Day 362 - A Thousand Years of Judgement?

Today's Reading: Zechariah 11-12 and Revelation 20

In today's reading of Revelation 20, we read about the thousand years that Satan is bound while the saints, all God's children are made judges, and Kings and Queens over the wicked.

"And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years." (Rev. 20:4-6)

In the Great Controversy we read the following:

During the thousand years between the first and the second resurrection the judgment of the wicked takes place. The apostle Paul points to this judgment as an event that follows the second advent. “Judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts.” 1 Corinthians 4:5. Daniel declares that when the Ancient of Days came, “judgment was given to the saints of the Most High.” Daniel 7:22. At this time the righteous reign as kings and priests unto God. John in the Revelation says: “I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them.” “They shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.” Revelation 20:4, 6. It is at this time that, as foretold by Paul, “the saints shall judge the world.” 1 Corinthians 6:2. In union with Christ they judge the wicked, comparing their acts with the statute book, the Bible, and deciding every case according to the deeds done in the body. Then the portion which the wicked must suffer is meted out, according to their works; and it is recorded against their names in the book of death. 

Satan also and evil angels are judged by Christ and His people. Says Paul: “Know ye not that we shall judge angels?” Verse 3. And Jude declares that “the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.” Jude 6. (GC, p. 660-661)

As I've thought about this, I think perhaps we've painted things in the wrong way in our minds. Why would a loving God who has redeemed us put us through the agony... for 1,000 years, of contemplating the sins of the lost? I don't understand all this, but my thoughts are that perhaps we won't have to look at everyone's sin, only those that would concern us? The main point of the judgement is to see the God has been just... And if we have questions about loved ones or those that we know and why they weren't saved, we will have opportunity to see the record and see why they would not be happy in heaven. Yes, we will reign with Christ as Kings and Queens, but this doesn't necessarily mean that 1,000 years is going to be spent all on the judgement of the sinners.

Of course, what is not clearly expressed in Scripture we probably should not try to explain... but let's just keep in mind, God is good. And He's not going to take us to heaven and save us, only to submit us to 1,000 years of our own torture before the real joy begins. Whatever happens above when we get to heaven, it will be GOOD, and all pain and sorrow and suffering will be put away as we see God has been just... and He's done what's best.

Tomorrow's Reading: Zech. 13-14 and Revelation 21