Our Role in the Millennium

What is our part in the restoration of all things?

Every day we pray more earnestly, "Your Kingdom come!" We look forward to the time when Satan's rule will stop and Christ's rule will begin. When Christ returns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords (RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 19:16And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
See All...), we shall rule with Him as kings and priests (RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 1:6And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
See All...; 5:9-10; 20:6).

All of those who were called and chosen by the Father will rule with Christ at this time. The sufferings during this life will fade in memory as we shall be joint heirs with Him (Romans 8:16-18 [16] The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
[17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
[18] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

See All...). But what exactly will we be doing during this time? What is our role in the Millennium?

Kingdom Given to the Saints

We are told in Daniel 7:22Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the saints of the most High; and the time came that the saints possessed the kingdom.
See All..., 27 that when Christ returns, the Kingdom will be given to the saints. RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 3:21To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
See All... says that the saints will share Christ's throne. This includes having specific offices of authority and making judgments (RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 20:4And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
See All...; 1 Corinthians 6:2Do 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?
See All...). Jerusalem will become the capital of the earth (Jeremiah 3:17At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.
See All...), and God's government will spread from there.

Christ said that the saints will rule over cities (Luke 19:17-19 [17] And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.
[18] And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.
[19] And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five cities.

See All...). He specifically stated that DavidKing of Israel, killed the giant Goliath with a sling and stones, a man after God's own heart, only turned from God in the matter of Uriah the Hittite (1 Kings 15:5), had an affair with Bathsheba, Messiah would come from line of David, main author of Psalms and highly musical. will be king of Israel (Jeremiah 30:9But they shall serve the LORD their God, and DavidKing of Israel, killed the giant Goliath with a sling and stones, a man after God's own heart, only turned from God in the matter of Uriah the Hittite (1 Kings 15:5), had an affair with Bathsheba, Messiah would come from line of David, main author of Psalms and highly musical. their king, whom I will raise up unto them.
See All...), and the apostles will be over the individual tribes of Israel (Luke 22:29-30 [29] And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;
[30] That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

See All...). Christ will appoint the saints as rulers over the entire earth (RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 2:26-27 [26] And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
[27] And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

See All...; Psalm 149:5-9 [5] Let the saints be joyful in glory: let them sing aloud upon their beds.
[6] Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand;
[7] To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
[8] To bind their kings with chains, and their nobles with fetters of iron;
[9] To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.

See All...). Man's self-rule will cease, and there will no longer be human governments (Daniel 2:44And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
See All...; 7:27; RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 11:15And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
See All...).

The saints' joint rulership with Christ helps us understand our role in the Millennium. When we read the things that Christ will do in the Millennium, we can put our names with His! As Isaiah 32:1Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.
See All... says, "Behold, a king [Christ] will reign in righteousness, and princes [the saints] will rule with justice."

So let's look at events in the Millennium, and see what God has in store for us.

The Restoration of Israel

One of the first things Christ will do is bring Israel back from captivity. At this time Israel will be scattered all over the earth (Isaiah 11:11-12 [11] And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left, from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush, and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.
[12] And he shall set up an ensign for the nations, and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

See All...). In Jeremiah 16:14-16 [14] Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
[15] But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.
[16] Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.

See All... God says He will send for many "fishermen" and "hunters" to seek out and find all of His people and bring them back. Whether this is a literal reference to the saints gathering the Israelites or merely a metaphor, the saints will still play a large role in this gathering of Israel. How?

This second exodus is to dwarf the first exodus. Moses led perhaps 2 million Israelites from Egypt . The number in this second exodus will far exceed that number.

God says in Isaiah 6:11-13 [11] Then said I, Lord, how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate,
[12] And the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land.
[13] But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree, and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.

See All... and Amos 5:3For thus saith the Lord GOD; The city that went out by a thousand shall leave an hundred, and that which went forth by an hundred shall leave ten, to the house of Israel.
See All... that only a tenth of Israel will be left when Christ returns. A rough estimate of the population of the modern day Israelite nations is half a billion. A tenth of that is 50 million, which indeed dwarfs 2 million! No wonder people will no longer mention the first exodus (Jeremiah 16:14-15 [14] Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;
[15] But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.

See All...).

So who will lead these millions of people back to Jerusalem? Christ is to gather them, and who is reigning with Christ at this time? The saints! Perhaps we will help lead the Israelites back to their homeland. Being delivered from their captivity, they will be overwhelmed with emotion and will be eager to return to God (Jeremiah 31:7-9 [7] For thus saith the LORD; Sing with gladness for Jacob, and shout among the chief of the nations: publish ye, praise ye, and say, O LORD, save thy people, the remnant of Israel.
[8] Behold, I will bring them from the north country, and gather them from the coasts of the earth, and with them the blind and the lame, the woman with child and her that travaileth with child together: a great company shall return thither.
[9] They shall come with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them: I will cause them to walk by the rivers of waters in a straight way, wherein they shall not stumble: for I am a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.

See All...; 50:4-5).

Once the Israelites have been gathered, their education will begin. God will remove the spiritual blindness and give them His Holy Spirit, and they will be taught the way of peace (Isaiah 25:7And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations.
See All...; Ezekiel 36:24-27 [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.

See All...; Jeremiah 33:6Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth.
See All...).

The saints will be their teachers. As priests, we will teach knowledge (Malachi 2:7For the priest's lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth: for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts.
See All...). We will teach them the difference between right and wrong, between the clean and unclean (Ezekiel 44:23And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
See All...). Teaching will be a big part of our job in the Millennium.

Throughout our physical lives we have learned by experience that God's way works. We will pull from our well of experiences and knowledge of God to help these people. We will be there helping them one-on-one, encouraging them to do what is right (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...). God says that He will send shepherds to Israel to teach them according to His heart and feed them knowledge and understanding (Jeremiah 3:15And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
See All...). We will be those shepherds.

The Conversion of the Other Nations

Israel will become the model nation for the world. Throughout the first several decades of the Millennium, the other nations will begin to look up to Israel. They will see the blessings of living God's way and want to learn it themselves.

Zechariah 8:23Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.
See All... paints a vivid picture of these people: "In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, 'Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.'"

So where have these people heard about God? 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... tells us that the whole earth will have knowledge about God. That knowledge will come through the saints! We will be sent all over the earth teaching God's ways.

Some nations will not obey at first. Many will not trust Christ. After all, the False Prophet said he was God, and look at the corruption and devastation that followed! As kings, we will not "twist their arms" to force them into submission. Rather, they will reap the consequences of their choices.

God tells us that He will send drought and plagues to those who do not keep the Feast (Zechariah 14:16-19 [16] And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.
[17] And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain.
[18] And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
[19] This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.

See All...). The saints will teach the blessings for obeying God, and the curses for disobeying God. We will use the power entrusted to us to lead these people to God, not drag them.

Some will start obeying God only to save themselves. They will not want to be plagued! But as they start applying God's ways in their lives, they will begin to see the benefits of His ways. So instead of obeying because they "have to," they will learn to obey because they "want to." We will be there encouraging them along the way.

Dealing With Evil in the Millennium

As a whole, the nations will see the blessings of obeying God. However, evil will exist during the Millennium, especially during the early years. Although Satan will be removed, his ingrained influence will still be present, especially during the first few generations in the Millennium. So how is Christ—and His assistants, the saints—going to deal with evil?

It is important to note that although God's Holy Spirit will be available to all mankind, repentance is still a requirement to have it (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...). God will not give His Spirit to just anyone. Some will not want to repent. What will happen to them? How will we deal with this in our areas of jurisdiction?

A rebellion is prophesied early into the Millennium in Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39. This rebellion is to consist of a huge number of people who want to conquer Israel. These armies do not want Christ and the saints ruling over them, but want to plunder the wealth God provides to those who are obeying Him.

Both Christ and the saints will be aware of what is happening in the thoughts of these people. Yes, people will still have free moral agency, and they can still choose to do evil. God will allow this insurrection to occur. Why?

Notice the thoughts of these people in Ezekiel 38:11-12 [11] And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates,
[12] To take a spoil, and to take a prey; to turn thine hand upon the desolate places that are now inhabited, and upon the people that are gathered out of the nations, which have gotten cattle and goods, that dwell in the midst of the land.

See All..., "You will say, 'I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will go to a peaceful people, who dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates'—to take plunder and to take booty." They think they can easily overtake "defenseless" Israel with their large army and many weapons.

God ultimately annihilates this army as an example to all in the Millennium. God says this will teach all nations that He is in charge, and teach Israel to trust in Him (Ezekiel 38:23Thus will I magnify myself, and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the LORD.
See All...; 39:7).

So where do the saints fit in this picture? Remember, human nature is still around. Many will be afraid of the coming army. Who will be there encouraging them to, "Stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD!" (like Moses did in Exodus 14:13And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
See All...)? We will! Notice Isaiah 35:4Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.
See All..., "Say to those who are fearful-hearted, 'Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with recompense of God; He will come and save you.'" This verse is in the context of the Millennium.

So great is this example, that the weapons of this army will burn for seven years, and it will take seven months to bury the dead! No doubt it took several months or years to organize this rebellion, but it will be stopped in an instant.

Speaking of the Millennium, 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... says that no one will hurt nor destroy in God's holy mountain.

When someone begins doing wrong things, the saints will get involved. Notice Isaiah 30:21And 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..., "Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, 'This is the way, walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left."

As God spoke to CainFirstborn son of Adam and Eve (Genesis 4:1), he was a farmer, or tiller of the ground. He committed the first recorded murder when he killed his younger brother, Abel (Genesis 4:8). After the murder of his brother, Cain settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. when he began to choose the wrong path (Genesis 4:6-7 [6] And the LORD said unto CainFirstborn son of Adam and Eve (Genesis 4:1), he was a farmer, or tiller of the ground. He committed the first recorded murder when he killed his younger brother, Abel (Genesis 4:8). After the murder of his brother, Cain settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden., Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?
[7] If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.

See All...), we will encourage people to do what is right when they are going astray. But unlike CainFirstborn son of Adam and Eve (Genesis 4:1), he was a farmer, or tiller of the ground. He committed the first recorded murder when he killed his younger brother, Abel (Genesis 4:8). After the murder of his brother, Cain settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden., those evil plans will not be able to be carried out against someone who is living God's way. Most likely angels will be there to prevent acts that can hurt or destroy.

After several generations, the way of peace will become the norm. Children will be born into peace. People will grow up knowing only God's ways and not learning war (Isaiah 2:1-4 [1] The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
[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.
[4] And 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...). Fear from others will not exist (Micah 4:4But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the LORD of hosts hath spoken it.
See All...; Zechariah 8:4-5 [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...). Many generations will only hear and read about times of war and violence. They won't know what it is like to live in a world full of pain and sorrow.

Yes, most of the Millennium will be a time of unprecedented peace. But, unfortunately, evil will once again show its ugly face at the end of the thousand years.

A Time of Warning

During the latter part of the Millennium, we will warn the people about Satan's release. Probably all during the thousand years we will have taught about his influence on mankind, and its bad effects. Now, during the last generations—with urgency—we will warn of his coming deception.

Who better than the saints know about Satan's weapons and tactics? We know all too well his methods. And we will warn the people. Yet free moral agency will still exist, and many will fall for Satan's deception (RevelationThe disclosure of God's Word and plan to mankind. In the Bible this refers to making obscure things clear; bringing hidden matters to light; causing especially called individuals to see, hear, perceive, know and understand the things of God; the unveiling of biblical mysteries (Romans 16:25). 20:7-9 [7] And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
[8] And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
[9] And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.

See All...).

The rest will not fall for Satan's tactics and will remain faithful. During the Millennium it seems likely multiple billions of people will be converted and finally changed to spirit like us. We will have completed the work given to us as kings and priests during the Millennium, and look forward to our new assignments helping the Father and Christ bring even more sons and daughters to glory (Hebrews 2:10For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
See All...).

An Awesome Opportunity

The news today is full of war and violence. We have been called to be part of a time that will be full of peace and tranquility. In the world today some 40,000 people die every day from starvation. In the world tomorrow food will be in such abundance that the plowman will overtake the reaper (Amos 9:13Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt.
See All...).

Today we are a privileged few who have been called by God to understand His purpose for us. But beyond today, all people will know God (Jeremiah 31:34And 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...).

Yes, God has called us to be part of the solution. The Father has handpicked each one of us to play an active role in the conversion of billions of people. No matter how insignificant we may feel now, God has called you and me to have an important role in the Millennium.

As Paul said, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God... Because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God" (Romans 8:18-19 [18] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
[19] For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

See All..., 21).

Yes, the world is waiting on us. Now, more than ever, let's pray—"Your Kingdom come!" UN