“And from the time that the regular sacrifice is abolished and the abomination of desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who is patient and attains to the 1,335 days!” - Daniel 12:11-12
As we’ve already noted in this series, the Great Tribulation will last exactly 3 ½ years or 1,260 days (360 x 3.5). However, in his prophecy regarding the end times, Daniel foresees a period of 1,290 days and pronounces a blessing on those who attain “to the 1,335 days”. What accounts for this numeric difference?
The most credible explanation that I’ve discovered proposes that following the defeat of the Antichrist and fall of Babylon, when Jesus returns to the earth, there will be a period of 75 days prior to the beginning of His millennial reign. I have dubbed this gap as “The Pre-Millennium”. This brief interlude is divided into 2 parts - the first lasting 30 days and the second 45. In other words, after the 1,260 days of the Great Tribulation, there will be an initial window of 30 days bringing the sum to 1,290, and then another span of 45 days making the total 1,335 days.
Several important things will happen during the Pre-Millenium. First, the surviving enemies of God will spend time grieving over the collapse of Babylon (Revelation 18:9-10). Second, Jerusalem and the earth at-large to be restored from the devastations of the tribulation. Third, Christ will organize and set-up His millennial kingdom. In my view, all 3 of these things will occur during the initial 30-day phase.
In today’s sermon, we will read about and discuss several other occurrences that will take place during the Pre-Millennium.
I. SATAN BOUND (Revelation 20:1-3)
John saw an angel coming down from Heaven holding a great chain and the key of the abyss. He seized the dragon, which is the Devil, and bound him (presumably with the chain). The angel threw Satan into the abyss, shut it, and sealed it (figuratively locking it with the key) so that he could no longer deceive the nations. The dragon would remain confined in the abyss for 1,000 years, after which he’d be released for a brief time.
The binding of Satan will effectively remove the external presence of evil from the earth for 1,000 years. Remember that the Antichrist and False prophet have already been cast into the lake of fire, never to escape, and thousands of wicked and unbelieving soldiers have been killed (Revelation 19:20-21). Though the text does not expressly say it, I believe that common sense and reason tells us that the demons who had been previously unleashed upon the earth (during 5th and 6th Trumpets) and all other fallen angels will also be bound and cast into the abyss. Thus, all of God’s enemies will be vanquished for a season.
This is the 7th appearance of the word “abyss” in Revelation. I personally believe that in each of these instances it refers to Tartarus - the current hell of and for demons. While unrepentant and unsaved humans are condemned to Hades, Satan and his fallen angels will be confined separately in Tartarus (some already are). I will not dwell on this doctrine today, as I have covered it in depth in previous messages. It seems most likely to me that “the binding of Satan” will occur during the first 30 days of the Pre-Millenium, perhaps almost immediately after Christ’s return.
II. THE NATIONS JUDGED (Revelation 20:4a)
John saw thrones, and judgement was given to those who sat upon them. The only “thrones” in Revelation, other than God’s of course, are those belonging to the 24 elders (Revelation 4:4, 11:16). We have already explained these 24 elders represent the Church - that is, the Christians of the Church Age who were raptured prior to the tribulation’s onset and who returned with Jesus at His second coming. We will reign with Him (2 Timothy 2:11-13). Thus, the common interpretation is that John witnessed Christians judging the surviving inhabitants of the earth - both friend and foe. This would fulfill the New Testament teaching that believers will judge the world (1 Corinthians 6:2).
This would be the “Harvest” judgment which we covered several weeks ago (Revelation 14:14-20). It is more commonly thought of as “The Sheep and Goat Judgement” (Matthew 25:31-46), though both refer to the same event. In short, Christians (who have already been given glorified bodies) will assist Jesus in separating the remaining people on earth (who still have bodies of flesh). The unrighteous will be banished to Hades, or hell, while the righteous will live on into the Millennium. I believe that this judgment will be held during the second, 45-day portion of the Pre-Millennium.
III. THE FIRST RESURRECTION (Revelation 20:4b-6)
John saw the souls of those who had remained faithful to God during the tribulation and had been martyred for refusing to worship the beast or take his mark “come to life”. This undoubtedly refers to the Tribulation saints - believers who came to a saving faith in Christ during the 7 years of tribulation. Their disembodied souls had been present in Heaven, crying out to God for justice, but now they too would be resurrected - given glorified bodies. Along with the Church-Age Christians, these Tribulation Saints would reign bodily with Christ on the earth for 1,000 years.
Though not expressly mentioned here, it seems most-appropriate to accept that the resurrection of the Old Testament saints will take place at this time also. The prophets testified of a coming resurrection for faithful Israel, to include all Jewish believers who lived and died on earth before Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection (Daniel 12:1-2, Isaiah 26:19, Hosea 13:14). This would include people like Abraham, Noah, Moses, Deborah, David, and others (Hebrews 11).
The most established opinion is that “the first resurrection” will include both the Tribulation Saints and the Old Testament Saints. These believers will be blessed, have power over death, and (along with their Church-Age brethren) become priests of God and Christ. Following this resurrection, all of God’s children from every age who have ever physically died will have eternal, glorified bodies in which to reign with Christ on earth for 1,000 years. I think that this resurrection will occur during the second phase of the Pre-Millennium.
CONCLUSION
In closing, after the Tribulation ends and Christ returns, there will be a short period of time leading up to the beginning of His earthly reign. During this time, several important things will happen. Let's review:
After the 75-day Pre-Millennium comes to an end, Jesus’ 1000-year reign on earth will officially begin. At its outset, only believers will be present. In fact, most will have already received their glorified bodies - the Church, the Tribulation Saints, and the Old Testament Saints. Some, however - namely the righteous who actually survived the horrors of the tribulation - will still have fleshly bodies. Blessed is he who attains to the 1,335 days!
Next week we will discuss the Millennium, the release of Satan, and the events that immediately follow. Until then, may God bless you richly.
As we’ve already noted in this series, the Great Tribulation will last exactly 3 ½ years or 1,260 days (360 x 3.5). However, in his prophecy regarding the end times, Daniel foresees a period of 1,290 days and pronounces a blessing on those who attain “to the 1,335 days”. What accounts for this numeric difference?
The most credible explanation that I’ve discovered proposes that following the defeat of the Antichrist and fall of Babylon, when Jesus returns to the earth, there will be a period of 75 days prior to the beginning of His millennial reign. I have dubbed this gap as “The Pre-Millennium”. This brief interlude is divided into 2 parts - the first lasting 30 days and the second 45. In other words, after the 1,260 days of the Great Tribulation, there will be an initial window of 30 days bringing the sum to 1,290, and then another span of 45 days making the total 1,335 days.
Several important things will happen during the Pre-Millenium. First, the surviving enemies of God will spend time grieving over the collapse of Babylon (Revelation 18:9-10). Second, Jerusalem and the earth at-large to be restored from the devastations of the tribulation. Third, Christ will organize and set-up His millennial kingdom. In my view, all 3 of these things will occur during the initial 30-day phase.
In today’s sermon, we will read about and discuss several other occurrences that will take place during the Pre-Millennium.
I. SATAN BOUND (Revelation 20:1-3)
John saw an angel coming down from Heaven holding a great chain and the key of the abyss. He seized the dragon, which is the Devil, and bound him (presumably with the chain). The angel threw Satan into the abyss, shut it, and sealed it (figuratively locking it with the key) so that he could no longer deceive the nations. The dragon would remain confined in the abyss for 1,000 years, after which he’d be released for a brief time.
The binding of Satan will effectively remove the external presence of evil from the earth for 1,000 years. Remember that the Antichrist and False prophet have already been cast into the lake of fire, never to escape, and thousands of wicked and unbelieving soldiers have been killed (Revelation 19:20-21). Though the text does not expressly say it, I believe that common sense and reason tells us that the demons who had been previously unleashed upon the earth (during 5th and 6th Trumpets) and all other fallen angels will also be bound and cast into the abyss. Thus, all of God’s enemies will be vanquished for a season.
This is the 7th appearance of the word “abyss” in Revelation. I personally believe that in each of these instances it refers to Tartarus - the current hell of and for demons. While unrepentant and unsaved humans are condemned to Hades, Satan and his fallen angels will be confined separately in Tartarus (some already are). I will not dwell on this doctrine today, as I have covered it in depth in previous messages. It seems most likely to me that “the binding of Satan” will occur during the first 30 days of the Pre-Millenium, perhaps almost immediately after Christ’s return.
II. THE NATIONS JUDGED (Revelation 20:4a)
John saw thrones, and judgement was given to those who sat upon them. The only “thrones” in Revelation, other than God’s of course, are those belonging to the 24 elders (Revelation 4:4, 11:16). We have already explained these 24 elders represent the Church - that is, the Christians of the Church Age who were raptured prior to the tribulation’s onset and who returned with Jesus at His second coming. We will reign with Him (2 Timothy 2:11-13). Thus, the common interpretation is that John witnessed Christians judging the surviving inhabitants of the earth - both friend and foe. This would fulfill the New Testament teaching that believers will judge the world (1 Corinthians 6:2).
This would be the “Harvest” judgment which we covered several weeks ago (Revelation 14:14-20). It is more commonly thought of as “The Sheep and Goat Judgement” (Matthew 25:31-46), though both refer to the same event. In short, Christians (who have already been given glorified bodies) will assist Jesus in separating the remaining people on earth (who still have bodies of flesh). The unrighteous will be banished to Hades, or hell, while the righteous will live on into the Millennium. I believe that this judgment will be held during the second, 45-day portion of the Pre-Millennium.
III. THE FIRST RESURRECTION (Revelation 20:4b-6)
John saw the souls of those who had remained faithful to God during the tribulation and had been martyred for refusing to worship the beast or take his mark “come to life”. This undoubtedly refers to the Tribulation saints - believers who came to a saving faith in Christ during the 7 years of tribulation. Their disembodied souls had been present in Heaven, crying out to God for justice, but now they too would be resurrected - given glorified bodies. Along with the Church-Age Christians, these Tribulation Saints would reign bodily with Christ on the earth for 1,000 years.
Though not expressly mentioned here, it seems most-appropriate to accept that the resurrection of the Old Testament saints will take place at this time also. The prophets testified of a coming resurrection for faithful Israel, to include all Jewish believers who lived and died on earth before Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection (Daniel 12:1-2, Isaiah 26:19, Hosea 13:14). This would include people like Abraham, Noah, Moses, Deborah, David, and others (Hebrews 11).
The most established opinion is that “the first resurrection” will include both the Tribulation Saints and the Old Testament Saints. These believers will be blessed, have power over death, and (along with their Church-Age brethren) become priests of God and Christ. Following this resurrection, all of God’s children from every age who have ever physically died will have eternal, glorified bodies in which to reign with Christ on earth for 1,000 years. I think that this resurrection will occur during the second phase of the Pre-Millennium.
CONCLUSION
In closing, after the Tribulation ends and Christ returns, there will be a short period of time leading up to the beginning of His earthly reign. During this time, several important things will happen. Let's review:
- Jerusalem and the whole earth will be restored in preparation for Christ’s millennial kingdom.
- Satan and all of his demons will be bound in Tartarus, or the abyss.
- The surviving inhabitants of earth will be judged. The unrighteous will be condemned to Hades. The righteous will live on into the Millennium.
- The souls of the Tribulation Saints and Old Testament saints will be resurrected (given glorified bodies).
After the 75-day Pre-Millennium comes to an end, Jesus’ 1000-year reign on earth will officially begin. At its outset, only believers will be present. In fact, most will have already received their glorified bodies - the Church, the Tribulation Saints, and the Old Testament Saints. Some, however - namely the righteous who actually survived the horrors of the tribulation - will still have fleshly bodies. Blessed is he who attains to the 1,335 days!
Next week we will discuss the Millennium, the release of Satan, and the events that immediately follow. Until then, may God bless you richly.