A passage in the Book of Revelation chapters 1 through 6 speaks of this mysterious 1,000 year period. This period in time is a serious time for all Christians.
Firstly, the millennial reign of Christ is a 1,000-year period of peace and righteousness on earth where Jesus Christ himself will rule as King over mankind from His Kingdom government in heaven. It’s a physical reign after Jesuses second coming to earth. It’s a major component of Christian eschatology, and the study of the “end times.” To understand we need to dig deeply into what the Bible says and how the 1,000 year reign of Jesus is a serious part in God’s plan for mankind.
The millennium begins after a number of major events as outlined in the Book of Revelation. After a period described as the 7-year Great Tribulation when the world is in turmoil and witnesses the antichrist, Jesus returns to earth referred to as His glorious second coming. When Jesus returns, He defeats all evil and binds Satan and the demons into an abyss for 1,000 years and sets up His Kingdom government on earth for 1,000 years of peace, justice and righteousness like never seen before where Jesus literally rules on earth. Is there any other way to bring peace on earth? No, there is not after witnessing the sad state of mankind today. Is there?
Numbers often have symbolic meanings in the Bible. The 1,000 years is the period in time where Jesus will fulfill His promises to Israel and bring justice to the world and complete the redemption of creation.
Recall that Abraham was a Hebrew and Jacob was descendent of Abraham. Jacob’s name was changed to Israel. Jacob had 12 sons who became the twelve tribes of Israel, a nation set aside for God’s purposes. Abraham and his descendants were friends of God chosen to fulfill God’s purposes in the restoration of mankind free of sin; to live an everlasting life. (John 17:3) During this time Christ’s perfect government will replace all the flawed corrupt governments Satan and the demons have been controlling on earth we’re used to today and throughout history.
Imagine, a world without sin death injustice pain suffering war and corruption. The prophet Isaiah gives us insight into what God’s Kingdom government will be like in the Book of Isaiah chapter 2 verse 4 which states, “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.” Holy Scripture of Christ’s millennial reign is not just mentioned in the books of Revelation but even goes back to the Old Testament and prophesied by many prophets; those who lived long before Jesus and the apostle John who was inspired and wrote the Book of Revelation. (2Timothy 3:16) An interesting fact about the disciple John was that John was the one Jesus loved because John loved Jesus so much. John wrote the Book of Revelation on the Isle of Patmos and is the only disciple of Jesus who lived a long and natural life and did not experience a martyred death like all of the other disciples did.
King David described a future ruler who will govern with perfect justice and stretch His kingdom from sea to sea. Psalm chapter 72:8 reads, “May he rule from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of earth.” In the Book of Isaiah 9:6-7 it says, “Of the greatness of his government and peace, there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever.”
Unlike Israel which has been governed forever with wars and constant turmoil, God’s millennial Reign of Christ’s government will put an end to war and injustice. Satan and the demons are cast into an abyss for a thousand years. There will be no further demonic influence on earth.
Read about Jeremiah and Ezekial’s prophecies of the 1,000 year reign too and the new temple in Jerusalem and a restored Israel and research the many other prophecies that foretold the 1,000 year millennial reign of God’s Kingdom government where men will restore the earth to paradise as it was to be from the beginning prior to the betrayal of Adam and Eve who did not obey their Creator’s one law not to eat from the tree of good and evil. Mankind will be restored to perfect health and perfect bodies. Imagine it.
Then explore what happens next. Research what the Holy Scriptures say will happen with Satan and the demons at the end of the 1,000 years.
What is to happen though in the near future in these “last days” as foretold in the Book of Matthew chapter 24 and throughout the Bible in the times we are now living? There will be a Great Tribulation of seven years. During the first 3 and one-half years or 1,240 days the “two witnesses” will appear on earth warning mankind to turn around and repent of their sinful behaviors and follow Jesus. The two witnesses will be similar to John the Baptist and how he warned about the coming of the Messiah, Jesus. The two witnesses will be like Moses and Elijah who prophesied and led the Israelites at the command of God. Moses was buried by God on the earth; and Elijah was never buried and taken up into heaven on a chariot.
Then after the first 1,240 years of the Great Tribulation the antichrist will appear on earth performing many miracles and many will be fooled and follow the antichrist, even many Christians.
The last three and one half years of the Great Tribulation will be like no other time on earth. A time worse than imaginable, full of violence, rape, murder and complete chaos at the hands of Satan who actually is the antichrist. People are actually following the antichrist at this time being deceived as though he is God.
Then Jesus and His myriad of angels appears. Jesus will appear on the Mount of Olives just outside of Jerusalem exactly where He resurrected into heaven after His crucifixion and death, being buried and returning to life and ministering to the people alongside the disciples’ all doing miracles. Giving site to the blind and raising people from the dead.
If you don’t believe the Bible, then read the books written by Flavius Josephus who was a military commander, Jewish priest and historian during the 1st century. The books of Josephus are historical sources of the first-century Judaism, the Roman Empire in the East, and early Christian background including rare external mentions of Jesus and John the Baptist.
All of this will occur and then the end will come. God will wipe out the evil on earth and restore mankind to paradise-like conditions. Imagine it. Imagine being part of the restoration of the earth to paradise. You can be a part of it. Seek and you will find. “This means everlasting life, there taking in knowledge of You, the One True God and the One whom You sent forth, Christ Jesus.”(John 17:3)
Making disciples means to GO THEREFORE AND MAKE DISCIPLES. (Matthew 28:19) This doesn’t mean to simply sit at a church with other disciples and think this is making disciples. Not at all. Paul and John were already disciples. They didn’t sit around and simply talk to each other. They went OUT AND MADE DISCIPLES. They spoke to people everywhere they were and taught about the “Kingdom of God.” You can too.
Always Christian with love from Anne Fisher Foundation.