rhutchin
August 31st 2007, 09:00 AM
In another thread, Inkling made this argument for there to be TWO (2) 1,000 year periods in Revelation 20.
...
Thus, Rev 20 contemplates not ONE but TWO “1000 year” periods (that is, two periods of time both characterized by “fullness,” since they both take place after Christ’s birth). That two periods of time characterized by “fullness” are in view can be demonstrated by the grammatical structure of the passage. In Rev. 20:2, John uses the indefinite article (“a”), saying an angel bound the Dragon “a thousand years.” However, in Rev. 20:3, John uses the definite article (“the”), saying a seal was set upon the Dragon that he should not deceive the nations until “the thousand years are fulfilled.” The definite article in verse three is referential; it refers back to the original mention of a thousand years in verse two. Thus, the Dragon was bound until “the” thousand years previously mentioned in verse two. Verse four, however, introduces a new subject, which is another thousand years. This is seen by use of the indefinite article (“a”), saying, “I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus...and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” Had John intended us to understand that this thousand years was the same as the thousand-year binding of the Dragon he would have used the definite article thus: “I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus…and they lived and reigned with Christ the thousand years.” Had it been used, the definite article in verse four would have been referential, like its use in verse three, pointing back to the original thousand years introduced in verse two. The use of the indefinite article here does not direct our attention back to the thousand years previously referred to, it points ahead to a new thousand years. Hence, the Dragon was bound a thousand years and the martyrs reigned with Christ a thousand years, two separate periods, each signified by the indefinite article. This same pattern (“a…the…a”) may be seen in numerous passages of scripture; whenever we encounter it, two subjects are identified (see, for example, Rev 11:13 and compare with v. 19; also Rev 8:10-11, and compare with Rev 9:1). The “a…the…a” structure is a consistent and reliable indicator that two subjects are in view. The presence of this identical structure in Rev. 20:1-6 is simply another example…
Based on Inklings’ argument, we would read Revelation thusly—
1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years;
3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the FIRST thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a SECOND thousand years.
5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the SECOND thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him during the SECOND thousand years.
7 Now when the FIRST thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison
8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea.
9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.
10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.[This would seem to bring to a close the FIRST thousand years.]
11 Then [after the SECOND thousand years] I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.
Assuming I have correctly applied Inkling’s idea about two thousand year periods.
Has anyone else heard of the two thousand year interpretations for Revelation 20? What is your take on it?
...
Thus, Rev 20 contemplates not ONE but TWO “1000 year” periods (that is, two periods of time both characterized by “fullness,” since they both take place after Christ’s birth). That two periods of time characterized by “fullness” are in view can be demonstrated by the grammatical structure of the passage. In Rev. 20:2, John uses the indefinite article (“a”), saying an angel bound the Dragon “a thousand years.” However, in Rev. 20:3, John uses the definite article (“the”), saying a seal was set upon the Dragon that he should not deceive the nations until “the thousand years are fulfilled.” The definite article in verse three is referential; it refers back to the original mention of a thousand years in verse two. Thus, the Dragon was bound until “the” thousand years previously mentioned in verse two. Verse four, however, introduces a new subject, which is another thousand years. This is seen by use of the indefinite article (“a”), saying, “I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus...and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” Had John intended us to understand that this thousand years was the same as the thousand-year binding of the Dragon he would have used the definite article thus: “I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus…and they lived and reigned with Christ the thousand years.” Had it been used, the definite article in verse four would have been referential, like its use in verse three, pointing back to the original thousand years introduced in verse two. The use of the indefinite article here does not direct our attention back to the thousand years previously referred to, it points ahead to a new thousand years. Hence, the Dragon was bound a thousand years and the martyrs reigned with Christ a thousand years, two separate periods, each signified by the indefinite article. This same pattern (“a…the…a”) may be seen in numerous passages of scripture; whenever we encounter it, two subjects are identified (see, for example, Rev 11:13 and compare with v. 19; also Rev 8:10-11, and compare with Rev 9:1). The “a…the…a” structure is a consistent and reliable indicator that two subjects are in view. The presence of this identical structure in Rev. 20:1-6 is simply another example…
Based on Inklings’ argument, we would read Revelation thusly—
1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years;
3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the FIRST thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a SECOND thousand years.
5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the SECOND thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him during the SECOND thousand years.
7 Now when the FIRST thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison
8 and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea.
9 They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.
10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.[This would seem to bring to a close the FIRST thousand years.]
11 Then [after the SECOND thousand years] I saw a great white throne and Him who sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them.
Assuming I have correctly applied Inkling’s idea about two thousand year periods.
Has anyone else heard of the two thousand year interpretations for Revelation 20? What is your take on it?