BIBLE
DOCTRINE 19
CHRIST’S MILLENNIAL REIGN
God’s Word
teaches:
That Christ’s
Millennial Reign is the 1,000 years literal reign of Jesus on earth, which will
be ushered in by the coming of Jesus back to earth with ten thousands of His
saints. At this time He will judge the nations that dwell upon the face of the
earth - Jude 14, 15; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10. During this time, the devil will
be bound - Revelation 20:2, 3. It will be a reign of peace and blessing -
Isaiah 11:6-9; 65:25; Hosea 2:18; Zechariah 14:9-20; Isaiah 2:2-4.
The
word millennium is a compound derivative from Latin which simply translates
into a thousand years. Thus, Christ’s millennial reign is a thousand years of
the full manifestation of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is sequel to
the Great Tribulation period which is a period of intense suffering for
everyone on earth.
According
to God’s revealed time-table, the Church will suddenly be taken away by Christ
(1 Thessalonians 4:13-18) in a mysterious event known as “the Rapture”. Then, a
seven-year period of great suffering for sinners left behind will follow
(Matthew 24:21, 22). At the end of the seven-year period, Jesus will come again
with the church to establish His government (Jude 14). The government of this
world, at that time, will resist His coming. But the Lord will overcome at the
battle of Armageddon (Revelation 19:15-21). Satan will be bound and imprisoned
for 1000 years (Revelation 20:1-3). The kingdom of this world will, then,
become the kingdom of our God and His Christ (Revelation 11:15).
Christ's
millennial reign will be a time when the purposes of God will be fully realized
on earth, as theocracy (government of the state under the firm control and
direction of God) will be established. Christ, as the divine representative of
God will at this time, speaks and acts for God. He will be given a universal
and glorious dominion with absolute power to govern (Isaiah 9:6; Psalm 45:4;
Isaiah 11:4; Psalm 72:4). It will be the responsibility of Christ at this age
to announce God’s will and law (Isaiah 2:3, 4; 33:21, 22: 42:4; Acts 3:22).
Christ's
millennial reign will be a manifestation of the promise God gave David, that
his throne shall have no end. Christ, as David’s “son”, will thus establish a
glorious house and throne, over an equally glorious kingdom (2 Samuel 7:12-16;
Psalm 72; Isaiah 11:10). Divine mercy, goodness and truth will be displayed
through Christ even as the glory associated with His deity, omniscience,
omnipotence and righteousness will be fully made manifest. The Gentile world
system (humanity without Christ) as it is at present, organized under the direct influence of Satan, will thus
become an out-moded set-up.
In its stead come Christ’s millennial reign,
void of sin and all forms of unrighteousness. Satan, having been defeated and
bound, will lack the power to induce people to sin (Revelation 20:1-6; Matthew
19:28; Ephesians 5:25-27).
What
are the components of the millennium? (1) The millennium shall witness an
unprecedented era of national and individual peace. There will be a complete
cessation of the scourge of wars, as the kingdoms of the world will be fused
together under the reign of Christ. The ensuing peace will herald an era of
economic boom and prosperity. The beauty of this age is that hitherto
antagonistic and irreconcilable foes will henceforth co-habit as “sheep and
lambs”. (2) There will be joy unspeakable (Isaiah 9:3, 4; Jeremiah 30:18,19)
(3) There will be holiness (Ezekiel 43:7-12; Isaiah 1:26, 27). (4) Glory
(Isaiah 24:23, 60:1-9). (5) Comfort (Isaiah 12:1-2; Jeremiah 33:23-25). (6)
Justice (Isaiah 9:7; 11:5; 42:1-4). (7) Full knowledge (Isaiah 11:1-2, 9; 41:19-20;
54:13; Habakkuk 2:14)
Additionally,
the following benefits will also accrue to the inhabitants of the age (a) The
original curse placed upon mankind at creation will be removed, resulting in
abundant productivity of the earth (Isaiah 11:6-9; 35:9; 65:25. (b) Sickness
will become a thing of the past (Isaiah 33:24; Jeremiah 30:17; Ezekiel 34:16).
(c) Healing will be naturally available to the deformed (Isaiah 29:17-19).
Against
the background of the above, there shall be (a) preservation of life (Isaiah
41:8-14; 62:8,9; Jeremiah 32:27; Ezekiel 34:27; Joel 3:16,17; Amos 9:15;
Zechariah 14:10,11) and (b) complete freedom from all forms of oppression that
at present ravage mankind (Isaiah 14:3-6; 42:6,7; 49:8,9; Zechariah 9:11,12).
Who
are those expected to partake in Christ's millennial reign? (I) The Glorious
Church (Ephesians 5:25-27). This will exclude the apostate church that is
married to the world (Revelation 17:1-7). (ii) The poor in spirit (Matthew
5:3). These are those who recognize and admit their state of spiritual poverty
(life on earth without assurance of salvation) and are willing to turn away
from sin and surrender to Christ, (iii)
The watchful, prayerful (Hebrews 9:28; Matthew 25:34)
