Tribulation, Armageddon, 1000 years, Eternal reign

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***Joe***     Hey Bob, I'm trying to figure out how the thousand year reign of Christ and then his eternal reign fits in with the last days bible events. help.

I am Bob.

I will answer directly from Scripture and keep the distinction clear between the thousand-year reign and the eternal reign, and how both fit into the last-days sequence.

1) The Thousand-Year Reign (A Defined Period)

The Bible explicitly describes a limited reign of 1,000 years:

Revelation 20:1–4 (ASV)

1 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand.
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, the old serpent, which is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years,
3 and cast him into the abyss, and shut it, and sealed it over him, that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years should be finished: after this he must be loosed for a little time.
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God… and they lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Key points from Scripture:

• •Satan is bound → no deception of nations during this 1000 years  

• •Christ reigns with his people  

• •This reign has a fixed duration: 1,000 years  

2) Events Immediately After the 1,000 Years

After the thousand years, Scripture shows a final test and judgment:

Revelation 20:7–10 (ASV)

7 And when the thousand years are finished, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
8 and shall come forth to deceive the nations…
9 …and fire came down out of heaven, and devoured them.
10 And the devil… was cast into the lake of fire…

Then comes final judgment:

Revelation 20:11–12 (ASV)

11 And I saw a great white throne…
12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne…

3) Transition to the Eternal State

After judgment, the present system passes away and something new begins:

Revelation 21:1–3 (BBE)

1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth had gone…
2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God…
3 …See, the Tent of God is with men, and he will be with them…

4) Christ’s Eternal Reign (No End)

This reign is not limited—it continues forever:

Daniel 7:14 (ASV)

14 And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away…

Luke 1:32–33 (BBE)

32 …and the Lord God will give to him the seat of David his father:
33 He will have rule over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there will be no end.

5) How They Fit Together (Timeline from Scripture)

I will lay this out simply and strictly from what is written:

A. Last Days → Christ Returns

• •Christ comes and establishes rule (Revelation 19 context)  

B. Start of the 1,000 Years

• •Satan bound (Revelation 20:1–3)  

• •Christ and his people reign (Revelation 20:4)  

C. End of the 1,000 Years

• •Satan released briefly (Revelation 20:7–8)  

• •Final rebellion crushed (Revelation 20:9–10)  

D. Final Judgment

• •Great white throne judgment (Revelation 20:11–15)  

E. Beginning of the Eternal State

• •New heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1)  

F. Eternal Reign

• •Christ’s kingdom continues forever with no end (Daniel 7:14; Luke 1:33)  

6) The Core Difference

• •Thousand-year reign = a specific phase of Christ’s rule with a beginning and an end (Revelation 20)  

• •Eternal reign = the unending continuation of his kingship after all enemies are removed  

7) Supporting Insight (Purpose of the 1,000 Years)

Scripture also shows a purpose—bringing all things into full subjection:

1 Corinthians 15:24–26 (ASV)

24 Then cometh the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God…
25 For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be abolished is death.

This aligns with:

• •A reign that accomplishes something (defeating enemies, even death)  

• •Then a transition into the perfected eternal state  

Summary (Plainly Stated)

• •The 1,000-year reign is a defined period within the last-days events where Christ rules and completes the subduing of all opposition.  

• •After that, there is final judgment.  

• •Then begins the eternal reign, which has no end and continues forever in the new creation.  

If you want next, I can map this against specific “last days” passages like Matthew 24 or 2 Peter 3 so you can see how they align step-by-step.

***Joe***      how does the tribulation and armageddon fit in with them

I am Bob.

I will place tribulation and Armageddon into the same Scripture-based sequence with the thousand-year reign and the eternal reign.

1) The Tribulation (Before Christ’s Visible Reign)

Jesus spoke of a period of intense distress:

Matthew 24:21–22 (ASV)

21 for then shall be great tribulation, such as hath not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever shall be.
22 And except those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

Key points:

• •A unique, unparalleled time of distress  

• •Occurs before Christ fully establishes his rule  

2) Armageddon (The Climactic Battle at the End of the Tribulation)

The Bible identifies a final gathering for war:

Revelation 16:14–16 (ASV)

14 …spirits of demons… go forth unto the kings of the whole world, to gather them together unto the war of the great day of God, the Almighty.
15 (Behold, I come as a thief…)
16 And they gathered them together into the place which is called in Hebrew Har-Magedon.

This connects with Christ’s return in judgment:

Revelation 19:11–15 (ASV)

11 And I saw the heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon called Faithful and True…
14 And the armies which are in heaven followed him…
15 And out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations…

Key points:

• •Armageddon is not a long war, but a decisive confrontation  

• •It occurs at Christ’s return, ending the tribulation period  

• •Opposing powers are defeated immediately  

3) What Happens Immediately After Armageddon

Satan is restrained and Christ’s reign begins:

Revelation 20:1–3 (ASV)

1 …an angel… having the key of the abyss…
2 And he laid hold on… Satan, and bound him for a thousand years,
3 …that he should deceive the nations no more…

4) The Thousand-Year Reign (Follows Armageddon)

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Revelation 20:4 (ASV)

4 …and they lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

• • •This is the direct result of Christ’s victory at Armageddon  

  • •It is a period of rule with Satan restrained  

5) After the Thousand Years (Final Test and Judgment)

Revelation 20:7–10 (ASV)

7 And when the thousand years are finished, Satan shall be loosed…
8 and shall come forth to deceive the nations…
9 …fire came down out of heaven, and devoured them.
10 And the devil… was cast into the lake of fire…

Then:

Revelation 20:11–12 (ASV)

11 And I saw a great white throne…
12 And I saw the dead… standing before the throne…

6) The Eternal Reign (After Judgment)

Revelation 21:1–3 (BBE)

1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth…
3 …God is with men, and he will be with them…

Luke 1:33 (BBE)

33 …of his kingdom there will be no end.

7) Full Sequence (Putting It All Together)

A. Last Days → Tribulation

• •Great distress on earth (Matthew 24:21)  

B. End of Tribulation → Armageddon

• •Nations gathered (Revelation 16:16)  

• •Christ returns and defeats them (Revelation 19)  

C. Immediately After → Satan Bound

• •Beginning of the 1,000 years (Revelation 20:1–3)  

D. The 1,000-Year Reign

• •Christ rules with his people (Revelation 20:4)  

E. End of 1,000 Years

• •Satan released briefly → final rebellion (Revelation 20:7–9)  

F. Final Judgment

• •Great white throne (Revelation 20:11–15)  

G. Eternal State

• •New heaven and earth → everlasting reign (Revelation 21–22)  

8) Simple Way to Understand It

• •Tribulation = the final crisis before Christ takes full control  

• •Armageddon = the moment Christ ends that crisis by defeating opposition  

• •1,000 years = the first phase of his reign after victory  

• •Eternal reign = the final, perfect, never-ending state after all judgment  

Summary (One Line)

Tribulation leads to Armageddon → Armageddon leads to the thousand-year reign → the thousand-year reign leads to final judgment → and that leads into Christ’s eternal reign.

***Joe***      what is the purpose of the 1000 year reign and who will his follwers be rulling over

I am Bob.

I will answer only from Scripture—what the purpose of the 1,000-year reign is, and who is being ruled over.

1) Purpose of the 1,000-Year Reign

A. To Subdue All Enemies (Including Death)

1 Corinthians 15:24–26 (ASV)

24 Then cometh the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have abolished all rule and all authority and power.
25 For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be abolished is death.

Meaning from Scripture:

• •The reign has a goal  

• •It continues until all enemies are removed  

• •Even death itself is eliminated  

B. To Restrain Satan and Stop Deception

Revelation 20:2–3 (ASV)

2 …Satan… bound him for a thousand years,
3 …that he should deceive the nations no more, until the thousand years should be finished…

Meaning:

• •The 1,000 years create a time where
  → deception is removed
  → truth and righteousness can prevail  

C. To Bring Healing and Restoration to the Nations

Revelation 22:1–2 (ASV)

1 …a river of water of life…
2 …the tree of life… and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Meaning:

• •The nations are still present  

• •They require healing/restoration  

D. To Establish Righteous Rule Over the Earth

Isaiah 11:3–5 (BBE)

3 …he will not give decisions by what his eyes see…
4 But with righteousness will he give decisions for the poor…
5 And righteousness will be the cord of his robe…

Meaning:

• •Christ rules with perfect justice  

• •This is a corrective, governing reign  

2) Who Rules With Christ

A. Faithful Followers Reign With Him

Revelation 20:4 (ASV)

4 …and they lived, and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

Revelation 5:9–10 (ASV)

9 …thou didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe…
10 and madest them to be unto our God a kingdom and priests; and they reign upon the earth.

Meaning:

• •His followers are:  

  • •From all nations  

  • •Made kings and priests  

  • •They share in ruling  

B. They Are Given Authority Over Nations

Revelation 2:26–27 (ASV)

26 And he that overcometh… to him will I give authority over the nations:
27 and he shall rule them with a rod of iron…

3) Who Are They Ruling Over?

Scripture is clear—“the nations” still exist.

A. Nations Exist During This Time

Revelation 20:3 (ASV)

3 …that he should deceive the nations no more…

Revelation 22:2 (ASV)

2 …the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

B. Survivors of the Final Conflict Continue

After Christ’s return, people remain on earth:

Zechariah 14:16 (ASV)

16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations… shall go up… to worship the King…

Meaning:

• •Some people survive the judgment at Christ’s coming  

• •These continue as nations under his rule  

C. They Are Guided Into Obedience

Isaiah 2:2–3 (BBE)

2 …all nations will come to it.
3 …He will be our teacher… and we will go in his ways…

4) Why a 1,000-Year Period Is Necessary (From Scripture)

Putting it together:

• •Humanity has been under sin, deception, and death  

• •Christ’s reign:  

  • •Removes deception (Revelation 20:3)  

  • •Rules with righteousness (Isaiah 11:4)  

  • •Teaches and restores nations (Isaiah 2:3)  

  • •Eliminates all enemies, including death (1 Corinthians 15:26)  

Only after this process is complete comes the end:

1 Corinthians 15:24 (ASV)

24 Then cometh the end…

5) Final Test Explains Who Truly Submits

At the end of the 1,000 years:

Revelation 20:7–8 (ASV)

7 …Satan shall be loosed…
8 and shall come forth to deceive the nations…

Meaning:

• •Even after perfect rule, a final test reveals
  → who truly accepts God’s rule
  → and who only complied outwardly  

6) Simple Summary

• •Purpose of the 1,000 years:  

  • •Remove Satan’s influence  

  • •Restore and teach the nations  

  • •Bring all things under Christ’s authority  

  • •Eliminate death  

• •Who rules:  

  • •Christ + his faithful followers (as kings and priests)  

• •Who is ruled over:  

  • •The nations of mankind who remain and are restored  

Final Statement (Plainly)

The 1,000-year reign is a restorative and ruling period where Christ and his followers govern the earth, bring mankind into righteousness, remove all opposition, and prepare creation for the eternal state where God is “all in all.”

1 Corinthians 15:28 (ASV)

28 And when all things have been subjected unto him… that God may be all in all.

***Joe***      so the thousand year reign is a test period?

I am Bob.

Short answer: No—Scripture does not present the 1,000-year reign itself as the test.
It shows it as a time of rule, restoration, and removal of enemies.
The test comes at the end of it, not during it.

1) What the 1,000 Years Actually Are

A. A Time of Rule and Subduing Enemies

1 Corinthians 15:25–26 (ASV)

25 For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be abolished is death.

• • •This describes an active reign with a purpose  

  • •Not a testing phase, but a process of bringing everything into subjection  

B. A Time Without Satan’s Deception

Revelation 20:2–3 (ASV)

2 …Satan… bound him for a thousand years,
3 …that he should deceive the nations no more…

• • •During the 1,000 years:  

    • •No global deception  

    • •Conditions are righteous and clear  

That is the opposite of a testing environment— [Note by Joe: Does present a test for at least some.]
it is a controlled, righteous rule.

C. A Time of Teaching and Restoration

Isaiah 2:2–3 (BBE)

2 …all nations will come to it.
3 …He will be our teacher… and we will go in his ways…

Revelation 22:2 (ASV)

2 …the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

• •Nations are:  

  • •Taught  

  • •Healed  

  • •Brought into alignment with God  

2) Where the “Test” Actually Happens

The Bible places the test after the 1,000 years:

Revelation 20:7–8 (ASV)

7 And when the thousand years are finished, Satan shall be loosed…
8 and shall come forth to deceive the nations…

Revelation 20:9 (ASV)

9 …and they went up over the breadth of the earth… and fire came down out of heaven, and devoured them.

What This Shows Clearly

• •The 1,000 years = no deception  

• •Afterward:  

  • •Satan is released  

  • •People are tested by deception  

  • •Some rebel, some do not  

👉 That moment reveals true loyalty

3) Why This Matters

This sequence shows:

• •During the 1,000 years:  

  • •People live under perfect rule  

  • •They are taught truth  

  • •They experience righteous conditions  

• •Afterward:  

  • •A final choice is exposed  

  • •Not forced obedience, but revealed hearts  

4) Simple Way to Understand It

• •1,000-year reign =
  → Restoration
  → Righteous rule
  → Removal of enemies  

• •Post-1,000-year release of Satan =
  → The actual test  

Final Statement

The 1,000-year reign is not the test— [Ai’s opinion. Nothing bad exists to casue test.]
it is the preparation and restoration period under perfect rule.

The test comes after, when Satan is released and people are given a final opportunity to show whether they truly accept God’s rule.

***Joe***      will people die during the 1000 years?

I am Bob.

I will answer carefully from Scripture.

1) During the 1,000 Years — Death Still Exists (At Least Early On)

The Bible shows that death is not fully removed until the end of Christ’s reign:

1 Corinthians 15:25–26 (ASV)

25 For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be abolished is death.

• • •Christ is reigning until death is destroyed  

  • •Therefore, during at least part of that reign, death still exists  

2) Clear Prophetic Indication That People Can Die

A key passage describing conditions under Christ’s rule:

Isaiah 65:20 (BBE)

20 No longer will there be a child of only a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years: for the child will be a hundred years old at his death, and the sinner who is a hundred years old will be cursed.

What this shows:

• •People live long lives  

• •Death still occurs  

• •A person dying at 100 is considered young  

• •Sin and judgment still exist  

3) But Death Is Progressively Being Removed

By the end of the process:

Revelation 21:4 (BBE)

4 And death will be no more…

This happens after:

• •The 1,000 years  

• •Final judgment (Revelation 20)  

4) Putting It Together

During the 1,000 Years:

• •People are:  

  • •Being taught (Isaiah 2:3)  

  • •Being healed (Revelation 22:2)  

• •Lifespans are greatly extended (Isaiah 65:20)  

• •But:  

  • •Death has not yet been fully removed  

After the 1,000 Years:

• •Final rebellion and judgment (Revelation 20:7–12)  

• •Then:  

Revelation 21:4 (BBE)

4 …death will be no more.

5) Simple Answer

• •Yes, Scripture indicates that people can still die during the period associated with Christ’s reign (as shown in Isaiah 65:20).  

• •However, death is:  

  • •Greatly reduced in impact  

  • •Eventually eliminated completely by the end of Christ’s reign.  

Final Statement

Death is not immediately abolished at the start of the 1,000-year reign; rather, Christ rules until death itself is finally destroyed, and only after that does a state exist where “death will be no more.”

***Joe***      so if people are dying, doesn't that make it also a test period?

I am Bob.

Short answer: No—death occurring does not make the 1,000-year reign a “test period.”
Scripture shows the purpose of the 1,000 years is rule and restoration, while the test is specifically identified at the end.

1) Death During the Reign ≠ A Test

The Bible explains why Christ is reigning:

1 Corinthians 15:25–26 (ASV)

25 For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be abolished is death.

• • •Death exists because it has not yet been fully removed  

  • •The reign is the process of eliminating it, not testing people through it  

2) The Reign Is Characterized by Righteous Rule, Not Testing Conditions

A. No Deception During the 1,000 Years

Revelation 20:2–3 (ASV)

2 …Satan… bound him for a thousand years,
3 …that he should deceive the nations no more…

• •A true “test” in Scripture involves choice under influence or deception  

• •During the 1,000 years:  

  • •That influence is removed  

B. People Are Being Taught and Restored

Isaiah 2:3 (BBE)

3 …He will be our teacher… and we will go in his ways…

Revelation 22:2 (ASV)

2 …the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

• •This is a period of:  

  • •Instruction  

  • •Healing  

  • •Correction  

That is restoration, not testing.

3) Scripture Clearly Identifies the Test—And It’s Afterward

Revelation 20:7–8 (ASV)

7 And when the thousand years are finished, Satan shall be loosed…
8 and shall come forth to deceive the nations…

• •Only after the 1,000 years:  

  • •Satan returns  

  • •Deception resumes  

  • •People are exposed in their response  

4) Why Death Doesn’t Make It a Test

From Scripture:

• •Death is:  

  • •An enemy being removed (1 Corinthians 15:26)  

• •The reign exists:  

  • •To undo the effects of sin, including death  

So during the 1,000 years:

• •Death reflects unfinished restoration, not a testing mechanism  

5) What Actually Makes Something a “Test” Biblically

Looking at the pattern:

• •In Eden → test involved a choice under influence  

• •After the 1,000 years → test involves Satan’s deception  

That exact pattern appears again:

Revelation 20:8 (ASV)

8 …to deceive the nations…

👉 That is explicitly the testing moment

6) Simple Comparison

• •1,000-year reign  

  • •Satan bound  

  • •Truth taught  

  • •Healing happening  

  • •Death being removed
    → Restoration period  

• •After the 1,000 years  

  • •Satan released  

  • •Deception returns  

  • •People choose
    → Test period  

Final Statement

Death occurring during the 1,000 years does not define it as a test; it shows that Christ is still in the process of removing the effects of sin.

The Bible identifies the true test clearly and specifically—it happens after the 1,000 years, when Satan is released and the nations are again exposed to deception.

***Joe***      so, won't righteous people continue alive?

I am Bob.

Short answer: Yes—Scripture shows that the righteous ultimately continue alive, but it also shows this comes to full completion after Christ has finished his reign and removed death.

1) God’s Desire and Promise for the Righteous

A. The Righteous Are Meant to Inherit the Earth

Psalm 37:29 (ASV)

29 The righteous shall inherit the land, And dwell therein for ever.

• •This points to continued life, not temporary existence  

B. Eternal Life Is Promised

John 17:3 (BBE)

3 And this is eternal life: to have knowledge of you, the only true God, and of him whom you have sent, even Jesus Christ.

2) During the 1,000 Years

We must stay precise with what Scripture says:

• •Christ is still:  

  • •Removing enemies (1 Corinthians 15:25–26)  

• •Death still exists (not yet destroyed)  

So during that time:

• •People are:  

  • •Being restored  

  • •Being taught  

• •Righteousness is being established and matured  

Isaiah describes long life, but not yet complete removal of death:

Isaiah 65:20 (BBE)

20 …the child will be a hundred years old at his death…

3) After the 1,000 Years — Full Outcome

A. Death Is Completely Removed

Revelation 21:4 (BBE)

4 And death will be no more…

B. Only the Righteous Remain

After the final test:

Revelation 20:9 (ASV)

9 …fire came down out of heaven, and devoured them.

• •Those who rebel are removed  

• •What remains is a fully loyal, righteous people  

4) Eternal Life Becomes Complete Reality

Revelation 22:3–5 (ASV)

3 And there shall be no curse any more…
4 …and they shall see his face…
5 …and they shall reign for ever and ever.

5) Putting It Together Clearly

During the 1,000 Years:

• •Righteous people:  

  • •Are alive  

  • •Are being perfected  

• •Death still exists, but is being overcome  

After the 1,000 Years:

• •Final rebellion removed  

• •Death eliminated  

• •Only the righteous remain  

• •Life continues forever without interruption  

Final Statement

Yes—the righteous ultimately continue alive and inherit everlasting life.

During the 1,000-year reign, life is being restored and extended, but after Christ completes his work and removes death, the righteous live forever with no further death at all.

***Joe***      So if some do die, that is a test.

I am Bob.

I understand the reasoning—but Scripture does not define death itself as the test. It draws a clear line between:

• •The purpose of the 1,000 years (rule, restoration, subduing enemies)  

• •The test (which happens afterward)  

Let me show that distinction carefully from the text.

1) What Scripture Says the Reign Is For

1 Corinthians 15:25–26 (ASV)

25 For he must reign, till he hath put all his enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be abolished is death.

• •Death is called an enemy  

  • •The reign exists to remove it, not to use it as a testing tool  

2) What Actually Defines a “Test” in Scripture

When the Bible shows testing, it consistently involves:

• •A choice  

• •Under some form of influence or challenge  

The clearest place this appears in this timeline is:

Revelation 20:7–8 (ASV)

7 And when the thousand years are finished, Satan shall be loosed…
8 and shall come forth to deceive the nations…

• •Here you have:  

  • •Influence (Satan)  

  • •Deception  

  • •A resulting choice  

👉 That is explicitly the testing moment.

3) What Is Happening During the 1,000 Years Instead

A. Deception Is Removed

Revelation 20:2–3 (ASV)

3 …that he should deceive the nations no more…

B. People Are Being Restored

Revelation 22:2 (ASV)

2 …the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

C. Righteous Rule Is Established

Isaiah 11:4 (BBE)

4 But with righteousness will he give decisions…

• •This describes:  

  • •Healing  

  • •Teaching  

  • •Righteous governance  

Not a testing setup, but a restorative environment

4) Why Death Does Not Equal “Test”

You are thinking:

“If people can die → that must be a test”

But Scripture links death to something different:

• •Death = an enemy still being removed  

• •Not = a mechanism used to test loyalty  

Again:

1 Corinthians 15:26 (ASV)

26 The last enemy that shall be abolished is death.

5) Where the Bible Places the Test (Very Specifically)

After the 1,000 years:

Revelation 20:9 (ASV)

9 …and they went up over the breadth of the earth… and fire came down out of heaven, and devoured them.

• •People are:  

  • •Exposed  

  • •Separated based on response  

This is the only place in this sequence where:

• •Deception returns  

• •A decisive choice is revealed  

6) The Key Distinction

• •During the 1,000 years  

  • •Death may occur  

  • •But conditions are:  

    • •Truthful  

    • •Restorative  

    • •Controlled (no Satan)  

• •After the 1,000 years  

  • •Deception returns  

  • •People choose
    → This is the test  

Final Statement

Death during the 1,000-year reign does not make it a test.
According to Scripture, death is simply an enemy still being eliminated during Christ’s reign.

The Bible identifies the test clearly and separately—it occurs after the 1,000 years, when Satan is released and the nations are again exposed to deception and must respond.

***Joe***      OK Bob, I understand the Bible doesn't call it a time of test. But, if bad influence is taken away, and the faithful are being kept alive while those continue to die who choose to do bad without any influence to cause them to do so, it is actually a final or eternal test. Those who die then are dead forever.

I am Bob.

You are reasoning carefully—and you are getting very close to what the Scriptures actually show. Let me refine your conclusion so it stays fully aligned with what is written.

1) What You Said (Restated Clearly)

You are saying:

• •Bad influence (Satan) is removed  

• •People act without external pressure  

• •Those who choose wrong anyway are exposed  

• •Those who die then are gone permanently  

👉 Therefore, it functions like a final test

2) Where Your Conclusion Aligns With Scripture

There is a real sense in which people are revealed by their actions during that time:

Isaiah 65:20 (BBE)

20 …the sinner who is a hundred years old will be cursed.

• •This shows:  

  • •Sin still occurs  

  • •Individuals are judged for their own actions  

  • •Accountability is very direct (no deception present)  

So yes—during that period:

• •People are acting under clear truth  

• •Their choices reflect their own heart  

3) But Scripture Still Separates Two Things

This is the key distinction the Bible maintains:

A. During the 1,000 Years

• •Satan is bound → no deception (Revelation 20:3)  

• •People are:  

  • •Taught (Isaiah 2:3)  

  • •Healed (Revelation 22:2)  

• •Christ is:  

  • •Subduing enemies (1 Corinthians 15:25)  

👉 This is a restorative rulership phase

B. After the 1,000 Years (Clearly Identified Test)

Revelation 20:7–8 (ASV)

7 And when the thousand years are finished, Satan shall be loosed…
8 and shall come forth to deceive the nations…

👉 This is the only place Scripture explicitly shows:

• •Deception returning  

• •A global decision point  

• •A final separation  

4) The Important Refinement

What you’re calling a “test” during the 1,000 years is better described (from Scripture) as:

👉 A period of revealed character under perfect conditions

Not:

• •A formal test event  

Because:

• •The Bible reserves the decisive, universal test for after the 1,000 years  

• •That test involves:  

  • •Choice under deception  

  • •A final, collective outcome  

5) About Those Who Die During That Time

Your statement:

“Those who die then are dead forever”

Scripture supports that direction, but carefully:

Isaiah 65:20 (BBE)

20 …the sinner… will be cursed.

And final destruction is shown later:

Revelation 20:14–15 (ASV)

14 And death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire…
15 And if any was not found written in the book of life, he was cast into the lake of fire.

👉 This shows:

• •Final, irreversible judgment is tied to the end-stage judgment, not described in detail for each death during the 1,000 years  

So we must be careful:

• •Scripture implies accountability  

• •But does not explicitly map every individual death during the 1,000 years to final judgment in detail  

6) The Best Scripture-Aligned Way to Say It

• •The 1,000 years are:  

  • •A time where people live under perfect truth and righteous rule  

  • •Their actions reflect their true character  

• •However:  

  • •The Bible identifies the formal, final test as occurring after the 1,000 years, when Satan is released  

Final Statement

You are right that during the 1,000-year reign people are living in conditions where their choices reflect their true nature without outside deception.

However, Scripture itself distinguishes that from the actual final test, which it places after the 1,000 years, when Satan is released and the nations are again confronted with a decisive choice.

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End of Document References (add bookmark to each one [incomplete])

Who are the people who help Christ rule; and who?

1. Who are “his people” that rule with Christ?

The verse itself identifies them, and other scriptures confirm:

A. Faithful followers of Christ (including resurrected ones)

Second Timothy 2:12 (ASV)
12 if we endure, we shall also reign with him…

B. Those redeemed and chosen by God

Book of Revelation 5:9-10 (ASV)
9 …thou wast slain, and didst purchase unto God with thy blood men of every tribe, and tongue, and people, and nation,
10 and madest them to be unto our God a kingdom and priests; and they reign upon the earth.

C. A defined group called to rule

Book of Revelation 14:1-3 (ASV) (summary)
Describes the 144,000 with the Lamb, bought from the earth.

➡️ So “his people” are:

• •Faithful followers of Christ  

• •Those redeemed by his sacrifice  

• •Those chosen to be kings and priests with him  

2. Who do they rule over?

Scripture shows they rule over people on the earth, not each other.

A. They rule over the nations

Book of Revelation 2:26-27 (ASV)
26 And he that overcometh… to him will I give authority over the nations:
27 and he shall rule them with a rod of iron…

B. The rule is exercised on the earth

Book of Revelation 5:10 (ASV)
10 …and they reign upon the earth.

C. Survivors and people living during that time

Book of Isaiah 65:20 (ASV)
20 …the child shall die a hundred years old…

(This shows people are still living, aging, and being judged during that period.)

3. What this means together

• •Christ + his chosen followers = rulers (kings and priests)  

• •The “nations” / people on earth = those being ruled over  

This fits the thousand-year reign described in Book of Revelation 20:6:
They are priests of God and reign with Christ.

4. Summary (kept simple)

• •Who rules?
  Faithful, chosen followers of Christ (resurrected and approved)  

• •Who is ruled?
  People living on earth during the thousand years (the nations)  

• •Purpose shown in Scripture:
  To exercise judgment and bring God’s rule to the earth  

If you want, Joe, we can next tie this directly into your earlier question about whether this functions like a final testing period—there are a couple of key verses that sharpen that idea very clearly.

aren't the wicked killed by armageddon and if so, who are the nations left to be ruled by Christ's followers?

I am Bob.

You are asking a precise and important question. Let’s let the Scriptures define it carefully.

1. Are the wicked destroyed at Armageddon?

Yes—those gathered in opposition to Christ are destroyed.

Book of Revelation 19:19-21 (ASV)
19 And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat upon the horse, and against his army.
20 …these two were cast alive into the lake of fire…
21 And the rest were killed with the sword of him that sat upon the horse…

This shows:

• •Those actively opposing Christ are destroyed.  

• •It is a judgment against those gathered for war.  

2. Does that mean all humans are gone?

No. Other scriptures show survivors.

A. Survivors remain after divine judgment

Book of Zechariah 14:16 (ASV)
16 And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations that came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King…

➡️ Key point:
“every one that is left” — survivors remain from the nations.

B. People continue living during the reign

Book of Isaiah 65:20 (ASV)
20 …the child shall die a hundred years old…

➡️ This shows:

• •Humans are still living  

• •Aging still occurs  

• •Death can still occur during that time  

C. The earth is not empty—people are taught

Book of Isaiah 2:2-3 (ASV)
3 …he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths…

➡️ This implies:

• •People are present on earth  

• •They are being taught and guided  

3. Where do these “nations” come from?

Putting the verses together:

• •Armageddon destroys those actively opposing Christ  

• •Not every human is described as part of that final battle  

• •Some are “left” (survivors)  

• •These survivors form the nations that are ruled  

4. Additional source of people: resurrection

The thousand-year reign also includes resurrection.

Book of Revelation 20:12-13 (ASV)
12 …the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books…
13 …and they were judged every man according to their works.

➡️ So the population includes:

• •Survivors of Armageddon  

• •Those brought back (resurrected)  

5. Clear summary

• •Who is destroyed at Armageddon?
  Those gathered in rebellion against Christ  

• •Who remains?
  Survivors (“those left of the nations”)  

• •Who else is present later?
  The resurrected dead  

• •Who do Christ and his followers rule?  

  • •Survivors of the nations  

  • •Resurrected mankind  

6. Important clarification

Scripture does not say that every human alive is killed at Armageddon.
It specifically focuses on the destruction of those in opposition.

So the “nations” ruled during the thousand years are:

• •Survivors of that judgment  

• •Plus those raised during the resurrection  

If you want to go deeper, we can next examine whether these survivors are already righteous or are being brought to righteousness—that’s where your earlier “test period” idea really starts to sharpen scripturally.