51 - THE MILLENNIUM
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. Revelation 20:6
INTRODUCTION
Deep within the heart of every person is the desire to live with his fellow man in peace and harmony so that together they can enjoy the benefits of a utopian society. Plato had his ’ Republic. In more contemporary times we have witnessed the world of 1984 and the dream of a thousand-year reign of the Third Reich proposed in Hitler’s Mein Kampf. Of course, we reject the means by which these people wanted to bring peace into the world, but the desire for peace and uniformity is nevertheless there.
Perfect peace on the earth has been the ambition and goal of more than one political leader. Men representing various political and ethical persuasions have dreamed of and attempted to establish their utopias. But, true to the meaning of its name, "utopia" is to be found "no place." In contrast, the Bible describes God’s ultimate society. This theocratic kingdom will be characterized by harmony not only among men but also in nature. Its successful reign of peace lasting one thousand years is accomplished because it is the kingdom of God, and Christ himself will sit on the throne as King. The millennial reign of Christ differs from other utopian proposals in that it is the accomplishment o£ God, not the fulfillment of a man’s goals and ambitions. As such, where men have failed in the past, God will succeed in the future.
Some claim this doctrine chiefly relates to a particular interpretation of ten verses (Revelation 20:1-10). In light of the controversy among Bible scholars, some would minimize the doctrine of the millennium. But, in a somewhat inconsistent manner, the same people would argue the importance of defending the doctrine of the virgin birth which is built upon fewer verses of Scripture. Actually, the importance of a doctrine is not determined by how many verses discuss it. If God says it once, it is enough. The importance of a doctrine is determined by its content and the meaning that God gives to it. Actually, the doctrine of the millennium has more biblical support than the ten verses in Revelation 20:1-15. The millennium is the chief theme of the prophets of Israel and Judah. Jonah stands alone in the canonical writings of the prophets as having no reference to the millennial kingdom of God. Both John the Baptist and Jesus preached on this subject. The apostles continued teaching the people concerning the kingdom of God. THE NATURE OF THE MILLENNIUM The word "millennium" does not appear in the Bible but again the idea is taught. This word is derived from two Latin words meaning "thousand years." That expression is used six times in Revelation 20:1-15. When we talk about the millennial reign of Christ, we are talking about the thousand-year period when Christ personally sits on the throne of David and reigns over the earth from Jerusalem. The millennium is more than an era in history. It will be characterized by the restraining of Satan and the universal recognition of Christ as the King. The land of Palestine will in that day be the focal point of attention, particularly Jerusalem as its political capital. Nature will be released from the bondage it has experienced since the Fall of man. Righteousness will permeate all society. By anyone’s definition, this kingdom will be desirable for its joys and comforts as well as the absence of sickness and death.
Restraint of Satan. Today, Satan has the liberty to work in this world, even though certain restraints are placed upon him by God. The millennium will be characterized as a time when complete restraint is placed on Satan. John saw an angel leave heaven "And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him a thousand years" (Revelation 20:2). While the specific details of that binding are uncertain, it is certain that Satan will be prevented from exerting any kind of evil influence until the end of the millennium. Hence, there will be no temptation to sin, no deception or counterfeit religion. No one will teach heresy and everyone will recognize the deity and rule of Jesus Christ.
Universal King. The millennium has been called the "theocratic kingdom" because it is a kingdom ruled directly by God in the person of Christ. Years before the first advent of Christ, Isaiah wrote, "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 Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace" (Isaiah 9:6). This Prince of Peace was prophesied to reign on the throne of David in an unending kingdom (Isaiah 9:7). This will be accomplished in the millennium. Christ will be the authoritative Leader and rule in a way that all past rulers have failed to accomplish.
Palestine. God chose the land of Palestine to be the focal point of his concern in the history of the world. The Jews are God’s chosen people and he gave that land to them. Throughout the years, the Jews have spent comparatively little time in the land and much of the time they lived there was filled with uncertainty. Concerning the future, God has promised, "And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children’s children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince forever" (Ezekiel 37:25). This land will be the Jewish homeland during the millennium.
Jerusalem. A fourth characteristic of the thousand-year reign of Christ will be the place of Jerusalem in the world. "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" (Zechariah 14:16). Jerusalem will be a truly international city. The vast numbers of tourists in that city today is nothing in comparison with the crowds that will converge on the city during the reign of Christ. The city of Jerusalem will be the universal capital of the theocratic kingdom.
Nature. An additional blessing of this golden era will be the liberty once again experienced in nature. The apostle Paul talked of a future day when "the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God" (Romans 8:21). At the Fall, even the creation which God had perfectly created was made subject to the bondage of sin. At the return of Christ, deliverance from that bondage will be a part of the deliverance that Christ brings. Life in the millennium is pictured in terms of "the wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them" (Isaiah 11:6). There will be no destructive vengeance in nature. There will not be "survival of the fittest," but survival of all. And children will enjoy all nature with no threat of danger to them.
Righteousness. Righteousness will be characteristic of the millennium. "In his days shall the righteous flourish" (Psalms 72:7). God has promised, "For Zion’s sake will I not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth" (Isaiah 62:1). Much is being said today concerning morality in legislation. During Christ’s reign on earth, all legislation will reflect his righteous character.
Desirable. The ultimate understatement concerning the nature of the millennium is that it will be desired of God’s people (Hebrews 11:10). This is true because of what exists and what does not exist in the kingdom. That which brings joy and fulfillment to life will be included in the kingdom. Those things which produce sorrow or discomfort in life will be excluded from the kingdom of God. The following chart identifies some of the specific elements of that world. A KINGDOM TO BE DESIRED (Hebrews 11:10)
Joy Isaiah 9:3-4
Glory Isaiah 24:23
Comfort Isaiah 12:1-2
Full knowledge Isaiah 11:1-2 No sickness Isaiah 33:24 THE PURPOSE OF THE MILLENNIUM
Since God is wise and omniscient, he does not accomplish acts without reason. God has several purposes to fulfill by ushering in a thousand years of peace in the world. This period of time gives God the opportunity to reward the saints of all time. The reign will come in answer to the prayer "Thy kingdom come." God will redeem creation and rebuild the temple of David. He will finish what was previously begun. God will fulfill three important Old Testament covenants during the rule on earth (the Abrahamic, the Davidic, and the New Covenant). The millennium will also serve to complete the ministry of Christ.
Rewards. The doctrine of rewards is one of the chief motivational doctrines in Scripture. Isaiah-taught concerning rewards, "Behold, the Lord God will come with strong hand, and his arm shall rule for him: behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him" (Isaiah 40:10 hew:10 hew:10). Jesus said, "For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works" (Matthew 16:27). The apostle Paul looked forward to his "crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing" (2 Timothy 4:8). The giving of promised rewards is one of the purposes of Christ’s reign on earth.
Prayer. God will keep his promise to hear and answer prayer. When his disciples wanted to know how to pray, Jesus provided a model which has become known as "The Lord’s Prayer" (Matthew 6:9-13; Luke 11:1-4). When Christians pray, "Thy kingdom come," they are expressing a twofold desire. First, they seek the rule of God in their lives and in the world today. That is why we pray, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." A second desire expressed is for the actual, literal reign of Christ on the earth. God will answer both requests in the millennium. As we yield ourselves to him, he will lead and rule in our lives. When Jesus returns to establish his kingdom, he will have answered the second desire, for we will rule and reign with him.
Redeem creation. God created a harmonious and perfect world which was described as "very good" (Genesis 1:31). With the entrance of sin into the world, that creation was placed under the bondage of sin. At the return of Christ to establish his kingdom, the natural world will be delivered from that bondage. Peter described this time as "the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began" (Acts 3:21). The curse will be lifted. Thorns and thistles that make work torturous will disappear. The earth will yield its strength and man will enjoy the fruit and beauty of nature.
Rebuilding of the temple. One of the things done in the millennium will be the rebuilding of the temple. The Old Testament prophets wrote, "After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up" (Acts 15:16). Several chapters in Ezekiel deal specifically with the rebuilding of the millennial temple and the conducting of memorial sacrifices (Ezekiel 40:1-49 w:1-49; Ezekiel 41:1-26; Ezekiel 42:1-20; Ezekiel 43:1-27; Ezekiel 44:1-31; Ezekiel 45:1-25; Ezekiel 46:1-24; Ezekiel 47:1-23; Ezekiel 48:1-35 ew-48).
Covenants. The Lord is a covenant God and has on several occasions made covenants with Israel. Three important covenants will be fulfilled in the millennium. The Abrahamic Covenant (Genesis 12:1-3) promised that Israel would be a great nation and possess the Promised Land. The Davidic Covenant (2 Chronicles 13:5; 2 Samuel 7:12-16) promised the seed of David (Christ) would rule forever on the throne of David. The New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34) promised a spiritual rebirth for the nation Israel. These things will be accomplished in the thousand-year reign of Christ. If a person denies the existence of the millennium, he attempts to tie the hands of God behind his back so he cannot keep his promises.
Ministry of Christ. Peter described the full ministry of Christ in terms of "the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow" (1 Peter 1:11). Much of the earthly ministry of Chril-t would be included in the first part of that description, but his glory will be revealed in the millennium. The following chart contrasts these two aspects of Christ’s ministry.
CONCLUSION The hymn writer wrote, "Jesus shall reign where’er the sun/ Does his successive journeys run." In one sense, that truth is future and will not be realized until the millennium. In yet another sense, that truth should be realized personally as we take the gospel around the world. Someday Christ will sit on a throne in Jerusalem and rule the world, but today he simply desires to sit on the throne of our hearts and rule our lives. In the future, he will seize control of the world by winning the Battle of Armageddon. But today, he will not violate our wills. The only way that Christ will control our lives is for us to submit to his control.
DAILY READINGS Monday: Ezekiel 40:1-49 w:1-49 w:1-49 Tuesday: Ezekiel 41:1-4 Wednesday: Ezekiel 43:1-4 Thursday: Ezekiel 45:1-4 Friday: Ezekiel 47:1-4 Saturday: Isaiah 11:1-12 Sunday: Isaiah 9:1-7; Revelation 20:1-10