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Can you imagine a world with no fear? No disease? No pain? No worry? That is what the Millennial Kingdom will be like. For a thousand years, there will be peace—we will live in a perfect world with Christ as our ruler. It is something we can look forward to when our lives are difficult and when our world is filled with chaos, immorality, and despair. As we experience hard times, we find hope in our future with Christ. Here is a brief look at what the Millennial Kingdom will be like.

What Is the Millennium?

"The Millennium is a thousand–year reign of peace, and the Lord Jesus Christ will be King."

"The Millennium is a thousand–year reign of peace, and the Lord Jesus Christ will be King."

The word mille means "a thousand" so the millennium is "a thousand years." That term is mentioned six times in Revelation 20. The Millennium will be Christ's one–thousand–year reign as King, following the Tribulation. David will be His vice president and will sit on the throne with Him. They will rule the world in righteousness and godliness. There will still be sin in the Millennium, but it will be dealt with immediately.

By studying the Millennium, we discover that lifetimes will be extended, there will be peace in the animal kingdom—the lion will lay down with the lamb, and there will be peace among mankind—all the hostilities that have been a part of our world will be gone. The Millennium will be incredible. Dwight Pentecost stated there is more information in the Bible about the Millennium than any other period in Scripture. Many of these references are tucked away in the Old Testament where you wouldn't expect. When you start to search for it, there is something about that period everywhere you look in the Bible.

Will Believers Today Be on Earth for the Millennium?

"The Bible says, 'And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years' (Revelation 20:4)."

"The Bible says, 'And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years' (Revelation 20:4)."

At the moment of the Rapture, every believer who is alive or deceased will be taken up into heaven. We will remain there for seven years while the Tribulation is happening on earth. The Marriage Supper of the Lamb and Judgment Seat of Christ will take place during this time. Once the Tribulation is over, Christ will return to earth.

When Christ returns to defeat the armies of the world that have formed against Him, we will return with Him. After the battle is over, the Bible indicates that all Christians are going to be part of the government. "And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years" (Revelation 20:4). We will stay on earth with Him, and we will rule and reign with Him throughout the whole world.

What will we do in Christ's government? I don't know. In Scripture, there seems to be a relationship between one's faithfulness in this age and what administration they are going to be given in that era. It is the ultimate consummation of the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14–30. Jesus will reward us with responsibilities based on our faithfulness to Him.

Will There Be Conflict in the Millennium?

"When we get to the Millennium, there will be no more war."

"When we get to the Millennium, there will be no more war."

War has been a consistent part of human history from the very beginning. Growing up in Toledo, Ohio, during the end of World War II, we had blackouts. There would be a siren, and it would help prepare people for the on–going conflict of the time. War has always been part of our conversation, but there will be no war when we get to the Millennium.

Micah 4:4 says, "But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid." Can you image not being afraid of anything? Not having to lock your doors?

Consider these words from Isaiah 19:23–25: "In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian will come into Egypt and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians will serve with the Assyrians. In that day Israel will be one of three with Egypt and Assyria—a blessing in the midst of the land, whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying, 'Blessed is Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands, and Israel My inheritance.' "

How peaceful is it going to be in the Millennium? Egypt and the Assyrians and the Jews are all going to be allies. They will work together in cooperation. Isaiah 2:4 tells us that they will "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."

In the Millennium, there will be no war.

Will There Be Death During the Millennium?

"As a result of the pristine conditions of the universe during the thousand–year reign of Christ, people will live for a long time."

"As a result of the pristine conditions of the universe during the thousand–year reign of Christ, people will live for a long time."

Isaiah 35:5–6 says, "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert."

Because of the universe's pristine conditions during the thousand–year reign of Christ, people will live for a long time. It appears that life spans will revert to those of the era before the Flood, when humans lived to be more than nine hundred years old. Isaiah 65:20 says, "No more shall an infant from there live but a few days, nor an old man who has not fulfilled his days." Someone who is a hundred years old will be like a child.

Disease will be abolished. The crisis of death will be experienced only by those incorrigible individuals who rebel against the law of the kingdom. The ordinary hazards of physical life will be under the direct control of the One whose voice even the winds and waves obey.

Will There Be Sin During the Millennium?

Some people find it surprising to think of rebellion during the Millennium, but here is how it will happen. Everybody who goes into the Millennium will be righteous—they all will be saved. But during that one–thousand–year period, there will be marriages. Children will be born and some of those children will rebel against the things of God. Just like today, each person born during the Millennial Age will make a personal decision for or against Christ.

We can be assured of this: Rebellion won't last long. The One who is in charge will know the intent of every heart, and there will be swift justice for every wrong. The Bible says our Lord will rule with a rod of iron. That means there won't be any long delays in justice—no postponements for trials, no postponements for sentences to be carried out. There will be immediate justice based upon the holy reign of King Jesus.

What Is the Purpose of the Book of Revelation?

"Revelation is a book that is written on purpose."

"Revelation is a book that is written on purpose."

This book is a purposeful book. It's written to tell us about two things: the return of the King and the reign of the King.

First, it says Jesus Christ is coming back. There is going to be a King on this earth one day who rules over every nation. Revelation 1:7 says, "Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen."

Daniel's Old Testament prophecy foretold Christ's return. "I was watching in the night visions, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven!" (Daniel 7:13)

In His Olivet Discourse, Jesus spoke of His return in similar terms. He said, "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory" (Matthew 24:30).

John expanded upon Jesus' words. He said when Christ returns "every eye will see Him" (Revelation 1:7). It's going to happen. The King is coming back. And when He comes back, He is going to set up His kingdom and rule. " 'I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,' says the Lord, 'who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty' " (Revelation 1:8).

When Jesus returns with His saints, He will set up His kingdom on this earth, and for a thousand years there will be a rule of righteousness on planet earth. And the Bible says those who are His followers will reign with Him. We will rule with the Lord Jesus Christ on this earth.

Daily Devotions

Today’s Devotion:
Following

An adult and a four-year-old child go for a walk outdoors. They begin their walk on a sidewalk or path, with the adult carrying on a lively conversation with the little one. Pretty soon, the adult realizes the conversation has become one-sided. The child has stopped responding to questions and has stopped contributing verbally. The adult turns around, only to discover the child has stopped following. He is way behind, looking at rocks, flowers, and bugs, and wandering into a neighbor’s yard. For the conversation to resume and be meaningful, the child needs to follow the adult more closely.

“Following” is a central theme of life with Jesus Christ. He identifies Himself as the Good Shepherd; His sheep follow Him so closely and so consistently that they know the sound of His voice. That means they can immediately detect a stranger’s (possibly dangerous) voice and then hear the Good Shepherd’s voice of safety and direction.

If you want to hear God’s voice, make sure to stay close to the Good Shepherd through prayer, worship, and the Word.

It costs to follow Jesus Christ, but it costs more not to. 

Greg Laurie

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:9–10

What are you looking forward to? An upcoming trip? The end of a medical treatment? A visit with your children? A new car? The birth of a child?

A sense of anticipation is vital for mental health, and that's why the Bible ends with the book of Revelation. Without Revelation, the Bible would have no ending. Or rather, it would end with the book of Jude, which is a wonderful book about contending for the faith. But it's not a book that heralds God's future. It doesn't leave us with descriptions of our future hope.

After the Battle of Armageddon, Satan will be bound, and Christ will establish His earthly kingdom. We often refer to this period as the Millennium. That word doesn't appear in most of our English Bibles, but it is described in many chapters and verses of Scripture. This golden age of Christ will last for a thousand years.

The Millennium begins at the end of history, yet it is a prelude to all that awaits us. Just as dinner parties often begin with hors d'oeuvres that whet our appetites for the main course, this thousand–year earthly reign of King Jesus will provide a foretaste of heaven. It will not be as perfect, wonderful, or spectacular as the eternal earth, but it will preview some of its coming features.

Many passages of Scripture describe the Millennium as a time of previously unknown joy, abundance, health, purity, peace, and prosperity (Micah 4:3; Ezekiel 34:26–27; Isaiah 11:9; 14:7; 65:20). Sin will be kept in check and disobedience will be dealt with quickly. Christ's kingdom will be a holy kingdom, and God's people will spend that time ruling and reigning over the earth with Jesus as our King.

The Purity of the Millennium

During Christ's reign, there will be no war. Kingdoms will be unified. Even the animal kingdom will be at peace (Micah 4:2–3; Isaiah 11:6–9). It will be a time of unrestrained prosperity, and all want will be eliminated (Isaiah 35). Christ's kingdom will be a holy kingdom (Isaiah 11:9; 25:9; 66:23; Zechariah 13:2). Satan will be bound and sealed so that he cannot deceive the nations.

In Christ's kingdom, life spans will stretch far beyond one hundred years. Everyone will enjoy perpetual health. The extraordinary life spans that were common before the Flood will reappear (Isaiah 65:20). The Millennium will be an exhilarating era of happiness, contentment, and personal joy. It will be the answer to many ancient and anguished prayers (Isaiah 9:3–4; 12:3; 14:7–8; 25:8–9; 30:29: 42:1, 10–12).

The Purpose of the Millennium

The Millennium will serve several purposes:

  1. The Millennium will reward God's people: There are scores of promises scattered throughout the Bible, both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, guaranteeing rewards for faithful service to God (Matthew 16:27; 25:34; Revelation 22:12). Part of our heavenly reward will be to rule and reign with Christ during the Millennium. Each of us will have opportunities to serve the Lord based upon our faithfulness in serving Him right now.

  2. The Millennium will respond to the prophets' predictions: The prophets of the Old Testament predicted Christ's earthly reign (Psalm 72:11; Isaiah 9:7). Many Jews rejected Christ at His first coming because they expected Him to fulfill all the Old Testament prophecies by arriving as a conquering king. Without the Millennium, the kingly prophecies would not be fulfilled.

  3. The Millennium will respond to the Lord's Prayer—or as I like to call it, the Disciple's Prayer (Matthew 6:8–13): One day, when Jesus returns, His kingdom will come, and His will shall be done on this earth. If it were not so, He would not have instructed His disciples to pray this way.

  4. The Millennium will reemphasize man's depravity and the necessity of Christ's death: During the Millennium, those faithful servants who survive the Tribulation will bear children in whom the sin nature will reside because the fallen human nature of man will not be eliminated until eternity begins at the end of the Millennial Kingdom. At the end of the thousand years, Satan will be released, and he will stir up a final rebellion against God just as he did in the Garden of Eden (Revelation 20:1–3, 7–8). That's right—even though Christ is ruling and reigning on the earth during the Millennium, some will yet be deceived. This demonstrates just how deeply man needs a Savior. Man can never achieve righteousness apart from God.

In this present age, the swift return of Christ fuels our anticipation of coming events—and we're living in days when we need all the reassurance we can find. Peter said, "Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent…" (2 Peter 3:14).

Don't live in the past, and don't become so bogged down with present burdens that you forget your future glory. Things are going to get better—much better! Jesus is coming! Let's look forward to that day and each day after it!

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