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The Millennium PART 3

Characteristics of the Millennium

In the last study, we saw that when interpreting the Bible:

IF THE PLAIN SENSE

MAKES SENSE

DON’T SEEK ANOTHER SENSE

We ended with Satan bound and Jesus reigning on earth after the judgment of the nations.

OR YOU’LL END UP WITH NONSENSE

Politics – Jesus reigns on earth

In Psalm 2, which is quoted in Acts & Hebrews concerning Jesus sonship* and in Revelation with regards to His Millennial rule,** we see how after the nations are judged by the Son, the One enthroned in heaven (the Father) installs the Son as King on Zion (Jerusalem).

Psalm 2:1 Why do the nations conspire and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One***. 3 “Let us break their chains,” they say, “and throw off their fetters.” 4 The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. 5 Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, 6 “I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill.” 7 I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, “You are my Son; today I have become your Father. 8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. 9 You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.” 10 Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

* v7 quoted in Acts 13:33 & Heb 1:5 ** v8 quoted in Rev 19:15 *** Anointed One is ‘Messiah’ in Hebrew & ‘Christ’ in Greek.

Many prophecies state that David (most likely a reference to Jesus, with his Messianic title being the “Son of David”) will reign as king over Israel, and possibly, each nation will also have its godly king who will answer to Jesus, the King of Kings.

After the time of ‘Jacob’s trouble’ (i.e. the Tribulation) we read that Israel “shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king whom I will raise up for them.” (Jeremiah 30:9)

Ezek 34:22 I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another. 23 I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd. 24 I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David will be prince among them. I the LORD have spoken.

Ezek 37:24 My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd. They will follow my laws and be careful to keep my decrees. 25 They will live in the land I gave to my servant Jacob, the land where your fathers lived. They and their children and their children’s children will live there forever, and David my servant will be their prince forever.

Politics – Jesus reigns on earth

There are 3 groups of people who will reign with Christ:

Politics - who will reign with Christ?

(1) OT saints*

(2) Christian saints*

(3) Tribulation saints*

* The word ‘saint’ simply means ‘holy’ and is derived from the Latin ‘sanctus’. In the Bible it is used to describe all followers of God (e.g. Acts 9:13) and not a special group of holy elite.

Dan 7:18 But the saints of the Most High will receive the kingdom and will possess it forever - yes, for ever and ever…

Dan 7:22 until the Ancient of Days came and pronounced judgment in favor of the saints of the Most High, and the time came when they possessed the kingdom …

Dan 7:27 Then the sovereignty, power and greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven will be handed over to the saints, the people of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.’

(1) OT saints

1 Cor 6:2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?

Rev 5:9 “… with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. 10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

In the letters from Jesus to the churches, He delegates some of the ‘Psalm 2’ authority he received from His Father to overcomers:

Rev 2:26 To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations – 27 ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery’ — just as I have received authority from my Father.

Rev 3:21 To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.

(2) Christian saints

Who are the tribulation saints?

The tribulation saints are martyred (by beheading) for their refusal to participate in the Antichrist’s religious, political & economic system.

Rev 20:4 … And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped 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.

(3) Tribulation saints

Politics - who will reign with Christ?

The 12 apostles will judge the 12 tribes of Israel.

And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Luke 22:29-30)

Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel”. (Matt 19:27-28)

The service of the saints in the Kingdom of Christ will have three aspects. We will be:

Politics - who will reign with Christ?

(2) Kings

(3) Priests

Judges

Rev 20:4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge…They … reigned with Christ a thousand years.

We will judge the world & angels:

Heb 2:5 It is not to angels that he has subjected the world to come, about which we are speaking. 6 But there is a place where someone has testified: “What is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? 7 You made him a little a lower than the angels; you crowned him with glory and honor 8 and put everything under his feet.”

In speaking of Church discipline, Paul writes:

1 Cor 6:2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3 Do you not know that we will judge angels? …

(1) Judges

We will reign with Christ.

2 Tim 2:11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him.

We are explicitly told that we will reign ‘on the earth’.

Rev 5:10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.”

Luke 19:17 ”‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied. ‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.’

We will reign for 1000 years.

Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

(2) Kings

A priest intercedes to God on behalf of the people.

The earth will be repopulated and these people will still need spiritual guidance.

Rev 1:5 … To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, 6 and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ…

Rev 5:10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God…

(3) Priests

In this study we’ll look now at the moral progression (or regression) in the ages from a Gentile perspective:

The ‘Pagan era’ and culture.

The impact of Christianity in the ‘post-pagan’ era. (Not surprisingly this led to the rise of views like Postmillennialism where it was believed that the progress would continue until the whole world was converted before Jesus returned.)

How despite the moral advancement brought by Christianity, we are reverting to ‘neo-pagan’ values and to what some are now calling a ‘post-Christian’ era.

How eventually in the Millennial age, Jesus will institute true justice and establish a golden age of peace.

As the morality of a society can be measured by how it treats the weak and vulnerable, consider in these sample pictures the treatment of children in the ages.

Paganism

Post-pagan

Millennium

Neo-Paganism

Excerpts from “OUR CHRISTIAN HERITAGE” - by Dr. Peter Hammond

On one of my overseas ministry trips an in-flight documentary caught my attention. Some anthropologist was waxing eloquent about the “incredibly advanced Mayan civilization” of Central America in the 15th Century. They didn't have a written language, but they were “incredibly advanced.” These Mayans built spectacular pyramid like temples - all without the wheel! Of course they did use slave labour to move all those massive stones, but the slaves were captured from neighbouring tribes! Unfortunately, these impressive temples were used for human sacrifices. The human sacrifices were necessary to make the Sun rise each day!

None of this seems to have dampened the enthusiasm of this anthropologist as he eagerly described the “amazing”, “complex” and “intricate” Mayan civilization. They had a “fascinating” sport which was a cross between our basketball and football, although you could only use your shoulder to score “a goal.” Unfortunately the losing team were all put to death! And so it carried on. I could only wonder at what mental and ethical gymnastics this anthropologist and film presenter could do in order to praise the “incredibly advanced Mayan Civilization” which had not yet discovered the wheel, did not have a written language, used slave labour, engaged in human sacrifice and routinely executed the losing sports teams!

Christianity’s impact on pagan culture

The Aztec Empire in Mexico and the Inca Empire in Peru engaged in slavery, ritual rapes and mass sacrifice. Slaves were marched up the stairs of the pyramid-type Inca temples in the Aztec Empire. At the top a priest would rip out their beating hearts – one by one.*

* “OUR CHRISTIAN HERITAGE” - by Dr. Peter Hammond. Dr. Peter Hammond is the Founder and Director of Frontline Fellowship, the Founder and Chairman of Africa Christian Action, and the author of several books. Over the last 21 years, Dr. Hammond has been dedicated to assisting persecuted Christians and to working for reformation and revival in Africa. He is Postmillennial and Calvinist in his theology.

Christianity’s impact on pagan culture

When missionaries went to nineteenth century China, they discovered that baby girls were routinely disposed of by being put out as food for wild dogs and wolves. “Baby towers” were common, where unwanted babies were left out to die of exposure and starvation, or to be eaten alive by birds of prey. Some towns had “baby ponds” where unfortunate infants were thrown. Tragically this pagan practice of infanticide has made a comeback under Communism. In Red China every family is restricted to one child. Abortions have been forced upon women when they conceive any more children beyond their quota of one. China also has had a record number of stillbirths. Often baby girls have been drowned in a bucket of water or strangled at birth by parents who would prefer to have a son. *

Child sacrifice was common amongst the pagan religions. Fertility cults such as those who worshipped Baal and Asherah, the Ammonites who worshipped Molech and the Phoenicians who worshipped Kronos all practised child sacrifice.*

* Ibid

Christianity’s impact on pagan culture

During a recent visit to a museum I saw a similar display of reverence for paganism. Part of the exhibit included the cover of an old Time magazine cover “Lost Tribes – Lost Knowledge”. The cover picture was of a primitive tribesman from Papua New Guinea with a bone through his nose. The sub title read: “Treasure troves of scientific knowledge are being lost by tribes going extinct.” *

I wondered what scientific knowledge would be possessed by tribes without a written language, but closer examination revealed that these tribes were “going extinct” because of the work of Christian missionaries! As these tribes are evangelized and come to Christ they abandoned their old tribal religions of head hunting, cannibalism, spirit worship and polygamy. *

To the “scientist” the tribes were “going extinct” because they no longer walked around naked and no longer engaged in body scarification, tattooing and body piercing! Now they wore clothes and glasses, went to the doctor instead of the witchdoctor, had schools, were learning to read, only married once and worshipped in Church! *

* Ibid

Christianity’s impact on pagan culture

Being somewhat ignorant of the science of anthropology I would have thought that ending inter-tribal warfare, cannibalism, polygamy and occultism was good. I would have also assumed that giving people the gift of literacy, medicines to improve their health and extend life expectancy, improving people's sight with glasses and bringing them the life transforming Gospel of Jesus Christ was all preferable to allow them to languish in superstition, ignorance and animistic fear. *

But NO! As National Geographic articles bemoaning the “cultural genocide” of New Tribes Mission, and other pioneer missions in the Amazon jungle, have pointed out, these missionaries are destroying “the cultural distinctives” of unique tribal cultures. *

Apparently, it is preferable to have illiteracy, polygamy, incessant tribal warfare, cannibalism, human sacrifices, slavery, high infant mortality and low life expectancies - not to mention people dying without the knowledge of Christ - just so that journalists and anthropologists can have the more interesting, and financially lucrative, photo ops of naked savages engaging in body scarification and the eating of their neighbours.*

* Ibid

Christianity’s impact on pagan culture

“Suttee” – the burning of widows on the funeral pyre of their husbands – was common when missionary William Carey arrived in India. Yet with perseverance he succeeded in having that vile practice outlawed. It was the tireless work of Christian missionaries like Anna Bowden, Mary Slessor and Amy Carmichael which saved tens of thousands of abandoned children. They raised them in their own homes or orphanages.*

Christianity’s impact on pagan culture

William Carey (1761-1834)

Similarly, slavery was eradicated as a result of the tireless efforts of Christians such as William Wilberforce, David Livingstone and General Charles Gordon. Respect for life and liberty are a fruit of Christianity.*

* Ibid

William Wilberforce (1759 -1833)

The Christian Church has made more positive changes on earth than any other force or movement in history. Most of the languages of the world were first codified and put into writing by Christian missionaries. More schools and universities have been started by Christians than by any other group. The elevation of women (from the second class status they were assigned to by other religions) was a Christian achievement; as was the abolition of slavery, cannibalism, child sacrifice and widow burning. Those countries which enjoy the most civil liberties are generally those lands where the Gospel of Christ has penetrated the most.*

It is the secular humanists who have a heritage of oppression. The 44 secular or atheistic states have caused the deaths of over 160 million people in the 20th century alone. The abuses of human rights, atrocities and massacres in the Soviet Union, Nazi Germany, Red China, North Korea, Eastern Europe, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Angola, Mozambique and Cuba were the inevitable results of rejecting God's Law. Either men will be governed by God's Law or they will be ruled by tyrants.*

* Ibid

Christianity’s impact on pagan culture

Despite being a controversial figure, the influence of Christianity on the Emperor Constantine did result in many improvements in Roman law.

Gladiatorial games were ordered to be eliminated in 325. At these games, men had previously fought to the death and Christians were fed to the lions for the “amusement” of the people.

Crucifixion was abolished and replaced with the more humane and ‘quick’ hanging.

A prisoner was no longer to be kept in total darkness, but had to be given the outdoors and daylight.

Christianity’s impact on pagan culture

For the first time, girls could not be abducted. This may actually refer to elopements, which were considered kidnapping because girls could not legally consent to the elopement.

Constantine rendered divorce more difficult. He made no changes where the divorce was agreed to by both parties, but imposed severe conditions when the demand for separation came from one side only. Our culture has made divorce easier.

A punishment of death was mandated to anyone collecting taxes over the authorized amount. I imagine that this sorted out the corruption issue with tax-collectors.

Sunday was declared a day of rest, on which markets were banned and public offices were closed (except for the purpose of freeing slaves). This is another change our culture has reversed.

Christianity’s impact on pagan culture

Constantine ‘the Great’

Julian ‘the Apostate’ lived in the 4th century and sought to undo much that Constantine had done, by again elevating paganism at the expense of Christianity. However even Julian grudgingly admitted a challenge because of the way Christians (whom he called Galileans) treated the poor: “These impious Galileans not only feed their own poor, but ours also; welcoming them into their agapae*, they attract them, as children are attracted, with cakes. Whilst the pagan priests neglect the poor, the hated Galileans devote themselves to works of charity, and by a display of false compassion have established and given effect to their pernicious errors. See their love-feasts, and their tables spread for the impoverished. Such practice is common among them, and causes a contempt for our gods.”

* Agapae - Love feasts; not only the love for God, but the love of Christians for each other as being members of a divinely inspired communion. The agapae were meetings for prayer, song, reading, exhortation, exchange of news, and ended with the brotherly kiss.

Christianity’s impact on pagan culture

Julian ‘the Apostate’ (331-363)

Before the advent of Christianity almost every culture practiced slavery and human sacrifice even the highly esteemed Greek and Roman civilizations. In the great Roman Empire, abortion was rampant and abandonment of unwanted babies was commonplace. In Ancient Rome, unwanted infants were (legally) abandoned outside the city walls to die of starvation or exposure or from wild animals.** Infanticide was not only legal, it was applauded. A father had the legal right to kill his children, to marry them to whomsoever he pleased, or to sell them as slaves. *

Promiscuity and immorality in the late Roman Empire resulted in widespread infanticide and abortion, as well as a slave trade in child prostitutes who were treated, in Justin Martyr’s words, “like herds of oxen, goats, or sheep.”

The Greek philosophers Plato, Aristotle and Socrates lived in, and accepted, a culture which practiced slavery and human sacrifice and glorified pedophilia (sexual abuse of children). And it was the persistent work of Christians which outlawed abortion, abandonment and infanticide, first in the Roman Empire, then throughout Europe and America. *

* “OUR CHRISTIAN HERITAGE” - by Dr. Peter Hammond

** Christians regarded exposure of children as equal to murder and often got possession of such abandoned foundlings and adopted them.

Christianity’s impact on pagan culture

Rather than advancing, in many ways we are now in a “post-Christian” era and returning to the evils of paganism. Just take abortion for an example, a moral evil that was once removed from Western civilization through Christian influence.

U.S. Abortion Deaths Compared to U.S. War Deaths - Each “ ” symbol represents 10,000 people (or fraction) killed.

Justice in our age

Total killed due to abortion since 1973 - 35,000,000 deaths (PG 1).

Total killed due to abortion since 1973 - 35,000,000 deaths (PG 2).

Total killed due to abortion since 1973 - 35,000,000 deaths (PG 3).

Those promoting abortion, euthanasia and pornography are not offering us progress, but only a return to pre-Christian paganism.*

You can watch all kinds of medical operations on TV now, but they won’t show you an abortion procedure. Look at these pictures and you’ll see why.

Then ask yourself:

Is our world improving?

Are we in a ‘Christian’ country?

Will we escape God’s judgment?

* “OUR CHRISTIAN HERITAGE” – by Dr. Peter Hammond

Justice in our age

In his famous ‘gangster-state’ analogy Augustine* wrote: “What is a state without justice, but a band of robbers!”

In the Millennium we will finally have true justice and a righteous government which protects the weak.

Isaiah 11:1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse… 3 and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; 4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked. 5 Righteousness will be his belt and faithfulness the sash around his waist.

Isa 42:1 “Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen one in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him and he will bring justice to the nations. 2 He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets. 3 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice; 4 he will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth. In his law the islands will put their hope.”

* Augustine of Hippo – ‘City of God’

A Just State

Justice & righteousness

Isa 32:1 See, a king will reign in righteousness and rulers will rule with justice… 5 No longer will the fool be called noble nor the scoundrel be highly respected.

Isa 65:22 No longer will they build houses and others live in them, or plant and others eat… 23 They will not toil in vain or bear children doomed to misfortune; for they will be a people blessed by the LORD, they and their descendants with them.

Jer 23:5 “The days are coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch, a King who will reign wisely and do what is just and right in the land.

Isaiah 9:7 … 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.

Jesus Christ will rule the nations with a ‘rod of iron’. This means a strong central rule which delivers prompt justice to nations and individuals who revolt against God.

Psalm 2:6 I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill… 9 You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.

No sin or rebellion will be allowed, because the Lord will withhold rain and send plagues on any who would rebel.

Zechariah 14:17 If any of the peoples of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, they will have no rain. 18 If the Egyptian people do not go up and take part, they will have no rain. The LORD will bring on them the plague he inflicts on the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. 19 This will be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.

A rod of iron

War in our age

For those (Postmillennialists & Secular Humanists) who still believe that man is continually improving (moral equivalent of evolution) note the following:

Although the world has never been free from the scourge of war, no period in all history has witnessed the escalation of wars as has the 20th century. The International Red Cross estimates that over 100 million people have been killed in wars since that century began. The century came to a close with a third of the world's 193 nations embroiled in conflict. In 1999 alone there were 65 armed conflicts!

Since World War 2, which was the second “war to end all wars”, there have been over 150 major wars (i.e. conflicts resulting in over 1,000 deaths per year), as well as hundreds of smaller conflicts, armed rebellions and revolutions. The death toll in armed conflicts since the end of World War 2 topped more than 23 million people before the end of the 20th century.

Peace in the Millennial age

Isaiah 9:6 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 … Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.

Zech 9:9 Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. 10 I will take away the chariots from Ephraim and the war-horses from Jerusalem, and the battle bow will be broken. He will proclaim peace to the nations. His rule will extend from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth.

Isa 14:7 All the lands are at rest and at peace; they break into singing.

Isa 55:12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace…

Isa 66:12 For this is what the LORD says: “I will extend peace to her like a river…”

The cessation of war through the unification of the kingdoms of the world, together with the resultant economic prosperity (since nations need not spend vast amounts on munitions), is a major theme of the prophets. National and individual peace is the fruit of Messiah’s reign.

Isaiah 2:4 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. (also Micah 4:4)

Ezek 37:26 I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant.

Weapons & war abolished

Hosea 2:18 Bow and sword and battle I will abolish from the land, so that all may lie down in safety.

This is certainly not a description of our present world!

Peace in the Millennial age

Safety in our age

INTERPOL DATA: Number of murders recorded per 100 000 of the population, 1998

Safety in our age

Number of robberies and violent thefts recorded per 100 000 of the population, 1998

Safety in our age

Number of serious assaults recorded per 100 000 of the population, 1998

Safety in our age

Number of burglaries recorded per 100 000 of the population, 1998

Millennial Safety

Ezek 34:27 They will know that I am the LORD, when I break the bars of their yoke and rescue them from the hands of those who enslaved them. 28 They will no longer be plundered by the nations, nor will wild animals devour them. They will live in safety, and no one will make them afraid.

Ezek 35:26 I will bless them and the places surrounding my hill … 27 … the people will be secure in their land…

Isa 60:18 No longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders…

Isa 54:10 Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you … 13 … great will be your children’s peace.

Isa 32:17 The fruit of righteousness will be peace; the effect of righteousness will be quietness and confidence forever. 18 My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.

Joy in our age

Major depression is the No.1 psychological disorder in the western world. It is growing in all age groups, in virtually every community, and the growth is seen mostly in the young, especially teens.

According to the World Health Organization, at the rate of increase, depression will be the second largest killer after heart disease by 2020.

Studies are increasingly linking illness to depression, including osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease, some forms of cancer, eye disease and back pain.

Up to 20% of people experience symptoms of depression.

There is 10 times more major depression in people born after 1945 than in those born before. This clearly shows that the root cause of most depression is not a chemical imbalance as human genes do not change that quickly.

Joy in our age

In the US, depression is occurring more frequently and at earlier ages than in years past, with the depression rate doubling every 20 years. According to a Harvard Medical Centre study the rate of childhood depression is increasing by 23% a year.

Suicide is the third leading cause of death in 15 to 24 year olds and the fourth leading cause of death in 10 to 14 year olds. (American Association of Suicidology, 1996)

Joy in the Millennial age

There will be joy and singing.

Isa 35:8 And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness… 9 But only the redeemed will walk there, 10 and the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Isa 55:12 You will go out in joy… the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

Isa 12:3 With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

Isa 61:2 …to comfort all who mourn, 3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

Isa 25:8 The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces…

Jer 30:18 This is what the LORD says: “I will restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents and have compassion on his dwellings; the city will be rebuilt on her ruins, and the palace will stand in its proper place. 19 From them will come songs of thanksgiving and the sound of rejoicing.”

Jer 31:4 … Again you will take up your tambourines and go out to dance with the joyful … 12 They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the LORD— the grain, the new wine and the oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more. 13 Then maidens will dance and be glad, young men and old as well. I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

Zeph 3:14 Sing, O Daughter of Zion; shout aloud, O Israel! Be glad and rejoice with all your heart, O Daughter of Jerusalem! 15 The LORD has taken away your punishment, he has turned back your enemy. The LORD, the King of Israel, is with you; never again will you fear any harm. 16 On that day they will say to Jerusalem, “Do not fear, O Zion; do not let your hands hang limp. 17 The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.”

Joy in the Millennial age

The King will personally comfort in that day.

Isa 49:13 Shout for joy, O heavens; rejoice, O earth; burst into song, O mountains! For the LORD comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones… 15 “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you! 16 See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands…”

Isa 12:1 In that day you will say: “I will praise you, O LORD. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.”

Isa 40:1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD’s hand double for all her sins.

Comfort in the Millennial age

Knowledge & instruction

The King will bring the subjects of his kingdom into full knowledge.

Isa 54:13 All your sons will be taught by the LORD…

Isaiah 11:1 A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. 2 The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD… 9 for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.

Isaiah 9:6 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 Wonderful Counselor…

Hunger in our age

The WHO (World Health Organization) estimates that about 4 million people a year die of starvation, or about 30 people every minute.

“Some 40,000 hunger-related deaths occur every day, mostly in rural regions,” according to World Bank vice president Ismail Serageldin.

It is estimated that one third of the world is well- fed, one third is under-fed, and one third is starving. More than 800 million people are chronically undernourished. (WHO)

Hunger in our age

Water shortages in parts of the world in the next 25 years will pose the single greatest threat to food production and human health. 1,3 billion people worldwide have no access to clean water. (World Bank)

The terrible irony is that the world can produce enough food to feed it's expanding population. While some famines are caused by drought or other natural disasters, most starvation in the world today could be avoided were it not for man's selfishness and inhumanity. War, embargoes, government corruption and economic oppression are all factors of the real problem.

While innocent children starve, some rich nations destroy millions of tons of food in order to keep prices artificially high.

Ecology: The curse removed

There will be a removal of the Curse upon the earth which began with Adam's fall. - “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you…” (Gen 3:17-18)

Romans 8:19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope; 21 because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.

Ecology: The curse removed

The Earth, and especially Eretz Israel (the Land of Israel) will become “like the Garden of Eden”.

Ezek 36:33 “This is what the Sovereign LORD says: On the day I cleanse you from all your sins, I will resettle your towns, and the ruins will be rebuilt. 34 The desolate land will be cultivated instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass through it. 35 They will say, ‘This land that was laid waste has become like the garden of Eden…’”

Zech 8:12 The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew.

Ecology: The curse removed

Isa 4:2 In that day the Branch of the LORD will be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the land will be the pride and glory of the survivors in Israel.

Ezek 34:29 I will provide for them a land renowned for its crops, and they will no longer be victims of famine in the land or bear the scorn of the nations.

Ezek 35:26 I will bless them and the places surrounding my hill. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing. 27 The trees of the field will yield their fruit and the ground will yield its crops…

Amos 9:11 “In that day I will restore David’s fallen tent … 13 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.”

Joel 3:17 Then you will know that I, the LORD your God, dwell in Zion, my holy hill. Jerusalem will be holy; never again will foreigners invade her. 18 In that day the mountains will drip new wine, and the hills will flow with milk; all the ravines of Judah will run with water. A fountain will flow out of the LORD’s house and will water the valley of acacias.

Ecology: The curse removed

The Desert will blossom.

Isa 35:1 The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, 2 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… 6 Water will gush forth in the wilderness and streams in the desert. 7 The burning sand will become a pool, the thirsty ground bubbling springs. In the haunts where jackals once lay, grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.

Isa 32:15 … till the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the desert becomes a fertile field, and the fertile field seems like a forest.

Isaiah 55:13 Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.

The period will not be characterized by idleness. Agriculture as well as construction will provide employment.

Isa 65:21 They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

Ezek. 48:18 Its produce will supply food for the workers of the city. 19 The workers from the city who farm it will come from all the tribes of Israel.

Labour in the Millennial age

Economic prosperity – The perfect labour situation will produce economic abundance, so that there will be no want.

Joel 2:22 … The trees are bearing their fruit; the fig tree and the vine yield their riches. 23 … He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before. 24 The threshing floors will be filled with grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil. 25 ‘I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten… 26 You will have plenty to eat, until you are full…

Isa 30:23 He will also send you rain for the seed you sow in the ground, and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful. In that day your cattle will graze in broad meadows. 24 The oxen and donkeys that work the soil will eat fodder and mash, spread out with fork and shovel.

Ezek 36:29 … I will call for the grain and make it plentiful and will not bring famine upon you. 30 I will increase the fruit of the trees and the crops of the field …

Economy of the Millennial age

Increase of light in the Millennial age

There will be an increase of solar and lunar light.

Isaiah 30:26 The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the LORD binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted.

Animal creation will be changed so as to lose its venom and ferocity. They will be friendly to one another and to humans.

Isaiah 11:6 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. 7 The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. 8 The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper’s nest. 9 They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain…

* Incidentally the “lion lying down with the lamb” symbolism is a misquote. It’s the wolf living with the lamb & the leopard lying down with the goat.

Zoology in the Millennial age

Zoology

Ezek 35:25 I will make a covenant of peace with them and rid the land of wild beasts so that they may live in the desert and sleep in the forests in safety.

Isa 65:25 “The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox, but dust will be the serpent’s food. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,” says the LORD.

For those in doubt as to whether or not we’re in the Millennium now, you can perform a simple experiment to test. Put a wolf & a lamb together and see what happens!

Health in our age

The rate of infectious diseases has increased 58% since 1980, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

At least 30 previously unknown diseases have appeared globally since 1973, including HIV-AIDS, Hepatitis-C, Ebola hemorrhagic fever and others.

20 well-known infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, and cholera have reemerged or spread since 1973, some appearing in “deadlier, drug-resistant forms”. Over 20 years ago the medical profession claimed victory over a wide array of bacterial and viral killers. But instead of fading, the cases of infectious diseases skyrocketed throughout the 90's. Doctors now warn that the current resurgence of drug- resistant bacteria strains could prove to be more deadly than AIDS. Drug-resistant strains of microbes are having a deadly impact on the fight against tuberculosis, malaria, diarrhea and pneumonia which together kill more than 10 million people worldwide each year.

Health in our age

AIDS is the fourth leading global cause of death, according to UNAIDS. At the end of 1999, 34.3 million adults and children worldwide were living with HIV/ AIDS.

By the turn of the century there were 16 countries in which more than one tenth of the adult population aged 15-49 were infected with HIV.

In Africa, AIDS now kills 2 million people a year. At least one of every two 15-year old boys in Kenya, South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana is on track to die of AIDS. Half of all babies in Africa are born infected with HIV.

In 1993 AIDS became the leading cause of death of US males between the ages of 20 and 45.

Aside from the above-mentioned plagues, there is, of course, cancer, which is considered non-infectious. Over 100 different kinds of cancer now kill over 6 million people every year.

Health in our age

A global view of HIV infection (Source: WHO/ UNAIDS)

39.4 million people [range: 35.9-44.3 million] living with HIV as of end 2004.

Health in the Millennial age

Sickness will not be a problem because “the sun of righteousness shall arise with healing in its wings” (Malachi 4:2).

The ministry of the King as a healer will be seen throughout the age, so that sickness will be removed.

Isa 35:5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped. 6 Then will the lame leap like a deer, and the mute tongue shout for joy.

Isa 29:18 In that day the deaf will hear the words of the scroll, and out of gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see.

Isa 33:24 No one living in Zion will say, “I am ill”; and the sins of those who dwell there will be forgiven.

Even stuttering and feeble-mindedness will be healed.

Isa 32:4 The mind of the rash will know and understand, and the stammering tongue will be fluent and clear.

Longevity will be restored to that experienced by the antediluvians (i.e. pre-Flood). A person 100 years old will be considered a child, since, presumably, a person could live throughout the entire 1000 years in the restored environment.

Isaiah 65:20 Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; he who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere youth; he who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed.

Isa 65:22 For as the days of a tree*, so will be the days of my people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the works of their hands.

* The oldest tree now living is a 4600+ year old bristlecone called ‘Methuselah’ in the White Mountains of California.

Methuselah

Longevity in the Millennial age

Those who go into the Millennium in their natural bodies will have children throughout the age. Without war, famine, disease and pestilence, in addition to the increased longevity, the earth’s population should explode.

Those born in this age will still have a sinful nature, so salvation will still be required.

Jer 31:29 “In those days people will no longer say, ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children’s teeth are set on edge.’ 30 Instead, everyone will die for his own sin; whoever eats sour grapes—his own teeth will be set on edge.

The Jewish population will boom.

Ezek 37:26 I will establish them and increase their numbers …

This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Once again I will yield to the plea of the house of Israel and do this for them: I will make their people as numerous as sheep, as numerous as the flocks for offerings at Jerusalem during her appointed feasts. So will the ruined cities be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am the LORD. (Ezekiel 36:32-38)

Population in the Millennial age

Jews will no longer be despised (Again contrast that with our present age).

Zech 8:23 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “In those days ten men from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the hem of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that God is with you.’”

This picture shows 4 men and a Jew in our age.

Israel restored

‘Brave’ Nazi soldiers brutalizing a Jew in Poland.

Zech 8:13 As you have been an object of cursing among the nations, O Judah and Israel, so will I save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.”

Israel restored

Behold the face of ‘moderate’ Islam

The Jews will return to Israel. The fulfillment of this has already started in our age, but at present still fewer than a third of the Jews in the world are in Israel.

Isa 14:1 The LORD will have compassion on Jacob; once again he will choose Israel and will settle them in their own land. Aliens will join them and unite with the house of Jacob. 2 Nations will take them and bring them to their own place. And the house of Israel will possess the nations as menservants and maidservants in the LORD’s land. They will make captives of their captors and rule over their oppressors.

Ezekiel 36:21 For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land.

Ezek 37:21 ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I will take the Israelites out of the nations where they have gone. I will gather them from all around and bring them back into their own land. 22 I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel.

Israel restored territorially

We know that 1/ 3 of Israel will enter the Millennium.

Zechariah 13:8 “In the whole land,” declares the LORD, “two-thirds will be struck down and perish; yet one-third will be left in it. 9 This third I will bring into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are my people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.’”

Israel restored

The full territory promised by God to Abraham will belong to Israel i.e. from the River Euphrates to the Nile.

Israel restored territorially

Geographical changes

The Mount of Olives will be split at Jesus Second Coming.

Zech 14:4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, and the Mount of Olives will be split in two from east to west, forming a great valley, with half of the mountain moving north and half moving south.

There will be a river stretching from the Mediterranean to the Dead Sea, flowing through Jerusalem.

Zech 14:8 On that day living water will flow out from Jerusalem, half to the eastern sea and half to the western sea, in summer and in winter.

Changes to the Red Sea & Euphrates River.

Isaiah 11:15 The LORD will dry up the gulf of the Egyptian sea; with a scorching wind he will sweep his hand over the Euphrates River. He will break it up into seven streams so that men can cross over in sandals. 16 There will be a highway for the remnant of his people that is left from Assyria, as there was for Israel when they came up from Egypt.

Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones shows that there will be a 2-phase restoration of Israel. Initially the bones assemble but have no life:

And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them. (Ezekiel 37:7-8)

God commands Ezekiel to prophesy again and then:

So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet—a vast army. (Ezek 37:10)

The 2 phases are land restoration (we have seen the start of this):

… I will bring you back to the land of Israel. (Ezek 37:12)

And then spiritual restoration:

I will put my Spirit in you and you will live… (Ezek 37:14)

Israel restored spiritually

The Jews will recognize Jesus as the Messiah and repent over their previous rejection of Him:

And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. On that day the weeping in Jerusalem will be great, like the weeping of Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. (Zechariah 12:10-11)

You will live in the land I gave your forefathers; you will be my people, and I will be your God. I will save you from all your uncleanness … Then you will remember your evil ways and wicked deeds, and you will loathe yourselves for your sins and detestable practices. (Ezekiel 36:28-31)

Israel restored spiritually

Israel’s relationship with God will be restored.

Jer 31:1 “At that time,” declares the LORD, “I will be the God of all the clans of Israel, and they will be my people.” 2 This is what the LORD says: “The people who survive the sword will find favor in the desert; I will come to give rest to Israel.” 3 The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness. 4 I will build you up again and you will be rebuilt, O Virgin Israel.

Ezekiel 36:23 … I will save them from all their sinful backsliding, and I will cleanse them. They will be my people, and I will be their God.

Isa 12:1 In that day you will say: “I will praise you, O LORD. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me.

Isa 65:24 Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear.

Israel restored

Jer 31:31 “The time is coming,” declares the LORD, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. 32 It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them,” declares the LORD. 33 “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. 34 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.”

Israel restored spiritually

Jerusalem will rise to become the capital of the Earth.

Zech 14:10 … But Jerusalem will be raised up and remain in its place, from the Benjamin Gate to the site of the First Gate, to the Corner Gate, and from the Tower of Hananel to the royal winepresses. 11 It will be inhabited; never again will it be destroyed. Jerusalem will be secure.

Jerusalem

Isa 65:18 But be glad and rejoice forever in what I will create, for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight and its people a joy. 19 I will rejoice over Jerusalem and take delight in my people; the sound of weeping and of crying will be heard in it no more.

Jer 33:9 Then this city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honor before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.’

There will be no spiritual deception. Satan’s activity in the world will cease after he is bound and thus unable to deceive the world’s inhabitants.

Zech 14:9 … On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name.

Isaiah 11:10 In that day the Root of Jesse will stand as a banner for the peoples; the nations will rally to him, and his place of rest will be glorious.

Worship and Belief

Jerusalem will be the centre of worship.

Zech 14:16 Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles.

Worship and Belief

Once again there will be a temple in Jerusalem, instead of a mosque to the false moon god Allah.

Ezek 37:26 … I will put my sanctuary among them forever. 27 My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people. 28 Then the nations will know that I the LORD make Israel holy, when my sanctuary is among them forever.’”

All nations will send representatives to Jerusalem to worship.

Zech 8:20 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “Many peoples and the inhabitants of many cities will yet come, 21 and the inhabitants of one city will go to another and say, ‘Let us go at once to entreat the LORD and seek the LORD Almighty. I myself am going.’ 22 And many peoples and powerful nations will come to Jerusalem to seek the LORD Almighty and to entreat him.”

Isaiah 2:2 In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. 3 Many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up 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 from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (also Micah 4:2-3)

Worship and Belief

Egypt and Assyria will enjoy favoured-nation status.

Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria the workmanship of my hands, and Israel my heritage (Isaiah 19:25).

Isaiah 19:23-25 speaks of the rebuilding of the old ‘King's Highway’ from Egypt to Assyria (Iraq) and of Israel at this time,

Egypt & Iraq regain favour

Covenants fulfilled

Multiple covenants see their fulfillment in the Millennium:

Abrahamic Covenant – Israel finally receive all the land promised.

Davidic Covenant – God’s promise concerning David that “I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” will be fulfilled in Jesus’ (the ‘Son of David’) rule.

The New Covenant – the promise “if we endure, we will also reign with him” will be fulfilled.

Multiple covenants see their fulfillment in the Millennium:

Abrahamic Covenant – Israel finally receive all the land promised.

Davidic Covenant – God’s promise concerning David that “I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever” will be fulfilled in Jesus’ (the ‘Son of David’) rule.

The New Covenant – the promise “if we endure, we will also reign with him” will be fulfilled.

Covenants fulfilled

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