Life in the Millennial Kingdom When Jesus Reigns

By Ron Jones ©Titus Institute 2009


Sincere and intelligent Christians disagree on the existence of a literal thousand-year role of Israel in them. This outline reflects what I believe best represents the Biblical evidence.

The millennial kingdom refers to the 1000 year reign of Jesus Christ on the earth referred to in Rev.20:1-7.

In Rev.20: 4 it says that Christ reigns a thousand years on earth.

In Zech.14:8-20 it says that the Lord Jesus will rule the whole earth from Jerusalem.

In Isa.9:6-7 it says that messiah will come and reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom (Israel) with peace, justice, and righteousness.

In these passages, we have Jesus reigning on the earth. Revelation it gives the time period of his reign. Zechariah and Isaiah give some characteristics of his reign as well as a general statement that his rule will continue forever.

Many OT prophesies talk about the time of Christ’s reign on this earth or this period of Israel’s blessing. These prophecies give us much information about this time.

It also reinforces that there will be a literal thousand year period. Without this period, these prophecies cannot be fulfilled.

I. What does the Bible say about Jesus Christ reigning as the millennial king?

A. It was prophesied in the OT that the messiah would reign over his people Israel on the earth (Zech.14).

The nation of Israel knew this. When the Jewish disciples embraced Christ at his first coming, they wanted to know when he would set up his earthly kingdom.

In Acts 1:6, just before Jesus ascended into heaven, the disciples asked, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

When the disciples asked this question, they reflected the belief by Israel that messiah would restore Israel to prominence and bring a physical earthly kingdom with Jerusalem as its center.

B. It was prophesied in the OT that the messiah’s rule would have specific characteristics.

1. The birth of the millennial king v. 6
V.6 “For a child is born to us, and a son is given to us…”

A child, a humble innocent little child will be born to the nation of Israel (“to us”) and will grow up to deliver the Israelites from bondage. The messiah is not, at first, going to come as an adult in battle array with a mighty army to throw off the yoke of Israel's armies. This is his first coming.

Later, he would come in battle array. This is his second coming.
Dan. 7:13-14
Rev. 19:11-16

2. The responsibility of the millennial king v.6
V. 6 "And the government will be on his shoulders..."

This child, this son will have authority and power to rule on this earth. “Government” refers to what he rules, the government of Israel. He will bear the responsibility and burden of ruling on His shoulders - He will be a king.

3. The character of the millennial king v.6
V. 6 "And His name will be called..."

"Name" in Scripture indicates the character, essence or nature of a person or object.

The kind of king he will be is dependent on the kind of person he is so Isaiah gives four characteristics:

1. v. 6 “Wonderful Counselor” – a king with great wisdom
2. v. 6 “Mighty God” – a king with divine power
3. v. 6 “Everlasting Father” – a king who acts like a father to his people
4. v.6 “Prince of Peace” – a king who brings peace

C. The length of His millennial reign v. 6-7
V. 7 “The increase of his government and of peace will have no end…”

The messiah's reign will be perpetual and progressive. His sovereign rule will increase to include all of creation and will go on into all eternity - so that there will never be a place where His rule does not extend nor a time that His rule ends.

Zech.14:9 “The LORD will be king over the whole earth. On that day, there will be one LORD, and his name the only name.”

V. 7 "On the throne of David and over his kingdom"

The messiah will reign on David’s throne and over David’s kingdom Israel.

Mat.21:9 Matthew records they also said, “Hosanna to the Son of David!”

v. 8 “to bring order to it and to establish it with righteousness and with justice.”

His kingdom will have peace because it is founded with justice and righteousness. Crime and sin will be checked and punished in the millennium. All the inequalities of the present system in society will be removed. There will be no more injustice.

Isa 2:2-4

V. 7 "From then on and forevermore"

It will never end only get better in the new heavens and the new earth.

How will we know all this is going to happen?

V. 7 "The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this."

Because God's zeal for His honor will accomplish it. God's zeal is His desire to see that He is honored in all things and that all His purposes are accomplished. That zeal no one can stop and that zeal will bring all this to pass!

II. What will life in the millennial kingdom be like?

Jesus Christ reigns on the earth and all the glorified believers mediate his rule throughout the earth probably acting as civil and criminal magistrates and judges and spiritual guides and leaders. Satan and his demons are bound for the thousand years. Because of all this righteousness and truth reign on the earth.
Rev.20:1-4

During this period of time, Israel will be the center nation of the world, both spiritually and politically. The promises that God had given Abraham concerning his physical descendents will be fulfilled. This is the whole reason that a millennium takes place. God promised Abraham that his descendents would be a great nation and would receive the land of Israel and all the families of the earth would be blessed through his descendents. All these promises are fulfilled in this millennial kingdom.

A. Israel will inhabit the land promised them and will be a great nation

Mic.2:12-13
Jer.23:5-6
Isa.61:1-62: 12
Isa.65:17-24
Gen.48: 4
Jer.31:1-40
Ezek.36:24-38

B. Israel will be the center of worship of the Lord.

There will be only one religion on earth, the knowledge of the LORD.
Zech. 14:16-21

C. There will be peace and harmony in the animal kingdom.
Isa. 11:6-9
Isa. 65:25

D. There will be peace and harmony in the physical earth
Isa. 51:3
Isa. 35:6-7, 32:15, 35:1
Amos 9:13

E. There will be peace and harmony among the nations.
Isa. 2: 1-4
Isa. 14:3-7

This will create an incredible economic prosperity as the earth produces food in abundance for all people.

National and individual peace is the result of Jesus’ reign as the Prince of Peace

Christ’s kingdom in this form will last for one thousand years.