The Saints Will Have Joy in Ruling in the Millennium
I. REVIEW: THE SAINTS WILL RULE WITH JESUS FOR 1,000 YEARS ON THE EARTH
A. The Millennium is the time when the saints will reign with Jesus on earth for 1,000 years.
4 I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of
those…beheaded for their witness to Jesus...they lived and reigned with Christ for a 1,000 years. 6 They
shall be priests…and shall reign with Him a 1,000 years. (Revelation 20:4, 6)
B. 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)
C. 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).
D. 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.
II. HAVING A RIGHT VIEW OF AUTHORITY IN THE MILLENNIAL GOVERNMENT
A. Our view of authority dynamically shapes our view of seeking rewards in ruling the nations with Jesus. If we see
authority as being over people so that we may establish our honor and to secure money, then we may not be interested
in authority in the age-to-come. The secular paradigm of authority is one that seeks self glory in ruling over people. This
paradigm is established on pride.
25 The rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them and...exercise authority over them... (Matthew 20:25)
B. The Father gave Jesus the nations as His reward because of the Father’s profound respect, trust and affection
for Him. The Father entrusted to Jesus what was precious to the Father, when He mandated that Jesus disciple the
nations to bring them to the fullness of blessing. Jesus enjoys each step in the process of working with the Father.
His view of authority in the Millennium is to walk in intimate partnership with the Father. Think of the person you most
love and admire, you would want to work closely with that person to glorify God. Multiply that by 10,000.
C. The Bridal paradigm of authority and reward is based on our desire to be with Him where He is and to do what
He is doing. In other words, we want to be involved in what He calls precious. We will cherish and enjoy working closely
with the One we love in the details of discipling the nations and in bringing people we love to the fullness of blessing
under the Father’s authority. This paradigm is established on love. If we view authority in the age-to-come as a way of
walking in close partnership with Jesus, then we will deeply value and desire it. We will have great joy in being rewarded
with the privilege of close partnership with Jesus.
21 Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over
many things. Enter into the joy (enjoyment) of your Lord. (Matthew 25:21)
III. MOTIVATED TO RIGHTEOUSNESS NOW BY RULING IN THE AGE TO COME
A. Jesus gave a great promise to the compromising Laodicean church. Jesus motivated them to resist compromise
and passivity by offering them a place in His Millennial government. This is the same way Jesus motivated Peter, John
and the other apostles (Matthew 19:27-28).
21 To him (Laodiceans) who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne… (Revelation 3:21)
27 Peter said, "We have left all and followed You. What shall we have?" 28 Jesus said, "Assuredly I say to
you, that in the regeneration (Millennium), 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 19:27-28)
26 Whoever desires to become great among you (in the Millennium), let him be your servant. 27 Whoever
desires to be first among you (Millennium), let him be your slave. (Matthew 20:26-27)
B. We can exchange faithfulness with a “few things in this age” to “many things in the next age.”
21 His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will
make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' (Matthew 25:21)
17 Because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.' (Luke 19:17)
C. Few believers will be in government in the age-to-come. One of the most sobering truths in Scripture is that many
people are called (invited to rule), yet only a few are chosen or esteemed by God as faithful and thus worthy to rule with
Jesus in the age-to-come (2 Thessalonians 1:10-11).
14 For many are called (invited), but few are chosen (worthy to receive or rule). (Matthew 22:14)
10 When He comes, in that Day...therefore we pray always for you that God would count you worthy of this
calling, and fulfill all (fullness in Millennial Kingdom)… (2 Thessalonians 1:10-11)
D. Only a few will have a sufficient maturity in meekness to share in the Millennial government.
30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first. (Matthew 19:30)
E. Those who choose to be last by their lifestyle choices of humility will be first in the age-to-come.
16 So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few chosen. (Matthew 20:16)
14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life...few find it. (Matthew 7:14)
F. Not all the saints will rule but only overcomers who walked in mature obedience..
8 Look to yourselves, that we (you; NAS, NIV, Revised) do not lose those things we worked for, but that we
(you; NAS, NIV, Revised) may receive a full reward. (2 John 8)
26 He who overcomes...to him I will give power over the nations… (Revelation 2:26)
21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne… (Revelation 3:21)
IV. KINGDOM PARADIGM: ETERNAL CIRCUMSTANCES INSTEAD OF TEMPORAL ONES
A. In Stephen Covey’s best selling book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, he said, “good leaders begin with the
end in mind.” Jesus and Paul both lived with their end goals in view.
B. Life in this age can be likened to a 70 year internship (Ps. 90:10) which prepares us for our life on earth in the
age to come. Our next stage of life in the Millennium is when our primary ministry calling begins. This primary ministry
assignment will last for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:4-6).
C. In our 70 year internship we have two issues that we are to determine in the grace of God. First, to decide if we
want to be in God’s family as voluntarily lovers. Second, to decide if we want to function in Jesus’ government (initially for
1,000 years in the Millennium, then for all eternity).
D. The measure that we develop in love, meekness and revelation (of His Word) determines our place and function in
His eternal government (Matthew 7:14; 19:30; 20:16, 26-27; 22:14; Luke 13:24). Our ministry in the age to come has
nothing to do with how much we accomplished outwardly in this age, but rather how much we developed inwardly. The
choices we make in our 70 year internship determine where and how we will function in our 1,000-year ministry assignment.
E. Meekness or servanthood is the only way to promotion in the Millennial Kingdom.
5 Blessed are the meek (humble), for they shall inherit the earth (rule in Millennium). (Matthew 5:5)
F. Premise: our calling in the age to come is far more important than our circumstances now. Our calling then is
determined by the growth of our heart now. Paul understood that the persecution that caused his outward man to perish
also gave occasion for his inward man to be renewed (grow in meekness). He saw the affliction of persecution and
obedience as that which worked for the benefit of his main calling (Millennium) which he considered an eternal weight of
glory.
16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being
renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more
exceeding and eternal weight of glory (includes ruling in Millennium), 18 while we do not look at the things
which are seen, but at the things which are not seen….for the thing which are not seen are eternal.
(2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which
shall be revealed in us. (Romans 8:17-18)
V. SOME PERSONAL PROPHECIES: GREATEST FULFILLMENT IN MILLENNIUM
A. Some of our personal prophecies will have their greatest fulfillment in the Millennium. There are more personal
prophecies in Scripture for some major figures for the Millennial Kingdom than for their earthly life and ministry.
B. Jesus had far more prophecies about His Millennial reign than His first coming! The nation of Israel has more
prophecies about their role in the Millennium than before it.
C. King David had more personal prophecies in Scripture about his 1,000-year kingship in the Millennium than his
40-year kingship during his life (Ezekiel 34:23-24; 37:24-25; Isaiah 55:3-4; Jeremiah 30:9; Hosea 3:4-5; then possibly in
Amos 9:11-12 and in a double fulfillment in 1 Samuel 13:14).
1. Some say that David symbolically speaks of Jesus. Scriptures speak of Jesus sitting on the throne of David calling
Him the Son of David (Luke 1:32). The title "My servant, David" in the Old Testament is used only for the actual man David
and not Jesus (Ezekiel 34:23-24; 37:24-25). Jesus is never actually called David in the Scriptures.
2. Zechariah spoke of the Messiah as the Branch unto David (Jeremiah 23:5), Jesus is referred to as the Son of
David (15 times), the Seed of David (John 7:42; Romans 1:3; 2 Timothy 2:8), Root of David (Revelation 5:5), and Root
and Offspring of David (Revelation 22:16), but Jesus is not once referred to as David. In Isaiah 55:4; Jeremiah 30:9;
Ezekiel 37:21-25; 34:24; Hosea 3:5, God is distinguished from the historical king David. The literal interpretation of these
prophecies points to the historical David who receives a resurrected body at the Second Coming. King David will be
appointed as a regent over Israel ruling under Jesus. Only King David could sit as king under Jesus as King of kings in
the Millennial Kingdom without violating prophecies of the Davidic reign.
D. Just before David died, he spoke of his role on earth after his life time.
1 David assembled at Jerusalem all the leaders of Israel...and all the mighty men of valor. 2 Then King
David…said, "Hear me…my people: I had it in my heart to build a house of rest for the ark... 4 The LORD…
chose me above all the house of my father to be king over Israel forever…among the sons of my father, He
was pleased with me to make me king over all Israel...6 He said to me, 'It is your son Solomon who shall build
My house...7 I will establish his kingdom forever, if he is steadfast to observe My commandments…'
(1 Chronicles 28:1-7)
E. Those with more personal prophecies in Scripture about their 1,000-year role in the Millennium than their role
during their natural life are: the apostles (Matthew 19:26, Luke 22:29-30; Revelation 2:26-27; 21:14); Abraham (Genesis
12-17); Elijah (Malachi 4:5-6; Matthew 17:10-11); Ezekiel (Ezekiel 43:18-19); Daniel (Daniel 12:13); Zerubbabel
(Haggai 2:20-23); the offspring of the ancient priests of Zadok (Ezekiel 44:8, 15-16); the nation of Israel (most prophecies
in the Millennium).
F. Elijah will be used in the restoration process in the Millennium (Malachi 4:5-6; Matthew 17:10-11)
11 Jesus answered, "Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things.” (Matthew 17:11)
G. The End-Time martyrs also have a prophecy of their authority in the Millennium (Revelation 20:4-6). The saints
at Sardis have a prophecy about their crowns not being diminished in the Millennium.
H. Melchizedek will be a priest in the Millennial Kingdom. Melchizedek was a type of Christ because he did not owe
his priesthood to his physical lineage and because he was both a king and a priest in Jerusalem, and because he
remains a priest forever, including the Millennium.
17 You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 7:17)