THE MILLENNIUM
By
Jim Gerrish
CONTENTS
What is the Millennium?
How we lost the Millennium
Differing views on the Millennium today
Events leading up to the Millennium
The millennial age and God’s judgment
Just who are the overcomers?
The second resurrection
Who will be left on earth during the Millennium?
Changes in the earth and heavens
The natural world and the Millennium
Rule and authority in the Millennium
The Law of God going out to the nations
God’s presence in the Millennium
Life in the Millennium
The glory of Jerusalem in the millennial age
Israel’s spiritual condition in the Millennium
The nations and the Millennium
How the Millennium will close
Bible translations used
ESV English Standard Version
NAS New American Standard Version
NET New English Translation Version
NIV New International Version
NKJ New King James Version
NRS New Revised Standard Version
RSV Revised Standard Version
Light of Israel Publications
Colorado Springs, CO
Copyright 2023
THE MILLENNIUM
There is a strange fascination regarding the biblical Millennium. Indeed, there is something in the heart of humanity that longs for a utopia or a golden age.1 Even the disciples of Jesus longed for this age and asked the Master if the kingdom was about to come (Acts 1:6-7). Jesus did not rebuke them or deny that the kingdom was coming, but he merely told them that they were considerably off in their timing.
What is the Millennium?
As we begin. we need to ask, “what is the Millennium anyway?” The Millennium is that incredible and interesting thousand-year period at the close of this present evil age (Gal. 1:4). The words “thousand years” occurs six times in Revelation 20, but we do not find this anywhere else in scripture. The word Millennium comes from two Latin words, mille meaning thousand and annum meaning year. The expression represents the thousand-year kingdom of Christ on this earth. During this time, Christ and his saints will reign over the nations, and Israel will finally receive the blessings promised through the ages by her prophets.2
American theologian, Dwight Pentecost, states that there is more information in scripture about the Millennium than there is about any other period in the Bible. Unfortunately for the searcher, most of this information is tucked away in the Old Testament.3 This is possibly one reason why the Millennium has become a dim and fading hope for many in modern and postmodern Christianity.
When we look at the whole Bible it seems that the Millennium is sort of a sabbath at the end of this present evil age. That is clearly in line with the way God appears to operate. Irish Anglican clergyman and Bible scholar, A. R. Faussett says: “The Jewish Rabbis thought, as the world was created in six days and on the seventh God rested, so there would be six millenary periods, followed by a sabbatical millennium.” 4
Calvary Chapel founder Charles “Chuck” Smith comments: “To me, it is interesting that it has been under Satan’s power and control for about six thousand years. If you go back to the time that Adam disobeyed God and turned the world over to Satan and was ejected from the garden, that was just about six thousand years ago; short just a few years. And I believe the Lord is going to allow Satan to have it for six thousand years.” 5 If Smith is correct, then we are getting very near to the end of this age.
How we lost the Millennium
How we lost the Millennium makes up a very long story going all the way back to the early centuries of the Christian church. There were two early church leaders who were largely responsible for our loss. Origen of Alexandria (AD 185-253) and the church historian Eusebius (c. 260-339). Origen is known as the father of the allegorical method of Bible interpretation. He looked at many things in the Bible as allegories. This emphasis originally came from the Greeks.
Bible scholar, Daniel Gruber, sums up his approach saying: “when the text said, ‘Israel,’ it meant ‘the church’ and not the Jews, so long as the promise or comment was good. If the promise or comment was not good, then ‘Israel’ still meant ‘the Jews,’” 6 Origen was likely one of the brightest scholars in early Christianity, but he toyed with a number of ideas and doctrines that were clearly heretical. He was finally excommunicated by two church councils in AD 231 and 232. In 543, long after Origen’s death, Emperor Justinian I condemned him as a heretic and ordered all his writings to be burned. Still, Gruber says: “Most of the Greek fathers of the third and fourth centuries stood more or less under the influence of the spirit and the works of Origen…It is Origen’s system of interpretation that produces the anti-Judaic ‘New Israel’ theology where the church replaces the Jews in the plan and purpose of God.” 7
Eusebius, the early church historian, was a follower of Origen and even wrote a six-volume defense of the man. Eusebius was a very prominent person as the new Christian emperor Constantine rose to power. He perceived that with Constantine the Kingdom of God had at last come. That being the case, there was no room in his thinking for the Jews and their millennial kingdom. He believed that “…the rejection and replacement of the Jews was the means of fulfilling the kingdom.” 8 We can see the outcome of his influence in the letter that Constantine wrote to the churches at the end of the Council of Nicaea (AD 325). In his letter he referred to the Jews as “…polluted wretches…blinded in their minds…(a) most odious fellowship…parricides and murderers…” 9
In order for Eusebius to oppose the Millennium it was necessary for him to do some editorial acrobatics. He knew that the earliest Christians believed in the Millennium. These even included early writers like Papias, Irenaeus and Justin Martyr. Papias, bishop of Hierapolis, was characterized as a very godly man who was a hearer of the Apostle John. He was acclaimed by many others and even by Eusebius himself until he was found to be supporting the Millennium. Eusebius in his Ecclesiastical History writes of Papias, “…he says there would be a certain millennium after the resurrection, and that there would be a corporeal reign of Christ on this very earth, which things he appears to have imagined…” 10 One writer calls Eusebius “the first thoroughly dishonest historian of antiquity.” 11
Another very important church leader, who in a sense gave the final touches to Origen’s ideas, was Augustine of Hippo (354-430). Augustine has had a great impact on Christian theology from his time even to the present day. While Augustine expected the future salvation of Israel, he still held to Origen’s allegorical approach. Gruber says, “Augustine discusses most of the end-times in symbolical language, rejecting any literal interpretation. His conclusions…do not really leave him any place to fit in this restoration of Israel. In fact, the consistent application of his allegorical system of interpretation leads to the disinheritance of all Israel.” 12 Popular Scottish Bible commentator, William Barclay says, “…It was Augustine however who, we may almost say, dealt Millenarianism its death blow.” 13
Differing views of the Millennium today
Perhaps we can now understand why modern and postmodern Christians have been left in a theological fog regarding the Millennium. While it is clear that the ancient church believed in it wholeheartedly, it is clear that the later church questioned and spurned the idea.
As a result, we have three main concepts of the Millennium in the church today. First, there is Premillennialism, the ancient Christian idea that Christ would physically return before the Millennium. He would then set up a thousand-year age of peace and blessing with his saints ruling for him on the earth. This view is still the most prominent one in the church today.
Then there is Postmillennialism which holds that Christ will come after the Millennium. This view assumes that the gospel will make so many changes in the world that almost everyone will become Christian, thus leading up to the golden age and Christ’s return.
Last, there is Amillennialism, which does not believe in an actual millennial period. In Greek, the “a” at the beginning of a word has the meaning of “no,” or “no Millennium.” Amillennial folks see the thousand years as allegorical or symbolic. They do not believe in a coming golden age where Christ and his church will rule over the world. They believe that Christ is already ruling, and in a sense, that age has already arrived.
When we consider these views, our heads may likely go into a spin. Biblical scholars and professors, Kenneth L. Barker and John Kohlenberger III say: “The Millennium itself is one of the most controversial questions of eschatology [study of last things]…” 14 Bible professors Charles F. Pfeiffer and Everett F. Harrison add that it is one of the most debated passages in God’s word.15
There are probably several reasons why a natural millennial age is necessary. The Millennium follows an awful time of great tribulation, war, oppression, defilement and subjugation. Barker and Kohlenberger say, “The Millennium will serve as a long period required to do the ‘housecleaning’ needed after the preceding ages of sin.” 16 It does seem that overcoming, resurrected Christians will make up God’s repair and housecleaning team. That alone is one good reason to begin the spiritual repair and housecleaning in our own lives while we live in this present evil age.
Well-known commentator, Warren Wiersbe, says that the millennial kingdom is the fulfillment of all the many promises God has made to Israel and to his Christ (Psa. 2; Lk. 1:30-33). He says it will be an answer to the many prayers of the saints who have continually asked for God’s kingdom to come (Mt. 6:10).17
The Millennium is important since it was necessary for Christ and his church to overcome at last and rule on this earth. They will be able to overcome and rule because Christ is living in them (1 Jn. 4:4). This would make for the fulfillment of the heavenly kingdom. We see in scripture that Satan had launched a serious revolt against God. As a result of that revolt man and woman, God’s choice creations, were defeated and brought to shame (Gen. Ch. 3). Jesus came to earth as the Last Adam (1 Cor. 15:45) to undo all the works of Satan, to restore mankind to rulership, and to remove the curse from the earth. We have not seen this happen in this present evil age, but we will see it happen in the Millennium. Thus, we can understand that the Millennium is necessary for the fulfillment of God’s plan of salvation. One happy thought is that when Christ restores Adam, those resurrected overcomers will surely be able to walk and talk daily with their Creator just like Adam once did.
Wiersbe says: “It will also be God’s final demonstration of the sinfulness of sin and the wickedness of the human heart apart from God’s grace…” 18 We see in this period that a good environment will not change the heart of humankind. They will still rebel against God one last time at the end of this golden age. Only Jesus can change the heart of humanity.
There are a lot of things that we do not understand about the Millennium. Some things belong to God alone. This is not Bible, but it is possible that the thousand-year reign is God presenting his airtight and age-old judgment against Satan before angels, principalities and powers in the heavenly places. Before it is all over, Satan will be proven conclusively to be the liar, phony and villain that he has always been.
Events leading up to the Millennium
Several events will lead up to the Millennium. Christ will come and put an end to the awful time of tribulation. In Revelation 19:19ff. we see the beast or antichrist being immediately captured and thrown into hell. The antichrist of course was largely responsible for the Great Tribulation on earth. Along with the beast or antichrist, the false prophet will also be thrown into hell. Two parts of the terrible threesome are now out of action forever.
In Revelation chapter 20, we immediately see God’s judgment on Satan himself. We see an angel sent from heaven with the key to the Abyss and holding a long chain in his hand. This unnamed angel is significant. It illustrates the true weakness of Satan that even a nameless angel of heaven could take him down. Popular pastor and biblical expositor, Ray Stedman, comments: “The chain is a symbol of extreme restraint, a limiting of his power and ability to function…the angel shuts the door and locks it, which means it is rendered impossible to be opened from within…the angel seals it over so that it is impossible to open from without.” 19
We observe that Satan is thrown into the abyss. This abyss is not hell but rather the bottomless pit. Bible professor Bob Utley suggests that this pit (Gk. abusson) may be the same as Tartarus (2 Pet. 2:4), that place of confinement of evil spirits.20 There he will be confined for a thousand years. We might begin to wonder what life on earth would be like without the antichrist, the false prophet and Satan himself. We will find out when we later look at the characteristics of the millennial era. We note from Revelation 20:3, that at the end of the thousand years, Satan will be released for a short period. He will quickly form a large army to attack Israel and Jerusalem. This seems to be the final proof of the devil’s utter wickedness.
The millennial age and God’s judgment
In Revelation 20:4, we see first that there are thrones of God’s judgment set up on the earth.
We read some astounding verses in the Book of Revelation: “You have made them [the saints] to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth” (Rev. 5:10 NIV). Revelation also states: “Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years” (Rev. 20:6 NIV). It appears evident that the saints or overcomers of God will rule on earth during the Millennium. It also appears evident that these are all resurrected and glorified saints.
In 1 Corinthians 6:2, Paul asks this question: “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?” (NKJ). In our postmodern world, we will have to answer in the negative about this. It seems that very few Christians have any idea about judging the world. We have lost so many truths of the New Testament that we no longer have the excitement that the early Christians had. We have our minds so stuck on the old heaven that we forget that God is making a new heaven and a new earth (Isa. 65:17; 66:22; 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1). We will live on that new earth. Unfortunately, we have everything going up while the Bible has everything coming down.
We need to get some things straight about the age to come. God has given the earth to victorious humans. Jesus promises: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth” (Matt. 5:5 NIV). Psalm 115:16 says, “The heavens belong to the LORD, but the earth he has given to mankind” (Psa. 115:16 NET). Victorious saints of God will administer the world just as Adam was supposed to have done before the Fall. The Bible talks about the victorious saints ruling over cities (Lk. 19:17) and even over nations (Rev. 2:26). After all, the Bible does say that we are fellow workers together with God (1 Cor. 3:9). We are also co-heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17). Today three-quarters of the people in the world live under oppressive rulership and have few freedoms in their beliefs.21 People are starved, imprisoned, abused, robbed and murdered everywhere. We can imagine the great collective sigh of relief on earth when godless, wicked, selfish and oppressive world rulers are finally judged and cast down.
We note that these are resurrected saints. When the last trumpet sounded, they were instantly changed and received their resurrected, glorified, and eternal bodies (1 Cor. 15:51-53). This was the first resurrection (Rev. 20:5-6). The very fact that these are priests indicates that there will still be fleshly people on the earth in need of spiritual counsel. Guthrie says: “That Christians are to be priests as well as kings in the Millennium hints that there is a ministry for them to perform in that age amongst earth’s inhabitants, perhaps with special reference to evangelism.” 22 We will say more about this subject later.
Dr. David Reagan, who has long served as a popular minister and television host says, “Jesus will reign as king of the world from Mt. Zion in Jerusalem (Isaiah 24:23 and Zechariah 14:9). The Redeemed, in their glorified bodies, will help him with his reign by serving worldwide as administrators, judges, and spiritual tutors to those who enter the kingdom in the flesh — and to their children (Daniel 7:18, 27; Jeremiah 3:15; Luke 19:11-17).” 23
Just who are the overcomers?
In Revelation 20:4, the overcomers seem to be restricted to those who have been beheaded for their witness of Jesus. These had not received the mark of the antichrist on their foreheads and their hands. Several other scriptures make it plain that such a restriction does not apply. Perhaps the Lord only wanted to give these heroes some special recognition. Also, there are many ways that a person can become a true martyr besides beheading alone. Nero burned Christian martyrs as torches and used them to light his private gardens.
Guthrie comments: “…participation in the kingdom is promised to every Christian that overcomes (see Rev. 2:26-28)…while 5:9, 10 declares that the whole church is to reign on earth and 19:7 rejoices that ‘the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready.’ It is curious exegesis that makes the Bride of the Lamb in 19:5-9 the martyrs only but in 21:2f. the whole church…” 24 Barker & Kohlenberger add: “…Paul clearly speaks of all believers – not just martyrs – exercising judgment in the future.” 25 Utley comments: “If it is one group, it refers to the Christian martyrs. However, there is no other scriptural parallel to a limited reign of the martyrs. The Bible promises a reign to all saints (cf. Rev. 3:21; 5:10; 22:5; Matt. 19:28; Luke 22:29-30; 2 Tim. 2:12).” 26
It is entirely possible and even probable that this victorious group includes the 144,000 Jewish martyrs who gave up their lives for Christ in the Great Tribulation (Rev. 7:1-17). We need to realize that Gentile and Jewish believers will be joined together as a new people and as a holy temple to God in the last days (Eph. 2:11-22, 3: 3:6; Rom. 11:17).
We should know that being an overcomer is critically important for Christians. Today, hosts of so-called Christians are overcome by the world, the flesh and the devil. It seems that in the last days, there will be only two classes of people left, the overcomers and the overcome. We need to strive through Christ to live as overcomers in this present evil age. Simply, the church today needs to be producing overcomers and lots of them. We might add that because of God’s great mercy, some Christians will make it to the Millennium, but with their shirttails on fire (1 Cor. 3:15).
The Second Resurrection
Pfeiffer & Harrison say: “The second resurrection, though it is not so designated, is certainly the one referred to in [Revelation] verses 20:11-15.” 27 In these verses the second resurrection is placed after the Millennium and in the time of the Great White Throne judgment. Wiersbe comments: “…the Bible teaches two resurrections: the first is of the saved and leads to blessings; the second is of all the lost and leads to judgment (note especially John 5:28-29; Dan. 12:2).” 28 Barker & Kohlenberger speak of these verses as “…strongly implying that those who participate in the second resurrection are destined for the second death. Therefore, we may understand the first resurrection as being the raising to the physical life of all the dead in Christ (cf. Jn. 5:29; 1 Co. 15:12ff.; 1 Th. 4:13ff.).” 29 Clearly, we Christians want to be in that first resurrection.
Who will be left on the earth during the Millennium?
We have just established that the resurrected overcomers will be left on earth and will be ruling it with Christ. In Isaiah 65, we learn that some people will still be doing fleshly things like planting vineyards, building houses and dying at very old ages (65:20-22; cf. Zech. 8:4-5). At the end of the Millennium, we see a vast fleshly army coming against Israel. After God slays this army, Israel will spend seven months just burying the dead (Ezek. 39:11-16). This information assures us that there will be some fleshly people still on the earth. We really have no biblical clue as to who all these people are. Obviously, they are folks who have somehow survived the Great Tribulation, or else children of these people.
Bible teacher and research specialist David Levy says: “There are four groups of people who enter into the Millennium, three in their glorified bodies, and one in their natural bodies. Those who enter in their glorified bodies are the Old Testament believers, the Church, and the Tribulation believers who have been martyred for their faith. The righteous who survive the Tribulation enter in with their natural bodies to procreate and repopulate the earth, especially the Jewish people (Jer. 30:19-20).” 30
It is certain that the Jewish remnant will be a part of the resurrected overcoming company. It seems obvious from scripture that Israel will play a very large part in the Millennium. We cannot ignore the possibility that some Jewish people in the flesh may survive the Great Tribulation. For thousands of years, they have survived numerous tribulations and persecutions. God says that Israel will never cease to be a nation before him (Jer. 31:35-37). A Jewish fleshly remnant seems necessary so that God can fulfill all his promises to natural Israel.
Changes in the earth and heavens
We are told that the sun, moon, stars and heavens are established forever. Despite all the changes they will not pass away (Psa. 148:3-6). Isaiah says, “Moreover the light of the moon will be like the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfold, like the light of seven days, on the day when the LORD binds up the injuries of his people, and heals the wounds inflicted by his blow” (Isa. 30:26 NRS). We notice that the heavens will rejoice when God finally comes to judge the earth (Psa. 96:11-13). There will be changes in light and darkness, cold and heat (Isa. 60:19-20; Zech. 14:6). At last, we will have a real “climate change” that so many talk about. Many physical changes will happen on earth. We remember that at the coming of Jesus, there will be terrific changes in the topography, especially around Jerusalem. The Mount of Olives will be split from north to south with a large valley in between (Zech. 14:4). The city of Jerusalem will be greatly elevated (Zech. 14:10).
The natural world and the Millennium
In Isaiah 55:12, we see that the trees of the field will clap their hands as God’s saints go out with joy. In Romans 8:19 we read: “For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed” (NIV). Isaiah speaks in prophecy, “The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God” (Isa. 35:1-2 NIV). He also says, “I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs. I will put in the desert the cedar and the acacia, the myrtle and the olive. I will set junipers in the wasteland, the fir and the cypress together” (Isa. 41:18-19 NIV). God will make a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland (Isa. 43:19-21; cf. Zech. 14:8).
In Isaiah 62:4-5, we are told that the land of Israel will no longer be deserted or desolate. The land will be “married” as its farmers take delight in it. There will be showers of blessing. The trees will yield their fruit and the ground its crops. Amos says: “The days are coming,’ declares the LORD, ‘when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills,’” (Amos 9:13 NIV). The land will be renowned for its crops (Ezek. 34:26-27, 29). The land will be like the Garden of Eden (36:35-36). Fruit trees will grow on both banks of the river flowing from Jerusalem. They shall be for healing (Ezek. 47:6-12; Rev. 22:1-2). In Joel we read: “In that day the mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; all the ravines of Judah will run with water. A fountain will flow out of the LORD’s house and will water the valley of acacias” (Joel 3:18 NIV).
Rule and authority in the Millennium
So much of the Millennium is involved with authority and with who has it. With the return of Jesus, it will be known throughout the whole world that all power and all authority now belong to him. Paul says of this, “for it is written, ‘As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God’” (Rom. 14:11 ESV). Paul mentions this again saying, “so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,” (Phil. 2:10 ESV). Every eye will see him and every person on earth will know that he has come and that his kingdom is being consummated.
In scripture, we see some marvelous things about the rule of Jesus in the last days. We will see the King in his beauty (Isa. 33:17). He will rule from sea to sea and to the ends of the earth (Psa. 72:8). Jesus the Mighty God and Prince of Peace will ultimately reign on David’s throne forever (Isa. 9:6-7). He will rule every inch of this planet. The Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious for Israel’s survivors (Isa. 4:2). This Servant of the Lord will be highly exalted and nations will shut their mouths because of him (Isa. 52:13-15). Isaiah 11:10 says: “At that time a root from Jesse will stand like a signal flag for the nations. Nations will look to him for guidance, and his residence will be majestic” (NET). Isaiah says, “but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked. Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins” (Isa. 11:4-5 ESV).
His heavenly kingdom will never be destroyed (Dan. 2:44; 7:13-14). It will be an eternal kingdom that will endure from generation to generation (Dan. 4:3). “On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords” (Rev. 19:16 ESV).
In the beginning, Satan challenged the authority of the Almighty God. Now, after possibly six thousand years, we will see how that challenge is ended. We will see Satan as a captive and watch his authority shrink away to nothingness.
After God made the earth, he created man and woman and put them in charge of maintaining the earth and ruling over it. We read about the significance of this in Psalm 8:6-8, which says: “You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas” (NIV). This mission is also described in Hebrews, where it is noted that God, “put everything under their feet.’ In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them…” (Heb. 2:8 NIV). So, in a very real sense, human beings were made as sort of vice-regents of God on earth.
Unfortunately, the beautiful but scheming angel Satan had already rebelled against God. He quickly took about a third of the angels of heaven with him (Rev. 12:4) and after that caused the rebellion and ruin of mankind. In Genesis 3:15, God gives an ancient but blessed promise concerning humans: “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel” (Gen. 3:15 RSV). These words are known as the protevangelium, or the first gospel of how the seed of the woman, or the Redeemer, would eventually crush the head of Satan.31
That event happened initially many centuries later at the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Because of Jesus’ sacrificial death as the Lamb of God, those who called on him and believed on him could be saved and restored (Rom. 10:9-10, 13). Then, at the end of the age, that crushing of Satan’s head would be complete as he would be cast into hell and destruction. Romans 16:20 makes clear that overcoming Christians will have a small part in this through Jesus. Paul says to Christians, “The God of peace will shortly crush Satan under your feet” (Rom. 16:20 NRS). Whatever Jesus does, we get to help a little because we are co-workers with God (1 Cor. 3:9). Also, It is quite amazing that we believers will have some small part in actually casting Satan out of heaven (Rev. 12:10-11).
Through Jesus and his power, his overcoming saints will rule with him. In Psalm 110:3 it is said: “Your people will offer themselves freely on the day you lead your host upon the holy mountains. From the womb of the morning like dew your youth will come to you” (RSV). In Psalm 149:6-9 (NIV) it is written: “May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands, to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron, to carry out the sentence written against them – this is the glory of all his faithful people. Praise the LORD.” Daniel says about the Lord’s people: “Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of all the kingdoms under heaven will be handed over to the holy people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him” (Dan. 7:27 NIV).
Smith comments: “I think that we will have precognition. I think that we will know in advance when someone is planning to do something wrong. So, zip, we are right there and we can say, ‘No, no, no.’ And if they persist then, ‘bong’, ruling with a rod of iron. It is going to be interesting to say the least.” 32 Since most of Jesus’ ministry after his resurrection was unseen in the spiritual world, we can say the same thing about the ministry of his resurrected and glorified saints, since we will be like him (1 Jn. 3:2).
In Isaiah 32:1-2, we see that a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with him in justice. A man will become like a hiding place and a shelter from the storm. Our New Testament has more to say about this. In 2 Timothy 2:12 we are told: “If we endure, we will also reign with him. If we deny him, he will also deny us” (NET). In Hebrews 2:5-9, we learn that the world to come will not be given to angels but to the redeemed of God. As we have said in Revelation 5:10, we are told that we will reign on earth as a kingdom of priests. As we have mentioned, we see by this that there will be intercessory work to be done in the Millennium. Finally, we are told that our reign with Christ will last longer than just through the Millennium, but that we will reign forever and ever (Rev. 22:5).
In this special time, we can assume that resurrected David will rule over all Israel (Jer. 30:9; Ezek. 34:24; 37:25) and that resurrected disciples will rule over the tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28).
It will be a truly interesting time. We need to remember to pray daily as we have been instructed for God’s kingdom to come to this earth (Matt. 6:10).
The Law of God will go out to the nations
In the Millennium, the Law of the Lord will regulate the whole earth. As one minister used to say, the world will finally be run by “the manufacturer’s handbook.” Isaiah says: “Many peoples will come and say, ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the temple of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.’ The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem” (Isa. 2:3 NIV; cf. Mic. 4:2). By this time the lawless one or antichrist will be gone from the scene forever.
Many Christians have a poor opinion of the law. They feel that it has now passed away in Christ. We read much to the contrary in scripture. Psalm 119:160 says: “All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal” (NIV). The law will not pass away but it will be fulfilled. It is now actually written on the believer’s heart (Psa. 40:8; Jer. 31:33). I like to illustrate this by comparing it to driving a car. If we are seasoned drivers when we come to a stop sign our foot just naturally presses on the brake. We do not even have to think about it. So, in a real sense we as true believers deal with the law automatically. In Jesus, we really live above the law.
In Psalm 37:30-31 we read, “The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just. The law of their God is in their hearts; their feet do not slip” (NIV). In Matthew 7:24-27, Jesus tells us that a man who puts the Master’s words into practice is like a wise man who built his house on a rock. It was not threatened by the rains, floods and winds. As we look around us today, we observe that most people are building on sand and on false foundations.
Jesus is the living Torah, the Law or word of God made flesh. We cannot love him without loving his law. Jesus says in John 14:15, “If you love me, you will obey my commandments” (NET). This is speaking about the commands of the New Testament however the implications go deeper, and even include the Old Testament or Tanakh. According to my count, there are at least one thousand commands in the New Testament alone and they are mostly ignored by Christians.
It is interesting what we find in the Bible’s last book. In Revelation 12:17, the overcomers are pictured: “So the dragon became enraged at the woman and went away to make war on the rest of her children, those who keep God’s commandments and hold to the testimony about Jesus” (Rev. 12:17 NET). Also, in Revelation 14:12 we read, “This requires the steadfast endurance of the saints – those who obey God’s commandments and hold to their faith in Jesus” (NET). These have learned what “the obedience of faith” in Romans 16:26 is all about. Of course, this does not mean that we by our efforts can keep the law. If we will but allow him, Jesus will keep the law for us, in us and through us.
God’s presence in the Millennium
With the sounding of the trumpet; with the public coming of Christ; with the resurrection of God’s saints and with all the traumatic and cataclysmic changes; everyone on earth will know that everything is different. Everyone will see him (Rev. 1:7). All on earth will know that Jesus is God. The long era of idolatry will be suddenly and permanently ended (Isa. 31:7).
However, for much of my life, I have wondered why we do not see Jesus seated on his Jerusalem throne during the Millennium. Now I liken all this to a person buying an old wreck of a house. We can imagine that the roof leaks, the plumbing does not work. It is dirty and infested with mice and termites. The person has bought the house and holds the title but will certainly not move in immediately. The person will spend a lot of time repairing and refurbishing the house before moving in.
It seems that Christ will come to earth and publicly take over its ownership, but he will not fully move in for a thousand years (cf. Rev. 21:3). It appears that overcoming, resurrected and glorified Christians will rule for and with Christ during this time as we have said. Psalm 149:6-9 tells us a lot about what we will be doing. With our double-edged sword (no doubt including the word of God) we will be executing vengeance upon the nations and punishment on the people. We will also be administering the earth for Christ like Adam should have done. With Christ’s help, we will be pulling down the high places and demolishing the remaining strongholds or arguments against God (2 Cor. 10:5-6). God will finally raise humankind back to the place from which humans once fell.
Life in the Millennium
We read in Psalm 37:11, that the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace and prosperity, while the wicked will be cut off completely (v. 34). The inheritance of the righteous will be forever (v. 29). The Book of Proverbs verifies this information saying the upright will live in the land while the unfaithful will be torn from it (Prov. 2:21-22). The righteous will never be uprooted but the wicked will not inherit the land (10:30). The path of the righteous will shine brighter and brighter until the full light of day (4:18; cf. Dan. 12:3).
The Bible says: “The fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness and confidence forever. My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest” (Isa. 32:17-18 NIV). Jacob will again have peace and security, and no one will make him afraid (Jer. 46:27). God says, “The lame I will make the remnant, and those who were cast off, a strong nation; and the LORD will reign over them in Mount Zion now and forevermore” (Mic. 4:7 NRS). The showers of blessings will come down. “The trees will yield their fruit and the ground will yield its crops; the people will be secure in their land…” (Ezek. 34:27 NIV). Zechariah says: “‘In that day each of you will invite your neighbor to sit under your vine and fig tree,’ declares the LORD Almighty’” (Zech. 3:10 NIV). The people like sheep will graze on Carmel and Bashan and be satisfied on the hills of Ephraim and Gilead (Jer. 50:19; cf. Isa. 30:23). This makes plain that Gilead, or much northern area in the adjoining nation of Jordan, will at last be returned to Israel.
The Lord says: “No longer will the people of Israel have malicious neighbors who are painful briers and sharp thorns…Then they will live in their own land, which I gave to my servant Jacob. They will live there in safety and will build houses and plant vineyards …” (Ezek. 28:24-26 NIV, cf. Jer. 30:8). They will no longer hear the taunts of the nations or suffer their scorn (Ezek. 36:15). We can see again that Israel is a major player in the Millennium.
God says that the bow and sword will be abolished. The Lord will even make a covenant with the beasts of the field, the creatures that move along the ground and the birds of the air. All his people will be able to lie down in safety (Hos. 2:18; cf. Ezek. 34:25). God says, “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra’s den, the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Isa. 11:6-9 NIV).
The people of Israel will weep no more (Isa. 30:19). No one living in Zion will say, “I am ill”. All their sins will be forgiven (Isa. 33:24).
The glory of Jerusalem in the millennial age
Jerusalem is the most important city on earth. The whole world will begin to understand this in the millennial era. Jerusalem is the real “Eternal City.” Joel says: “But Judah shall be inhabited forever, and Jerusalem to all generations” (Joel 3:20 ESV). Jerusalem or Zion is also God’s resting place forever (Psa. 132:13-14). Jerusalem is called the throne of God and all nations will gather to it (Jer. 3:17). Jerusalem will bring praise to God before all the nations (Jer. 33:9). The prophet Obadiah says: “But on Mount Zion there will be those who escape, And it will be holy. And the house of Jacob will possess their possessions.”
Isaiah says: “Then the LORD will create over all of Mount Zion and over those who assemble there a cloud of smoke by day and a glow of flaming fire by night; over everything the glory will be a canopy” (Isa. 4:5 NIV).
Israel’s spiritual condition in the Millennium
At some point in the last days, most likely during the tribulation, God will give Israel a new heart and a new spirit (Ez. 36:24-34). The holy remnant of Israel will have found its Messiah and will have accepted him. The prophet Jeremiah speaks of them having the New Covenant (Jer. 31:31-34: Ezek. 11:19-20). Jeremiah also says, “‘In those days and at that time,’ declares the LORD, ‘search will be made for the iniquity of Israel, but there will be none; and for the sins of Judah, but they will not be found; for I shall pardon those whom I leave as a remnant’” (Jer. 50:20 NAS, cf. Isa. 10:20). So, we have to assume that the remnant of Israel will be a part of the resurrected saints of God and also will be administering the earth, particularly the land of Israel. We have already spoken of how the disciples of Jesus will be ruling over the twelve tribes of Israel, and how a resurrected David will be ruling over Israel (cf. Matt. 19:28; Ezek. 34:23-24; 37:24-28; Amos 9:11).
Isaiah speaks of Israel as “the people whom I formed for myself so that they might declare my praise” (Isa. 43:21 NRS). Isaiah also says that the redeemed of Jacob will display his glory (Isa. 44:23). Israel will be made holy (Ezek. 37:28) and the things around her will be holy as well (Zech. 14:20-21). Zechariah says: “…They will sparkle in his land like jewels in a crown” (Zech. 9:16 NIV cf. Isa. 28:5; 2 Tim. 4:8). Joel says that they will never again be shamed (Joel 2:27; cf. Zeph. 3:19). We have no idea about Israel’s fleshly existence through the tribulation. It appears likely that they will survive in large numbers, but we will have to leave this mystery up to God alone. He is the Father of Israel.
The nations and the Millennium
Zechariah prophesies: “Many nations will join themselves to the LORD on the day of salvation, and they will also be my people. Indeed, I will settle in the midst of you all…” (Zech. 2:11 NET). He also says: “Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles” (Zech. 14:16 NIV). In Psalms we read: “All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him, for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations” (Psa. 22:27-28 NIV).
The nations will come and worship before God (Psa. 86:9; 102:21-22; Rev. 15:3-5) and they will be blessed through him (Psa. 72:17). Jeremiah says: “…to you the nations will come from the ends of the earth and say, ‘Our ancestors possessed nothing but false gods, worthless idols that did them no good’” (Jer. 16:19 NIV). The New Testament says that Jerusalem will receive the glory and honor of all the nations (Rev. 21:26). Earth’s people will look to their Maker rather than the work of their hands (Isa. 17:7-8). Isaiah says: “He will not grow faint or be discouraged till he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his law” (Isa. 42:4 ESV).
The Lord tells us of some changes that will take place in the nations. There will be an altar to the Lord set up in the heart of Egypt (Isa. 19:18-21). There will also be a highway constructed from Egypt to Assyria. That highway will pass through Israel and all these nations will worship the Lord together (Isa. 19:23-25). This was once the pathway of war but now it will become the pathway of peace.
Isaiah has much to say in his glorious section of 60:1 – 62:7. He writes: “And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising” (Isa. 60:3 ESV). Isaiah notes that the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you” (Isa. 60:5 ESV). He even says that the children of Israel’s oppressors will come bowing and falling at Israel’s feet in their deep repentance and apology (Isa. 60:14). Zechariah says: “Many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the LORD” (Zech. 8:22 ESV).
Isaiah continues: “They raise their voices, they shout for joy; from the west they acclaim the LORD’s majesty. Therefore in the east give glory to the LORD; exalt the name of the LORD, the God of Israel, in the islands of the sea. From the ends of the earth we hear singing: ‘Glory to the Righteous One…’” (Isa. 24:14-16 NIV). The prophet Habakkuk agrees with Isaiah and sums it all up by saying: “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Hab. 2:14 NIV).
God says: “‘My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,’ says the LORD Almighty” (Mal. 1:11 NIV).
How the Millennium will close
The Millennium was designed by God to last only a thousand years. While it was not a perfect time period, it was designed to lead into the perfect day or into eternity. We have seen so far that the Millennium’s population was made up of God’s resurrected overcomers as well as people who were still living in their fleshly bodies. The Millennium will prove two things, that human beings are innately sinful, even in a near-perfect society, and that Satan has done a terrible job of trying to rule over the earth.
When the peaceful Millennium ends, we will see some of the people in the flesh once more rising up and rebelling against God and against Israel. These people have lived in an almost perfect society and yet their hearts have not been changed. This reveals how deeply evil has penetrated into the lives of human beings. Stedman says “God wants to impress upon humanity what Jeremiah declares so plainly, ‘The heart of man is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can know it?’” 33
Once Satan is released at the end of the Millennium, he will quickly proceed to do what he has always done. He will gather a large army and attack Israel and Jerusalem. This time he will use the northern nation of Gog (Ezek. 38:1-23). Pfeiffer & Harrison say of this, “It reveals that a thousand years of imprisonment do not alter the evil character of the
devil.” 34
We might ask “just who is this Gog?” Gog is mostly dealt with in chapters 38 and 39 of Ezekiel. In Revelation 20:8 we learn that Gog is accompanied by Magog and that these nations are widely spread over the earth. However, this is not another international attack like that of Armageddon. British New Testament scholar, D. Guthrie says “… a strictly limited proportion of earth’s populace is involved in this last insurrection.” 35
Utley comments: “Originally, Gog was a man from the land of Magog, but in this chapter, the terms have been personified into twin enemies.” 36 Asbury Seminary professor, Craig Keener, fills us in a little on the history of these two enemies saying: “Gog and Magog thus recur often in Jewish texts as the final major enemies of Israel…” 37
These great and mighty nations and their allies will gather. They will seethe with satanic rage against tiny Israel and they will come to eliminate Israel from her place in the world. But they have surely forgotten that it is now a different age. God will no longer put up with evil people and nations and show longsuffering with endless mercy, but he will now rule with a rod of iron. Pfeiffer & Harrison describe this attack saying: “The apostate nations march into the jaws of death. Their judgment is sudden, swift, overwhelming, and final…” 38 We learn in Revelation 20:9, that God immediately sent fire from heaven and destroyed them all. It destroyed them before they could destroy his beloved Jerusalem.
This will be the war that ends all wars forever. Never again will people and nations seek to persecute and destroy God’s heritage of Israel. In the end, we will see the Israelis finally burying their enemies. It will take them seven months to accomplish this (Eze. 39:12). Again, we mention that these will be fleshly enemies. For another seven years, Israel will use the enemy’s weapons for fuel (Ezek. 39:9). We must note here that there will be fleshly Israelis as well as resurrected ones in the last days. In all this, Israel will be saved with an everlasting salvation (Isa. 45:17).
Finally, at long last, the bloody saga of the earth will be concluded, and perfect peace will, at last, be felt throughout the whole world. That perfect Messianic peace will continue forever and ever.
ENDNOTES
1 Warren W. Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT (Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2007), p. 1079.
2 Ibid., p. 1078.
3 Cited by David Jeremiah, https://davidjeremiah.blog/what-is-the-millennium-7-answers-to-7-questions/Jeremiah)
4 Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, & David Brown, Commentary on Revelation, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, 1871-78, Ch. 20, verse 3. https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/jfb/revelation-20.htmlJam3)
5 Charles Ward “Chuck” Smith, Commentary on Revelation 20, Smith’s Bible Commentary, https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/csc/revelation-20.html. 2014. Ch. 20, Verses 1-15.
6 Daniel Gruber, The Church and The Jews: The Biblical Relationship (Springfield, MO: General Council of the Assemblies of God, 1991), p. 11.
7 Ibid., p. 12.
8 Ibid., p. 8.
9 Jim Gerrish, Does God Play Favorites? God’s Unique Relationship With Israel (Minneapolis: Cornerstone Publishing, 2000, 2003), p.183.
10 Eusebius Pamphilus, Ecclesiastical History, Popular Edition (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1976), p. 126 (EusBk3, ch. 39).
11 Gruber, The Church and The Jews, p. 9.
12 Ibid, p. 209.
13 William Barclay, Daily Study Bible, Revelation, Ch. 20, verses 1-15.
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/dsb/revelation-20.html
14 Kenneth L. Barker & John R. Kohlenberger III, Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary, Vol. 2 (Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 1994), p. 1217.
15 Charles F. Pfeiffer & Everett F. Harrison, The Wycliffe Bible Commentary (Chicago: Moody Press, 1962), p. 1519.
16 Barker & Kohlenberger, Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary, Vol. p. 1219.
17 Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 1078.
18 Ibid.
19 Ray Stedman, Revelation, Ch. 20, verses 1-10. https://www.raystedman.org/new-testament/revelation/one-thousand-years-of-peace
20 Bob Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Revelation, Ch. 20, verse 1 http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/new_testament_studies/VOL12/VOL12_11.html
21 John L. Allen Jr., The Global War on Christians (New York: Image, 2013), p. 35.
“Three-quarters of the world’s population, meaning 5:25 billion people, live in countries with significant restrictions on religious freedom.”
22 D. Guthrie, et. al., The New Bible Commentary, Revised (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1970), p. 1306.
23 David Reagan, Lamb & Lion Ministries. https://christinprophecy.org/articles/why-a-millennium/
I am deeply indebted to Dr. Reagan for his careful search and compilation of the scores of scriptures that relate to the Millennium. These have been used throughout this booklet.
24 Guthrie, et. al., The New Bible Commentary, p. 1306.
25 Barker & Kohlenberger, Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary, p. 1220.
26 Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Revelation, Ch. 20, verse 4.
27 Pfeiffer & Harrison, The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 1520.
28 Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, NT, p. 1078.
29 Barker & Kohlenberger, Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary, Vol. p. 1221.
30 David M. Levy, The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry, https://israelmyglory.org/article/the-day-of-the-lord-the-millennium-part-eight/
31 Warren Wiersbe, The Wiersbe Bible Commentary, OT (Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2007), p. 29.
32 Smith, Commentary on Revelation 20, Smith’s Bible Commentary, Ch. 20, verses 1-15.
33 Stedman, Revelation, Ch. 20, verses 1-10.
34 Pfeiffer & Harrison, The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 1520.
35 Guthrie, et. al., The New Bible Commentary, Revised, p. 1306.
36 Utley, Free Bible Commentary, Revelation, Ch. 20, verse 7.
37 Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary, New Testament (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1993), p. 814.
38 Pfeiffer & Harrison, The Wycliffe Bible Commentary, p. 1520.