Christ is not making war either. as coming from heaven, or as going forth in connection with Jerusalem: but when he is sitting on His throne, having come, and judging the nations for the manner in which they have treated the preachers of the gospel of the kingdom, in that going forth which shall specially take place at the close. It is not, “He shall send forth his armies,” but the calm and solemn session of the throne on those who have despised Him in His messengers.
Although the fact of the resurrection of the just is mentioned here, to separate them out of the judgment, the millennial state itself is little dwelt upon, the chapter being properly the account of the session of judgment. From this, we see the partakers of the first resurrection entirely exempt: then Satan’s actings, as introducing the first millennial judgment[1] are mentioned, and that judgment itself. On the great white throne (for there were no thrones now), sat One from whose face heaven and earth fled away. This therefore, was no coming at all. No judgment πῆς οίκουμέμης, of the
- ↑ If any ask what comes of the living saints as to their change at the close of the millennium, the answer is,—Scripture says nothing, save that from other passages we know, on principle, they will have incorruptible natures in that scene when all things are made new.
