Let us take our Bibles and turn to Revelation chapter 20 verses 1 through 10. There we read, And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years should be fulfilled. And after that he must be loosed a little season. And 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, but the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed 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. And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, encompassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night forever and ever. May the Lord, our God, bless His Holy Word this day. In the last sermon in this series, we noted that in the following sermons we would be considering some different eschatological interpretive systems as it relates to the restoration of Israel and the blessings Christ has promised to bring upon this world in the future. The surveys of these different systems are not intended to be exhaustive or minutely detailed necessarily, but rather brief overviews. In the last sermon, the system of premillennialism was considered in a scriptural case from Romans 11 and 1 Corinthians 15 was presented as to why premillennialism is an erroneous system contrary to the doctrine of God's Word. This Lord's Day we move on to consider the eschatological system of amillennialism. The word amillennial literally means no millennium. But that is not really an accurate description of this interpretive system, because those who hold this view do believe in a millennium. However, it is not a millennium upon earth, but a spiritual millennium in heaven. According to amillennialism, On earth, Satan is bound for a symbolic period of 1,000 years so that he cannot prevent the gospel of Christ going into the nations of this world or prevent the drawing of elect individuals from these nations unto Christ. During the same symbolic thousand-year period of time, according to Amillennialism, the same period of time in which Satan is bound upon earth, the dead in Christ live and reign with Christ in heaven as glorified souls. Some amillennialists have preferred to call their interpretive system realized millennialism, because after Christ ascended into heaven, all who die in Christ thereafter immediately enter into the heavenly millennium as glorified souls to live and reign with him, with Christ. Thus, according to millennialism, the Christian and the Christian Church do not anticipate millennial blessings upon earth wherein the nations of this world will come to Christ and Israel as a nation will turn to Christ. To the contrary, the millennial blessings in the amillennial system are only spiritual in nature and are being realized in heaven when the souls of Christians are glorified at death and enter into their heavenly joy. After the symbolic thousand-year period in which Satan is bound on earth and the saints live and reign with Christ in heaven, Christ will return bodily at his second coming wherein all of the dead shall be raised and judged with the eternal state to follow. Let me say that this generally represents the amillennial interpretive system, although there may be variations among amillennialists on some details, and even some postmillennialists may take some of the interpretive positions of the amillennial persons and may adopt those as a part of their own post-millennial system to varying degrees. This is not monolithic. There are variations, but this is generally, I would submit to you, the position embraced by amillennialists or realized millennialists. Now, I certainly believe the scripture teaches that the glorified souls of Christians enjoy amazing blessings in heaven which Christ has prepared for all who die in Christ. The dead in Christ do live with Christ presently in heaven, and we find in 2 Corinthians 5.6, therefore we are always confident knowing that whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. And so we do not want to minimize or overlook the present heavenly glory that awaits all who die in Christ. I also believe the Scripture teaches that Christ's bodily second coming will occur after the Millennium, as do all Millennialists. In my judgment, and most importantly in the judgment of Scripture, Revelation chapter 20 verses 1 through 10 however, does not teach that the Millennium is realized in heaven, but rather that it is realized upon the earth, as I hope to demonstrate by God's grace in the next two sermons. But let us first turn to Romans 11 and briefly review how Amillennialists in general interpret that verse, Romans 11 26, and so all Israel shall be saved. And there will be accompanying remarks that I will provide, God willing, demonstrating the errors of that interpretive system. So, first of all then, first main point, the amillennial system briefly examined in light of the salvation of Israel. as found in Romans 11. I will shorten, that's a mouthful to say many times, amillennialist, and so I'll simply shorten that to amill. It's not degrading them personally, but it's just a way to facilitate the word here. Amills will interpret Romans 11 26a which says, and so all Israel shall be saved in one of two ways usually. The first interpretation that all mills have used is that all Israel refers to the salvation of all of God's elect from both Gentiles and Jews so that all Israel is not a distinct group of Israelites and is not the nation of Israel that is saved." According to this first view, God continues his work of drawing out his elect from both Gentiles and Jews throughout history until the fullness or the full number of the elect from the Gentiles has been saved. In Romans 11.25 they would appeal to that, the fullness of the Gentiles, together with the fullness or the full number of the elect from the Jews that group likewise then has been finally saved all have been saved from Israel all those elect individuals from Israel are likewise saved as we see in Romans 11 12 where it mentions the fullness of Israel and by this means God saving the elect from the Gentiles Gentile individuals, not nations, but Gentile individuals, and then the elect from Israel, not the nation, but Israelites, individual Israelites, the elect from Israel. By this means, in God's redemptive plan, all Israel, or the full number of Israel, consisting of Gentiles and Jews, will be saved. Now, theologically, I agree. I agree that what is represented in this position is true. For example, as taught in Galatians 6.16 where you have the Israel of God consisting of both Jews and Gentiles. Or in Ephesians chapter 2 verses 11-12 where again within the church you have both Jews and Gentiles mentioned. But that is not what is meant by the salvation of all Israel here in Romans 11-26. That's the problem. It's not that the theological position is wrong in and of itself. They've appealed to the wrong passage to seek to demonstrate that position. For the Israel Paul has in view here in Romans 11 is clearly distinguished from the Gentiles in the previous verse, in Romans 11.25. In Romans 11.25, you might want to, again, if you have your Bibles, turn there. Romans 11.25. These passages, no doubt, will sound very familiar. I've gone over them in the past quite extensively. The Apostle Paul says in Romans 11.25, For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits, that blindness in part is happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in." You see there in verse 25 of Romans 11 Paul argues that a blindness or hardness has fallen judicially upon Israel as a nation for the rejection of Christ and the gospel. The reason this is only in part when he says blindness in part or hardness in part The reason it is only in part is because God has an elect remnant from out of the nation of Israel that he is presently saving by grace in which the nation of Israel, the greater part, has been hardened. The remnant is being graciously saved now out of that nation, but the greater part of that nation has been hardened. Paul teaches in Romans 11 25. Paul states that the judicial hardness upon Israel as a nation will only last until the fullness of the Gentiles or the fullness of the nations is come into the visible church. And so in this way, by first bringing the Gentile nations of the world to himself, and then removing the veil of Israel's hardness of heart, as taught in 2 Corinthians 3, verses 14-16. By this means, all Israel, that is, Israel as a nation, the same Israel that is blinded during this present time, all Israel as a nation, shall be brought to Christ and grafted back into the visible Church of Christ. Dear ones, to maintain that Paul switches from the meaning of Israel as a nation, beginning in Romans 10.21 where he says, But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. To Romans 11.2 Watch ye not what the scripture saith of Elijah, how he maketh intercession to God against Israel? Israel who? As a nation, both these places. Likewise in verse 7, Romans 11, 7. What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for. Israel as a nation has not obtained that which Israel as a nation is seeking for. But, Paul says, the election hath obtained it. The election. Those who are elect from Israel presently have obtained it. And the rest, Paul says, in verse 7, were blinded or hardened. The greater part of the nation were blinded or hardened. And then verse 25 speaks of this greater part of the nation, likewise, that are blinded presently blinded and hardened, but they will not continue always to be blinded and hardened as a nation, because Paul says that only is going to last until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in. And so by this means, all Israel. So all Israel shall be saved. To maintain that Paul switches from the meaning of Israel as a nation in all of these verses, and then all of a sudden in verse 26 switches to a different meaning for Israel, no longer Israel as a nation, but now Israel spiritually considered consisting of both elect Jews and elect Gentiles, is simply obscuring the very point that Paul is seeking to make in Romans 11, namely that God is not finished with Israel as a nation. For though Israel is presently God's enemy de facto, due to her rejection of Christ in the gospel, she is nevertheless God's beloved de jure, covenantally, because of the covenant God made with Israel through her forefathers. The everlasting promises made in that covenant. For Israel's calling, Paul says, as an elect nation, is without repentance. Romans 11, verses 28-29. Well, that's the first interpretation and a response with regard to Romans 11. the first position or interpretation by Amillennialists. The second interpretation that Amillennialists have used is that all Israel refers to the salvation of a remnant of God's elect from the greater part of the nation of Israel. It is argued by Amill that this distinction of an elect remnant within the nation of Israel is cited by Paul in Romans 9.6, which it is, that the distinction of elect remnant within the nation of Israel is also mentioned in Romans 11.1, which it is, and that the distinction of elect remnant within the nation of Israel is also mentioned in Romans chapter 11 verses 4-7, which it is. No disagreement. But the position, the interpretation continues that God is bringing that remnant of Israel according to the election of his free grace to himself individually and gradually throughout this present New Testament age. Finally, God will have saved all Israel, all the elect individuals of this remnant of Israel. Again, I have no problem with this position as a theological truth insofar as God is calling out to himself an elect remnant from the nation of Israel, the greater part of Israel, to himself during this present age, saving them by his election according to grace. I think that's clearly what Paul teaches. I have no problem with that. But my problem, again, lies in the application of that too, and the meaning of that too, Romans 11 26, and so all Israel shall be saved. My contention is that when it says all Israel shall be saved, it is not speaking of the elect remnant. It is speaking of the elect nation as a whole. And let me simply cite why I believe that's the case very quickly. For the all Israel that Paul has in view that shall be saved is the same Israel that he has just argued in the previous verse in Romans 11.25 that has been judicially blinded or hardened by God for her rejection of Christ and the gospel in this present age. In fact, the all Israel that shall be saved in previous verses did not obtain that which it sought, according to Romans 11, 7. It did not obtain what it sought. It has not, during this present age, obtained thus far what it sought. During this present New Testament age, up to this point, it has not obtained what it sought as a nation. While the nation as a whole was blinded or hardened, according to Romans 11.7, the remnant is being saved presently. It's not the remnant that is judicially blinded or hardened in Romans 11.25, it's the nation. as a whole. And that blinding of the nation as a whole will only last until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in and in this manner, in this way. And at that time then, all Israel shall be saved. And so in this way, by first bringing the Gentile nations of the world to himself and then removing the veil of Israel's hardness, of heart, as taught in 2 Corinthians 3, 14-16, all Israel as a nation, that same Israel that was blinded or hardened shall be brought to Christ and grafted back into the visible Church of Christ. Whether it is Israel as a nation that was cast out, fell, stumbled, was broken off or was hardened according to the very words of Paul in Romans 11, it is the very same Israel as a nation that Paul states shall be saved. For as I said, this judicial hardening will be removed from Israel as a nation when all Israel shall be saved and when the fullness of the Gentiles first comes in. Finally, one other note here. The All-Israel, and I should mention, there's far more detail if you want to consult the first couple sermons on these objections and the response given. I would encourage you to review those first two sermons on these points. But let me just finally say this. The All-Israel that shall be saved is presently the enemy of God due to her rejection of Christ and the gospel of Christ according to Romans 11 28. I submit that this makes it abundantly clear that Paul does not have in view the elect remnant that are being saved for the elect remnant who are now being saved at the present time according to Romans 11 5 are no longer the enemies of God But the all Israel that shall be saved in the future are presently the enemies of God. If you want, as I said, a fuller discussion about this, just refer to the two previous sermons. Thus I submit that the amillennial interpretive system is not faithful to the inspired words and intent of the Apostle Paul in Romans chapter 11. The second main point of Millennialism is an interpretive system, or as an interpretive system, briefly examined in light of Revelation chapter 20, verses 1 through 10. And as I said at the beginning of the sermon, this will go on into the next sermon, next time, but we will make some progress through this text. Lord's Day. I realize I will not have time in one sermon or even in two sermons to go into great detail or to elaborate extensively on chapters either preceding or following Revelation 20. However, I hope even this brief survey may demonstrate the problems all mills face from this portion of God's inspired word. We're going to focus our attention primarily today upon Revelation 20 verses 1 through 3. So look at Revelation 20 verses 1 through 3 with me once again. Let me find the place myself here. Okay, there once again we read And I saw an angel come down from heaven having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent which is the devil, and Satan and bound him a thousand years and cast him into the bottomless pit and shut him up and set a seal upon him that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years should be fulfilled, and after that he must be loosed a little while, a little season. So let us consider how this passage relates to the binding of Satan for a thousand years. Generally Amels interpret these verses as referring to a figurative binding, a restraint placed upon Satan by Christ during this symbolic thousand-year period, millennium is the Latin word for one thousand, and so it's therefore called the millennium, during this symbolic thousand-year period so that Satan cannot prevent the spread or taking of the gospel to the nations of the world. Thus, this symbolic thousand-year period, as it relates to Satan's binding, has reference to the earth, according to the ominal system. This symbolic thousand-year period, during which Satan is bound, according to ominals, began with the first coming of Christ. and stretches to the time when Satan is released after the millennium, after the thousand year period. For in the Gospels, and these would be passages of scripture to which Aminals would appeal for this position, interpretation. For in the Gospels we see that Satan's power was surely restrained by Christ. with which, again, I have no disagreement. Satan's power was restrained by Christ, and even the word bind is used with regard to Christ casting demons out by the power of God. His casting out demons would mean that he first had to bind the strong man, Satan, in order to spoil the house, to be able to bring and set those who were bound by demons, enslaved by demons, to set them free. And so Matthew chapter 12 verse 29 says, I'll begin with verse 28 to pick up the context. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come unto you. Or else, how can one enter into a strong man's house and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man, and then he will spoil his house? Likewise, we read in Luke chapter 10, verse 18. The Amillennialists would continue. Luke chapter 10, verse 18. When the 70 returned with joy, recounting to the Lord how demons were even subject unto them as they preached in the name of Christ and cast out demons in the name of Christ. Verse 18, Jesus says unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven which would indicate again a type of restraint on Satan that Christ beheld this fall, his losing some power or authority or influence by way of their casting out demons would indicate that Christ and the kingdom of God were present, were here. And then one other passage, John chapter 12, verse 31. There we read Lord Jesus is speaking here, now is the judgment of this world, now shall the prince of this world be cast out. And so beyond any controversy, there certainly is expressly stated in the gospel accounts a limitation and minimizing of Satan's authority and power by way of the presence of Christ and His Kingdom as it presses forward. Particularly manifested in the setting free of those who are bound by demons, but also no doubt demonstrated by setting free any who are bound to any degree by Satan because because their eyes having been blinded to the truth and them being set free to embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ. Now, again, there are things with which I agree in the explanation that has just been given of the all mental system. Although I agree that this passage figuratively pictures Satan being bound or restrained by Jesus Christ. And although I also agree that this restraint of Satan occurs for a symbolic thousand-year period upon earth, I do not agree that Revelation chapter 20 verses 1 through 3 takes us back historically to begin this symbolic period the symbolic thousand-year period to the first coming of Christ. For although it is true that Christ did restrain the power of Satan in delivering individuals from demons and setting them free to embrace the gospel, and although Satan was judged and defeated legally, de jure, by Christ in his death resurrection and ascension, Christ did not restrain Satan de facto from deceiving the nations of this world at his first coming or until the end of the millennium. I believe all mills cannot reconcile their position with the stated end and purpose of Satan's restraint, namely that he, Satan, should deceive the nations no more. To deceive, that is from the Greek word plonao, to deceive in a religious sense means to go astray or to be misled into error and away from the triune God and His truth. as revealed in Scripture, and this is its meaning throughout the book of Revelation and elsewhere. For example, in Revelation 2.20, we read, Jesus speaking, notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce my servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed unto idols." Well, the word there, deceived, means to mislead one from Christ and from his truth into error. Likewise, if you look up the following passages, which I'll mention, and you can look up at your own leisure, Revelation 12.19, Revelation 13.14, Revelation 18.23, Revelation 19.20, And Revelation 20 verses 3, 8, and 10. Verse 3 is the one we're looking at presently. Verses 8 and 10. As well as Matthew chapter 24. And verses 4, 5, 11, and 24. And again, a host of other places in the New Testament. You'll find that this is the meaning of the sea, Flanao. to go astray or to be misled into error away from the triune God and His revealed truth in Scripture. Thus the restraint specifically placed upon Satan during this symbolic thousand-year period is that he will no longer be able to lead the nations away from the triune God and His revealed truth in Scripture. Thus, when Amill states that Satan is simply restrained from being able to prevent the spread of the gospel to the nations of the world, that only means that the gospel cannot be prevented from being preached in the nations of the world. But that is not what the text states is the restraint placed on Satan. Let me illustrate it this way. If Satan is restrained from preventing the spreading or the preaching of the gospel to an individual, that person may hear the gospel but may reject it because he or she is yet deceived and blinded by Satan. But when Satan is restrained from deceiving and blinding an individual to whom the gospel is preached, he or she will profess faith in Christ because he or she is no longer deceived or misled. But to the contrary, he or she now sees clearly and receives the gospel by faith. This is precisely what we find in 2 Corinthians chapter 4, where it speaks of those whose eyes Satan has blinded and hidden the gospel from until the light of the gospel shines forth by way of the Spirit opening their hearts, removing the blindness and the hardness so that they see the glorious light of the gospel. See, when one is no longer deceived, there's not a neutral position. One comes to Christ when one is no longer deceived. It's deception, blindness and hardness that prevents people from coming to Christ. And Satan accomplishes that. That is what he does. in the lives of individuals. So likewise, let's take it from the individual now to nations, if Satan is only restrained so that he cannot prevent the spread or preaching of the gospel to nations, those nations as moral persons may yet reject the gospel because they are still deceived and blinded by Satan. But when Satan is restrained from deceiving and binding the nations of the world to whom the gospel is preached, they will profess faith in Christ because they are no longer deceived or misled, but to the contrary, they now see clearly and receive the gospel by faith. And again, if you turn to 2 Corinthians 3, verses 14-16, there, likewise, Israel, as a nation, has the veil removed from the heart, that national heart. Israel, as a moral person, has that veil removed. And what is the result? She comes to Christ. She turns to Christ. She believes and professes faith in Christ. as a nation. I submit that such an interpretation of the Holy Scriptures, that is the all-millennial interpretation, does not accurately or honestly expound the stated end and purpose of Satan's restraint. Here in Revelation chapter 20 verses 1 through 3. Thus, if Satan is restrained so that he is no longer able to deceive the nations of this world, it must mean that the nations of this world, as moral persons, through their national representatives, by way of national covenants, will, during this symbolic thousand-year period of time, receive the gospel of Christ and will all come into the visible church of Christ. If they are not deceived any longer, if he cannot deceive them any longer, mislead them any longer, then it means that they must be brought into the visible church of Jesus Christ. If that is what the restraint placed upon Satan means, then we should expect, surely expect, to find some evidence of such an amazing period of time in Scripture when the nations are coming into the visible church. And, of course, we find exactly such a glorious period of time prophesied to come. For example, in the book of Revelation, Revelation 11, verse 15, And the seventh angel sounded, and there were great voices in heaven saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever. Likewise, Revelation 15, verse 4. Who shall not fear Thee, O Lord, and glorify Thy name? For Thou only art holy, for all nations shall come and worship before Thee, for Thy judgments are made manifest. The judgments which God has brought upon the earth, the world, the unbelieving nations, his judgments are manifest. And as a result, nations hear the gospel, they see what God has accomplished, and they come to Christ. Likewise, this is what is being taught in Romans 11, 25 and 26, that hardness blindness has occurred to Israel as a nation, in part, until the fullness of the Gentiles comes in, the fullness of the nations comes in, then, or in this way, after the fullness of the nations, all Israel shall be saved. That is, all Israel as a nation shall be saved. It's the, again, the essence of the Great Commission. In Matthew 28, verses 18-20, Jesus says, all authority has been given to him in heaven and on earth. And because all authority has been given to him in heaven and on earth, he says, go disciple all nations. Go and disciple all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe whatsoever things I have commanded you. And, lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world. Amen." It's the essence, again, of the promise that's made to Abraham in Genesis 22-18 and other places in the Abrahamic Covenant that all the nations of the world will be blessed in Abraham's seed. The seed there individually, speaking of Christ collectively, of Abraham's posterity. We find in Psalm 72, verses 11 and 17, all nations shall come, it says, and worship before him. All nations. Isaiah chapter 2, verses 2 through 4, in the latter days, it says that all nations will come and worship the Lord. in the mount, God's mount, God's holy mount, all nations of the world will come and worship the Lord and will be taught of Him. All of this is to occur again during this period of time in which Satan is bound so that he cannot deceive the nations during that period of time any longer. Now that's not what the Amillennialists teach. They say that it merely refers to, during this present period of time, the taking of the gospel to all nations. Not the success of the gospel, not the bringing of the nations to Christ, but just taking the gospel, spreading the gospel to the nations. Which they can reject, and which obviously at this point they have rejected. But again, as I have said, that's not what the buying of Satan is, according to Revelation 20. It's not simply Satan being restrained so that he can't prevent the spreading of the gospel. It's a restraint that prevents him from being able to deceive and mislead the nations any longer. which then means that the nations will come to Christ, as we see so much taught throughout the Old and New Testament, that that will occur. Finally, if what has been said is not sufficient testimony to overturn the all male view, that the binding of Satan and the symbolic thousand year period of time as found in Revelation 20, verses 1 through 3, began with the first coming of Christ, then we should not expect to find any word in Scripture, right? We shouldn't expect to find any word in Scripture, let alone in the book of Revelation itself, about the nations being deceived between the first coming of Christ and the end of this symbolic thousand-year period of time. We shouldn't expect to find anything. If, again, Satan can't deceive the nations during this symbolic thousand-year period, then we shouldn't expect to find nations during the present era who the Bible says are deceived. Why? Because Satan is explicitly bound and restrained by Jesus Christ so that he should deceive the nations no more until the thousand years are fulfilled. Revelation 20 verse 3. However, consider that the book of Revelation prophesies that the nations of the world are in fact deceived by Satan or by Satan's agents to whom Satan gives authority and power to deceive the nations of the world. And this deception of the nations of this world is prophesied to occur during the very period of time in which, according to Aum Mills, Satan is not supposed to be able to deceive the nations. And yet, the book of Revelation says nations are deceived. So what's going on? In Revelation 13-14. Here it speaks of the beast coming out of the earth that is, the false prophet, that he spake as a dragon, that is, that he is the agent of Satan. I'm reading from verse 11. He exercises, verse 12 says, all the power of the first beast that came out of the sea, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, and deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast, saying to them that dwell on the earth that they should make an image to the beast which had the wound by a sword and did live." we find that those who dwell on the earth, which certainly encompasses the nations of the world, are deceived by the false prophet that is spoken here of, which I would submit is papal Rome. Likewise, when we come to Revelation 18, verse 23, We read, and this is prophecy concerning Mystery Babylon, again, Papal Rome, which is an agent of Satan. And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee. In thee, Papal Rome. And the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee. For thy merchants were the great men of the earth. For by thy sorceries were all nations deceived, misled by an agent of the dragon into blasphemies, superstition, into various errors, denying the truth of Jesus Christ and leading men from the Lord Jesus Christ. Now, this period of time, the two passages I've just read, is not either before Christ came or after the millennium is over. These are events occurring during this present period of time when, according to all millennialists, since this is the thousand year period, Satan is bound and not able to deceive the nations, and yet all nations are deceived during this present period of time, according to God's inspired word. And even though the word deceive is not explicitly used in other passages in Revelation, I would submit that these passages that I want to just briefly look at implicitly refer to deception, that the nations are deceived by Satan and by his agents. In Revelation chapter 13, verse 3, the last part of verse 3, it says, And all the world wandered after the beast. Continuing on, verse 4, And they worshipped all the world wandered after the beast. That doesn't seem to be a few individuals here or there. All the world wandered after the beast. They're deceived. They're misled. And they worshipped the dragon, Satan, which gave power unto the beast. Is that deception? That all the world worshipped the beast and worshipped the dragon, Satan? which gave power to the beast, and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast who is able to make war with him? And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things, and blasphemies, and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven. And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them, And power was given him over all kindreds, tongues, and nations. Power to deceive and to mislead them. But not the saints. But over all kindreds, tongues, and nations. To mislead and to deceive. In Revelation 16 verses 13 through 14, And the sixth vial judgment, again, I'm not interpreting all of the symbols in these passages because that would certainly take much, much longer than I anticipate taking at this point. My sole goal is to try to show that during this present period of time, the nations are deceived. They are in fact deceived, which contradicts what the scripture says if the Amils are interpreting that passage correctly, because according to Amillennialism, the millennium and the time in which Satan is bound is going on right now, in which he can't deceive the nations. But in Revelation 16, there's three unclean spirits like frogs that come out of the mouth of the dragon, Satan out of the mouth of the beast, That is the civil aspect of the Roman Empire. And out of the mouth of the false prophet, that is the papal aspect of the Roman Empire, the papal Rome. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty. Were they misled? Were the kings of all the world? Were they misled? Deceived? Of course. So, though the word deceive isn't used, certainly that's what occurred. One must implicitly say, yes, they were all deceived. They were misled. And Revelation chapter 17, again, I won't look these up, but you can look them up at your leisure. Revelation 17 verses 12 through 15. and Revelation 18.3 likewise. This deception of the nations cited in these various places in the book of Revelation did not occur, as I said, before the first coming of Christ. For Satan and his agents are said to war against the Lamb, Christ. So, what is taught here about the deception of the nations by Satan and his agents occurs after the coming of Christ because they are warring against Christ the Lamb. Nor did the deception of the nations cited in these various places in the book of Revelation occur after the symbolic thousand-year period of time. For it is the very agents of Satan that Satan uses to deceive the nations and the world Yet these same agents are said to be cast into the lake of fire prior to, before the symbolic thousand year period of time begins. In Revelation 19-20 they are cast into the lake of fire before the millennial period occurs. So that When we come to Revelation chapter 20 verses 7 through 10, that's why we only see Satan going forth to deceive the nations. But we don't see the beast. We don't see the false prophet or the image of the beast. They've been cast into the lake of fire. And so the period of deception is not after the period. There is a period of deception that we find occurring But it's not the beast, the false prophet, or the image that are deceiving after the millennium is over. It's Satan that is deceiving. Because the others, the agents of Satan, have already been cast into the lake of fire. And yet, those are the very ones that are said to be used by Satan to deceive the nations during this present time. So we must be living, therefore, not in the period of time in which Satan is bound so that he can't deceive the nations any longer. We must be living then in the period before Satan is bound so that he can't deceive the nations any longer. Thus it must be concluded, dear ones, that this deception of the nations cited in these many places in the book of Revelation occurs exactly during the period of time between the first coming of Christ and the end of the millennium, during which, according to all mills, Satan is restrained so that he can no longer deceive the nations. Satan cannot be restrained by the Lord Jesus Christ, dear ones, from deceiving the nations, and yet at the very same time deceive those very nations that he is restrained from deceiving. This is a conspicuous problem with the all mental system, if not an outright contradiction with the scripture. By way of application, How thankful I am, dear ones, that Christ has already legally, de jure, defeated Satan, sin, and death by his death, resurrection, and ascension. All things have already legally been put under his feet, under the feet of Christ, by way of his death, resurrection and ascension. All things legally, de jure, have been put under his feet, even if we do not see them practically at the present time put under his feet, de facto, according to Hebrews 1.8. Notice how, again, the Word of God is used here, and I'm going to demonstrate This is exactly when we find passages in the New Testament about Satan in the gospel accounts being that he bound the strong man, that he judged Satan, that he saw Satan fall like lightning. These are all indications that Satan again has been legally bound by the death and resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ. And certainly, whenever anybody comes to a saving knowledge of Christ, that person's deception is removed, so that they can believe the gospel. And so, certainly on an individual level, we see the practical outworking, de facto, of Christ's accomplished work. But we await the practical de facto outworking of the nations no longer being deceived until that millennial period when Satan is bound so that he should not deceive the nations any longer. But Hebrews chapter 1 verse 8 says this I'm sorry, chapter 2, verse 8. Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet, that is, under Christ. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under him. All things legally, all his... everything's been put under Christ legally. De jure. By law. But we don't see all things right now put under his feet de facto. But because it's been accomplished de jure, legally, it shall be accomplished de facto, that all things shall be put under his feet. The last enemy, as we saw in the last sermon, is death. 1 Corinthians 15. likewise, dear ones, already legally triumphs over all his and your enemies, and has led them captive, according to Colossians 2.15. But we don't see all his enemies presently put under his feet. We await. We certainly see that happening in varying degrees presently, but we will see it happen to a much larger degree during this millennial period, and ultimately, perfectly, when Christ comes. the second coming. Christ has already legally abolished death for you. In 2 Timothy 1.10, Paul says death is abolished. Well, we see death all around us. What does he mean death is abolished? Legally, death is abolished by virtue of the death and resurrection and ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. And so we simply await that time when death shall be put under his feet as the last enemy. Christ has already legally destroyed the devil for you. According to Hebrews 2.14, the devil is destroyed. Those are the words that are used. He's destroyed. We see that the rest of Scripture says he goes about his roaring lion. He deceives. He misleads presently. So how is he destroyed? Legally, he's destroyed. And he shall be cast into the lake of fire that final day. And he shall be restrained so that he cannot deceive the nations during the millennial period, which will be a foretaste of his being cast into the lake of fire. Christ has already legally rendered sin powerless for you, his people, according to Romans 6.6. You were crucified with Christ. You were crucified with Christ so that you might not continue in sin, Paul argues. You were crucified with Christ legally, covenantally. He's the head. He died for his people. Therefore, you died with him to sin. And that's why you can reckon by faith that sin not have dominion over you any longer, because you died with Christ legally when He died. Legally, you are already raised from the dead because your covenant head has been raised from the dead. 1 Corinthians 15, verses 22 through 23. Legally, you are already seated in heavenly places in Christ according to Ephesians 2. but it awaits de facto that time when we die, our souls are glorified, that we will be seated with Christ in heavenly places, and ultimately at the time of the resurrection. Legally, all spiritual blessings are yours in Christ Jesus according to Ephesians 1.3. They're already all yours. Do you see them all right now? No, de facto, we don't see them all, but they're legally yours already. Because your covenant head has secured them for you. Legally, all things present or all things to come are yours in Christ. Your covenant head, according to First Corinthians chapter three. And I didn't write the verse down, but it's the last verse in 1 Corinthians chapter 3. All things present, all things to come are yours in Christ. Why? Because all things belong to Christ. And you're joint heirs with Christ, therefore all things belong to you. All things present, all things to come. And so, dear ones, the admonition to us is to walk by faith. and not by sight, according to 2 Corinthians 5.7. And whenever you have a need in your life of a spiritual, of a material, of a physical nature, because all things are yours, whether things present or things to come, all spiritual blessings are yours in Christ Jesus, because all of that is legally true, has been purchased for you by Christ. You have every warrant to appeal to Christ on the basis of what is already legally yours, that he would supply and provide for you that which you need in this life to lead a godly life, most importantly to lead a godly life, and to be a blessing to those around you. Dear ones, this comes not by way of our merit, for all things are ours legally. It's not deservedly ours, but it is graciously ours through the wonders of the covenant of grace freely bestowed upon us through Christ Jesus our Lord, everlastingly made known and decided and decreed in the covenant of redemption and the counsel of the Trinity. All things are yours legally. Let us, dear ones, act and pray and worship and speak as though all things are ours legally. Amen. Let us stand in prayer. Our gracious God and Father, how we are humbled before Thee today as we have had reason and occasion to reflect upon what has legally been accomplished in overcoming Satan at the cross through the grave, the resurrection of Christ and the ascension of Christ. And it is being worked out in history in various ways, but Lord, that restraint of Satan will be gloriously manifested in a future period yet to us when he will not be even permitted to deceive the nations any longer. and therefore all nations will come unto thee. The fullness of the Gentiles shall come in, and all Israel shall be saved. We praise thee, our God, for thy marvelous word in opening our eyes, giving us light and understanding, we rejoice at what is ours in Christ Jesus. We leap for joy because of what Christ has accomplished. May we, Father, therefore not bring shame upon all that is legally ours and purchased so graciously for us by Christ by walking around as paupers, as acting as though we were paupers, as acting as though we despise these blessings by grumbling and complaining. Help us, our God, to have, Lord, that much more incentive and motive in coming to Thee because all these things are legally ours in Christ Jesus. For we ask in Jesus' name. Amen. This Reformation audio track is a production of Stillwater's Revival Books. You are welcome to make copies and give them to those in need. SWRB makes thousands of classic Reformation resources available. free of charge. Thank you. by phone at 780-450-3730 by fax at 780-468-1096 or by mail at 4710-37A Edmonton, that's E-D-M-O-N-T-O-N Alberta, abbreviated capital A, capital B, Canada, T6L3T5. You may also request a free printed catalog. And remember that John Calvin, in defending the Reformation's regulative principle of worship, or what is sometimes called the scriptural law of worship, commenting on the words of God, which I commanded them not, neither came into my heart. From his commentary on Jeremiah 731, writes, God here cuts off from men every occasion for making evasions, since He condemns by this one phrase, I have not commanded them, whatever the Jews devised. There is then no other argument needed to condemn superstitions than that they are not commanded by God. For when men allow themselves to worship God according to their own fancies, and attend not to His commands, they pervert true religion. And if this principle was adopted by the Papists, all those fictitious modes of worship in which they absurdly exercise themselves would fall to the ground. It is indeed a horrible thing for the Papists to seek to discharge their duties towards God by performing their own superstitions. There is an immense number of them, as it is well known, and as it manifestly appears. Were they to admit this principle, that we cannot rightly worship God except by obeying his word, they would be delivered from their deep abyss of error. The Prophet's words, then, are very important, when he says that God had commanded no such thing, and that it never came to his mind, as though he had said that men assume too much wisdom when they devise what he never required, nay, what he never knew.