The Appointed Day - Part Seven

The Antichrist and the coalition of armies coming against Israel have been crushed. The supper of the Great God has devoured the dead. The Antichrist and the False Prophet have been cast into the Lake of Fire for all eternity.

As our Bridegroom promised in Rev. 2:26-28, we who have overcome through resurrection at the rapture have been given power over the nations. As joint-heirs, we rule with Him with a rod of iron. Iron denotes strength. We know that mankind's counterfeit global government has been obliterated, and that it is the appointed time for the One New Man to rule and judge the earth in righteousness (Acts 17:31). Then why do we rule with a rod of iron if all is made new and glorious during this reign, as is commonly taught?

Rev. 20:1-3 tells us that our old enemy, Satan, is temporarily bound in the Pit, a compartment of Hades (Hell). He is scheduled to be released toward the end of Christ's 1,000-year reign. Why on earth would Christ allow this?

He does so because He is just, as is the Father. To understand this justice, we have to think about who is still on earth at this time. We know the Bride is in Heaven with Christ. We know there are revived Jews who have finally accepted Jesus as the Messiah at His second coming. We know there are Gentiles who likewise finally accepted Jesus as the Savior after witnessing the rapture.

In both cases, the heart of each new believer has been made new. But the nature of mankind itself is still fallen. This means every person on the earth during the 7th Day still has a will. They still have the choice as to whom they will worship. That is why these people must be given one last chance when Satan is released to decide between life with Christ or eternity with Satan.

As always, it must be a faith choice, for Christ and His Bride rule from above, not from the earth. Israel is now the natural head of the earthly nations as promised in Scripture. This is why a rod of iron will be required.

So what happens next? Consider this teaser: "For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death" (1 Cor. 15:25-27).