We had Episode Four of NUMB3RS on Sunday. I think it might have been the strongest yet.

Chris Macedo was on fire leading us in praise and worship.

Then James-Michael Smith's sermon-intro-video got us ready for the message:



The talk itself covered Revelation 20:1-15. We looked at three possible understandings of the "Millenium" from that chapter:

1. Pre-millenialism -- meaning that Jesus returns "before" the thousand years and establishes a millenial kingdom on earth.

2. Post-millenialism -- meaning that Christ's return comes after the church establishes the kingdom on earth.

3. A-millenialism -- meaning that the time span spoken of here is a symbolic description of the time between Jesus' resurrection and his return. In other words we, are in the millenium now.

Then there is the pan-millenialist perspective which says, "I don't know what in the world Revelation 20 is talking about, but it's all going to pan out in the end."

After going through the evidence both in Revelation itself and in the whole of the New Testament, I land in the a-millenialist camp. I will say, however, that this is one of those that has a couple of good answers; a good case can be made for the historic pre-millenialist view.

Anyway, the part I like best about Revelation 20 and what we did yesterday has to do with the two types of books in verses 11-15. We contrasted the "Book Of Deeds" in which are recorded all the things we have done while in the body with the "Book Of Life" which contains the names of those who have trusted Christ as Lord. Everyone's name is in the "Book Of Deeds"; entry into the "Book Of Life" comes by God's grace through our faith. We closed with an invitation for people literally to sign their names in books we had arranged throughout the Worship Center as an indication that they a) wanted to receive Christ for the first time or b) wanted to re-affirm their faith in a public way. At all three services, hundreds of people responded.

That's what makes Kingdom work worth it.

Well, we've been through the Rapture and endured the Tribulation. Sort of.

Now time for the Millenial Kingdom. To prepare for Sunday, read Revelation 20:1-15 ahead of time.

A few years ago, I taught a class at Good Shepherd called The Millenial Maze. We looked at the Revelation 20 passage in some depth and considered different possible interpretations for it. I'll take you on that journey on Sunday.

But here's why I can't wait for Sunday: because if you read the "millenial" chapter closely enough, you'll see that the most important thing going on is not a debate over a 1,000 year kingdom. John is communicating something else much more important. What is it?

I'll tell you on Sunday. NUMB3RS, Part Four: 1,000 Year Reign.

I have a friend at our church named Nolan. About a year ago he came to one of our healing services. These are bi-monthly gatherings where we play reflective music and then invite people to be anointed with oil and receive prayer for healing of body, mind, and soul.



Anyway, when Nolan came to that service last year, I figured he was sick. "No," he told me. "I just want to see what these services are like because I think I might have the gift of praying for people's healing."



Ever since that time, Nolan has been my prayer partner at the healing services. At our service last night, he prayed the most genuine & heartfelt prayers I've heard in a long time.



Did I tell you? Nolan is 11 years old.



I hope I can be like Nolan when I grow up.