The Millennial Judgment

Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? 1 Corinthians 6:3
During the thousand years between the first and the second resurrection the judgment of the wicked takes place. The apostle Paul points to this judgment as an event that follows the second advent. “Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts.” 1 Corinthians 4:5. Daniel declares that when the Ancient of Days came, “judgment was given to the saints of the most High.” Daniel 7:22. At this time the righteous reign as kings and priests unto God. John in the Revelation says: “I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them.” “They shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4, 6. It is at this time that, as foretold by Paul, “the saints shall judge the world.” 1 Corinthians 6:2. In union with Christ they judge the wicked, comparing their acts with the statute book, the Bible, and deciding every case according to the deeds done in the body. Then the portion which the wicked must suffer is meted out, according to their works; and it is recorded against their names in the book of death.
Satan also and evil angels are judged by Christ and His people. Says Paul: “Know ye not that we shall judge angels?” Verse 3. And Jude declares that “the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.” Jude 6.
At the close of the thousand years the second resurrection will take place. Then the wicked will be raised from the dead and appear before God for the execution of “the judgment written.” Thus the revelator, after describing the resurrection of the righteous, says: “The rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.” Revelation 20:5. And Isaiah declares, concerning the wicked: “They shall be gathered together, as prisoners are gathered in the pit, and shall be shut up in the prison, and after many days shall they be visited.”; Isaiah 24:22.
Maranatha p. 335
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Prayer Requests
—–Please pray for Ken who got some very bad news at the doctor. Ron
—–I have a prayer request. Our heat went out yesterday. Please pray that it is nothing expensive. W
——Please pray that God will lead my children and supply all of their needs. L
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Dear Friends,
My grandfather, Edwin Harmon, spent much of his growing up years living the life of a hobo traveling up and down the east coast of the USA by “riding the rails” in a boxcar. He met many interesting characters along the way. Some of these homeless men were very nice to him, shared their food with him, and taught him the ways of survival. He grew up tough and wiry but kept his tender heart.
The railroad companies tried in vain to stop these hobos from hopping into the boxcars by hiring men to catch all who were riding for free. One particular security guard had quite a reputation because of his size and the hard look on his face. All of the men who road the rails were afraid of him. As they would tell one another about this man, the stories grew and grew until he became something of a legend.
At this time, Ed was in his early twenties. He had, for the most part, left his wandering life. Yet there were times when he would still ride the rails to get where he wanted to go. He had heard all the stories about that mean security guard and hoped that he would never meet him. He had faced many dangers throughout his life and was well able to take care of himself, but those stories of this man’s cruelty filled him with fear.
One day, he decided to catch a ride on the train. He would have to be extra careful not to get caught. Sneaking into the railway yard, he grabbed the ladder that was at the end of a boxcar as the train went slowly by. The infamous security guard saw him. This guard had captured many other men who had ridden the rails without paying and now he was after my grandfather.
Ed held onto the ladder for a few moments before climbing up onto the boxcar. Just as his head was peeking over the top, he saw the guard coming his way. Immediately he ducked down, hoping that he had not been seen. In the few moments he had before the man got to him, he had a decision to make. The train was now going too fast for him to jump off without being hurt. He laid his plans. Climbing up the ladder when he was sure the guard was right above him, he sprung up onto the top of the boxcar right in front of the guard. Looking his meanest, he faced this huge strongman. The guard’s menacing look made the hair on Ed’s neck stand up, but he did not let his fear show. The guard told him that he was going to throw him off the train which had picked up even more speed.
In desperation, Ed told the man that he had a gun and was going to put an end to the guard once and for all. Suddenly, that big guard’s attitude changed. Even though that guard had not seen a gun, he was afraid at the mere mention of the word. The frightening look on his face turned to one of fear. His whole demeanor changed. Slowly. he backed away and left my grandfather alone for the rest of the trip. Ed was greatly relieved but could not relax. He was sure that at the next stop this guard would have the sheriff waiting for him. Later, when the train slowed while going up a steep grade, he jumped off.
How many times we are like that guard. We profess one thing, but we are quite different within. Jesus tells us, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy
name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matt 7:21-23 Fearful thought!
Profession does no good when there is no change in our heart. Profession is worthless without the love of God dwelling inside. Whenever we do good for the wrong reason, it counts for nothing. How much we need to have a new heart. How much we need that cleansing that only Jesus can give. We cannot cleanse ourselves. It is a gift of God, Who promises, “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” “I will put my laws into [your] hearts, and in [your] minds will I write them, And [your] sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Eze 36:26,27, Heb 10:16,17
John writes, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1John 1:9, 2:1 In vision, Zechariah was shown the mercy and forgiveness of our Great Redeemer. “And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan, even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire? Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment. And I said, Let them set a fair mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by.” Zech 3:1-5
May we accept God’s great forgiveness and so live that we truly become all that we profess to be is my prayer.
Rose