The Millennial Kingdom: Jesus' 1,000-year Reign on Earth
I. THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM: JESUS’ 1,000-YEAR REIGN ON EARTH
A. The Millennium is a literal 1,000-year period in which Jesus will rule the whole world from Jerusalem in righteousness
and peace. Millennium is from the Latin “mille” (a thousand).
4 I saw thrones, and they (saints) sat on them…They lived and reigned with Christ for 1000 years…6 They shall reign
with Him 1000 years. (Revelation 20:4-6)
B. At this time the Kingdom of God will be openly manifest worldwide affecting every sphere of life (political, social,
agricultural, economic, spiritual, educational, law enforcement, family, media, arts, technology, athletics, environment,
social institutions, etc.).
C. The result will be a 1,000-year period of unprecedented blessing for the whole earth as Jesus establishes
righteousness and prosperity, and restores the agriculture, atmosphere, and animal life to some of the conditions that
were seen in the Garden of Eden (Revelation 20:1-6; Isaiah 2:1-4; 9:6-9; 11:1-16; 51:1-8; 60-62; 65:17-25; Psalm 2:6-12;
110:1-7; Deuteronomy 8; 28; Matthew 5:5; 6:10; 17:11; 19:28; 28:19; Acts 1:6; 3:21). This period of blessing will be
initiated by Jesus' Second Coming.
D. Jesus as King of Kings, will personally govern a worldwide Kingdom from Jerusalem in partnership with resurrected
saints who rule with Him (Revelation 2:26-27; 3:21; 5:10; 20:4-6; 22:5; Matthew 19:28; 20:21-23; 25:23; Luke 19:17-19;
22:29-30; 1 Corinthians 6:2-3; 2 Timothy 2:12; Romans 8:17).
17 Jerusalem shall be called the Throne of the LORD, and all the nations shall be gathered to it, to the name of the
LORD, to Jerusalem. (Jeremiah 3:17)
E. The Millennial Kingdom is one of the major revelations of Scripture. Jesus’ core message was that God’s Kingdom
was being released in a new measure on earth. The NT makes clear that the kingdom is ‘already here’ (in a limited
expression) but is ‘not yet’ fully here until Jesus returns.
10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)
F. Daniel saw the heavenly coronation of Jesus as the eternal King over all the dominions of earth. The dominions
of the earth include every sphere of society.
13 One like the Son of Man (Jesus)…came to the Ancient of Days (Father)…14 To Him (Jesus) was given…a kingdom,
that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him…27 His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions
shall serve Him. (Daniel 7:13-14, 27)
G. Jesus quoted Daniel 7:27 concerning His rule over all the nations and dominions of the earth .
31 When the Son of Man comes in His glory...then He will sit on the Throne of His glory. 32 All the nations will be gathered
before Him... (Matthew 25:31-32)
H. In the Millennium all the kings of the earth will be saved and worship Jesus (Psalm 72:11; 102:15; 138:4; 148:11;
Isaiah 62:2; Revelation 21:24) and base their national governments on God’s Word.
11 All kings shall fall down before Him; all nations shall serve Him. (Psalm 72:11)
II. CENTERPIECE OF GOD’S PURPOSE: BRINGING HEAVEN AND EARTH TOGETHER
9 Having made known to us the mystery (hidden plan) of His will…10 that He might gather together in one ALL things in
Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth--in Him. (Ephesians 1:9-10)
A. The centerpiece of God’s eternal purpose is for Jesus to come back to establish His Kingdom over all the earth as
He joins the heavenly and earthly realms together. God’s purpose has always been for His people to live together with
Him in this way. This is the interpretive key to understanding the End-Times. Without this foundational revelation,
confusion is inevitable.
3 Behold, the Tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them… (Revelation 21:3)
B. God purposefully created the universe in two distinct realms. Heaven speaks of the spiritual realm where God’s
power and presence is openly manifest. Earth speaks of the physical realm where human process, emotions and physical
sensation reach their fullest expression.
C. Heaven is the place believers have gone for the last 2,000 years (from the cross to the Second Coming) as a
“temporary holding pattern” before receiving a resurrected body. The saints do not need a resurrected body in heaven
to relate to its spiritual environment. Only as the spirit and the physical realm come together can we express the fullness
of God’s personality and purposes or the fullness of God (Ephesians 1:22-23; 3:19; 4:13; Colossians 1:19-20; 2:9-10).
III. THREE TYPES OF PEOPLE ARE ON EARTH WHEN JESUS APPEARS IN THE SKY
A. The redeemed will be raptured during Jesus’ worldwide procession across the sky.
B. The reprobate who took the mark of the Beast will be judged and then killed (some executed). At this time, there
may be 1-3 billion of these people still alive. They will not just disappear.
C. The resisters are the unsaved survivors of the Tribulation who refused to worship the Antichrist. These resisters
will stand against evil governments without regard to having faith in God. For example, in World War II, the French
Resistance fought the Nazis. Scripture refers to “those who are left.” These can be saved then populate the Millennial
earth (Isaiah 4:3; 10:20; 11:11; 49:6; 65:8; 66:19; Jeremiah 31:2; Ezekiel 20:38-42; 36:36; Amos 9:9-10; Joel 2:32;
Zechariah 12:14; 13:8; 14:16).
IV. GET THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE (PARADIGM) ABOUT THE END-TIMES
A. Jesus will rule the earth with the natural human processes not suspended, yet significantly enhanced by the
supernatural dimension of the Spirit.
B. As Gentile believers, our most natural paradigm is to think of worshipping Jesus as God in the supernatural
conditions of heaven. We emphasize Jesus’ deity as the Son of God. Whereas, the Jewish paradigm, thinks of reigning
with the Messianic King as a man in the natural conditions of the earth. They emphasize the Messiah’s humanity as the
Son of David. The full truth is only seen when these two paradigms are brought together.
V. HEAVENLY JERUSALEM AND EARTHLY JERUSALEM BROUGHT TOGETHER
A. When the New Jerusalem comes to earth, then heaven is literally on earth. Heaven and earth come together as
the New Jerusalem descends to the Millennial Jerusalem. The New Jerusalem is the place where resurrected saints will
live. The earth will continue forever (Psalm 37:29; 78:69; 104:5; 105:10-11; 125:1-2; 1 Chronicles 23:25; 28:8;
Isaiah 60:21; Ezekiel 37:25; Joel 3:20).
12 The New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. (Revelation 3:12)
B. The New Jerusalem will descend to a place above Millennial Jerusalem (Temple on Mt. Zion) creating a vast
“governmental complex” joined by a “Corridor of Glory.” It will be the governmental center of heaven and earth referred
to as Jesus’ Throne of glory (Matthew 19:28; 25:31).
31 When the Son of Man comes…then He will sit on the Throne of His glory. (Matthew 25:31)
C. Five reasons that the New Jerusalem is not resting on earth, yet close to it during the Millennium: 1). The kings
come in and out of the it (Revelation 21:24); 2). Its leaves heal the nations (Revelation 22:2); 3). The angels guard
sinners from entry (Revelation 21:12, 22:14-15). 4). It lights up the saved nations on the Millennial earth but not the
unsaved ones (Revelation 21:24; 20:7-9). 5). The size of the Millennial Jerusalem is approximately 10 square miles
(4,500 rods x 4,500 rods; Ezekiel 48:30-35; 45:6; 48:15-19) whereas, the New Jerusalem is 1,380 miles
(Revelation 21:16).
D. Jerusalem will be the capital city for Jesus’ worldwide government (Jeremiah 3:17; Isaiah 2:2-4; 24:23;
Ezekiel 43:7; Micah 4:7; Zechariah 14:9-11). Jerusalem will be the center of the world (Ezekiel 38:12).
VI. THE NATURAL PROCESSES OF LIFE WILL CONTINUE ON EARTH FOR 1,000 YEARS
A. Jesus will rule the Millennial earth that has both natural and supernatural dimensions.
20 No more shall an infant from there live but a few days, nor an old man who has not fulfilled his days; for the child shall
die one hundred years old, but the sinner being one hundred years old shall be accursed. 21 They shall build houses
and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. 22…For as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of
My people…25 The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox… (Isaiah 65:20-25)
B. Isaiah describes animals with animosity toward each other as removed (Romans 8:20-21).
6 The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb…the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall
lead them. 7 The cow and the bear shall graze; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw
like the ox. 8 The nursing child shall play by the cobra's hole…9 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 11:6-9)
C. The natural processes of life will continue in establishing the infrastructure for every sphere of life in every city
and village throughout the earth. This infrastructure will include replacing the governmental leaders from the Antichrist’s
worldwide government with new people at every level of public life in every city. This infrastructure will include life
support systems (food, water, electricity), building projects (buildings, highways, bridges, etc.), economic systems
(currencies, banking, investments, etc.), spiritual life (worship centers, Bible schools, etc.), education (from elementary
to university levels), law enforcement; agriculture (equipment, distribution), media and arts, technology, environment,
social institutions, etc.
D. It will take 1,000 years to spread, mature and test the righteousness in every area of every nation. Jesus’
government will progressively spread to all nations (Isaiah 9:7).
VII. THE SAINTS WILL RULE WITH JESUS AS KINGS AND PRIESTS
A. The two functions most emphasized for the saints are priests and kings (Revelation 1:6; 5:10; 20:6).
10 Have made us kings and priests to our God…we shall reign on the earth. (Revelation 5:10)
B. As priests, resurrected saints will worship, intercede and communicate the knowledge of God to others (non-
resurrected people on the Millennial earth plus the saints in the New Jerusalem). The primary government of the
Millennial earth will come forth from continual intercession.
C. As kings, resurrected saints will evaluate the past, determine future action plans and appoint people who serve
in the infrastructure under their authority. This will include training and managing the people they appoint. Our personality
will come forth in the decisions we make.
2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?…the world will be judged by you…
3 Do you not know that we shall judge (evaluate) angels? (1 Corinthians 6:2-3)
28 In the regeneration (Millennium), when the Son of Man sits on the Throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will
sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel. (Matthew 19:28)
29 I bestow upon you a kingdom…30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging
the twelve tribes of Israel. (Luke 22:29-30)
17 He said to him, “Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.”
(Luke 19:17)
I. JESUS WILL BE THE KING OVER ALL OTHER KINGS IN THE MILLENNIUM
16 He has...a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:16)
A. In the Millennium, all the kings of the earth will be saved, worship Jesus and base their national governments
on the Scripture (Psalm 72:11; 102:15; 138:4; 148:11; Isaiah 62:2; Revelation 21:24).
11 Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; all nations shall serve Him. (Psalm 72:11)
B. Jesus as King of kings will govern a worldwide Kingdom in partnership with two types of kings: the kings of the
earth (non-resurrected bodies) and resurrected kings (saints with resurrected bodies). Together they will establish a
godly social order that will transform every sphere of life.
5 Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth (non-resurrected
bodies). To Him who loved us…6 and has made us (resurrected saints) kings and priests to His God and Father.
(Revelation 1:5-6)
C. Saints with resurrected bodies will be made kings and/or rulers over different spheres of life (Matthew 19:28;
20:21-23; 25:23; Luke 19:17-19; 22:29-30; 1 Corinthians 6:2-3; 2 Timothy 2:12; Romans 8:17).
10 Have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth. (Revelation 5:10)
26 He who overcomes…I will give power over nations, 27 he shall rule them… (Revelation 2:26-27)
D. Only the saints who are counted worthy or considered faithful during their life on earth will be made kings or rulers
in the age-to-come.
10 When He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints…11 Therefore we pray always for you that our God would
count you worthy of this calling… (2 Thessalonians 1:10-11)
II. THE RESURRECTED SAINTS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE KINGS OF THE EARTH
A. Jesus will establish infrastructure in partnership with resurrected saints who oversee those with non-resurrected
bodies. The saints (resurrected) will have a dynamic role in training those with non-resurrected bodies. The necessary infrastructure to
govern each sphere of life will gradually increase in capacity, quality and size as the leaders grow in
wisdom and skill development.
B. People with non-resurrected bodies will be the resisters or the unsaved survivors of the Tribulation who refused
to worship the Antichrist. They will be saved then populate the Millennial earth (Isaiah 4:3; 10:20; 11:11; 49:6; 65:8;
66:19; Jeremiah 31:2; Ezekiel 20:38-42; 36:36; Amos 9:9-10; Joel 2:32; Zechariah 12:14; 13:8; 14:16).
C. The saints as well as leaders with non-resurrected bodies will need to learn and then apply what they learned.
The saints will train the non-resurrected leaders of the nations in God’s ways. As wisdom is gained and applied, many
areas of life will progressively improve. Together they will establish training institutions that all nations may systematically
learn Jesus’ ways (political, economic, spiritual, educational, agricultural, family, media, arts, technology, etc.).
3 Many people shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the House of the God of
Jacob; He (Jesus) will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths." Out of Zion shall go forth the law…the word
of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:3)
D. Social improvements or the healing of the nations will be progressive not instantaneous. Those who reign with
Jesus will be involved in this process of healing the Millennial nations.
2 Tree of life...the leaves of the Tree were for the healing of the nations. (Revelation 22:2)
E. The resurrected saints in partnership with the kings of the earth will work together to fully restore the cities of the
earth that are destroyed in the Tribulation.
36 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. (Ezekiel 36:36)
4 They shall rebuild the old ruins, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the ruined cities, the
desolations of many generations. (Isaiah 61:4)
21 They shall build houses…they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. (Isaiah 65:21)
F. The resurrected saints in partnership with the leaders of earth will bring the gospel to those needing salvation.
The lost will not be instantly and automatically converted at the moment of the Second Coming, neither will the children
born in the Millennium. It will take time and effort to convert individuals and then to disciple nations.
18 I will gather all nations…and they shall come and see My glory 19...Among them who escape I will send to the nations…
who have not heard My fame nor seen My glory. And they shall declare My glory among the Gentiles. 20 Then they
shall bring all your brethren for an offering to the LORD out of all nations…says the LORD. (Isaiah 66:18-20)
G. The resurrected saints with the kings of the earth will work together to re-establish businesses to generate financial resources
(Isaiah 60:1-14). Israel will be prosperous in the Millennium (Isaiah 4:1; 35:1-2; 30:23-25; 62:8-9; 60:1-14;
65:21-23).
H. The saints will oversee what is rebuilt by labor (Isaiah 62:8-9; 65:21-23; Jer. 31:5; Ezekiel 48:18-19).
I. The saints will oversee the work necessary to restore God’s order to the agriculture, atmosphere, and animal life
(Revelation 20:1-6; Isaiah 2:1-4; 9:6-9; 11:1-16; 51:1-8; 60-62; 65:17-25; Psalm 2:6-12; 110:1-7; Deuteronomy 8; 28;
Matthew 5:5; 6:10; 17:11; 19:28; 28:19; Acts 1:6; 3:21).
J. The saints will oversee the work required to restore justice over every sphere of life (Isaiah 9:7; 11:3-5; 10:22;
28:17; 32:16; 42:1-4). They will oversee the establishing of judges and governors (Jeremiah 30:21; Isaiah 24:23, 32:1;
Ezekiel 45:8-9; Matthew 19:28; Luke 22:30; Luke 19:12-28). They will oversee the establishment of a world government
under Jesus (Zechariah 14:9; Ezekiel 37:13-28, Revelation 19:16).
1 A King (Jesus) will reign in righteousness, and princes will rule with justice. (Isaiah 32:1)
8 My princes (in the Millennium) shall no more oppress My people… (Ezekiel 45:8)
K. In the Millennial Kingdom, sin will occur by those with non-resurrected bodies and thus sin will be punished. Sin and
even false prophets will continue in the Millennium. They will be punished (Psalm 2:9, 72:9-11; Isaiah 11:4; 66:20, 24;
Zechariah 13:2-4; 14:16-19).
3 It shall come to pass that if anyone still prophesies, then his father and mother… will say to him, 'You shall not live,
because you have spoken lies in the name of the LORD.' (Zechariah)