The Thousand Years

Scholars have long debated this “thousand years” in our text today. You can do some further reading on different ways to interpret this difficult text. Something that isn’t controversial is the continuation of Revelation’s image of Jesus. During this thousand-year reign, Jesus rules with complete authority. There is no more struggle – God’s will is done on earth as it is in heaven. This is a picture of the all-powerful savior we worship, and of the hope we have for everlasting life that is not marked by suffering and struggle. As you read, pay attention to what the text has to say about believers and the benefits they receive at the victory of Jesus.

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REFLECTION

The Thousand Years

By Jeff Morlock

Life is filled with uncertainty. That was as true for the first century church as it is today. Maybe more so. Persecution for the first generations of Christians came, not in the form of name calling, but of beheading and martyrdom. Yet John of Patmos, whose own persecution entailed forced exile - comforts believers of all times and places with the assurance that in Christ, we can have spiritual certainty in uncertain times.

In his vision, John describes an angelic messenger sent by God the Father to do battle with Satan. Back in Genesis 3, immediately after Adam and Eve traded God’s perfect love for the serpent’s lies, God promised a Savior, who would destroy the serpent’s power. Whether the thousand years of Satan’s powerlessness are to be understood literally or figuratively here, let’s not miss the main point that Jesus, by his death and resurrection, has triumphed over evil and all its representatives! He’s given his church authority over them, too (see Matthew 18:18 and James 4:7). Why then, do you and I live sometimes as though that’s not true?

In his powerlessness, the devil seeks to manipulate and destroy Christ’s followers, including you. So, when the evening news and your own trials make it seem as though evil is winning and that God’s plan is somehow faltering, how are you fighting back? In Genesis 3, the serpent asked, “Did God really say…?” That was all it took for our first parents to forget God’s good command and gracious gifts. And although Satan is now chained, he continues to lunge at us as far as that long chain will allow, whispering the same kind of deceit.

But in the midst of or our own failures, in the midst of so many global, racial, political, economic, and personal uncertainties, John says nothing can undo Satan’s defeat and Jesus’ victory. We have God’s promise that we will share in Christ’s reign of peace and justice that has already begun, but sure to be completed. Knowing that Jesus wins, how will you bring his victory to bear this week in your thoughts and decisions? In your family relationships? Your job? Your neighborhood? Your church?

Prayer:
God, please forgive us when our enemy deceives us to sin. Help us to believe your promises and recognize his lies. Teach us to make him flee at the name of Jesus. And inspire us each day to think and act in ways that reflect the victory of the cross. Amen.

UALC’S CAMPAIGN OF PRAYER - FRIDAY

FAITH - Pray for faith instead of fear, that many would come to faith in Jesus and that we would all trust God more deeply during this time.