“But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” — Galatians 6:14 (NASB 1995)
Everything in this world tempts us to find value in ourselves—our work, image, influence, or performance. But Paul flips it all: Boast only in the cross.
The Spirit reveals this: the world no longer owns us. Its applause doesn’t define us. We are crucified to it, and it to us. Our life is hidden in Christ.
Reflection: What am I tempted to boast in besides the cross?
Prayer: Holy Spirit, remind me that the cross is enough. Strip away my pride and help me glory in what Jesus did—nothing more. Amen.
From the series: Understanding the End Times — A Biblical Framework
“And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” — Revelation 20:4 (NKJV)
What does the Bible say about the future reign of Christ? Revelation 20 gives us a clear picture: after His return in glory, Jesus Christ will establish a kingdom on this earth, reigning for a thousand years. This is the heart of Premillennialism — the belief that Christ returns before the millennium to reign literally.
But is this view truly biblical, or is it a system imposed on the text? Let’s examine the evidence.
The Plain Reading of Revelation 20
Revelation 20:1–6 describes Satan bound for a thousand years, the saints reigning with Christ, and the first resurrection. The phrase “a thousand years” appears six times in just six verses.
If God repeats Himself, He wants us to notice. The simplest reading is that this is a literal thousand years. Just as Israel’s 70 years of captivity were literal (Jeremiah 25:11–12), so will Christ’s millennial reign be literal.
Old Testament Promises of Messiah’s Reign
The millennium isn’t confined to Revelation. The prophets repeatedly spoke of a future kingdom:
Zechariah 14:4, 9 — The Lord’s feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, and He will be King over all the earth.
Isaiah 2:2–4 — Nations stream to the mountain of the Lord, swords turned into plowshares, peace filling the earth.
Isaiah 11:6–9 — The wolf dwells with the lamb, and the earth is full of the knowledge of the Lord.
These aren’t vague ideals. They are specific promises awaiting fulfillment.
The Apostles’ Expectation
In Acts 1:6, the disciples asked: “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
Jesus didn’t rebuke their expectation of a literal kingdom. He only said the timing was not for them to know (Acts 1:7). The kingdom itself was certain. Premillennialism honors that expectation.
God’s Covenant Faithfulness
Romans 11:25–29 makes it clear that God’s promises to Israel are irrevocable:
“Blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved… For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”
Premillennialism safeguards God’s covenant faithfulness. He has not abandoned His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
The Character of Christ’s Return
Revelation 19 describes Christ’s return: a conquering King, striking the nations, ruling with a rod of iron. Psalm 2 promised the same.
If His return is literal, visible, and victorious, His reign must be too.
Consistency with His First Coming
Every prophecy of Christ’s first coming was fulfilled literally:
Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:1).
Riding on a donkey (Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:5).
Pierced hands and feet (Psalm 22:16; John 20:25–27).
If God fulfilled the first coming literally, why would we expect the second coming to be spiritualized?
Reflection
The case for Premillennialism isn’t complicated. It’s simply taking God at His Word. Revelation 20 says a thousand years — and we believe it. The prophets described a kingdom of peace and restoration — and we believe it. The apostles expected a restored kingdom for Israel — and we believe it.
Premillennialism is faith in God’s promises as written.
How does the repetition of “a thousand years” in Revelation 20 shape your view of the millennium?
Why is it important that Jesus did not rebuke the apostles’ expectation of a literal kingdom?
How does God’s covenant faithfulness to Israel strengthen your confidence in His promises to you?
Closing Prayer
Lord, thank You that Your promises are sure and Your covenants are unbreakable. Strengthen our faith to take You at Your Word, even when the world mocks or doubts. Help us to live in hope of Christ’s return and reign, and to long for the day when He will be King over all the earth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
References & Further Reading
Scripture:
Revelation 19:11–16 — Christ’s visible return as conquering King.
Revelation 20:1–6 — the thousand-year reign repeated six times.
Zechariah 14:4, 9 — Messiah’s feet on the Mount of Olives; He reigns over all the earth.
Isaiah 2:2–4 — nations streaming to the Lord’s house, peace among nations.
Isaiah 11:6–9 — creation renewed under Messiah’s reign.
Acts 1:6–7 — disciples expecting the restoration of the kingdom to Israel.
Romans 11:25–29 — Israel’s salvation and God’s irrevocable promises.
Psalm 2:6–9 — the nations given to the Son as His inheritance.
Early Church Witnesses:
Papias (AD 60–130), cited in Eusebius, Ecclesiastical History 3.39 — affirmed a literal kingdom.
Justin Martyr, Dialogue with Trypho ch. 80 — defended belief in a literal 1,000-year reign.
Irenaeus, Against Heresies 5.32–36 — describes in detail the millennial kingdom.
Tertullian, Against Marcion 3.24 — anticipated Christ’s earthly reign.
Historical Development:
Premillennialism (Chiliasm) dominated the Ante-Nicene church.
Decline came with Origen’s allegorical method and Augustine’s City of God (20.7), which redefined the millennium as symbolic.
Archaeological & Textual Evidence:
Dead Sea Scrolls — confirm Jewish expectation of a coming Messianic kingdom (e.g., 4QFlorilegium).
Early church mosaics and inscriptions — often depict Christ as reigning King, reflecting literal expectation.
Codex Sinaiticus (c. AD 350) — preserves Revelation 20 intact, showing continuity in the text.
Extra-Biblical / Scholarly Notes:
Josephus, Antiquities of the Jews 18.1 — records Jewish messianic hope in the first century.
Hippolytus, Commentary on Daniel — interprets prophecy literally, expecting Christ’s reign.
Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church — describes early dominance of Chiliasm.
George N. H. Peters, The Theocratic Kingdom (1884) — comprehensive defense of Premillennialism.
John MacArthur, The Second Coming (1999) — clear articulation of Christ’s literal return and reign.
“For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they want to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh.” — Galatians 6:13 (NASB 1995)
Children notice when adults say one thing and do another. Paul warned of this hypocrisy in Galatians 6—people demanding obedience they didn’t live themselves.
In our homes, let’s model Spirit-led humility. Teach not by pressure, but by example. The Spirit leads us in truth, not show.
Family Talk:
Have you ever felt pressured to do something just because someone said so?
Why is it better to follow Jesus from the heart?
Prayer: Holy Spirit, make us a family of integrity. Let us walk what we teach and honor You above appearances. Amen.
“For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they want to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh.” — Galatians 6:13 (NASB 1995)
It’s wild: Paul calls out the people who enforce rules but don’t live by them.
Some want you to live a certain way—not because it honors God—but because your performance makes them look good.
Let the Spirit lead your life—not other people’s expectations.
Challenge: Break free from one area where you’re following others for appearance—not conviction.Prayer: Holy Spirit, I don’t want to be fake. Help me live for You—not for someone else’s pride. Amen.
“For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they want to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh.” — Galatians 6:13 (NASB 1995)
Some people say we have to follow certain rules just to make them happy—but even they don’t always follow them!
The Holy Spirit helps us follow Jesus from our hearts, not just to look good.
Try This: Ask: “Am I doing this because I love Jesus—or just so others will like me?”
Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me do what’s right because I love You—not to show off. Amen.
“For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they want to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh.” — Galatians 6:13 (NASB 1995)
Paul exposes something we still see today: people trying to boast in others’ religious performance, while failing to obey themselves.
This is not the Spirit’s way.
The Spirit leads us into authentic obedience, not rule-keeping for applause. He exposes prideful motives and calls us to humbly follow Christ—because the goal is not to boast in results, but in the Redeemer.
Reflection: Am I following the Spirit—or performing for others’ approval?Prayer: Holy Spirit, protect me from religious pride. Let my obedience be sincere and Spirit-born—not for show. Amen.
“All who want to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.” — Galatians 6:12 (NASB 1995)
Children are impressionable—and the world pressures them to look right, act right, be liked.
But we are not raising people-pleasers. We are discipling Christ-followers.
Help them see that following Jesus isn’t about appearances—it’s about the Spirit leading us in truth, even when it’s not easy.
Family Talk:
Why do people sometimes do things just to “look good”?
What does it mean to do things that please God instead?
Prayer: Holy Spirit, shape our hearts, not just our image. Help our family follow Jesus without fear of what others think. Amen.
“All who want to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.” — Galatians 6:12 (NASB 1995)
People may want you to blend in, play the part, or follow the crowd. But Spirit-led believers are marked by the cross—not trends.
Don’t trade faithfulness for acceptance.
You were made to stand out—because the cross stands alone.
Challenge: Think of one way you’ve been trying to please people more than God. Ask the Spirit for strength to stop.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, I don’t want a surface faith. Help me follow Jesus, even when it costs popularity. Amen.
“All who want to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.” — Galatians 6:12 (NASB 1995)
Some people do things just to look good, but God wants our hearts to be real!
Even if others don’t like it, we should always follow Jesus—not try to fit in.
Try This: Ask: “Would this make Jesus happy—or just people?”
Prayer: Holy Spirit, help me follow You, not just pretend. I want to please You more than anyone else. Amen.
“All who want to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ.” — Galatians 6:12 (NASB 1995)
There will always be those who pressure us to look the part—to meet religious expectations rather than walk by the Spirit.
Paul saw through the motive: they wanted to avoid persecution, not pursue Christ. Spirit-led women resist shallow appearances in favor of deep obedience—even when it costs.
Let the cross offend. But never let your life be shaped by the fear of man.
Reflection: Am I more concerned with what others think, or what Christ desires?
Prayer: Holy Spirit, protect me from performance-based faith. Give me courage to walk by the cross, not by fear. Amen.
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