The Thousand Years

Peter writes in his second letter to the people of Galatia, Cappadocia and peoples in Asia:

- be mindful of the words which were formerly spoken by the Set Apart prophets, and of the commandment of our Master and Redeemer by the hands of his disciples: that there will come in the last days scoffers who will scoff, walking according to their own lusts and saying, "Where is the promise of his coming? for, since our fathers fell asleep, everything remains just as from the beginning of the creation." 

For this they willingly forget, that the heavens were of old; and the earth rose up from the waters, and by means of water, by the Word of Elohim.  And by the means of these waters, the world which then was being submerged, again perished in the waters.  And the heavens that now are, and the earth, are by His Word stored up being reserved for the fire at the day of judgement and the perdition of wicked men.

And of this one thing, my beloved, be not forgetful: That one day to Master YHWH is as a thousand years; and a thousand years as one day.  He does not delay His promises as some estimate delay; but He is long suffering for your sakes, being not willing that any should perish, but that everyone should come to repentance.

Isaiah 34:2- Yahweh is angry at all nations, furious at all their host; he has doomed them, consigned them to slaughter. Their slain shall be left lying, and the stench of their corpses shall mount; and the hills shall be drenched with their blood, all the host of heaven shall molder (wither). The heavens shall be rolled up like a scroll, and all their host shall wither like a leaf withering on the vine, or shriveled fruit on a fig tree.

The events that happen, after the remnant have been gathered in the clouds, are the results of the Seven Cups/Bowls of Wrath poured out upon those 'left behind' as recorded in Revelation 16:

1. malignant and painful sores break out on those who had 'the mark' and who worshiped its image
2. the rest of the sea becomes unlivable and all sea life die
3. the rivers and fountains of water become blood (because of the shed blood of Set Apart believers and prophets)
4. the sun scorches men with fire, great heat (they still won't repent)
5. the kingdom of the 'beast' becomes darkness and they gnaw their tongues from pains and ulcers
6. The Euphrates dries up to make a way for the kings of the east, demons come out of the 'dragon', the final world leader and the false religious leader to gather to battle at a place called Meggido (Armageddon)
7. the announcement is made "It is done!" Lightning flashes, thunders sound and voices and there is a great earthquake. The great city splits into 3 parts, the city of nations falls, Babylon is remembered and she gets her due, islands disappear, mountains are flattened, great hail falls and men still blaspheme Yahweh. 

In Chapter 18 we read about Babylon, this great city, and its destruction. Then the marriage supper of Y'shua comes, he shows up riding a white horse and an angelic army from heaven rides with him to that battle at Megiddo. The 'beast' is captured along with the false prophet and both were cast into Fire Lake. The rest were slain by the sword of him on the white horse. Satan is chained up and bound in the pit for the next thousand years. Then the first resurrection and judgment occurs via the Twelve Apostles upon their thrones.

In Chapter 20 those who were gathered up in the clouds at the 7th trumpet, just before the 7 plagues were poured out, are now returned, placed in the promised land, fulfilling the covenant Yahweh made with Abraham. The 12 Apostles set up court to give judgement. Now we have a thousand years to look forward to, before Satan is let loose that one last time.

In Revelation 20:7 we learn that Satan is released after the thousand year earthly kingdom. It amazes me that he manages to round up an army for battle from the folks who make up the First Resurrection. Guess they will be just like the mixed multitude who traveled the wilderness those 40 years, mumbling, grumbling and complaining. It appears that this will be the final stage of refinement.

This final army Satan (Gog) inspires will encompass the camp of Set Apart believers and Jerusalem. Verse 9 tells us fire came down from Elohim out of heaven and consumed them, just them, not the whole earth. Now Satan is tossed into Fire Lake. Yahweh comes down to judge the rest. If one is not found enrolled in the Book of life, they will be cast into Fire Lake.

In Revelation 21 we learn that after the thousand years and this final rebellious act of Satan that Yahweh will make things new. There will be a new earth, new heavens and a new Jerusalem. The old order will pass away and we shall have no memory of it.

Isaiah 65:16- For whoever blesses himself in the land shall bless himself by the true Elohim; and whoever swears in the land shall swear by the true Elohim. The former troubles shall be forgotten, shall be hidden from My Eyes. For behold! I am creating a new heaven and new earth; the former things shall not be remembered, they shall never come to mind. Be glad, then, and rejoice forever in what I am creating. I shall create Jerusalem as a joy, and her people as a delight. Never again shall be heard there the sounds of weeping and wailing.

Ezekiel 38 and 39 I shall paraphrase for this study, so when you have time, please read these chapters in their entirety. This prophecy points to the end of the thousand year earthly kingdom.

Yahweh says, "I am coming to deal with you, Gog, chief prince of Meshech and Tubal! I will turn you around and put hooks in your jaws and lead you out, and your army: Persia, Cush, Put, Gomer, Beth-Togarmah. After a long time you shall be summoned; in the distant future you shall march against the land of a people restored, gathered from the midst of many peoples- against the mountains of Israel- a people liberated from the nations now dwelling secure.  

On that day a thought will occur to you and you will conceive a wicked design. You will plan to invade this land and these people, in order to take spoil and seize plunder, from the center of the earth (Jerusalem). On this day when My people Israel are living secure, you and your army will advance upon them. I will bring you to My land that the nations may know Me when I manifest My Set Apart ways before their eyes, through you, Gog! The day you set foot on the soil of Israel My raging anger shall flare up. A terrible earthquake shall befall the land. The fish of the sea and birds of the sky, beasts of the field, all creeping things on the ground and every human being on earth shall quake before Me. 

Mountains shall be overthrown, cliffs topple and every wall shall crumble to the ground - Every man's sword shall be turned against his brother. I will punish Gog with pestilence and bloodshed. I will pour down torrential rain, hailstones and sulfurous fire upon him and his hordes and many people with him. Thus will I manifest My greatness and My righteousness and make Myself known in the sight of many nations and they shall know that I am Yahweh.

2 Peter 3:9- But the day of Yahweh will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be dissolved in the fire, and the earth and its works will not be found.

Revelation 6:12- And when I saw the Lamb open the sixth seal, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth, like unripe figs dropping from a tree shaken by a great wind. The sky receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place.

Isaiah 13:13- Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, And the earth will be shaken from its place At the fury of YHWH Elohim, in the day of His burning anger.

It appears that Yahweh's Burning Anger will be the cause of the destruction of the earth and heavens and occur after the thousand year reign when we who have endured shall not be concerned with the old earth.... all things will be forgotten when Yahweh brings the new earth, heavens and New Jerusalem.

Daniel 2:44 - And in the time of those kings, Elohim of Heaven will establish a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, a kingdom that shall not be transferred to another people. It will crush and wipe out all these kingdoms, but shall itself last forever.

Luke 1:32 - This one will be called great and will be called the Son of the Highest, and Master Yahweh your Elohim will give to him the throne of David... and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever... there will not be an end to his kingdom.

Psalm 90:4 - For in Your sight a thousand years are like yesterday that has past, like a watch of the night.

In the book of Ezekiel we read Yahweh plans to deal with Gog and Magog, puts hooks in his jaw and bring him to Jerusalem.  He will leave their bodies as food for birds of every sort.  Yah will send fire against Magog and those who dwell on the coast lands.

Ezekiel 39:9- Then the inhabitants of the cities of Israel will go out and make fires and feed them with the weapons; they shall use them as fuel for seven years in place of firewood.  They will plunder those who plundered them.  A burial site for Gog shall be east of the Sea in the Valley of Travelers.  Gog and his multitude will be buried there and be called the Valley of Gog's Multitude.  The House of Israel will spend 7 months burying them in order to cleanse the land - all the people shall bury them.  The day I manifest My glory shall bring renown to them and they shall appoint men to serve permanently, to traverse the land and bury any invaders who remain above ground in order to cleanse it. 17- ...say to every bird and wild beasts: Assemble, gather from all around for the sacrificial feast I am preparing upon the the mountains of Israel, and eat flesh and drink blood of warriors and princes, rams lambs he-goat an bulls, fatlings of Bashan, all of them. Eat and drink your fill. Sate yourselves at my table with horses, charioteers and all fighting men. Thus will I manifest My glory among the nations.

From that time on the House of Israel shall know that I Yahweh am their Elohim, and the nations shall know they were exiled for their iniquity because they trespassed against Me. I will now restore the fortunes of Jacob and take the whole House of Israel back in love.