The Oxford Dictionary defines the word 'millennium' as the 1000 year reign of Jesus Christ on earth... a period of great happiness and prosperity for everyone. No one will doubt, but that the world desperately needs peace, happiness and prosperity. For six thousand years man has tried to govern himself and has miserably failed. Every style of government has been tried, not to mention the countless human laws that have been formulated in the process. All have proved incapable of bringing peace, prosperity and happiness to the human race. Look about you and take note of the misery in the world. Man's problems are totally out of control. We are all well able to recognise the world's problems, but no leader, group of leaders or government is able to cure them. Anarchy now faces many nations. Scores of political systems and thousands of laws have come and gone. All are impotent. All have miserably failed. But this will all change when the millennium starts. For the first time in human history the world will see a successful world government.
Bible prophecy tells us that the Messiah's millennial reign is near. It is about to begin. We have seen Israel regathered to the Promised Land. We now see world hostility against Israel rising by the week. Zechariah tells us in chapter 14 of his book that all nations will gather against Jerusalem to battle and the city will be captured. The Gentiles will then brutally dominate Jerusalem for three and a half years. We are nearing that time. Zechariah's prophecy goes on to say that Israel's Messiah, the Son of God, will then come and liberate Jerusalem from Gentile rule. He will then begin his world-wide reign from that city. Jerusalem's liberation will mark the start of the millennium - the Messiah's 1000 year Reign of Peace.
The first fact we need to know about the millennium is that it is a 'reign.' A reign involves a King, territory, peoples, laws, judges, administrators and officials of all kinds. Think for a moment of the sophisticated machinery of government in the tiny United Kingdom of about 55 million people. Then try to imagine what a 1000 year world government involving billions of people will be like. That will need some organisation! The prophet Daniel tells us (Daniel 2:44) that when the Messiah comes, every earthly government will be swept away; because all have proved themselves totally inadequate. Like the metal and clay empires in Nebuchadnezzar's dream they will all be swept away like worthless chaff from a summer threshing floor!
| Daniel 2: | 35: “Then was the iron, the clay, the brass, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors;
and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and
the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the
whole earth... 44: And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.” |
| Revelation 11: | 15: “And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” |
Who will Reign with Christ?
The Bible tells us that the martyrs who died for Jesus Christ and Yahweh's law during the rule of the Antichrist will rise from their graves to reign with Christ for a thousand years. Along with prominent saints of ages past, these martyrs will form the new world government of the King of Kings. His government will not be elected by the people, but by God Himself. The Greek model of democracy will then be a thing of the past.| Revelation 20: | 4: “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… 6: 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.” |
Where will the millennium be spent?
The Bible teaches that the millennium will be spent on earth.| Revelation 5: | 10: “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” |
Messiah’s Power over the Nations
When he returns to earth the Saviour will exercise absolute authority over all nations. He will administer the very law he gave through Moses many years ago; the law the nations of the world have rejected for generations. His absolute authority and power is figuratively described as a 'rod of iron.' No enemy will dare defy the Son of God and his government at that time; and it will not be long before the peoples of the world realise that he is indeed the Prince of Peace! These facts are clearly taught in the following Scriptures:| Revelation 2: | 26: “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.” |
| Revelation 12: | 5: “And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron…” |
| Revelation 19: | 15: “And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16: And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” |
Individual Authority
In the millennium certain believers will be promoted to positions of high rank. Those who have made good use of their time and talents during this age, will be given great authority. Their power will extend over entire cities to a degree not seen in this present age.| Revelation 3: | 21: “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.” |
| Psalm 47: | 2: “For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King
over all the earth. 3: He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.” |
| Luke 19: | 17: “And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities. 18: And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. 19: And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.” |
| Revelation 2: | 26: “And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.” |
Yahweh’s Law will be Taught to the Whole World
During the millennium, Yahweh's law will be obeyed by all nations. As mentioned previously, that is the Messiah's ultimate objective; to save mankind from sin and to re-establish Yahweh's law in the minds of men.| Micah 4: | 1: “But in the last days it shall come to
pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in
the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and
people shall flow unto it. 2: And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 3: And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more… 7: And I will make her that halted a remnant, and her that was cast far off a strong nation: and the LORD shall reign over them in mount Zion from henceforth, even for ever.” |
| Isaiah 42: | 4: “He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law… 21: The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.” |
| Isaiah 51: | 4: “Hearken unto me, my people; and give ear unto me, O my nation: for a law shall proceed from me, and I will make my judgment to rest for a light of the people.” |
The Feast of Tabernacles will be kept by all the nations of the world. The prophet tells us that fearsome punishments and plagues will be meted out on nations that refuse to send delegates to Jerusalem for the Feast of Tabernacles.
| Zechariah 14: | 9: “And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one… 11: And men shall dwell in it, and there shall be no more utter destruction; but Jerusalem shall be safely inhabited. 12: And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth… 16: And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. 17: And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. 18: And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. 19: This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.” |
Peace at Last
Implementation of Yahweh's law throughout the world will have unprecedented results. Indeed, trying to imagine that utopia is difficult enough, how much less can we describe it. Very briefly I list just four of the many improvements the millennial reign of the Messiah will bring. With Satan's evil influence out of the way and every governmental post filled by a believer of absolute integrity and great ability:- World-wide peace will be experienced for the first time ever.
- The crime rate of all nations will collapse virtually to zero as the penal code recorded in the Bible is implemented by an all-knowing king and his trusted officials. The results will astound all nations.
- Unemployment will be a thing of the past as millions of people will be required to restore our shattered and polluted planet.
- Proper housing and health care for all peoples will then become a reality; and the gift of healing will be widely used.
Preparation for the Millennium
Preparation for the millennium should begin right away. It is dangerous to neglect salvation and to put off for tomorrow something that can be done today. A new government is about to take over the earth. Are you preparing for that event? We realise that the very idea may appear farcical to many; but the Scriptures abound with proof of it.- The first step in preparing for the millennium is to have Faith in Yahweh and to accept His offer of salvation through His Son Yeshua. This is the most well known part of the Everlasting Gospel; and is taught by virtually every Christian denomination. Billions of Gospel tracts and books have been published about this vital step. It is also taught in the A Voice In The Wilderness Bible Course and at The Everlasting Gospel Page.
- The second step is also important: begin to obey Yahweh's law. Those who profess faith but refuse to obey the commandments of the Most High are on extremely dangerous ground. They could find in the coming judgement that they have lost everything - all because they refused to forsake sin. Keeping the Festivals of the Most High, especially the Feast of Tabernacles is an extremely powerful declaration of faith in the Holy One of Israel. Zechariah 14 spells out this fact in the most dramatic way. Study that chapter. Also study Revelation chapters 1 to 3. These passages identify overcomers as the ones who will rule the nations of the world during the soon-coming millennium. Aim to overcome sin, selfishness, pride, greed, hatred, bitterness, jealousy, slander, doubt, ingratitude, impatience, deception etc. How successful you are in overcoming these traits and in using your time and talents to further the Everlasting Gospel in this age will determine your position under Christ during his millennial reign. Is that not a sobering and challenging prospect?
But, alas! that state of perfection soon vanished. Satan and his brain-child (sin) arrived on the scene and, as Yahweh had correctly predicted, there followed doubt, sin, separation, sickness, hatred, violence and death. Man was given six thousand years to go his own way, to find out for himself if what God had said was true or false. After all, God did not want to be accused by man or angel of wiping out opponents without allowing them a chance to prove themselves. But the six thousand years of man's self-rule have been an unprecedented disaster and are almost over. Nothing worked as man had expected: no ideology, no ism, no political system, no law (and thousands have been tried) has been able to bring peace and prosperity to earth's millions. Man has miserably failed in every important department of life.
The coming millennial rule of Yeshua the King will change all that. It will be a reign of peace for all mankind. During the millennium (the Sabbatical, seventh thousandth year) Jesus Christ will demonstrate how Yahweh's government and His laws really do work for the benefit of mankind. God's sacred commandments, despised for nearly six thousand years by multiplied billions of people, will at last be honoured by all the nations of the world. Then every tongue in the vast universe will confess that Yahweh was right all along; that He is holy, just and good; that His commandments are not a barbaric code at all, but a ‘law of liberty,’ a transcript of His own holy character, a perfect constitution designed to protect life for all time.
| James 1: | 25: “But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” |
The Day of Judgment
After the millennium the second general resurrection will take place and then will come the appointed Day of Judgment! (Revelation 20: 7-15) In the diary of the Almighty the Great Day of Judgment has already been appointed. The dictionary describes an ‘appointment’ as an arrangement to meet or visit at a particular date and time. And that is exactly how the Almighty makes His appointments. They all relate to particular dates and times in His Calendar - the sacred calendar. Of course we do not know the exact year of the Judgment, but God knows. Not only has He appointed the date, He has also appointed the Judge.The appointed day of Judgment & The appointed Judge
| Acts 17: | 30: “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
31: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.” |
| Revelation 20: | 11: “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12: And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. 13: And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. 14: And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15: And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” |
The New Earth
After the Great Day of Judgment, the next event in the Diary of the Almighty is the Creation of the new universe.| Revelation 21: | 1: “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2: And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3: And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4: And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. 5: And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. 6: And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7: He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. 8: But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.“ |
neither have entered into the heart of man,
the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”
- First: He had to define sin and demonstrate how terrible a thing it was. He did this by means of His law which is recorded in the first five books of the Bible. If you study that law you will find that it is a User Guide on how to live.
- Second: follows chapter after chapter of history; real-life examples of how the Almighty dealt with His chosen people Israel as they reacted to His law.
- Third: comes the many promises and prophecies concerning salvation through His only begotten Son, the Saviour of the world!
And let him that heareth say, Come.
And let him that is athirst come.
And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely!”
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