Coming Soon: The Magnificent Millennium

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The fact that a large portion of Bible prophecy describes the Millennium proves it is extremely important to God. And the more you understand it, the more important it will be to you

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The time known as "the Millennium" is described in a great many scriptures, but, interestingly, the word millennium is not in the Bible. What does it mean?

Millennium is derived from two Latin words: mille, meaning "thousand," and annum, meaning "year." Millennium simply means 1,000 years. A specific thousand-year period definitely is in the Bible.

"The Millennium" (with the M typically capitalized) refers to the future thousand-year reign on earth of Jesus Christ commencing with His second coming.

Because the word millennium is so often associated with the utopian conditions prophesied to exist in the future 1,000-year period, the adjective form, "millennial." has come to refer to not just the wonderful age to come but any beautiful and inspiring setting that seems ideal, idyllic or Edenic (i.e., harkening back to the Garden of Eden).

A world restored to Eden-like conditions

In a short but powerful sermon, the apostle Peter referred to the time after Christ's return as "times of refreshing" and as "the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began" (Acts 3:18-21 [18] But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled.
[19] Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
[20] And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
[21] Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

See All..., emphasis added throughout).

Ever since Satan the devil appeared in the Garden of Eden as the wily serpent and enticed Adam and Eve to sin, he has been corrupting everything! Today, Romans 8:22For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
See All... tells us that "the whole creation groans"!

One of the most important things Bible prophecy reveals about the Millennium is that during this time there will be a massive restoration project to bring the world back to Eden-like conditions. Paradise lost will become paradise restored! It will end up being far better than all the secular ideas of utopia that man has dreamed up!

Notice what Bible prophecy tells us about this time: "For the Lord will comfort Zion [that is, Jerusalem, representing all Israel], He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord; joy and gladness will be found in it, thanksgiving and the voice of melody" (Isaiah 51:3For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.
See All...).

And: "Thus says the Lord God: 'On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will also enable you to dwell in the cities, and the ruins shall be rebuilt. The desolate land shall be tilled instead of lying desolate in the sight of all who pass by. So they will say, "This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden; and the wasted, desolate, and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited."

"'Then the nations which are left all around you shall know that I, the Lord, have rebuilt the ruined places and planted what was desolate. I, the Lord, have spoken it, and I will do it'" (Ezekiel 36:33-36 [33] Thus saith the Lord GOD; In the day that I shall have cleansed you from all your iniquities I will also cause you to dwell in the cities, and the wastes shall be builded.
[34] And the desolate land shall be tilled, whereas it lay desolate in the sight of all that passed by.
[35] And they shall say, This land that was desolate is become like the garden of Eden; and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are become fenced, and are inhabited.
[36] Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the LORD build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it.

See All...). What a breathtaking scene!

The literal thousand-year reign of Christ

Revelation 19:11-16 [11] And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.
[12] His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.
[13] And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
[14] And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.
[15] And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
[16] And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

See All... describes how Jesus Christ will return as "king of kings and lord of lords" to establish His reign on the earth. He will also crush the mighty armies that oppose Him (verses 17-21).

When Jesus appeared on earth the first time, most people did not recognize that He was the Messiah because they were expecting a conquering king who would deliver them from Roman rule. Today it's the opposite. People are now used to the image of a suffering Savior and are not really expecting Him to return and reign over the world. But He absolutely promised that He will return— as a conquering King to rule all nations!

Revelation 20 then describes what happens next: Christ banishes the forces of evil—Satan and his demon minions—the primary instigators behind the world's wickedness. Christ will send an angel to bind Satan and lock him away for this thousand-year period (Revelation 20:1-3 [1] And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
[2] And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
[3] And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

See All...).

Why is this such an urgent priority? God's Word tells us that today "the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one" (1 John 5:19And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
See All...). It is Satan who, ever since the time of Adam and Eve, powerfully "deceives the whole world" (Revelation 12:9And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
See All...).

The all-pervasive, unseen influence of Satan is the number one reason why "human nature" is so bad. Our minds can be compared to computers that have been infected with a destructive virus. After the source of the virus—Satan—is removed, minds can be cleansed from the lingering effects and then reprogrammed with godly education and God's Holy Spirit!

God's servants resurrected to serve alongside Christ

The next thing John sees in vision in Revelation 20 is God's faithful servants who have been martyred but are now alive again! "And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years" (Revelation verse 4). Jesus earlier stated that these resurrected servants will be immortal (Luke 20:36Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.
See All...).

When Revelation 20:5But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
See All... says, "This is the first resurrection," it is referring back to verse 4. The word "first" implies that there will be more than one resurrection. And as verse 5 tells us, a second resurrection will be for "the rest of the dead" who "live again" after "the thousand years were finished." That is when they will have their opportunity for salvation.

Verse 6 provides crucial information about the first resurrection: "Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years."

The first resurrection is indeed the "better resurrection" (Hebrews 11:35Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:
See All...) because those in it are raised to glorified eternal life (1 Corinthians 15:50-54 [50] Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
[51] Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
[52] In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
[53] For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
[54] So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.

See All...). The second resurrection is a restoration to mortal life, so a person in the second resurrection could die "the second death" if he then refused to repent and obey Christ.

These three verses in Revelation 20 just cited—verses 4-6—give us some facts about the Millennium. All the other millennial prophecies throughout the Bible fill in the wonderful details!

Sad to say, countless people have chosen not to accept Revelation 20 as being literally true. Under Satan's influence, they have, through many interpretations, seen these verses as being merely symbolic.

But the wording of these verses is quite explicit, specific, detailed, sequential, logical and in harmony with the rest of the Bible. There is no justification for understanding them in any way except literally.

Whom will they be reigning over?

Jesus and those resurrected to immortality at His return will rule over all remaining human beings on earth who survive the devastating end-time wars and plagues leading up to that time. They will also rule over angels (1 Corinthians 6:2-3 [2] Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
[3] Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

See All...). And they will rule over generations of human beings to follow. Indeed, in this new world of peace and plenty, many, many others will be born throughout the Millennium.

God delights in children. He told Adam and Eve, "Be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:28And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
See All...). During the wonderful world of tomorrow, with its child-friendly conditions and attitudes, couples will be fruitful and people will multiply!

Regarding the Holy Land during the Millennium, God said: "I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, all of it; and the cities shall be inhabited and the ruins rebuilt. I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bear young" (Ezekiel 36:10-11 [10] And I will multiply men upon you, all the house of Israel, even all of it: and the cities shall be inhabited, and the wastes shall be builded:
[11] And I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bring fruit: and I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I am the LORD.

See All...). There will even be plenty of animals to enjoy!

In thinking about the Millennium, we need to consider both the perspective of the physical human beings alive then as well as the perspective of the resurrected and glorified saints, the servants of God from this age who will then be given eternal life as immortal spirit beings. Keep in mind that most of the millennial prophecies are describing ideal conditions for physical human beings, including earthly pleasures that sound extremely appealing.

But to be a glorified spirit member of the God family will be infinitely better than living as a human being! Even though it's difficult for us to imagine what it will be like to be a spirit being, we should have full faith that God has something much, much better in store for us when we're raised to existence on the divine level to be like Him! (1 John 3:2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
See All...).

And those who are physical human beings won't be missing out for long. They also will be given the opportunity to be raised to immortality.

The role of the glorified saints as kings and priests!

Long ago, God told the prophet Daniel that "the saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever" (Daniel 7:18But the saints of the most High shall take the kingdom, and possess the kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
See All...).

In Revelation 20:6Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
See All..., we saw that the resurrected saints will "be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years."

In Revelation 1:5-6 [5] And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
[6] And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

See All..., John's vision reveals that Christ is making the saints "kings and priests to His God and Father." That is why Jesus Christ is called "Lord of Lords and King of Kings" (Revelation 17:14These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.
See All...; 19:16). The resurrected saints will be the lords and kings who serve under Him!

Notice this millennial prophecy that reveals the teaching role of these spirit leaders when they visibly appear to people to teach them, warn them and remind them: "Your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it'" (Isaiah 30:20-21 [20] And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:
[21] And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

See All..., New International Version).

All this is important to understand because God's purpose for human beings is much greater than most people think. Even most Christians think the destiny of the saints is to be angels or something like that, but angels will not rule the world to come (Hebrews 2:5For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we speak.
See All...), whereas the saints will under Christ (verses 6-11). As already mentioned, the saints will be over the angels. Notice what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 6:3Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
See All..., cited above, "Do you not know that we shall judge angels?"

Angels will always be on a lower level than the family of God. When God calls us "My sons and daughters" (2 Corinthians 6:18And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
See All...), it is much more literal than what most people believe. Angels are not literal spirit-begotten children of God (Hebrews 1:5For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?
See All...), while true Christians are (Romans 8:16The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
See All...; 1 Peter 1:3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
See All...; 1 John 3:1-2 [1] Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
[2] Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

See All...; 5:1).

As soon as people repent and are baptized for the forgiveness of their sins and to receive God's Spirit (Acts 2:38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
See All...), "Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers" (Hebrews 2:11For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
See All..., New International Version). What an incredible honor! 

Reunited Israel will be a godly role model for the world

Many people are confused as to why so many prophecies emphasize Israel and Judah. Under the ancient kings David and Solomon, Israel was one nation composed of 12 tribes. After Solomon's death, the nation split into two nations, the "house of Israel" and the "house of Judah." Those who belonged to the house of Judah became known as Jews, while those of the house of Israel, carried into captivity by the Assyrian Empire, lost their identity and became known in history as "the lost 10 tribes."

Why did God bring the Israelites out of Egypt to be His "chosen" nation and "holy people"? One stated objective was for them to be a right example to the world, a role model to demonstrate the wonderful fruit of living life based on God's perfect laws (Deuteronomy 7:6-14 [6] For thou art an holy people unto the LORD thy God: the LORD thy God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself, above all people that are upon the face of the earth.
[7] The LORD did not set his love upon you, nor choose you, because ye were more in number than any people; for ye were the fewest of all people:
[8] But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.
[9] Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
[10] And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.
[11] Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, and the statutes, and the judgments, which I command thee this day, to do them.
[12] Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the LORD thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers:
[13] And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
[14] Thou shalt be blessed above all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle.

See All...). However, because of weak and sin-prone human nature, and because God did not give them the Holy Spirit, they didn't have the "heart" to consistently obey, and so they failed most of the time (Deuteronomy 5:29O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever!
See All...; 29:4).

During the very first part of the Millennium, Christ will give special attention to making the modern-day descendants of the Israelites His model nation, which will greatly help in the education and conversion of the rest of the world. 

Why will Israel succeed in becoming a model nation when it failed in the past? Because after thousands of years of trying to live apart from God's law, they will learn that it is the only way to true happiness and fulfillment. They will then turn to Jesus Christ who will be ruling the earth, and they will receive a "new heart." Carefully consider the following prophecy:

"For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries [where the Israelites have been in captivity as punishment from God], and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh [a soft, receptive heart]. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God" (Ezekiel 36:24-28 [24] For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.
[25] Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
[26] A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
[27] And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
[28] And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God.

See All...).

The "Holy Land" will finally live up to its name and be a truly holy land!

In Ezekiel's next chapter, we learn that God "will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king over them all; they shall no longer be two nations [Israel and Judah], nor shall they ever be divided into two kingdoms again" (Ezekiel 37:22And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all:
See All...).

Who will be the "one king" over the reunited Israel? It will be the resurrected King David (Ezekiel 37:24-25 [24] And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them.
[25] And they shall dwell in the land that I have given unto Jacob my servant, wherein your fathers have dwelt; and they shall dwell therein, even they, and their children, and their children's children for ever: and my servant David shall be their prince for ever.

See All...; 34:23-24).

Jesus also revealed who will reign over the 12 tribes: "Jesus said to [His disciples], 'Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel'" (Matthew 19:28And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
See All...).

Based on these passages, God will likely assign other top responsibilities to resurrected patriarchs, prophets, apostles and other righteous men and women who proved faithful as godly leaders.

Truth spreads throughout the earth

Jerusalem will be the capital of the world as well as a safe and delightful place! "Thus says the Lord: 'I will return to Zion, and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be called the City of Truth, the Mountain of the Lord of hosts, the Holy Mountain.' Thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Old men and old women shall again sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each one with his staff in his hand because of great age. The streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing'" (Zechariah 8:3-5 [3] Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called a city of truth; and the mountain of the LORD of hosts the holy mountain.
[4] Thus saith the LORD of hosts; There shall yet old men and old women dwell in the streets of Jerusalem, and every man with his staff in his hand for very age.
[5] And the streets of the city shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof.

See All...).

God further says of Jerusalem that "all nations shall flow to it" to learn and to worship. "Many people shall come and say, 'Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house [temple] of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.' For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem" (Isaiah 2:2-3 [2] And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
[3] And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

See All...).

When Jesus Christ teaches and enforces the way of peace, peace will break out everywhere! "He [Christ] shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore" (Isaiah 2:4And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
See All...).

Isaiah refers to Jesus as the "Prince of Peace" and then writes, "Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end" (Isaiah 9:6-7 [6] For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.
[7] Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

See All...).

Isaiah is known as "the messianic prophet" because his book is full of prophecies of the Messiah and the Millennium. It's interesting that Isaiah's name means "the Lord saves."

Peace and prosperity fill the land

Another biblical prophet, Micah, gives some of the same details Isaiah does (Micah 4:1-3 [1] But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the LORD shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it.
[2] And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
[3] And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.

See All...) and adds this: "But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid" (verse 4). This short verse is pregnant with meaning. It not only portrays peace and security but indicates the blessing of each family owning fertile, productive property.

It will be a marvelous time for farming, gardening and all kinds of outdoor activities: "I will make a covenant of peace with them, and cause wild beasts to cease from the land; and they will dwell safely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods.

"I will make them and the places all around My hill a blessing; and I will cause showers to come down in their season; there shall be showers of blessing. Then the trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase" (Ezekiel 34:25-27 [25] And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts to cease out of the land: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness, and sleep in the woods.
[26] And I will make them and the places round about my hill a blessing; and I will cause the shower to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.
[27] And the tree of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land, and shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them.

See All...).

Jesus Christ will not only change the nature of human beings; He also will change the nature of animals! No more will animals be predatory and dangerous: "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

"The cow and the bear shall graze; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play by the cobra's hole, and the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper's den" (Isaiah 11:6-8 [6] The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.
[7] And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
[8] And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.

See All...). Amazing!

This prophecy is both literal and figurative—peace in the natural realm serving to signify peaceful relations between peoples, as nations are often represented by animals in Scripture.

Indeed, the dramatically inspiring verse that follows shows the human focus here by explaining peace as the result of right knowledge: "They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea" (Isaiah 11:9They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
See All...). People will be unlearning their false ideas and learning the knowledge of God.

Preaching and teaching the truth to everyone will be greatly facilitated by the fact that all people will communicate in one "pure language" (Zephaniah 3:9For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.
See All...)!

"The truth shall make you free!"

Jesus said, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31-32 [31] Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
[32] And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

See All...). Once the people of the world understand and are living by God's laws, which James calls the "law of liberty," they will enjoy the greatest freedom that is possible for human beings (James 1:25But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
See All...; 2:12). The ultimate freedom, of course, will come when each person escapes all physical limitations by becoming spirit!

Imagine what the world will be like when everyone will be living by all of the Ten Commandments! It will be a world virtually free of most of the problems it suffers from today—including wars, violence, crimes, murder, adultery, broken homes, theft, dishonesty, dirty politics and oppressive governments! It will also be a world free of idolatry and pagan superstitions and traditions.

The Ten Commandments define how to love God and how to love people, as summed up in the two great commandments (Matthew 22:36-40 [36] Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
[37] Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
[38] This is the first and great commandment.
[39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
[40] On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

See All...).

During the Millennium, everyone will have the opportunity to become spiritually converted so God's laws can become internalized— written in their hearts!

Here is a concise summary of the New Covenant that will be offered to all people: "I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more" (Jeremiah 31:33-34 [33] But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
[34] And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

See All...; Hebrew 8:10-12).

Christ will offer all people freedom from ignorance and freedom from the guilt and penalty of their sins.

The Millennium—time of healing, health and happiness!

Isaiah 35 offers one of the most inspiring portraits of the Millennium. Following are portions of it.

"The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, even with joy and singing" (Isaiah 35:1-2 [1] The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose.
[2] It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the LORD, and the excellency of our God.

See All...).

"Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are fearful-hearted, 'Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God; He will come and save you.' Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the dumb sing" (verses 3-6).

Besides receiving miraculous healing, the people will be taught the principles of healthful living so sickness can be prevented. And the healing of physical illnesses here, while literal (as Christ demonstrated through the miracles of His first coming), also pictures an even more important healing that will come—the healing of humanity's spiritual problems.

"For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. The parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water" (verses 6-7).

"A highway shall be there, and a road, and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness . . . And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away" (verses 8-10). These prophecies, too, are meant literally as well as figuratively—portraying both physical and spiritual blessings.

Imagine that!

The people of the earth will be saying, "My cup runneth over" with blessings! (Psalm 23:5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
See All..., King James Version).

Looking forward with heartfelt passion, then, let us all pray as Christ instructed, "Your Kingdom come"!

May the Millennium come soon!  GN