Through the ages many people have talked and dreamed, prayed and hoped for a kingdom, where there will be
peace, justice and mutual respect towards all people. Unfortunately till this day no human leader has succeeded in this aspiration,
because such a kingdom could be established onlyby God. People are selfish! Even of some leaders start with this great idea
and with the sincere desire to establish such a kingdom, in a while they yield to temptations as they start to crave more
power, glory and riches. This selfishness and greed turns them away from their original aim. Many of these leaders start to
use force, violence and deceit in order to get what they want. However, God's Word reveals to us the truth that one day Jesus
will establish such a kingdom of peace and righteousness. The prophet Isaiah wrote of such a wonderful king about 600
years before Jesus was born. He says: "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his
shoulders. And he will be called Winderful Counseller, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase 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. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish
this." (Isaiah 9:6-7) It is important to notice this great revelation that this kingdom of peace and righteousness is
not the result of the United Nations declaration for everyone to cease from fighting and war, nor is this achieved by
any other human leader or human organization. God's own holy zeal will accomplish this!
1. One thousand years does not only mean "a long time" as some theologians teach. Nor does it refer only
to a spiritual kingdom, as others teach. Our Lord Jesus is talking about a real kingdom which is physical and visible. As Jesus
was really and actually born of the Virgin Mary in Bethelehem Judea, (Luke 2:1-20) and as He really walked on those dusty
and hilly roads of Palestine, and as He actually taught multitudes of people about God's kingdom and performed many marvellous
miracles (Matthew 5-7and Mark 1:29-45); and as He really died on the Cross of Calvary and really gloriously arose on
the third day, and in His real and prysical body ascended up to heaven, (John 19:17-30, John 20, Acts 1:11), so He will really
return to establish a physical and visible kingdom. Please read carefully Revelation 20:1-6.
We saw in Isaiah 9:7 that the "zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this". Jehovah God has
many reasons for doing this. First is His promise which He made to Abraham, that all people on earth will be blessed
through him. (Genesis 12:3) The Lord has hot forgotten His solemn promises to Abraham and David. God promised king David that
his throne would be established forever.(2 Sam. 7:16) The Lord did not forget His people, Israel, as we see it so clearly
from Romans 11:25-27, where we read: "I do not want you to be ignorant of his mystery, brothers, so that you may not be conceited:
Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved,
as it is written: "The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. This is my covenant with them
when I take away their sins."
The second reason why Jesus will establish His Millennial Kingdom on earth is to reveal to the whole world
that "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him." (Matt.28:18) At that time the prayers millions of Christians
believers will be finally answered: "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven."(Matt. 6:10) Today
many people take the name of Jesus in vain. They curse Him, mock and ridicule His holy Name. But on that day "at the
name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ
is Lord..." (Phil.2:10:11)
But the main reason for establishing this millennial kingdom is to give this world some rest from many wars,
afflictions and hardships, from much suffering and bloodshed, it has experienced over these several millennials. Since the
days of Adam and Eve till now this world witnessed many destructive wars and much affliction and suffering. Each war only
multiplies widows and orphants, sorrow and suffering beyond our description. As a young boy, from 8 to 14 years of age, I
lived in a country torn apart by war. With my own eyes I have seen the devastating results of World War II. My older
brother was wounded in action in 1944, near the border of Czechoslovakia. Several men from our small village lost their lives
and others were badly injured. But the saddest part about any war is the fact that nobody wins it, even if certain groups
or countries claim that they have won many battles. All wars multiply graves, widows, orphans, hunger, sorrow, and indescribable
suffering, for countless millions of innocent people. What joy fills our hearts to know that the day is coming when finally
all wars will cease and people will live as friends and neighbours in mutual understanding, in love, trust and respect. Yes,
during this time even so called "holy wars" will cease.
2. Characteristics of the Millennial Kingdom. The First and most beautiful characteristic, which is
longed for by so many and for such a long time, is the lasting peace. This peace will be evident among the people as well
as among other creatures. Isaiah 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 hole of the cobra, and the young
child will put his hand into the viper's nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will
be full of the knowlage of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." (Isaiah 11:6-9, Hab.2:14) Jesus will also rule all nations
with "an iron scepter". (Psalm 2:9, Revelation 19:15)
"He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords
into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train
for war anymore."(Isaiah 2:4) This same revelation and truth about the lasting peace is confirmed by several other prophets.
Hosea 2:1 states, that on that day God "will abolish from the land bow, sword and battle." Micah in chapter 4:3-4 reveals
that during this millennial kingdom every person will be sitting without any fear underneath his own vine and fig tree.
We may only add to this promise a very loud "Amen! Come now Lord Jesus." (Revelation 22:20)
3. The main reasons for this lasting peace and for stopping all nations from wars and fighting is the fact
that Satan, accuser of the brethren,(Rev.12:10) clever deceiver, old liar and the cause of all wars and suffering, will be
imprisoned for one thousand years. (Rev.20:1-3) Satan is the architect of all misunderstanding, hatred and chaos in this
world. Only after he is removed from this earth, peace will be possible. After his imprisonment all weapons of war will be
liquidated. Some will be changed and used for agricultural purposes. During the Millennial Kingdom all wars will stop. Even
so called "holy and religious wars" will end. Praise be to God for this gift to all mankind.
4. Great changes will occur throughout the world. During the Millennial Kingdom the entire world - people,
animals and land will be changed. The prophet Isaiah says that "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 splendour of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the Lord, the splendour of
our God." (Isaiah 35:1-2) The whole nature of this world will be chadged into splendour and beauty. Barren wilderness will
become productive land with bountiful harvests and luscious fruit. (Isaiah 35) People will live long and healthy lives. "The
lame (will) leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb (will) shout for joy." (Isaiah 35:6) Perhaps some people will live
up to five hundred years or more. However death still will be present. Nobody will die in infancy. Those who will die at one
hundred will be considered as "a mere youth". (Isaiah 66:20) Today when people live to be one hundred years old, they are asked
by many about their philosophy and about the secret of thier long life. Most people want to know what they do, or don't do,
to live so long. Today each person has a different testimony and different recommendations. But in the millennial kingdom
everybody will live a very long life.
As far as I know freom personal observation and from history our world has not yet experienced this blissful
change or peace. I am sad to say that in today's world we see quite the opposite characteristics to those described in the
Millennial Kingdom.
5. Jesus will be King of the whole wide world and not only over the state of Israel. At that time "Many
people will come and say, "Come, let us go to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us
his ways, so that we may walk in his paths." The law will go out of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem." (Isaiah
2:3) "At that time they will call Jerusalem the Throne of the Lord, and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honour the
name of the Lord. No longer will they follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts." (Jer.3:17) The prophet Micah also talks
about this in chapter 4:2-3. However the clearest statement of this claim, that Jesus will be king over this whole wide world,
is found in Zechariah 14:9 where we read: "The Lord will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord,
and his name the only name. '
How do we know that this "Lord and King of the whole world" is Jesus? The apostle John tells us that in
Revelation 19:15. After the seventh angel sounds his trumpet, loud voices from heaven will declare: "The kingdom of the
world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever." The prophet Malachi
declares the Word of the Almighty Lord, Who says: "My name will be great among the nations, from the rising to the setting
of the sun. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to my name, because my name will be great among
the nations." Those people who will refuse to go to Jerusalem and worship Jesus th King, will be punished. God will withhold
rain from their land and will inflict upon them different plagues and other punishments. (see Zech.14:17-19) We also read
that "On that day HOLY TO THE LORD will be inscribed on the bells of the horses, and the cooking pots in the Lord's house..."
( Zech.14:20) Yes, the whole world will be gladly serving Christ the King. They will be happy in His presence, will receive
His blessings and will serve Him with great joy, because in those days the whole "earth will be full of the knowledge of the
Lord as waters cover the sea." (Is.11:9, Hab.2:14)
6. The Throne of Christ the King.
Jesus as King of Kings will be sitting on the throne in Jerusalem. This is where king David had his throne.
Jesus will "reign on David's throne" over His kingdom of peace and righteousness. (Isaiah 9:7) I have also pointed out before
that all nations will go to the city of Zion and worship Christ the Lord and King. (see Isaiah 2:3, Jer.3:17, Micah 4:2-3)
According to the prophet Ezekiel chapters 40-47 the new Temple will be rebuilt on the same place where the
magnificent Temple of Solomon once stood. On this hill today stands the well known "Dome of the Rock". This beautiful building
is among the most popular of all mohammedan mosques. Only the one in Mecca surpasses this one in popularity. According to
their belief, Mohammed was taken up to heaven from this place. It is building on the hill Moriah, over the traditional place
where Abraham was to sacrifice his son Isaac. (Genesis 22:2) King David bought this place for fifty shekels of silver, from
Araunah the Jebusite. There he build an altar and sacrificed many offerings to the Lord in order to stop the destructive plague.
(2 Samuel 24:18-25) On this same site, three different Jewish temples have already stood. The first one was build by King
Solomon in about 970 B.C. (1 Kings 6) The Babylonians destroyed it in 586 B.C. after they invaded Judah. The second temple
was built by Zerubbabel in 520 B.C., when the Jews returned from Babylonian captivity. Herod's temple was built in 20 B.C.
and was destroyed by the Romans in 70 A.D. The New Temple will be built on this same site during the seven years after the
Rapture of the Church. It is called, by some Biblical teachers, "the Millennial Temple." The prophet Ezekiel reveals
many details about the New Temple which will be re-built. Perhaps when the Lord will come for His church, or when He will
return to this earth and His feet will touch the Mount of Olives, (Zech.14:4) there will be an earthquake which will destroy
the present "Dome of the Rock". According to various scholars the Jews are now ready to build this Temple. But as I stated
before, I personally believe that this Temple will be built after the Church is taken uip. (1 Thess.4:16-17)
No, I have not forgotten to state where the Church will be during the Millennial Kingdom. Since Jesus Christ
is the Head of the Church, which is also His body, (Eph.5:23) therefore the body (the Church) must be with the Head. From
Ephesians 5 we see that the Church of Jesus Christ is also called the wife. The apostle Paul says that believers are "a pure
virgin", and in Revelation 21:9 the church is called both "the bride" and "the wife of the Lamb." Therefore we may state very
emphatically that the bride (the Church) will be with the Bridegroom and King, even with Jesus Christ. Before many suffered
for Him humiliation, persecution and even death. Now they will live and rule with Him for ever. (1 Thess.4:17) They will
enjoy His presence, protection, provision and peace. In His company and fellowship they will be extremely happy, content and
blessed. But they will also rule with Him and be in charge as administrators and servants. We read in Luke 19:17, "Because
you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities." Jesus Himself states in Luke 22:28-29:
" You are those who have stood by me in my trials. And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me."
It is important to mention at this time that the Church of Jesus Christ belongs to the family of God. She is the bride, who
"made herself ready" for His return. (Rev.19:7) Where as people of Israel belong to the kingdom. The Church has heavenly citizenship,
(Eph.2:19) whereas descendants of Israel belong to this earthly kingdom. This promise was made by God to Abraham (Genesis
12:3) and to David. (1 Samuel 7:16)
7. Before I conclude this chapter, I must point out that one more very important group of people will be
living and ruling with Christ in this Millennial Kingdom. The people of Israel and all other nations whom the Lord found worthy
of acceptance after judging them in the Valley of Jehoshaphat (Joel 3:2) will be here. The Church of Jesus Christ, His beloved
bride and wife will be here, ruling and enjoying all of His blessings. But we must not overlook nor forget to mention all
those people who were beheaded and murdered by Antichrist during the time of the Great Tribulation. They will be resurrected
and admitted into this glorious kingdom. We read about them in Revelation 20:4, that "those who had been beheaded because
of their testimony for Jesus ... (all those who) had not worshipped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on
their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years." All the other dead remained in
their graves until the day of final judgment. We will look at this Great Judgment Day in our next chapter. Therefore we must
notice that the Bible speaks about several resurrections. The first is the resurrection of all the Saints. This will take
place during the Rapture of the Church.(1 Cor.15:51-57, 1 Thess.4:13-18) The second resurrection will be at the beginning
of the Millennial Kingdom. All those people who died for their faith during the Great Tribulation shall be brought back to
life. Finally we see that all others will be resurrected to face the final judgment day, called "The Great White Throne".
(Revelation 20:11-15)
8. The sad ending of the Millennium.
Inspire of the fact that people saw and enjoyed peace, prosperity and justice, for such a long time, as
soon as Satan is released from his prison (Rev.20:7-8) he goes back to his old tricks deceiving people and will gather them
to fight against Christ. If anyone is asking, "Why is the devil released from his prison and why are the people tempted?"
We must answer that this important test is nesessary in order that all those people who were born during the millennium, and
also those nations who were admitted into this kingdom after the judgment at the Valley of Jehoshaphat, they too must now
make a clear cut decision between Christ and Satan. Unfortunately, many will choose to follow Satan. (Reveletion 20:8-9) But
some of you are asking, with uncertainty and fear: "But what about the church? Will the believers also be tested like others,
and will some of them at that time yield to temptation by the Devil?" The answer is an emphatic and glorious "No!" Praise
be to God for this revelation. Remember, that these redeemed of the Lord, twice born and changed by His Spirit, will now already
be in their changed and glorified bodies. Whether they were resurrected from the dead or were still living when the Lord came
for His Church and changed them, their new bodies will not be subject to Satan's power or deceit anymore. Jesus himself said
that these people in their new bodies will not marry, (Matthew 22:30) death will not have power over them, and nobody will
ever separate them from their Saviour and Lord. Death and Satan cannot touch them anymore! Hallelujah, and praise the Lord
for this victory. (see Romans 8:38-39)
I am also very happy to declare that Satan and his army will be destroyed by fire from heaven before they
can start the war. (Rev.20:9) Right at that time the devil will be thrown into the lake of fire. And there he will stay with
the beast and the false prophet, for ever and ever. This is the end of the devil, that great enemy of mankind who tempted
people for so many years, tormented and deceived and destroyed so many millions throughout the ages. Now he will be removed
forever and will not bother God's children anymore. Therefore, make sure that you have Jesus as your Saviour and helper today.
Christ is the only hope and salvation from the wrath to come.
May the following illustration help you to be ready for our Lord's return, whenever that will be. One couple
who liked to travel during their summer vacation, obtained several maps from their local travel agency. One map especially
described in detail the way of their planned destination. A few hours prior to their departure the wife asked her husband
if he had the map, and if he had checked the way they must follow so that they would not get lost. "Honey," replied the husband
with confidence, "I know the way so well that I don't need the map. Actually, "he continued with a smile, "I can drive
there with my eyes closed!" In a while they were on the road towards their destination. They went on and on without saying
much. After several hours of travelling, neither one of them recognized anything along the way. But they still went on.
Later the husband started to mumble to himself: "This is not funny at all! Something went wrong! Things have changed here
since my last visit." But they still went on as if they were on the right track, and soon ended up at the end of the
road in a farmer's field, beside a pile of straw. Dear reader, please check everything in your map (the Bible) so that you
will not get lost along the way towards eternity. The way of this life can at times be very complicated and complex. In order
to reach your aim and dectination safety and in order to avoid disappointment, study your map daily, carefully and prayerfully.
With God's map you will be able to see all those detours, stop signs, crossroads and sharp turns, and make it through those
foggy patches of unexpected doubt and suffering. Yes, one day on your way you might encounter several detours of doubt and
fear. Next time it could be the fog of uncertainty or the sudden storm of illness, unemployment, loss of loved ones and other
unexpected suffering. If you travel on this road only according to your own perception and interpretation, you might
get lost and waste quite a bit of your precious time, or even lose many productive years. Or if you follow this path of life
according to the promises of the world and the advice of Satan, you might end up, not only like that couple at the end of
the road in a farmer's field in front of a pile of straw, but you might end up in that place where there will be eternal
sorrow, where there is no way out. (Luke 16:26) Today some people believe that all roads lead to God. Yet this is
not a true teaching of the Bible. God's Word plainly declares that Jesus is the ONLY WAY. He
states: "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) Through Isaiah
30:21 God reminds us: "This is the way; walk in it." Therefore it is not enough to know the way. We must follow if carefully
and faithfully. Finally we see this great warning: "Turn therefore to that TRUE and ONLY WAY - to JESUS - so that you will
not lose your way nor lose your soul. Do it right now.
Isaac Watts describes this great kingdom in the following hymn:
"Jesus shall reign where'er the sun
Does his successive journeys run;
His kingdom spread from shore to shore,
Till moons shall wax and wane no more.
From north to south the princes meet
To pay their homage at His feet;
While western empires own their Lord,
And savage tribes attend His word.
To Him shall endless prayer be made,
And endless praises crown His head;
His name like sweet perfume shall rise
With every morning sacrifice.
People and realms of every tongue
Dwell on His love with sweetest song,
And infant voices shall proclaim
Their early blessings on His name."
(Worship and Sevice Hymnal, No. 444)
Chapter 6:
