Heaven Past Present and Future

                            Chapter 8

 

THE FIRST THOUSAND YEARS

After the gathering together with Christ and the transformation to new spiritual bodies we shall never leave the presence of Christ. Where Jesus goes we shall always go with Him. So the question arises what does the Lord do after the resurrection? More importantly what will we do with Him? Answers to these questions come from looking at what Christ will do later in prophecy.

Much prophecy is yet fulfilled concerning Christ and Israel. God promised David in covenant Christ would rule on his throne and come from his linage. Many in Israel stumbled over the first coming of Christ because they believed He was coming as a King to deliver the nation of Israel. The angel told Mary the child she conceived with the Holy Spirit from the Father would fulfill this promise. The disciples still had this promised covenant of God in mind as Jesus left to return to heaven.  At His ascension they wondered when He would restore the kingdom to Israel. 

1 Chronicles 17:10-14

10 and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also subdue all your enemies. "`I declare to you that the LORD will build a house for you: 11 When your days are over and you go to be with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He is the one who will build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. 13 I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will never take my love away from him, as I took it away from your predecessor. 14 I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne will be established forever.'" NIV

 

Luke 1:30-33

30 But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. 31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." NIV

 

 Acts 1:6-7

6 So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. NIV

Thus this promise of the Davidic Covenant is not to the Gentile believers of this age. Its fulfillment will take place in the future after the tribulation period. Jesus will come to restore the kingdom of Israel. He will deliver Israel from the hand of the Anti-Christ and will rule on the earth with a righteous government with Israel. Israel will be the dominant government and nation of the world.

So the question arises what will present believers do during this time Christ rules? Let us consider…

The First Thousand Years

The Apostle John describes our place in the plans of God during this coming kingdom.

Revelation 20:1-6

1 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time. 4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. 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. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 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. NIV

Six times in the 20^th chapter of Revelation the Apostle John tells the duration of Christ’s reign of the world. No mistake the period is a thousand years or what we often call “the millennium.” John speaks prophetically of a literal period.

History records how from just a few centuries after Christ was on the earth many began to question the literalness of this prophecy. A lack of understanding led to spiritualizing or allegorizing Scripture. The desire for world power, control and influence in religious matters led government churches to adopt these views. In this trend religious theories of A-millennial[1] and Post-millennial[2] interpretation have circulated from those early centuries after Christ’s departure. These spiritualize this teaching of John whereby the prophetic teachings of the millennium will be fulfilled in some other form.

There is no reason not to take this teaching of John literally. John states this period in prophecy as fact. In the study of the Scriptures and prophecy a literal view is the only interpretation that harmonizes completely all other inspired revelation from God. John shares details of the first thousand years of Christ’s Kingdom that will have no end.

While we are exhorted in Scripture to be loyal to our governments of men we are shown all worldly forms of rule will miserably fail. Daniel was shown in vision the gentile kingdoms of the world. Each representation pictured human fallacies due to the sinful nature of man. Daniel saw how Jesus would come and establish a kingdom that would replace these imperfect kingdoms of man.

Daniel 7:26-27

26 "`But the court will sit, and his power will be taken away and completely destroyed forever. 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.' NIV

In Revelation 20 the Apostle John makes an important observation about those who take part in the first resurrection to participate in this thousand-year kingdom on earth. They come to “life and reign with Christ for a thousand years.” They also “will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.” Those who have believed in Jesus Christ as Savoir will be brought back to life to serve with Him. The time of waiting and praying below the throne of God in the second heaven, as seen in Chapter 5 – A Room With Jesus, is over. Saints are now active again as they were on the earth previously. They serve as priests and reign with Him in His Kingdom. In glorified bodies we actively do God’s will as He commands.

The Lord Conquers to Rule and Reign the World Righteously

Our service of the Lord begins with this change in structure of world governments. The transfer of powers will be sudden. No representative or democratic vote will be taken by the nations of the world. At a time determined by the Father the Lord conquers. Note the description of this takeover given John.

Revelation 19:11-16

11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war.  12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. NIV

The Lord comes from heaven in what is called the battle of Armageddon. Of interest to present believers “the armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.” As the Lord comes to make war as redeemed believers we come with Him.

The battle will be quick and decisive. It is a battle of the Lord against the world ruled at this time by the Anti-Christ. This is not as many have taught a battle of nation against nation in a world war. The world is now united and on the verge of eliminating Israel from the face of the earth. John and Zechariah describe details of this battle.

 Revelation 19:17-21

17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun, who cried in a loud voice to all the birds flying in midair, "Come, gather together for the great supper of God, 18 so that you may eat the flesh of kings, generals, and mighty men, of horses and their riders, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, small and great." 19 Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth and their armies gathered together to make war against the rider on the horse and his army. 20 But the beast was captured, and with him the false prophet who had performed the miraculous signs on his behalf. With these signs he had deluded those who had received the mark of the beast and worshiped his image. The two of them were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur.  21 The rest of them were killed with the sword that came out of the mouth of the rider on the horse, and all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh. NIV

 

Zechariah 14:12-15

12 This is the plague with which the LORD will strike all the nations that fought against Jerusalem: Their flesh will rot while they are still standing on their feet, their eyes will rot in their sockets, and their tongues will rot in their mouths. 13 On that day men will be stricken by the LORD with great panic. Each man will seize the hand of another, and they will attack each other. 14 Judah too will fight at Jerusalem. The wealth of all the surrounding nations will be collected-great quantities of gold and silver and clothing. 15 A similar plague will strike the horses and mules, the camels and donkeys, and all the animals in those camps. NIV

 

Zechariah 14:1-9

1 A day of the LORD is coming when your plunder will be divided among you.

2 I will gather all the nations to Jerusalem to fight against it; the city will be captured, the houses ransacked, and the women raped. Half of the city will go into exile, but the rest of the people will not be taken from the city. 3 Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle. 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. 5 You will flee by my mountain valley, for it will extend to Azel. You will flee as you fled from the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD my God will come, and all the holy ones with him. 6 On that day there will be no light, no cold or frost. 7 It will be a unique day, without daytime or nighttime-a day known to the LORD. When evening comes, there will be light. 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. 9 The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day there will be one LORD, and his name the only name. NIV

As the world in delusion follows the Anti-Christ claim to be God’s Son, Israel is blamed for the earthly suffering of the Great Tribulation. All nations will come against Jerusalem. Israel will suffer a holocaust as never previously known. God has sealed by His Holy Spirit at least 144,000 as safe by seal of the Holy Spirit during this terrible judgment upon the earth. These while awaiting destruction east of the Mt. of Olives are delivered by the Lord. He comes with “the holy ones” and sets His feet on the Mt. of Olives creating an earthquake. This destroys the army of the Anti-Christ and creates a valley for which Israel to flee. The dust will be so thick the sun will not be able to shine. However it will be light due to the Light of the Lord in a “unique day” as Zechariah describes it.

I believe it is here Israel is saved accepting Jesus as Lord. Israel flees through this valley to meet their Messiah. As we stand behind our Lord we will watch and rejoice as Israel comes to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. As prophesied by the prophet Joel and taught by Jesus, after enduring the horrors of the tribulation they will call on the name of the Lord for salvation.

Jesus in Matthew 24 is answering two distinct questions. The questions were as noted in Matthew 24:3, “what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” NIV The “coming” in Matthew 24 relates to Israel and the end of the tribulation where Jesus comes to the earth. The “end of the age” refers to God’s completion of His purpose at the end of the thousand year kingdom of Christ’s rule and the establishment of the New Heaven the New Earth. Each has it’s own distinct “end.”

Jesus tells His disciples of signs and events that “ end”[3] these periods.  As Joel prophesied Jesus shares how those who survive to the end of the tribulation “will be saved.”  Finally after years of public denial Israel receives the blessing that was for all the peoples of the earth promised to Abraham. They are saved on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem. Mount Zion refers generally to the hills east of Jerusalem where the temple will be built. Once saved Israel will begin as a nation to fulfill the Davidic Covenant and rule the world in a government unlike any ever seen. They will preach the gospel of the kingdom until the next “end” that will come referring to “the end of the age” where God brings the New Heaven and New Earth at the completion of His purpose in redemption.

  Joel 2:30-32

30 I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 31 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. 32 And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved; for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the LORD has said, among the survivors whom the LORD calls. NIV

 

Matthew 24:9-14

9 "Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. NIV

As Israel meets and bows before their Savior the Lord will walk from the Mount of Olives to the millennial temple through the Eastern gate of the temple wall. This gate[4] is now closed today. As we walk behind our Lord watching Jews accept Christ as Savior we can understand why Zechariah calls this a “unique day.”

 

Ezekiel 43:1-5

1 Then the man brought me to the gate facing east, 2 and I saw the glory of the God of Israel coming from the east. His voice was like the roar of rushing waters, and the land was radiant with his glory. 3 The vision I saw was like the vision I had seen when he came to destroy the city and like the visions I had seen by the Kebar River, and I fell facedown. 4 The glory of the LORD entered the temple through the gate facing east. 5 Then the Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. NIV

Old Testament prophecy is replete with many references to this coming earthly kingdom. It purpose, dominion, character, nature, structure, purity and righteousness are aptly described. The frustration of earthly “politics” or ungodly dictatorships will be gone. No longer will unjust decisions of men be allowed to stand. Fruit of prosperity, spiritual power, truth, wisdom, knowledge, fear of the Lord, counsel, power, understanding, justice, righteousness and faithfulness will mark the decisions and judgments set forth.

 

 Isaiah 2:2

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. NIV

 

Isaiah 11:1-5

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-- 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. NIV

Faithful Servants Will Reign With Christ

Why does this army of saints come with the Lord to the earth if Israel is the ruling nation preaching the gospel of the kingdom? Scripture shares that the purpose will be to assist the Lord govern Israel and the world righteously with a Godly government of every activity, decision and purpose among the relationships of men.

Jesus reminded the apostles of this truth in sharing the reward He will give them in the new Kingdom. In His parables He taught the blessings received for good stewardship would be serving in oversight of cities. Paul reprimanded the church at Corinth in taking their disagreements to worldly courts. They did not understand in the Kingdom they will be the judges of the world.

Matthew 19:28

28 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. NIV

 

1 Corinthians 6:1-2

1 If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? 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? NIV

 

 Luke 19:17-19

17 "`Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. `Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.' 18 "The second came and said, `Sir, your mina has earned five more.' 19 "His master answered, `You take charge of five cities.' NIV

Children of God will reign with Christ as priests overseeing and judging the world. Logistically, Jesus cannot in His physical form judge every matter of decision in the world. The population of the world will greatly increase. With the sin nature of man still in the world disagreements will still occur. How can the Lord hear and decide every case? He will delegate the responsibilities of judging in a system of government. We become His priest to rule with Him according to the faithfulness in the matters of our lives.

Universal Peace Will Exist and be Enforced

War, turmoil, disagreement, conflict and carnage dominate the relationships of our worldly governments today. Studies by news agencies on what boosts ratings show people are drawn to this type of news. In this new kingdom of Jesus Christ the world will finally experience peace it has never enjoyed.

Micah 4:3

3 He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. 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. NIV

                         

 Isaiah 2:4

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. NIV

            The nations of the world will no longer have to defend borders, wealth, or citizens. These nations will no longer have armies. The false religions that incite most wars will be gone. Jesus will sit on His throne in Jerusalem as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The Saints as His priests will judge all disputes and settle the differences between nations. His chastening hand will enforce this world peace by recognition and worship of the Lord Almighty.

Zechariah 14:16-19

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. 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. NIV

Animal Kingdom Will Be At Peace

For this period there will be changes in the food chain. These changes enable all life to live in peace together.

Isaiah 11:6-9

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, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. NIV

Desert Will Blossom as a Beautiful Flower

The geographical changes of the river  Euphrates flowing down the Jordan River and the Dead Sea flowing to the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea change the whole region around Israel. This arid dry dessert of Israel will change into one of the most prosperous regions of the entire world. Israel will become the breadbasket of the world to feed the billions who will inhabit the earth.

Isaiah 35:1

1 The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, NIV

 

Amos 9:13

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. NIV

 

Zechariah 14:4,8

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.

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. NIV

 

Ezekiel 47:8-12

8 He said to me, "This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Sea. When it empties into the Sea, the water there becomes fresh. 9 Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. 10 Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds-like the fish of the Great Sea. 11  But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt. 12 Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing." NIV

People Will Live Longer

Under the blessing of the Lord the temporary fleshly body of those living in this age will live longer. People will still die and the body will still return to the dust of the ground. At one hundred one will still be considered young. The population of the world will greatly increase from the seven billion we have today. The wisdom, knowledge and understanding of the Lord will bring healing and improvements necessary to sustain a growing population.

Isaiah 65:20

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. NIV

Jesus Will Teach

                         

Jesus will teach principles and truth of God. Knowledge of the will and Word of God will enable the greatest degree of prosperity and the world has ever seen. The peoples of the earth are invited to go learn from Jesus as he teaches.

Micah 4:2

2 Many nations 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. NIV

 

  Isaiah 2:3

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. NIV

 

            Once saved Israel will evangelize the world preaching the gospel until the end of the age. Jesus spoke of this in Matthew 24.

 

Matthew 24:13-14

13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. NIV

Period Will End with Great Rebellion and Judgment of Lost

One would think the world would love this new Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Jesus will bring the ultimate promise of every politician and government that has ever spoken on the face of the earth. Every issue will be answered righteously. Health maximized, prosperity overflowing, food abundant, travel at leisure, free time for enjoyment and protection from Lucifer’s influence. The Kingdom will be a place dreams are made. It just could not get any better than it will be there.

Who would say no to such peace, prosperity and blessing? Sadly the nature of man resists such a Kingdom. The world grows tired of righteousness, tired of truth, tired of wisdom, tired of knowledge, - tired of all the blessing of a Holy Kingdom. While superficially we make the claim, our sinful nature really does not want to live in a world that fulfills the love commandments of God. Such love in relationships prevents us from fulfilling the desires of our flesh and the pride of self. Many Scriptures speak of this wicked nature of man’s deep resistance to that which in good.

Proverbs 29:10

10 Bloodthirsty men hate a man of integrity and seek to kill the upright. NIV

 

Proverbs 29:27

27 The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright. NIV

 

1 John 3:12

12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother's were righteous. NIV

Scripture records a great rebellion and its consequences. The rebellion is called the Battle of Gog and Magog. Satan released from his prison deceives and entices the nations. A number “like the sand of the seashore” marches against Jesus in Jerusalem. Their fate is ultimate destruction and final judgment before a great white throne in judgment by God the Father.. A book of life is opened that contains records of life. Those without Jesus Christ have no record there and are cast into the lake of fire.

  Revelation 20:7-15

7 When the thousand years are over, Satan will be released from his prison 8 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. 9 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. 10 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. 11 Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. 13 The sea gave up the dead that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and each person was judged according to what he had done. 14 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. 15 If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. NIV