The Millennial Kingdom

Since the beginning of time, mankind has desired a utopia.  Unfortunately, there is a major problem which prevents this ideal society; that is sin.

Civilizations have longed to create a government which could meet the needs of every person.  From monarchies to theocracies, each ruling civilization has shared in shortcomings. Ancient Egypt attempted a theocracy through their many Pharaohs, and failed. The Roman Empire went from Monarchy, to Republic, to Autocracy, and after continual failure, ultimately dismantled altogether.

When Jesus was upon the Earth the first time, peace existed in the world for a short period of just over three decades until His death. Jesus came the first time as a Lamb to be sacrificed for the world's sins (John 1:29).  However, He is coming again to judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31).  Jesus will administer justice and peace for one thousand years (Isa. 32:18, 42:1, Luke 1:32-33, Rev. 20:2-7);  this is known as the Millennium. 

In the Millennium, Jesus will rule and reign from Jerusalem as King of kings and Lord of lords. The Law will go out from Jerusalem in Israel and the living conditions will be ideal for every person upon the Earth.

The Millennium begins with all Christians.  This is because the Millennium succeeds the Tribulation period which lasted seven years prior.  The Tribulation period is a time of God's judgment towards the Earth and all its inhabitants (including the animal kingdom) for sin, and the curse which has haunted it since Adam and Eve's first transgression in the garden (see Gen. 3:14-19).  The seven year Tribulation period ends with the second coming of Christ, when He returns to purge out the remaining sinful inhabitants.  Jesus then begins to setup His Millennial Kingdom with Christians.

There are three types of Christians which will begin the Kingdom and replenish the Earth.  There will be all Old Testament saints in their glorified bodies.  There will be all church saints (from Pentecost to the rapture) in their glorified bodies.  Lastly, there will be Christians who were saved in the Tribulation period and survived (endured) the Great Tribulation to live on into the Millennium in their mortal bodies.  These mortal body Christians will have the ability to procreate during the Millennium.

All Christians will have ample opportunity to serve Christ in the Millennium (Isa. 61:6, 1 Cor. 6:2-3, 1 Pet. 2:9, Rev. 1:6, 5:10).  Glorified Saints will have ruling authority based on their service for Christ when they lived upon the Earth (Matt. 25:20-23).  Mortal Christians will have opportunity to layup treasure in eternity during the Millennium (Matt. 5:10-12).

The Law of the land during the Millennium will come straight from Christ out of Jerusalem (Mic. 4:1-7).  The Sermon on the Mount gives us an overview of what that will look like (Matt. chapters 5-7). Jesus will rule with a rod of iron, and sin will not be tolerated with as much grace in times past (Isa. 11:1-5). There will be no more war (Isa. 2:4, 32:17-18, Mic. 4:2-4).  The animal kingdom will be at peace (Isa. 11:6-9). This period of time will be ideal and pristine conditions for all the world. Joy, peace, and fulfillment will be available to all who accept Christ as Savior, and continue to serve Him as Lord.

Now, although this time of Earth will be of utmost bliss and ideal conditions (Isa. 29:18-19), there will still be affects of sin.  Mortal Christians who survived the Tribulation period will still have their old sinful nature; therefore, they will transgress at times.  Also, the children born from these mortals will have an old sinful nature, and they will need to trust on Christ as Savior during the Millennium if they are to be saved. Physical death will still haunt these mortals, and capital punishment will be enforced (Isa. 29:20-21). Mortals in the Millennium will live very long lives as humanity enjoyed before the flood.  Folks who die at a hundred years of age will be considered as youth dying in infancy (Isa. 65:20).

The Devil will not be present during the Millennium.  He will be bound in the bottomless pit for the one thousand year reign of Christ (Rev. 20:1-3). However, just because Satan cannot tempt people during this time, the old sinful heart of mortals is desperately wicked (Jer. 17:9). After the Millennium, Satan is loosed from his prison for a short time to gather up unbelievers; finally he is thrown into the eternal lake of fire with all unbelievers for eternity at the Great White Throne Judgment (Rev. 20:7-15).

During the Millennium, the Earth and its inhabitants will experience restoration like never seen before. This Millennial Reign of Christ will be the closest thing to a utopia the world has ever seen.  This will be a time of both physical and spiritual unity with God (Isa. 11:9, Hab. 2:14). Are you ready for it?

Have you trusted on the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, accepting His perfect sacrifice and resurrection for forgiveness of all your sins? Don't delay, trust Christ today (1 Cor. 15:1-4, Eph. 1:12-14).