What in the World is Going to Happen?
Part 7: A Perfect World is Going to Appear
by Max Frazier, Jr.
From the August 2009 Philogian
Suppose I invited you to join me in sitting out on my deck. We hear the laughter of the neighborhood children as they play in the nearby park. The sky is a bright blue…the breeze is a warm, gentle one blowing from the west…the temperatures are summerlike, at least by Minnesota standards. My wife brings out a pitcher of lemonade – a little on the tart side - and some homemade cookies – I think they are full of chocolate chips - for us to enjoy. After a few moments of small talk – you know, about the weather, about the Twins, and about politics – I ask this question: “How would you define the perfect world?”
Your initial reaction is to say, “Well, I have never considered that question before. Let me give it some thought.” Pretty soon the ideas begin to develop. I quickly begin to write down the suggestions:
The shadows begin to lengthen across the deck; the pitcher of lemonade is nearly empty; and the plate of cookies now only contains crumbs. Sudden there is the annoying buzz of Minnesota’s state “bird” and you quickly add to the list: A perfect world would not have any mosquitoes.
A perfect world has been the subject of many human dreams. The images of what the Garden of Eden must have been like linger in our minds. Utopian worlds have been created but have been short-lived, failing to become that perfect world.
But the Bible tells us that a perfect world is going to happen. It will appear at the very end of this age, following the battle of Armageddon and the reappearing of Jesus Christ. It will last for one thousand years. We know this time as the Millennium. It is one of the most prophesied events in the Scriptures, second only to those references describing the second coming of Christ; yet it is an event that the majority of Christians have little or no understanding of. Why is this? I believe it is for two reasons. First, there are only six verses in the entire New Testament describing the Millennium: Revelation 20:1-6. Neither the Lord Jesus nor the Apostle Paul mentioned this event in their teachings. But the Millennium is a strong subject of the Old Testament prophets. Because most Christians know very little about the Old Testament, especially about the prophetic books, there is little knowledge about the Millennium. (Note: I know that you, being Village Schools students – present and past, have read the Old Testament and you know about many of those passages). Second, the focus of the Millennium is upon the nation of Israel, not the Church. Because of that fact, many Christian have little desire to know anything about it. I like to define the Millennium to my students this way: It is an Old Testament event that occurs at the end of the New Testament era.
Well, let’s see what the Scriptures have to say about this most unusual time.
The Millennium: Its Beginning
Every event has its beginning. The opening ceremonies of the Olympics are done with much fanfare. A new Administration has its gala inaugural balls. Even businesses open their doors to the public with a ribbon-cutting. The way an event begins tells much about the significance of the event itself.
So, how does the Millennium begin? We read these words from Revelation 20:
And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations any more until the thousand years were ended (vs. 1-3)
The Millennium begins with the binding of Satan – I wonder what types of chains and locks are used to safely secure him? Then he is cast into the bottomless pit, known as the Abyss, which is the home of demons (see Revelation 9:1-3). Finally, the opening to the Abyss is covered, locked, and sealed and, I believe, a watchman is posted to guard the entrance, much like the Romans did with the tomb of Jesus. No one or nothing would dare to open that doorway until permitted by God Himself.
And, how long will Satan be confined in this prison? The Bible assures us that it will be for one thousand years. Now remember, a thousand years is a very long time for mankind, but it is a very short time for God. The Apostle Peter states: But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day (2 Peter 3:8).
The Millennium: Its Purpose
Ever since the Fall of man in the Garden of Eden, mankind has always had an excuse as to why evils continue to multiply. You might remember Adam’s response when God asked him why he was hiding: “The woman you put here with me” (author’s emphasis). Eve did not fare better with her response: “The serpent deceived me.” Years later an irate Cain responded to God, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” In other words, “Don’t blame me. It is not my fault.” Or consider the words of King Saul when confronted by the prophet Samuel after Saul had disobeyed God: “I was afraid of the people and so I gave in to them” (1 Samuel 15:24). “Don’t blame me. It is the fault of the people.”
Friends, how often have you yourself played the “blame game.” You can even be caught red-handed, yet you seek to defend yourself by blaming someone else. And one of the chief recipients of our blame is our environment. If only we could have a perfect environment, then people would not hate each other. If only we could get people out of those crime-infested ghettos, then we would be crime-free. When large metropolitan communities seek to eliminate those ghettos, moving people into the nearby suburban areas, what happens? Does crime decrease? In most instances the answer is “no!” because the heart of the problem of man is a problem of the heart not of his environment.
During the Millennium God will provide a perfect environment to those living on the earth. But before we examine that perfect environment, let’s consider who will be living on earth during those days.
The Millennium: Its Inhabitants
I strongly believe that the Bible teaches that there will be those who will survive the carnage of Armageddon. Both Jews and Gentiles will enter into the Millennium with physical bodies like you and I have today. But I also believe the Bible teaches that those Jews and Gentiles will all be saved. No unbelievers will enter into the Millennium. Let’s examine just a few of the texts:
And foreigners who bind themselves to the LORD to serve him, to love the name of the LORD, and to worship him, all who keep the Sabbath without desecrating it and who hold fast to my covenant – these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” The Sovereign LORD declares – he who gathers the exiles of Israel: “I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered” (Isaiah 56:6-8). This text strongly suggests that Gentiles will know Christ and gather in Jerusalem to worship Him.
At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the LORD, and all nations will gather in Jerusalem to honor the name of the LORD. No longer will they follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts (Jeremiah 3:17). I believe that last sentence implies that God has changed their hearts. And remember, this text speaks of “all nations” or Gentiles.
O LORD, my strength and my fortress, my refuge in time of distress, to you the nations will come from the ends of the earth and say, “Our fathers possessed nothing but false gods, worthless idols that did them no good. Do men make their own gods? Yes, but they are not gods!” “Therefore I will teach them – this time I will teach them my power and might. Then they will know that my name is the LORD” (Jeremiah 16:19-21). Again this is a reference to Gentiles, “the nations”, whose hearts have been changed.
Now let’s look at a few passages that describe the spiritual condition of those Jews who enter into the Millennium.
“This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,” declares the LORD. “I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest,” declares the LORD. “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Jeremiah 31:33-34). This passage seems to indicate that Jews living at that time will have a tremendous change of heart and will all acknowledge Christ.
And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is my covenant with them when I take away their sins” (Romans 11:26-27, author’s emphasis). The Apostle Paul made it very clear that when Jesus Christ appears, those Jews who are living at that time will all be saved. They will come to acknowledge that Jesus Christ is their Messiah. What a great time that will be!
Therefore, as the above passages proclaim, the many entering into the Millennium in their physical bodies will all have had a spiritual experience with Jesus Christ. Only believers will enter into the God-prepared “utopia.”
The Millennium: The Role of the Church
I am often asked, “What will be the role of the Church, of believers, during the Millennium?” We first must acknowledge that we will have our new glorified bodies at that time. These will be ours at the time of the Rapture of the Church, whether that event occurs at the beginning, during the middle, or at the ending of the Tribulation is immaterial. Second, the wedding ceremony of the Church, the Bride, to Jesus Christ will have also taken place. This event is described in the early verses of Revelation 19. Paul proclaimed it with these words to the Ephesian believers:
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless (Ephesians 5:25-27).
So, we know we will not have earthly bodies, but heavenly ones. But what will be our role? There is a verse found in Revelation 5 that, I believe, answers this question. This verse is found within the context of the new song which the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures sang before the throne. In part that song includes these words:
You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth (Revelation 5:10).
There you have it, we will reign here on the earth. Now, I will let you use your own imagination as to what that means. But it would appear that we will be given certain responsibilities and opportunities as part of the administration of Jesus Christ. I have jokingly related to some that they might be mayors of towns or principals of schools. But, whatever our role, we will be serving the King of kings and the Lord of lords in a manner that will bring glory and honor to Him.
The Millennium: Its Perfections
A Perfect Government: Jesus Christ will reign as King. Listen to these words from King Solomon, who himself sat upon David’s throne in Jerusalem:
He will rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. The desert tribes will bow before him and his enemies will lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to him; the kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts. All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him (Psalm 72:8-11).
Now one can only imagine how awesome it would be to live under the rule of the Son of God. The prophet Isaiah describes it this way:
And his name will be called Wonderful Counselor, 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 9:6b-7).
A Productive Land: “Prolific” will be the word to describe the land. In fact, the prophet Amos declares that the land will be so productive that little time will lapse between the sowing and the reaping:
“The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when the reaper will be overtaken by the plowman and the planter by the one treading grapes. New wine will drip from the mountains and flow from all the hills” (Amos 9:13).
If I am a farmer, I probably will be looking to hire a lot of help! What a great problem to have!
I have always loved these words of the prophet Isaiah as he described the millennial kingdom:
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 splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the splendor of our God (Isaiah 35:1-2).
Even today, as one travels throughout the nation of Israel, desert land is becoming productive. One marvels at how fruits and vegetables can be grown on such barren ground. It truly is a miracle happening right before our eyes, a precursor to an even greater productivity yet to come.
What is the ultimate reason for this unprecedented peace and prosperity? Has the efforts of mankind brought this about? Is the Millennium the product of man’s ingenuity and intelligence? No, the emphasis in the Millennium is upon God and upon His Son who reigns from David’s throne in Jerusalem. I believe the prophet Isaiah expresses the over-arching influence of the Millennium with these words:
They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea (Isaiah 11:9).
The earth will be canopied with the knowledge of God. It almost seems hard to believe, doesn’t it? Every decision made during the Millennium will be based upon the knowledge of God. Every activity of man will be inspired by the knowledge of God. Every book written, every song composed during those days will have as its theme the knowledge of God.
The Millennium: Its Ending
Just as every event has a beginning, so there is an ending. The Millennium is no different. Yet the manner in which the Millennium ends might surprise you. Let’s allow the Apostle John to describe it:
When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations in the four corners of the earth – Gog and Magog – to gather them for battle. In number they are like the sand on the seashore. They marched across the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of God’s people, the city he loves. But fire came down from heaven and devoured them. And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever (Revelation 20:7-10)
I know what you are thinking right now. “Max, how could this happen? How could people turn so quickly from perfection to imperfection?” The answer is not as difficult as you might think. Stay with me for a few more moments. During those thousand years the earth is being populated. Children are being born to moms and dads who still have a physical body. That means that every child born during the Millennium will possess a sin nature. You remember those words of David in Psalm 51: Surely I have been a sinner from birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.” But, during those millennial years, because Satan is bound and locked away so that he can no longer deceive people, the expression of sinful tendencies will be greatly diminished. Some Bible scholars would argue that sinning would be an impossibility. So there are literally hundreds of thousands, possibly even millions of children born who carry within their heart a sin nature. They acknowledge the kingship of Christ because there is no other option for them.
Then arrives that moment when, at the close of the Millennium, Satan is released from his imprisonment. He has had one thousand years to have his anger aroused. He has had one thousand years to plot his revenge. He has had one thousand years to develop a strategy for people to follow him. And, when he is released, he puts his plan into action with amazing results: an innumerable host will follow him! Can you believe that! After one thousand years of peace and perfection, when given a choice, multitudes reject Christ and chose Satan. Why is this? It is because of that sinful nature. Remember my earlier words that the heart of the problem of man is a problem of the heart. Those closing scenes following the Millennium illustrate that truth profoundly. It was the prophet Jeremiah who wrote these poignant words: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV). But Satan’s strategy is short-lived. God’s judgment falls quickly. And Satan is finally defeated and cast into hell.
The Millennium will be one of the most remarkable times this world will have ever seen. It will be a time of joy and celebration for Jesus Christ will reign over this world. There will be a cessation of war and political turmoil as the Prince of Peace sits upon His throne. Everyone will experience personal prosperity. Yet, as the Millennium comes to a close, it will ultimately expose the heart of man as the choice between good and evil, life and death, Christ and Satan will be offered.
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