlasting covenant of grace, where they become spiritually One with Him. This linear span of time, as we are familiar with it, is symbolically referred to as ‘1 week’ by Daniel (Dan.9:27) or ‘7 years’ by temporal standards according to the Apostle John (Rev.11:3); or 10 years by eternal standards according to the second Person of the Trinity. The 10 years is the linear portion of one segment of the 1000 years recorded for us in Revelation 20:4 and 6 (this refers to the W of the formula: 10L x 10W x 10H = God-eternal, El-millennial), for it is the eternal Son in His divine nature that sends the Comforter (Spirit) to the members of the Church in both the Old Testament and the New Testament eras (see the ‘parenthesis’ of the Comforter below). This particular10 year segment of the 1000 reflects the literal history of time in which Christ gathers the Old and New Testament saints into the everlasting covenant of grace according to the promise. This symbolic 10 year period, the linear portion of the everlasting work of salvation by the Spirit of Christ, was begun in the temporal state, the history of the world. But immediately upon the saints being regenerated and converted, we become part of the eternal state, whereby we become One with God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is due to the fact that the Spirit of Christ now dwells in us upon our ‘awakening’ to the ‘light’ (Eph.4:22-24). It is this new eternal state (‘new man’) that the saints experience, even as is reflected in Revelation 20: 4 and 6, namely, that the saints ‘live and reign with Christ (God) 1000 years’, from the imperfect temporal state unto the perfect eternal state. Therefore we come with the name, El-millennial, God-eternal, for we would be unable to reign with Him, except we first be made perfect by Him.
(Comforter – The Comforter is the Holy Spirit. The Comforter was sent by Christ in His divine nature to the saints of the Old Testament and the saints of the New Testament (John 14:16, 17, 26). But, because the cross of Christ is central to the Church and unites the Old and New Testament saints, it was needful that the Comforter of the Old Testament be instructed to enlighten those saints with a different message than the saints of the New Testament. The Old Testament message of the Comforter was that Christ would come and save them from their sins, while the message of the New Testament saints was that Christ did come and save them from their sins. This later instruction of Christ to the Comforter occurred first at Pentecost, just as Jesus had promised to His disciples. All those Jews living at the time of Pentecost, called to be saints, believed that Jesus had come and died for their sins, while many not so called, believed not and do not believe to this day. Nevertheless, it has pleased God to save individual Jews who are enlightened by the Spirit (regenerated) and believe that the Savior of both the Jews and Gentiles did come and die on the cross for our sins. Without the Comforter; without the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts; without Christ the governor and controller of both providence and grace, no flesh could or would be saved. This is the teaching of many passages of Scripture, but especially a passage such as Ephesians 2:14-22 where we read an overall view:
“14: For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15: Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16: And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
18: For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19: Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20: And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21: In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Also reference such passages as Galatians 3:26-29 and 1John 5:20)
Without a doubt, the 1000 not only represents the time of God (symbolically 1000 temporal years in the eternal state), but the name of God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) and place (heaven – L x W x H) of God in the eternal state while the saints are being gathered from the temporal state. The 1000 speaks three-fold of God alone. Should we include the number of the saints dwelling with God, namely, the Church, then we would need to multiply 144 (12 prophets of O.T. times the 12 apostles of the N.T.) times 1000, God-eternal, to arrive at the eternal number of 144,000. The same is true of the symbolic number 7, the number of the Church, which, multiplied times the 1000 years equals the number 7,000, man with God united, which body reigns eternally. This new number makes the eternal structure of man with God 4 dimensional (L x W x H x D), the Depth being the number of the Church (Rev.21:17), which is the picture the word of God gives us of heaven.
As Plate 3 indicates, there is a distinct difference between the eternal covenant of grace and the temporal covenant of obedience that God first made with Adam. The covenant of grace is perfect, everlasting, heavenly, spiritual, living, three dimensional (four dimensional when including the Church), and governed by God through Christ. It is of this covenant that the souls of the saints are spiritually an active part, whether bodily alive or passed on in death. The covenant of obedience, on the other hand, is imperfect, temporal, earthly, inclined to all evil, two dimensional (not including the abyss or bottomless pit) and being the earthly realm wherein Satan does his evil work. This is the realm where all men are born and they find themselves opposed to the God of creation, being spiritually dead in their trespasses and sins. And being spiritually dead and opposed to God in all things, they live wickedly and are rewarded properly by being sent down into the bottomless pit upon death, waiting for the final judgment when they will be judged and cast into hell where the fire never is quenched. This is true of all men in Adam, for, except they be regenerated and born again of the Spirit of Christ, believe in Him, repent of their sins, be baptized, and follow in the ways of the truth of God’s word, and thus made members of the everlasting covenant of grace, there is no hope.
There are, therefore, two distinct peoples that have existed and do exist in the history of the earth; the elect and reprobate, the believer and unbeliever, the saved and unsaved. These two are also more broadly known as the ‘children of God’ or ‘the Church of Christ’ and the ‘beast’ or ‘the heathen nations and the apostate church’. These two war against each other throughout history; the Church fights with the Word of truth, whiles the wicked use deceit and lies and imposes much tribulation upon the saints. Although this is true throughout history, this will be especially true at the end of time (Matt.24:21). Yet, the saints are blessed and rejoice because of the work of their Savior who has saved them from sure desolation and hell (Matt.5:10-12). And because the saints of all ages are assured by the work of the Spirit of the blessed hope of salvation, they all recognize the tribulation that they must go through in this life.
This blessed time in which the saints realize the spiritual favor bestowed upon them of Christ, this time continues throughout history and is known as the ‘Golden Age’. This ‘Golden Age’ extends from the beginning of the Old Testament to the end when Christ comes again. This age is golden in that its reality is caused by the outpouring of the ‘golden oil’ (Spirit) upon the Church of all ages. Daniel speaks of this time in chapter 2, verses 44 and 45 where we read, “And in the days of these kings (history of the world) shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom (covenant of grace), which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever (final judgment and destruction of the beast, the 7 kingdoms of the Old and New Testaments, all the wicked of the carnal and spirit world). Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone (Christ, who builds His Church) was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter (end of time; the second advent of Christ): and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.
The Covenant of Obedience represents the earth God created and which is being destroyed by man because of sin (Rev.11:18). It is two dimensional rather than three like dimensional the Covenant of Grace, the Spirit not being an element of the wicked world. The length and the width are equal, however the area representing the covenant of obedience is much greater than that of the covenant of grace, for the covenant of grace is to be considered but a remnant. We see clearly the differential between the two in such a passage as Daniel 7:10, where we read that of the saints that ministered unto Christ, the Judge, was a thousand thousands or 1,000,000, however, the wicked who stand before His throne and are to be judged figures to be symbolically ten thousand times ten thousand or 100,000,000, the wicked being one hundred times greater in throng.
Although God created and made man ‘very good’, man fell and the fall became the ‘abomination that maketh desolate’ (Dan.12:11). Not only man, but all the earth is to be destroyed by fire because of man’s sin (Rev.18:8, 18-19). In the mean time, as wicked men of the earth die off, their souls go down into the bottomless pit. There they await for His second coming to face judgment and their final reward, everlasting punishment in hell, as the last seven vials are poured out upon the earth and God declares, “It is done” (Rev.16:17).
(The prophesy of the ‘70 weeks’ displayed in the center of Plate 3 and recorded for us in Daniel 9:24-27 will be discussed in the Chapter dealing with that particular prophesy of Daniel. Also, the symbolic time lines of the two covenants on the bottom of Plate 3 that covers the history of the world will be explained under a separate chapter in this book)