What is the “Millennium” all about? What’s its purpose – for Israel? for the church? For the world at large? What will transpire during this time? Will it be 'heaven on earth' then without any trace of sin, corruption and rebellion? Will everyone be saved at that time?
For Israel, it will be the fulfillment of all GOD’s promises to Abraham, to David, and the nation of Israel as a whole.
For the church, it will be a time when we saints shall rule and reign with Christ in our glorified state.
For the people of the world who have managed to survive the tribulation period of seven years and enter into the Millennium as believers, their children will need to obey the Gospel for salvation just as we do today. And some of them will – some won’t.
For the subsequent generations of Millennials (not those we recognize today), they will live in paradise, free from poverty, sickness, oppression, crime, free from all of the influences of a wicked, corrupt society. They will not experience temptations and deceptions by Satan and all of the fallen angels and demons because they will all be consigned to the abyss during the entire time of the Millennium (REV. 20:1-3).
This “proving ground” will demonstrate the wickedness of the human heart. At the end of this 1,000 year period, Satan will be loosed from his prison and given the opportunity to raise up another rebellion, and PEOPLE WILL STILL FOLLOW HIM AND BE DISLOYAL TO KING JESUS!
The repeated mention of this 1000 year time period (six times in the first seven verses of REVELATION 20) gave rise to this word - Millenium – mille – 1,000, and anno – year.
The title of Messiah is one of Kingship (Y’shua, Mashiach Nagid); it certainly stands to reason that if one is a King, there must be a corresponding kingdom over which they rule. The very word 'kingdom' is a contraction for the 'king's domain'.
The LORD Jesus, in hearing others speak of the Messiah, declared that that’s who He is; JOHN 4:25-26; MATT. 12:23; 16:15-16.
In the Old Testament, it speaks of the kingdom of Israel with prophetic authority. Passages clearly ascribe the Messiah ruling over it. But before He establishes His Kingdom on Earth, He has some clean-up operations to do regarding Satan and all who rebel against His authority.
ISAIAH 42:13-14
13 The LORD shall go forth like a mighty man; He shall stir up His zeal like a man of war. He shall cry out, yes, shout aloud; He shall prevail against His enemies. 14 "I have held My peace a long time, I have been still and restrained Myself. Now I will cry like a woman in labor, I will pant and gasp at once.
REVELATION 14:19-20
19 So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses' bridles [approx. 7-9’ high], for one thousand six hundred furlongs [200 miles, almost twice the length from Tucson to Phoenix].
REVELATION 19:11-13
11 And I saw heaven opened and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood [not His own]: and his name is called The Word of God.
REVELATION 20:1-2
1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years...
The reign of rebellious man and his new world order will be over with! The antichrist and the false prophet will be cast into the lake of fire (REV 19:20). Satan’s reign will be done!
Satan gained the title deed of the Earth (as “the god/ruler of this world” (2 COR. 4:4) that Adam, God's appointed steward over the world, lost when he fell into sin (which Christ won back as our Redeemer (REV 5:7-9).
The LORD will then begin to establish His rightful reign including the political, spiritual, even environmental aspects as the Earth's ecology is transformed, along with the animal and plant kingdoms!
Let’s read through REVELATION 20:1-15!
This time period includes the imprisonment of Satan (vs. 2), the banishment of satanic deception and false religions as well as the oppressive rule caused by Satan himself (REV. 20:3). Thrones are established and those martyred for Christ's sake (during the time of Tribulation) are given the right to rule with the LORD; these are among the righteous members of the first resurrection (vs. 4).
Those who are resurrected after the thousand years are part of the resurrection of the damned (vs.5) who will appear at the Great White Throne Judgment (vs. 11). Members of the first resurrection will comprise of a priesthood of God and of His Christ (vs. 6).
After the thousand years are expired, Satan is once again loosed for a final rebellion before he is summarily arrested and consigned to the eternal damnation of Gehenna (vss. 7,10; FINALLY!!).
This is a 10 Point list of events for a pre-tribulation, pre-millennial (explain) view:
1) The rapture of the church (1 THESS. 4:16-18); nothing has to happen before the rapture in order for it to take place (the doctrine of imminency).
2) The hand of God once again dealing directly with Israel (ACTS 15:16; MAL. 3:3).
3) The attack of Gog and Magog (Russia and her allies) upon Israel – occurring either before, or during or after the rapture of the church (EZEK 38; 39).
4) The revelation of the Beast and his ascension to “all power” by Satan, and “the ten kings” representing the one world government. The formation of the one world government could happen before the rapture of the church (2 THESS. 2:9; REV. 13:2; 17:12-13; DAN. 7:8).
5) Israel’s right to officiate in their Temple by the Beast is enforced (which follows the actual building of the Temple in Jerusalem – an event that also could happen at any time; DAN. 9:27).
6) The abomination of desolation occurs at the mid-point of this seven year period known as “the Great Tribulation” where the Beast demands worship as 'God' by the world in the Jewish Temple. What sets this up?
The anti-Christ is presumably the victim of a failed assassination attempt; nearly mortally wounded that destroys his right eye and paralyzes his (right?) arm. He stages a convincing but false resurrection, assigns his mark to the world's population (666) and is paid homage by all people (except the saints loyal to JESUS, who are then martyred by beheading; DAN. 9:27; 2 THESS. 2:4; ZECH 11:17; REV 13:15-18; 20:4).
7) The Beast is rejected by Israel, and subsequently is persecuted by him as he seeks the destruction of the nation (REV. 12:13; DAN. 7:21)
8) A remnant of believing Israel (a third of the total population; ZECH 13:9) is saved and preserved in hiding (at Petra or Bosra in the nation of Jordan; DAN 11:41) safe from the Beast (ISA 63:1-4; MICAH 2:12).
9) The battle of Armageddon commences where the Beast attacks Israel with the armies of the world and in the midst of her destruction, the LORD Jesus Christ returns and saves Israel. The nation at this time (whoever has survived) beholds their Messiah and receives Him, and the nation is saved (MICAH 2:12; IS. 63:1; ZECH. 12:10; ROM 11:26).
10) Having abolished the reign of the Beast and delivering him and the false Prophet to Gehenna, and Satan to “the bottomless pit” (for the entire time of the Millennium), the LORD Jesus Christ, Messiah of Israel and LORD of the church commences His earthly reign from Jerusalem in the re-established Kingdom of Israel for 1000 years (REV. 19:20; LUKE 1:31-33; REV. 20:12; IS. 9:6-7).
There are all sorts of Scriptures that describe this time when the LORD revisits His people Israel and bestows upon her the blessings recorded in Old Testament passages. The greatest of all blessings in addition to the others: the actual, visible rule of God the Son Himself in the midst of His people Israel!
A review of Old Testament prophets, particularly the last chapters of these books (even the last few verses), reveals God's restoration of Israel and His blessings upon His people.
All of this began when God by covenant, made certain unconditional promises to Abraham regarding the promised land and a promised people – descendants of Abraham by lineage (Jewish people by birth) but also descendants of Abraham by faith (Jews who express faith in GOD as did Abraham; GEN. 15:1-18; GEN. 17:1-8). And as God promised to Adam and Eve the arrival of 'the seed of the woman' which is Christ (GEN 3:15), so likewise God promised to Abraham (GEN. 22:8,18; GAL. 3:16-17).
These blessings by covenant were furthered by the LORD God in His revelation to King David and the LORD's intentions for the nation in establishing an eternal government as outlined in 2 SAMUEL 7:8-17.
God's reassurance of appointing a place for His people Israel, and further His promise that they will “move no more” and that “the children of wickedness will afflict them [no more] as before . . .” (2 SAM 7:10) is solid and unchanging.
But even a casual examination of history reveals that the Jews were migratory for much of their history, and that the affliction they suffered from persecution has been virtually unending as they moved from one nation to another.
Obviously this prophecy speaks of a time other than any other that we’ve yet seen! It's foretelling of that time when Christ – the Messiah, the Son of David will have His throne and kingdom established forever (2 SAM 7:12-13; LUKE 1:31-33). The establishment of David's throne lasting forever is repeated in 2 SAM 7:16.
Along with this passage from 1 SAMUEL 7, the LORD underscores His promises to David regarding the everlasting throne and kingdom of Israel.
Turn to PSALM 89:
PSALM 89:3-4, 24, 34-37
3 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant, 4 Your seed will I establish forever, and build up your throne to all generations. Selah.
24 But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted.
34 My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips. 35 Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David. 36 His seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before me. 37 It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.
The apostles asked the resurrected LORD and MESSIAH of Israel this rather pertinent question:
ACTS 1:6-7
6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt you at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7 And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.
NOTE: The MESSIAH-KING of Israel does not dismiss the idea of the kingdom of Israel restored! He simply states that the time for such is in the Father's keeping. The LORD GOD made definitive and emphatic promises to Israel regarding the coming restoration of the Kingdom.
JEREMIAH 32:40-42
40 'And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from doing them good; but I will put My fear in their hearts so that they will not depart from Me. 41 'Yes, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will assuredly plant them in this land, with all My heart and with all My soul.' 42 "For thus says the LORD: 'Just as I have brought all this great calamity on this people, so I will bring on them all the good that I have promised them.
You can find these promises throughout the Old Testament and acknowledged in the New; repeatedly referred to as the Millennium in REV. Ch. 20.
Some more passages about this glorious 1,000 period of the Messiah’s Earthly Rule (a considerable majority of these verses come from the book of Isaiah; it is for this reason that this prophet is often referred to as the Messianic Prophet):
ISAIAH 2:1-5
1 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2 Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established on the top of the mountains and shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it. 3 Many people shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths." For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4 He shall judge between the nations and rebuke many people; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore. 5 O house of Jacob, come and let us walk In the light of the LORD.
Now if you read on in vss. 6-9, it speaks of Israel’s idolatry, for which GOD judged them some 150 years afterward. That was then; vs.1-5 are prophetic, and yet future – bear that in mind!
ISAIAH 2: 1 - The LORD God granted to His prophet this vision “concerning Judah and Jerusalem” - there can be no spiritualizing or allegorizing this passage, as it literally spells out the specific region and city of the Jewish people, Judah and Jerusalem.
vs. 2 – Now, “mountains” in Scripture are often symbolic of kingdoms (see DAN. 2:44-45 (interpreting vs. 35); see also ISA 13:4). When the LORD Jesus Christ taught the Jews about the Kingdom, He ascended a mountain (MATT 5:1); in my mind, not at all coincidental!
These events spoken of in verse 2 are to occur “in the last days” and so we know that these passages cannot refer to Israel at any other time in her previous history but must refer to the nation specifically in the near future as Israel is not at all a “kingdom” today, but a socialist democracy.
“The house of the LORD” that is, the authority and express Presence of the LORD will inhabit the mountain (government) above all the mountains (that is, all of the other governments present in the Gentile nations). All the Gentile nations “shall flow unto it”. For what purpose, one might ask . . . the answer is in verse 3.
vs. 3 - For out of Zion shall go forth the law, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
There are too, too many Christians today that vilify “Zionism” as bigotry, oppression, even satanic! There are different forms of Zionism, and one of those is definitely occult, but there is a BIBLICAL Zionism as well; GOD declares:
PSALM 2:6
6 "Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion."
Zion in Scripture refers to Mt. Zion located at Jerusalem, but it also represents GOD’s Kingdom where Jerusalem is its capital and can also refer to the Gospel.
PSALM 87:1-3
His foundation is in the holy mountains. 2 The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. 3 Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of God [Jerusalem]. Selah.
Side note: The regathering of the nation: EZEKIEL 37:1-8
Note vs. 8: Indeed, as I looked, the sinews and the flesh came upon them, and the skin covered them over; but there was no breath in them.ISAIAH 2:4 – The righteous Judge will judge among the nations, measuring out perfect justice upon all, and bringing every action, every word, and every thought into account so that nothing perpetrated by sinful man will go neglected.
Israel regathered in the land after it seemed that the nation was dead (without a homeland, a victim of intended genocide (1/3 of all Jews on Earth were killed in WW 2), but the nation came alive again with a “breath of fresh air” breathed by GOD on May 14th, 1948; and the retaking of Jerusalem in 1967..
Then GOD promised that not only would the nation come alive physically – but also spiritually; but this hasn’t happened - yet! But it will!
EZEKIEL 37:14
"I will put My Spirit in you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I, the LORD, have spoken it and performed it," says the LORD.'"
However, once “all Israel [is] saved” (ROM. 11:26) the LORD God will establish Zion (the kingdom) in the nation and His Law, His Word will proceed from Jerusalem for the nations to learn of “His ways”.
As I am fond of saying, “There is no such thing as eternal injustice!”. It will be gratifying to see unjust global oppressors and 'international bullies' (George Soros, Bill Gates, the Rockefeller clan and too many others) get their due reward on Judgment Day from the Holy King Who will not tolerate such conduct in His Kingdom!
There will no longer be any war, nor a need for such: in the Millennial Kingdom such practices will be obsolete!
ISAIAH 2:5 – The nation of Israel will exult in the Light of the LORD, receiving the fullness of revelation by their MESSIAH concerning His goodness, His holiness, His grace and righteousness – and they shall live in the Light of the LORD! No longer blind to the truth regarding the identity of the Messiah but wholly embracing Y'shua ha Mashiach (Jesus Christ) and serving Him joyously in the renewed Earth that shall blossom like Eden, and the re-established kingdom of Israel!
ISAIAH 9:6-7
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
The LORD Jesus Christ right now in heaven is not sitting on His throne – He is sitting with the Father on His Throne. But He’s been given a promise for a Throne of His own, the throne of His father, David!
This child, this 'seed of the woman' (GEN. 3:15), is 'the seed of Abraham' (GAL. 3:16) and is the Son given to us (JOHN 3:16; GAL. 4:4) and we know His Name, JESUS – (MATT. 1:21) Who came to save us from our sins, for the sins of the whole world and yet He is also called “the Prince of Peace”.
It is simply amazing to me that with such blatant passages as these, that there are still some professing Christians who will deny that Israel has any destiny in the long awaited kingdom which Messiah will rule over.
With such little time remaining and with so much more doctrinal truth about the Millennium left untouched, I’ll just list some more information in bullet-point fashion:
~ The animal kingdom will be at peace: no more predators and prey, and the most dangerous animals on Earth today will become huggable, furry pillows (ISA 11:6-9).
~ Israel will be at rest and peace, with no more fears or cautionary defenses necessary (ISA 32); Jerusalem (Yeru’shalayim – “the city of Peace”) will become the world capital (ISA 33:20)!
~ There will be no more extremes in weather – no more frigid or frying wastelands (ISA 32:15; 35:1-2; 51:3). Everything will be restored to its original, lush “Garden-of-Eden” condition of paradise! No more pollution in the air, the land, the seas! Imagine what completely pure air will smell like, and what absolutely pure and clean water will taste like! And as a result, just think what the quality of food will be like! No more additives, preservatives, artificial flavors, colorings – nada!
~ Life spans will be dramatically increased – someone around 100 years of age will be considered a “child” that is, a teenager (ISA 65:20). But in this ideal, GOD-perfected environment, no one will suffer decrepit, deteriorating conditions! This does not mean that death will be abolished at this time, but it will become rare. And those who enter into the Millennium with their allegiance to Jesus Christ – having escaped martyrdom by the antichrist during the tribulation (MATT 24:13) these will still have natural bodies as we have today.
~ There will be no deformities or disabilities found anywhere among the people, and no doubt our newborn children as well (ISA 35:5).
~ The church, and (quite probably) all of the resurrected Old Testament saints, everyone from Adam and Eve all the way to John the Baptist, will have glorified bodies (the church – at the time of the rapture; 1 THESS 4:16-18; PHIL 3:21; 1 COR 15:40-55) and the OT saints (at the first resurrection; JOB 19:25; EZEK 34:24; 37:25; REV 20:5). These spiritual bodies will be far superior to these outdated models we’re currently inhabiting – I bet we’ll have powers and abilities that would make Superman jealous!
~ We saints in our glorified state will be completely without any sin nature! We’ll experience profound peace as we’ve never had before. All the world will be governed in peace – war will not be tolerated (ISA 2:4), and the war we fight in this life: the war between the Spirit of GOD that dwells in us, and the sin nature: our ruthless enemy, will finally come to an end! Peace within, peace without – an “abundance of peace” for the “meek who will inherit”, not a huge plot of land of 1,000 acres – but all “the earth” (PSA 37:11).
~ We shall witness the construction of the Millennial Temple (EZEK 40-48) and the Levitical priesthood officiating in it.
~ We who belong to the church as the Bride of Christ will be ruling and reigning with our LORD, givien duties and ministries of government and oversight during this 1,000 year period (REV 2:26-27; 5:10).
And GOD will say at the end of the 1,000 year period, “You ain’t seen nuthin’ yet!” As He wipes the universe out, and we get to see Him start out fresh, and do His stuff as He creates New Heavens and New Earth!
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