by Ester yusufu | 4 July 2022 08:46 am07
The Bible teaches that after the rapture—when believers are taken to heaven to attend the Marriage Supper of the Lamb for seven years—they will return with Jesus Christ to reign with Him on earth for 1,000 years. This period is often referred to as the Millennial Kingdom.
But why is this reign necessary? Why doesn’t Christ simply bring everything to completion in heaven?
Let’s explore two major theological reasons for this 1,000-year reign, supported by Scripture and rooted in biblical prophecy.
One key reason for the Millennial Kingdom is to fulfill God’s promise of rest to His people. This is the “Sabbath rest” mentioned in Hebrews 4—a spiritual and literal rest after the struggles and sufferings of life on earth.
Hebrews 4:9–11
“There remains therefore a rest for the people of God.
For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.
Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.”
In this context, the Millennial Kingdom serves as the fulfillment of God’s covenantal promises of rest and restoration. Believers who have suffered, been mocked, or denied worldly pleasures for the sake of righteousness will reign with Christ in glory.
Jesus assured His disciples of this in the Gospels:
Matthew 19:28
“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.”
This “regeneration” refers to a future, renewed world. During this time, the earth will be restored beyond Edenic conditions (cf. Isaiah 11:6–9), and peace will reign because Satan will be bound:
Revelation 20:1–3
“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand… and he bound him [Satan] for a thousand years.”
Believers will have glorified bodies—incorruptible and immortal—as promised in:
1 Corinthians 15:52–53
“…for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.”
Thus, the Millennial Kingdom is God’s way of vindicating the faithful, restoring what was lost (cf. Joel 2:25), and giving them the kingdom they hoped for.
The second purpose of the Millennial Reign is to fulfill the prophetic mission of Christ to destroy all rebellion and place every enemy under His feet.
1 Corinthians 15:24–26
“Then comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power.
For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet.
The last enemy that will be destroyed is death.”
Even during the Millennium, natural human beings (those born during the reign) will still die (Isaiah 65:20), though believers who returned with Christ will not, as they will have glorified, eternal bodies.
This reign is a transitional phase: a bridge between the current age and eternity. During this time, Christ will deal decisively with all evil powers, and at the end of the 1,000 years, death itself will be permanently defeated.
After the 1,000-year reign, Scripture tells us that there will be a final rebellion, a last judgment, and then the ultimate renewal of all things:
Revelation 20:7–10 describes the release of Satan and his final defeat.
Revelation 21:1–4 announces the coming of a new heaven and a new earth, and the descent of the New Jerusalem:
“Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth… And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, ‘Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them… And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying.'”
This eternal state is what theologians call the consummation of all things—God dwelling permanently with humanity.
If you are not in Christ, you risk missing:
Jesus asked:
Mark 8:36
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?”
We believe we are living in the generation that may witness the return of Christ. While we don’t know the day or hour (Matthew 24:36), the signs strongly suggest the time is near.
It’s time to lift your eyes toward eternity. The temporary pleasures of this world are passing away (1 John 2:17), but Christ has prepared a place for those who love Him (John 14:2–3).
Repent sincerely of your sins. Turn away from them completely. Believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. He will forgive, cleanse, and prepare you for His kingdom.
2 Peter 3:13
“Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.”
May the Lord bless you as you prepare for His coming reign.
Source URL: https://wingulamashahidi.org/en/2022/07/04/why-will-there-be-a-1000-year-reign-of-christ/
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