The establishment of the Millennial Kingdom marks the fulfillment of God’s promise of a righteous reign on earth. This period begins immediately after the Second Coming of Christ, when Jesus returns to defeat the Antichrist and his forces at the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 19:11-21). Christ will then establish His kingdom on earth, fulfilling the prophecy in Daniel 2:44, which speaks of a kingdom that will never be destroyed. Nevertheless, there will be a rebellion to Christ’s reign and we will review how and why that final rebellion occurs.
Word Count: 1379 / Time to read: 7 minutes
The King and His Authority
Jesus Christ Himself will be the King during the Millennial Kingdom. He will reign from Jerusalem, the city of the great King (Matthew 5:35). This period is characterized by Christ’s righteous and just rule, as prophesied in Isaiah 9:6-7: “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, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness 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.”
Christ will rule with a rod of iron, ensuring that all rebellion and disobedience are swiftly judged (Revelation 19:15; Psalm 2:9). His authority will be absolute, and His judgment will be fair and just.
Citizens of the Millennial Kingdom
The human citizens of the Millennial Kingdom will include those who have survived the Tribulation and have placed their faith in Christ. These individuals will enter the kingdom in their natural bodies and will continue to live, marry, and have children. Scripture references that support this include:
- 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; the one who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere child; the one who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed.”
- Zechariah 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 Festival of Tabernacles.”
Role of Resurrected Saints
While the exact interaction between resurrected saints and the human inhabitants of the Millennial Kingdom is not explicitly detailed in Scripture, the transfiguration provides a glimpse of how both groups may coexist yet remain distinct. At the transfiguration, Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus, and the disciples were able to witness this event (Matthew 17:1-3). This suggests that resurrected saints will have a presence in the kingdom, perhaps serving in various roles of governance and ministry, but will remain separate from the natural human experience.
Life in the Millennial Kingdom
The Millennial Kingdom will be a time of unparalleled peace, prosperity, and righteousness. The curse on creation will be lifted, resulting in a bountiful and fruitful earth (Isaiah 11:6-9; Isaiah 65:20-25). Life expectancy will increase dramatically, with death being a rare occurrence. Christ’s rule will be characterized by justice and righteousness, and all inhabitants will be required to comply with His authority. Any rebellion or disobedience will be met with swift judgment, as indicated in Isaiah 11:4, “He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.”
Quotes from Scholars:
- Charles Ryrie: “The millennium will be a time of unparalleled blessing, righteousness, and peace under the reign of Christ. The earth will be fruitful, and human life will be extended.”
- John Walvoord: “The millennial kingdom will be a fulfillment of the covenant promises to Israel and will showcase God’s faithfulness and righteousness in the administration of His kingdom on earth.”
The Population Boom
Given the ideal conditions and extended lifespans, the population of the earth will grow significantly during the Millennial Kingdom. With people living much longer and maintaining their fertility, it is reasonable to estimate a substantial population increase over the 1,000-year period. Scholarly estimates suggest that the population could reach billions, considering the exponential growth possible in a near-perfect environment.
The Sinful Nature of New Generations
Despite the righteous rule of Christ, all children born during the Millennial Kingdom will inherit a sinful nature. Just as every human being since Adam has been born with original sin (Romans 5:12), so too will the new generations during the Millennial reign. While outward compliance with Christ’s rule will be required, inwardly many will harbor rebellious attitudes and sinful desires.
Quotes from Scholars:
- Arnold Fruchtenbaum: “The children born during the Millennium will have a sinful nature and will need to exercise personal faith in Christ for salvation, just as every human being has since Adam’s fall.”
Satan’s Release and the Final Rebellion
At the end of the 1,000 years, Satan will be released from his prison (Revelation 20:7). He will go out to deceive the nations, gathering a vast multitude for one final rebellion against Christ’s rule (Revelation 20:8-9). This rebellion will be composed primarily of those born during the Millennial Kingdom who have not genuinely submitted to Christ.
The number of those who join Satan in this final rebellion will be “like the sand on the seashore” (Revelation 20:8), indicating a significant number of individuals despite the perfect conditions and just rule they have lived under.
The Failure of the Rebellion
The rebellion will be short-lived. As the deceived masses surround the camp of God’s people and the beloved city, fire will come down from heaven and devour them (Revelation 20:9). This final act of rebellion will be crushed by God’s immediate and decisive judgment.
The Destruction of the Heavens and Earth and the Great White Throne Judgment
Following the final rebellion, the present heavens and earth will be destroyed. Peter describes this event in 2 Peter 3:10: “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.”
Then comes the Great White Throne Judgment, where all the dead who have not been part of the first resurrection will be judged according to their deeds (Revelation 20:11-15). Anyone whose name is not found written in the book of life will be thrown into the lake of fire, which is the second death (Revelation 20:15).
In conclusion, the Millennial Kingdom will be a time of righteous rule, peace, and prosperity under Christ’s reign. However, the inherent sinful nature of humanity will lead to a final rebellion at the end of the 1,000 years, which will be decisively crushed by God. The destruction of the present heavens and earth will follow, culminating in the final judgment at the Great White Throne, leading to the creation of a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells (Revelation 21:1-4). This glorious future should encourage believers to live faithfully, anticipating the fulfillment of God’s perfect plan.
Relevant Scripture References:
- Establishment of the Millennial Kingdom:
- Revelation 19:11-21
- Daniel 2:44
- The King and His Authority:
- Matthew 5:35
- Isaiah 9:6-7
- Revelation 19:15
- Psalm 2:9
- Citizens of the Millennial Kingdom:
- Isaiah 65:20
- Zechariah 14:16
- Life in the Millennial Kingdom:
- Isaiah 11:6-9
- Isaiah 65:20-25
- Isaiah 11:4
- The Sinful Nature of New Generations:
- Romans 5:12
- Satan’s Release and the Final Rebellion:
- Revelation 20:7-9
- The Destruction of the Heavens and Earth and the Great White Throne Judgment:
- 2 Peter 3:10
- Revelation 20:11-15
- Revelation 21:1-4
“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—and 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.”
Revelation 10:7-9
All Scripture quoted from:
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
