Study on Revelation 20:4-6

Revelation 20:4-6 (KJV)

4And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.6Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Jehovah's medatorial Kingdom (thrones, judgment was given unto them, "the saints") and has already come in it's spiritual reality to His people. Let's look at a few scriptures that show that Jehovah's saints are given authority to judge even in this life.

Psalm 122:1-5

1I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.2Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem.3Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together:4Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the LORD.5For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David.

Verse 5, "thrones of judgment". The authority of the king and his servants to lead the people in justice., a type of the Kingdom of Christ. Christ sits as King and judge upon His throne in heaven. We are kings and priests of His Kingdom here on earth and assist in judging (Revelation 1:6 )

1 Corinthians 6:2 (KJV)

2Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

We will not only assist the Son of God in judging the world in the valley of Jehoshaphat but we are to judge matters concerning the Church in this life.

Matthew 16:18-20 (KJV)

18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.19And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

In this passage, Jesus gives those who believe that He is the Son of the living God the keys to His Kingdom to bind and loose. This is basically giving the Church the authority to judge.

1 Corinthians 5:10 (KJV)

12For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?13But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

Those in the Church are to judge those within the Church when a member of the Church refuses to repent from sin.

Acts 15:13-21 (KJV)

13And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me:14Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.15And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written,16After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up:17That the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things.18Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.19Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God:20But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.21For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

The above passage is from the Jerusalem council. This is an example of what Jesus was talking about in Matthew 16 and 18 concerning the authority to loose and bind (judge). James gave the sentence concerning circumcision in particular and the law of Moses in general, in that the gentiles were not to be troubled by their Hebrew brethen in being required to keep them. They were given a minimum of lawful requirements expecting that they would learn the law of Moses as they progessed in their walk. James along with the other Apostles and elders pronounced a judgment concerning the gentiles and this judgment was sent to Churches in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia.

Matthew 19:28 (KJV)

28And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

 The phrase here may be rendered without a comma as "follow me in the regeneration", and the thrones taken symbolically of Christ's Kingdom after His ascension, when the apostles led the Church in Christ's spiritual victory and power. Remember, according to the prophecy of 2 Samuel 7 and the fufillment in Hebrews 1, Jesus sat on the throne of His glory at His ascension not 2,000 years later. Peter confirms this in Acts 2.

So if Christ sat on the throne of His glory at His ascension then how do we reconcile the apostles sitting on thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel?

Well, we have already gone through scriptures denoting that the apostles were given authority to judge matters concerning the Church by Jesus. Also, we saw the actual exercising of that authority in the Jerusalem council. Many take the above verse and think the apostles will sit on literal thrones judging the ethnic tribes of Israel during a futureearthly millennium. However, the designation of 12 tribes of Israel is used for the Church in the new testament:

James 1:1-3 (KJV)

1James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.2My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;3Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

James is equating the 12 tribes of Israel with the Church hence he calls them "my brethren" as this epistles is directed to Christians not unbelieving ethnic Israelites.  There would be no way to send this epistle to the ethnic tribes of Israel as they had long been dispersed and lost by this point.

Ephesians 2:19 (KJV)

19Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

As Gentiles, when we are born again by the Spirit of Jehovah, we are no strangers to the Commonwealth of Israel  (verse 12 of Ephesians 2). We are fellow citizens of Israel with our Hebrew brethen who believe in the Son of God. Also, note that the 12 tribes of Israel is used in a symbolic way describing the Church in Revelation 7.

Revelation 7:3-10 (KJV)

3Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.4And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.5Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.6Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand.7Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand.8Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.9After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;10And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.

From James, Ephesians and other chapters we know that Israel is eqauted with the Church. Here the famous 144,000, 12,000 from each of the 12 tribes are symbolic of the Church. These 144,000 in this passage represent the end times Church and are seen in their glorified state as the great multitude consisting of the Church of all ages otherwise known as the 144,000. Later in chapter 14, this great multitude is referred to as the 144,000.

Galatians 6:15-16 (KJV)

15For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.16And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

Paul refers to both circumcision (Hebrew) and uncircumcision (Gentile) who are in Christ as the Israel of God.

Ephesians 2:13-18 (KJV)

13But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.14For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;15Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;16And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:17And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.18For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Paul confirms that Jesus by His death made Jew and Gentile who were twain into one new man. He says that they are of one body (Ephesians 4) and that we have access by one Spirit unto the Father. In other words, there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile in the new covenant.

Colossians 3:11 (KVJ)

11Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

No more Jewish/Gentile distinction in the new covenant, Christ is all in all.

Galatians 3:28 (KVJ)

28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

Paul again reiterates the truth that Jewish/Gentile distinctions are done away with when it concerns the Church.

Some try to make an artificial distinction between Israel and the Church. Did you know that Israel of the old testament is called the Church in the new testament?

Acts 7:37-38 (KJV)

37This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.38This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

Israel of the old testament is called the Church. The Church of the new testament is referred to as Israel as we have seen. The Church doesn't replace Israel it is simply a continuation of Israel under a new and better covenant. Jehoshua gave the apostles authority to spiritually sit on thrones judging matters concerning the Church (Israel). We also as members of the Messiah's Kingdom also are granted to sit on the throne of Jehoshua judging matters concerning the Church.

As I mentioned earlier, God's Kingdom has already come in it's spiritual reality to His people.

Daniel 7:9 (KJV)

9I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.

In context of this chapter, the above passage refers to the eternal nature of Jehovah's throne and His Kingdom. Those who sit down with Jehovah and His Son Jehoshua have the authority to judge. In this case, the Ancient of Days Jehovah pronounces the death sentence on the little horn.

Daniel 7:22 (KJV)

22Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.

Again, Jehovah God pronounces judgment on the earthly kingdoms and hands them over to the saints of the most High.

Luke 22:30 (KJV)

30That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

We already covered the above statement by Jehoshua when we went over Matthew 19:28. The eating and drinking at Jehoshua's table refers to communion, eating the bread (Jehoshua's body) and wine (His blood). Sitting on thrones refers to the authority Jehoshua have to the apostles. The reference to the 12 tribes of Israel refers to the Church. Jehoshua gave them and us also, authority to judge matters concerning the Church Matthew 16:13-20, Matthew 18).

John 18:36-37 (KJV)

36Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.37Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

Messiah's Kingdom is not political (of this world) but is spiritual (John 3:3-6, Romans 14:17), for He rules His subjects not by coercive force but through their faith (heareth my voice) in His Word (bear witness unto the truth). He was not a violent political revolutionary.

Romans 14:17 (KJV)

17For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.

"Kingdomof God". Though Jehoshua's Kingdom has not yet come in open glory, it has already arrived in the holiness of Jehovah's people, though not in rules about mere externals (meat and drink) but by inward graces of the Holy Spirit (Ghost).

Ephesians 1:19-21 (KJV)

19And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,20Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,21Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

God creates faith by applying the divine power of Jehoshua's resurrection to His elect. Jehovah's power comes to us in His  only begotten Son, through our union with Him in His resurrection. "at his own right hand" The position of Lordship above all kings and angels given to Jehoshua at His ascension (Psalms 110:1, Hebrews 1:13).  This is another passage that proves that Jehoshua was sat down on the right hand of God ("in the heavenly places") in the most holy place on Jehovah's throne. Any bible student worth their salt, knows that Jehovah's throne in the earthly tabernacle was symbolically in the most holy place upon the ark of the covenant.

Remember, that the earthly tabernacle was patterned after the heavenly so if Jehovah's throne is symbolically in the most holy place in the copy, His throne must in reality be in the most holy place in the true. If Jehoshua was only allowed to enter the holy place and not the most holy place at His ascension, then verse 21 of Ephesians 1 makes no sense.

Jehoshua is said to be above all principality, power and might and dominion. This is a result of His being given the position of Lordship which is a result of His ascension. He can only receive this position by being given a throne and a Kingdom. Jehoshua could only be given a throne and a Kingdom and be above all principality if He indeed went to the most Holy place at His ascension. The most holy place is the only place in the sanctuary that has a throne.

The teaching that Jehoshua didn't enter the most holy place until 1844 is attack on His Kingship. If Jehoshua didn't enter the most holy place at His ascension, then by legal standing He couldn't be enthroned as a King and also couldn't receive a Kingdom because there is no throne in the holy place.

If Jehoshua merely entered the holy place and stayed there for 1800 years or so, then that means He was strictly a High Priest and not a King for all those years. Of course, we know that indeed Jehoshua received His Kingdom and His throne at His ascension and not 1800 years later. This means that He entered the most holy place at His ascension. Scripture proves this over and over again especially in the book of Hebrews.

Back to verse 21 of Ephesians 1, "every name that is named". Ephesus was full of idolatry and magic that invoked cosmic powers by name. The Son of God is infinitely greater than all spirits, good or evil.

Verses 22 and 23 of Ephesians 1:

22And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,23Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.

"Put all things under his feet". Quoting Psalm 8:6. The Messiah, the exalted God-man, restores mankind even higher than our former dignity by ruling as head over all creation (Hebrews 2:5-10).

The Church is His body, joined to Jehoshua by the Spirit (1 Cor 12:12-13). "The fulness of him that filleth all in all". The Son of God is filling His Church with His Spirit in order to fill all creation with the glory of Jehovah (Ephesians 3:19; 4:10; 5:18).

Colossians 1:12-13 (KJV)

12Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:

Jehovah made us sufficient or qualified us. "Translated" or Transferred. When God redeems a sinner He transfers them from the power of darkness to the Kingdom of His Son, Jehoshua Messiah. This happens when we are born again in this life. This means that the Kingdom of Jehoshua is a present reality and not just a future hope.

They who posess the Kingdom are already blessed by God.

Matthew 5:3 (KJV)

3Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

"Theirs is the Kingdom of heaven" The present tense implies that these people already partake of God's reign in this present life by the Spirit (Matthew 12:28) though the full experience of God's glory is yet to be experienced in the future (Matthew 13:43).

Revelation 1:3 (KJV)

3Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

"The time is at hand" The last days have begun (Acts 2:17). The last days began at the Messiah's resurrection. Jehoshua may return at anytime (Matthew 24:42, James 5:9).