What is the time frame of the resurrection? Rev. 20

[Interested JW]

Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2004 12:40 am Post subject: What is the time frame of the resurrection? Rev. 20

Question To YORWW Congregation:

Could you please explain to me Revelation Chap. 20 concerning the time frame of the resurrection? Thank you

Interested JW

[WiseButPoorOldMan (Ecclesiastes 9:13-16)]

The Resurrection and Revelation 20 Explained

Posted: Thu Jun 03, 2004 12:40 am Post subject: What is the time frame of the resurrection? Rev. 20

Question To YORWW Congregation:

Could you please explain to me Revelation Chap. 20 concerning the time frame of the resurrection? Thank you

Interested JW

Answer:

Our discussion of the subject of the resurrection and the 20th chapter of Revelation is an intricate one. It is a very involved subject matter that could possibly involve a number of posts. So, I will deal with a small portion of this chapter to start off with, and if you have additional questions, then we can explore these together in your next question posed to myself on this subject dealing with Revelation 20.

Having said that, let's start our bible discussion of the resurrection and Revelation chapter 20 with a closer look at verse 4 of this chapter. It says:

"And I saw thrones, and there were those who sat down on them, and power of judging was given them. Yes, I saw the souls of those executed with the ax for the witness they bore to Jesus and for speaking about God, and those who had worshiped neither the wild beast nor its image and who had not received the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand. And they came to life and ruled as kings with the Christ for a thousand years." -- New World Translation

First of all, we should note the contents of Revelation chapter 20, as well as the rest of the book of Revelation, actually deals with a special time period -- the time of the end, which is our day and time. The book of Revelation, particularly from the 4th chapter on, shows us things about the future. Revelation 4:1 shows us this point by saying:

"After these things I saw, and, look! an opened door in heaven, and the first voice that I heard was as of a trumpet, speaking with me, saying: Come on up here, and I shall show you the things that must take place."

We notice that John was shown "the things that must take place." Yes, things of the future from his vantage point. The future is the time of the end, happening right now.

Therefore, when we envision these events of Revelation 20th chapter, we come to realize that it deals with the time when those from among the ranks of modern day Israel, Jehovah's Witnesses, will have to battle against the "wild beast" and come off victorious. So then, this is a modern-day setting, that aptly applies ONLY to those in the last days, who have to "wage war" against, and battle the "wild beast" and "mark of the beast." These ones have to prove their worthiness, by "waging war" against the Dragon, Satan the Devil. -- Revelation 13:7; Revelation 12:17

Therefore, these events of Revelation 20th chapter logically have nothing to do with persecution of first century Christians at all. As we remember, first century Christians did not have to "wage war" against the "Wild Beast" and his "mark." No, but John is getting a vision of the future. These events only apply to future earthly rulers of God, who do have to battle against the "wild beast" of our modern day time, and must prove themselves worthy of this special calling. They must become, modern-day "holy ones" who come to "possess the kingdom of God." Those who have to do battle, specifically against the "small horn" who wars against the "holy ones". -- See Daniel 7:11, 18-22.

So then, Revelation the 20th chapter is speaking about future EARTHLY "rulers" -- who are the same ones that Revelation 15:2, 3 speaks of in saying:

"And I saw what seemed to be a glassy sea mingled with fire, and those who come off victorious from the wild beast and from its image and from the number of its name standing by the glassy sea, having harps of God. And they are singing the song of Moses the slave of God and the song of the Lamb, saying: Great and wonderful are your works, Jehovah God, the Almighty, Righteous and true are your ways, King of eternity."

We notice here that these special earthly rulers have harps in their hands. And in addition to battling the "wild beast," this bible account mentions that using their "harps," they show they have all learned something special. They have learned a special" song" that they sang while playing their "harps." In fact, it is really two special "songs," the "song of Moses" and the "song of the lamb." Additionally, we recall Revelation 5:8-10 shows the "Four Living Creatures" and the "24 elders" as having "harps" in their hands too, and being able to sing also a "new song," a special "song" before God and mankind, dealing with the worthiness of the "Lamb." But again, we must remember this too is a "new song." This is about something "new," not previously known by God's servants at that time. (More about that "new song" later.)

So then, from a prophetic point of view, we see these future "kings" and "priests" to be future anointed ones, the entire nation of Israel who will be "anointed," as was prophesied at Joel 2:28, 29, right before Armageddon and the 1,000 year reign of the Christ. And in this newly "anointed" state, the entire nation of Israel, restored Jehovah's Witnesses, begin their "reign" as "kings and priests" as earthly representatives of God's Kingdom. (Daniel 2:44)

In this sense, they will rule as kings literally "UPON" the earth, as shown at Revelation 5:10 in a number of modern translations today, as well as the Watchtower Society's own New World Translation Kingdom Interlinear Greek-English word-for-word version (released 1969). Therefore in this sense, they will have "come to life" as Revelation 20:4 says, come to spiritual "life" before God.

Jesus once said referring to a "coming to life" in a spiritual sense before God:

"Most truly I say to you, He that hears my word and believes him that sent me has everlasting life, and he does not come into judgment but has passed over from death to life." -- John 5:24

Also John once wrote making the same point:

"We know we have passed over from death to life, because we love the brothers. He who does not love remains in death." -- 1 John 3:14

Then too, there was Jesus' graphic statement referring to those who had not accepted his spiritual message as being "dead" in God's eyes. Jesus said:

"...let the dead bury their dead, but you go away and declare abroad the kingdom of God." -- Luke 9:60

Therefore, we can see, from a spiritual point of view how God could indeed view all individuals who had not proven their spiritual worthiness before Him, all individuals other than Jehovah's Witnesses as a nation of people. All individuals OUTSIDE of the nation of Jehovah's Witnesses, who have not been tested by trial, and therefore were still viewed as being spiritually "dead" at the time God's Earthly Kingdom begins to hold sway over earth's affairs. Again, we are talking about events that occur at the time of the "Marriage of the Lamb," which occurs BEFORE the battle of Armageddon and just AFTER the destruction of wicked Babylon the Great. - See Revelation 11:15; Revelation 19:1-8.

Therefore the events spoken in Revelation 20:4, actually shows it is a resurrection indeed, but a spiritual "resurrection" of an entire nation of future "kings" and "priests" fulfilling the intent of God's Promise to make an earthly nation of Israel, to be a "kingdom of priests" at Exodus 19:5, 6. These ones, restored Jehovah's Witnesses, by this time, have come off "victorious" from the "mark of the beast," and have come to "pass over from death" in a spiritual sense, to "everlasting life," life free from the "authority of the second death." It will be just as Revelation 20:6 says of them:

"Happy and holy is anyone having part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priests of God and of the Christ, and will rule as kings with him for the thousands years."

Therefore, these ones have already "passed over to life" everlastingly, and have proven themselves unswerving in their devotion and allegiance to God Himself, when they faced the "wild beast" and his "mark" and prevail to become "victorious" before God and all observing mankind. Therefore, these future "kings" and "priests," having been tested by Satan under the most severe circumstances, and proving themselves faithful, they will be considered "alive" by Jehovah's standards. This is to happen right at the end of this System of things, before Armageddon, at the "Marriage of the Lamb," just after God's anoints them as a "Kingdom of Priests" before him, as indicated by Joel 2:28, 29. -- Exodus 19:5, 6; Revelation 5:10;

Afterwards, all other individuals of this earth who have yet to be "tested" in this most severe manner, as Jehovah's Witnesses by the "wild beast," and by other trials and tribulations heaped upon them by wicked Babylon the Great and the worldly political elements of Satan, will continue to be viewed in the spiritual sense, being "dead" to God. Inclusive in this number would be those of the billions of Armageddon Survivors who obediently "stream" to the mountain of Jehovah, in the "final part of the days," in support of the newly established earthly kingdom government arrangement, under the direction of the Modern Day "Servant's rulership and authority. (Isaiah 2:2-4; Isaiah 49:1-7) Why? Well, again this is primarily because these billions of Armageddon Survivors have never been tested by Satan , on an individual basis and therefore cannot be truthfully awarded the title to "life." This is what is meant by the mysterious, parenthetical statement of Revelation 20:5 which says:

"(The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.)..."

The "rest of the dead" then proves to be all the billions of Armageddon Survivors who finally give support to God's Earthly Kingdom Government, but are NOT themselves Jehovah's Witnesses, and thus have never confronted Satan on such a personal level to be tested by him. In time, these ones will prove to be the true beneficiaries of the Abrahamic Promise, where "nations would bless themselves" by means of the "seed" of Abraham, the modern day nation of Israel under the leadership of the Modern Day "Servant" of God. -- Genesis 22:18; Isaiah 49:1-7

Once God's Kingdom has been established upon earth, these ones give support to it, in the "final part of the days," and accept the newly anointed, "Kings" and "Priests" of God, modern day Israel as earth's rightful leaders -- namely the "anointed" nation who just before had to actually face the challenge of Satan and the "mark of the beast" and come off "victorious." -- Revelation 15:2, 3

So then, these spiritually "dead" ones in the eyes of God, that must wait till the end of the thousand year reign of peace, till Satan is let loose from his prison, from the "abyss" of inactivity, and to be "tested" and show their worthiness for "life," true life in the eyes of God Almighty. Their reaction to Satan at this time will show whether they should receive "life" from God as a perfect sin-free person or not. The Bible does show that even then, Satan will be successful in turning many of these "untested" ones, away from true worship of Jehovah when he is let loose from the "abyss" for the final "testing" of these spiritually unproven ones. Some will at that time prove "victorious," but again many others will not, as Revelation 20:7-9 shows.

I will stop at this point. So, if you have any additional questions on Revelation 20, just post another question on the subject, and we will continue our discussion here.

Hope this helps.

yorww

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Review Questions For The Article: What is the Time Frame of the Resurrection? (Rev. 20)

1. The book of Revelation has its fulfillment in what specific time period? How does Revelation 4:1 show this?

2. How can we prove that Revelation 20:4 does not apply to first century Christians?

3. The events of Revelation chapter 20 are then to be applied to what group of Christians at what time period?

4. How does Daniel 7:18-22 describe the entity that these ‘holy ones’ must wage war with and come off victorious against before they ‘take possession of the kingdom?’

5. What special or new songs does Revelation 15:2, 3 describe these rulers as singing as they play upon their harps?

6. According to Revelation 5:8-10, who else sings a new song as they play on harps?

7. According to Joel 2:28, 29, what can these future rulers expect to experience before they begin their rulership?

8. In what sense are these rulers said to ‘come to life?’ What scriptures help us to understand this matter?

9. When the earthly kingdom begins to hold sway over the earth, how will Jehovah view individuals outside the nation of Jehovah’s Witnesses spiritually speaking and why?

10. What kind of resurrection then does Revelation 20:4 describe?

11. Who are those who are yet to be tested to determine their worthiness before Jehovah?

12. How does Revelation 20:5 describe these individuals?

13. According to Genesis 22:18, what will they prove to be after they have been tested by Satan and are victorious?

14. Why must they wait until the thousand years are ended before they can prove their worthiness to life?

15. Will all of these billions of untested ones succeed in coming off victorious against Satan?



To get the answers for the review questions CLICK HERE.


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