The Millennial Kingdom of Jesus
I. THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM: JESUS’ 1,000-YEAR REIGN ON EARTH
I saw thrones, and they (the saints) sat on them, and judgment (authority) was committed to them. Then I saw
the souls of those beheaded for their witness to Jesus (End-Time martyrs)...they lived and reigned with Christ
for a 1,000 years. 6, they…shall reign with Him a 1,000 years. (Revelation 20:4, 6)
Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)
A. The Millennium is a term that speaks of a literal 1,000 year period in which Jesus rules the earth (millennium is
from the Latin “mille” or ‘a thousand’ and “annus” ‘a year’). At this time the Kingdom of God is 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).
B. This period of worldwide blessing will be initiated by Jesus' Second Coming. The result will be a 1,000-year period
of peace, righteousness, prosperity, and unprecedented blessing as parts of the earth will be restored to the conditions
seen in the Garden of Eden.
In the latter days…the LORD'S house shall be established...all nations shall flow to it. 3 Many people (nations)
shall come and say, "Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD...He (Jesus) will teach us His
ways..." For out of Zion (Jerusalem) shall go forth the law and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 4 He
(Jesus) shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people… (Isaiah 2:1-4)
C. The Church needs a deeper revelation of Jesus as the human King of kings on the earth.
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)
The LORD shall be King over all the earth. (Zechariah 14:9)
That...He should strike the nations...He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron...16 He has on His robe...:
KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS. (Revelation 19:15-16)
D. Daniel saw the coronation of a Jewish man before the court of the Almighty God.
I was watching in the night visions…behold, One like the Son of Man (Jesus)…came to the Ancient of Days
(Father)…14 To Him (Jesus) was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and
languages should serve Him…27 His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and
obey Him. (Daniel 7:13-14, 27)
E. The Millennial Kingdom is one of the major revelations of Scripture and is the ultimate theme in the End-Times.
Jesus will sit on a Throne as King and rule over all other kings. This will be the first time that 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.
II. 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).
C. The resistors are the unsaved survivors (Jews and Gentiles) of the Great Tribulation who refused to worship the
Antichrist. The Scripture refers to them as “those who are left” or “who remain.” These will have an opportunity to be
converted after Jesus returns and 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; Daniel 12:1; Amos 9:9-10; Joel 2:32; Zechariah 12:14; 13:8; 14:16).
III. THE PROGRESSIVE INCREASE OF JESUS’ GOVERNMENT
Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end …over His kingdom, to order it and establish
it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. (Isaiah 9:7)
A. Jesus’ government will progressively spread to all nations (Isaiah 9:7; 16:5; Jeremiah 23:5). It may take many
decades before we see full healing in all the lands and the governments of the earth. It will take 1,000-years to spread,
mature and test the righteousness in every area of every nation.
B. The natural processes of life will continue in many ways especially in establishing the necessary infrastructure for
every sphere of life in every city and village throughout the entire earth. Jesus is coming to earth with hands-on
governmental leadership. Jesus will definitely use supernatural dimensions in His government and ministry, but this will
not negate all natural processes.
The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the
young lion…and a little child shall lead them. 7 The cow and the bear shall graze...and the lion shall eat
straw like the ox. 8 The nursing child shall play by the cobra's hole, and the weaned child shall put his hand
in the viper's den. 9…for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD... (Isaiah 11:6-9)
“I create Jerusalem as a rejoicing...19...the voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her...20 No more
shall an infant from there live but a few days...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. 25 The wolf and
the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox…," Says the LORD. (Isaiah 65:17-25)
C. This infrastructure must include: replacing the people in the Antichrist’s worldwide government with new people
in Jesus’ new government (at every level of public life in every city of the earth), life support systems (food, water,
electricity), rebuilding projects (buildings, highways, bridges, etc.), economic systems (currencies, banking, investments,
etc.), spiritual life (worship centers, Bible schools, etc.), education (elementary to university levels, etc.), law enforcement;
agriculture (equipment, distribution, etc.), media and arts, technology, environment, social institutions, etc.
D. A process will be involved in war tribunals (court of justice to judge crimes) to judge the kings of the earth and then
execute many of them (as in the Nuremburg trials in 1945-46) (Matthew 25:31-32; Isaiah 2:4; 24:21-22; Psalm 110:6).
Notice the growth of the kingdom (Isaiah 9:7; Malachi 4:2-3). Jesus will set up training institutions to teach all nations His
ways (political, economic, spiritual, educational, agricultural, family, media, arts, technology, social institutions, etc.)
(Isaiah 2:3).
E. There will be a progressive improvement in all areas of life. There will be a progressive healing of Millennial nations
(Revelation 22:2). The process of healing will be related to the river from the Millennial Temple in Jerusalem
(Ezekiel 47:2-12). The process of healing people physically will be accelerated in the Millennium (Isaiah 35:5-6). Jesus’
government will progressively spread to all nations. (Isaiah 9:7; 16:5; Jeremiah 23:5). All will not automatically obey God
and all nations will not automatically be discipled. People living on the Millennial earth will voluntarily choose to accept
Jesus. All will not be converted instantly and automatically. It will take time to convert people individually and then disciple
the nations.
F. SOME CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MILLENNIAL REIGN: Worldwide Justice (Isaiah 9:7; 11:3-5; 10:22; 28:17;
32:16; 42:1-4); Peace (Isaiah 2:4; 9:4-7; 11:6-9; 32:17-18; 33:5-6; 65:25); Fullness of Joy (Isaiah 9:3-4; 12:3-6; 14:7-8;
25:8-9; 61:7, 10); Removal of the curse (Isaiah 11:6-9; 35:7-9; 65:25; Romans 8:19-23); Satan bound
(Revelation 20:1-7); Healing (Isaiah 29:17-19; 35:3-6; 61:1-2; Jeremiah 31:8; Micah 4:6-7; Zephaniah 3:19); Longevity
of life (Isaiah 65:20, 22). Population growth (Isaiah 65:20; Jeremiah 30:20; Ezekiel 47:22; Zechariah 10:8); Labor
(Isaiah 62:8-9; 65:21-23; Jeremiah 31:5; Ezekiel 48:18-19); Rebuilt cities (Isaiah 61:4-6; Ezekiel 36:36-38); Economic
Prosperity (Isaiah 4:1; 35:1-2; 30:23-25; 62:8-9; 60:1-14; 65:21-23); One world government (Zechariah 14:9;
Ezekiel 37:13-28, Revelation 19:16); 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); Sin punished (Psalm 2:9, 72:9-11; Isaiah 11:4; Zechariah 14:16-19;
Isaiah 66:20, 24); Israel exalted above all nations (Isaiah 2:1-4; 14:1-2; 49:22-23; 60:14-17).
IV. CENTERPIECE OF GOD’S PURPOSE: BRINGING HEAVEN AND EARTH TOGETHER
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.
B. God purposefully created the universe in two distinct realms. Heaven speaks of the supernatural spirit 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. The earthly realm requires that the saints have a resurrected body
to fully relate to it.
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” for our spirits before we receive our resurrected bodies. The saints do not have a resurrected
body in heaven because they do not need one to relate to the spiritual environment of heaven. However, when they come
to the earth, all will need a resurrected body to be able to relate to the physical environment of the earth. Jesus ate in His
resurrected body to settle this issue that the resurrection was both a spiritual and material body. God planned a material
body and a material earth so we could live with Him forever.
D. The Millennial earth, then the New Earth will consist of concrete reality. In other words, it will have material
substance (wood, steel, cement, food, animals, etc.). We will live in context to a concrete reality along with supernatural
splendor (New Jerusalem) as we are filled with the Holy Spirit. In other words, the “fountain of youth” dream is more than
a reality in Christ.
E. Garden of Eden – material paradise of pleasure expressed on the Millennial earth and in the New Jerusalem
(with the Tree of Life and the River of Life fully restored).
V. HEAVENLY JERUSALEM AND EARTHLY JERUSALEM BROUGHT TOGETHER
The city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. (Revelation 3:12)
A. Jesus brings the fullness of heaven and earth together as the New Jerusalem descends to the Millennial Jerusalem
and connecting the two Jerusalems creating a vast governmental complex as the center of the government of heaven,
earth and the universe. The two Jerusalems come together as the “resurrection of the earth occurs” (Romans 8:17-23;
11:15; Isaiah 11:6-9; 35;1-8; 65:17-25). Both Jerusalems have gates that never shut (Revelation 21:25; Isaiah 60:11-12;
Psalm 24:8).
At that time (Millennial Jerusalem) 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)
The Throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it (New Jerusalem). (Revelation 22:3)
B. The battle of Armageddon is over Jerusalem as the place Jesus returns to rule the earth. The focus of spiritual
warfare is on this battle. This is why so much terrorism is focused on Israel. The Throne that sentences Satan to prison
(Revelation 20:1-10) is ruled by a human in Jerusalem.
C. When the New Jerusalem comes to earth, then heaven is literally on earth. This is the place of our residence.
Thus, our rewards are in heaven, since we live in the New Jerusalem forever. The earth (as the place of our inheritance)
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).
D. The connecting point of earth and heaven is humanity. The point that God chose for heaven and earth to come
together is humanity in His image and filled with His Spirit.
E. The New Jerusalem descends to a place above Millennial Jerusalem (especially the Temple on Millennial Mt. Zion).
In other words, Jesus’ Throne of glory or His vast governmental complex includes the Millennial Temple and the New
Jerusalem joined by a “Corridor of Glory.”
F. Paul spoke often about the fullness of God (Ephesians 1:22-23; 3:19; 4:13; Colossians 1:19-20; 2:9-10). Redeemed
humans are the only part of creation that can experience this, but only as the spirit realm and the material realm fully come
together and as we voluntarily choose love and righteousness. Only as these conditions are sustained forever, can we
express the fullness of God’s personality and purposes.
He (Father) put all things under His (Jesus’) feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church,
23 which is His body, the fullness of Him (God) who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:22-23)
Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God
Himself will be with them and be their God. (Revelation 21:3)
VI. GET THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE (PARADIGM) ABOUT THE END-TIMES
A. The challenge in understanding the Second Coming and the Millennial Kingdom is in getting the right paradigm. The
necessary paradigm sees Jesus ruling the earth with the natural human processes not suspended, yet significantly
enhanced by the supernatural dimension of the Spirit. We see aspects of this when Jesus appeared with His
resurrected body (John 20-21; Acts 1).
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.
VII. JESUS SHARES HIS POWER AND AUTHORITY WITH HIS CO-HEIRS.
A. John saw Jesus as the ruler over two sets of kings, the Millennial earthly kings who have natural non-resurrected
bodies and the resurrected saints who were made kings that operate by virtue of their priesthood. Each will have specifics
spheres of dominion and will work closely together.
Jesus Christ…the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us…6 and has made us kings and
priests to His God and Father. (Revelation 1:5-6)
B. As kings, the saints will reign (rule) with judicial responsibility and authority. This role involves authority to evaluate
the past (judging) and to determine action plans for the future for the people and areas that they are entrusted with. The
ruling saints will appoint people into positions in the infrastructure that are within their sphere of Kingdom responsibility.
This will include training and managing the people who are appointed. The saints will judge angels (1 Corinthians 6:2).
C. The saints will rule with a rod of iron and will conduct war tribunals (from the last several decades before the
Second Coming), judge the nations (Matthew 25:31), and administrate punishments on sinners (1 Corinthians 6:2-3).
Jesus and the saints use the rod of severity against sin (Revelation 2:27; 19:15; 12:5; Psalm 2:9; Isaiah 11:4; 24:23, 32:1;
Jeremiah 30:21; Ezekiel 45:8-9; Matthew 19:28).
He who overcomes...to him I will give power over the nations-- 27 'He shall rule them with a rod of iron; they
shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels'… (Revelation 2:26-27)
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne… (Revelation 3:21)
They (saints) shall reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:5)
VIII. MOTIVATED TO RIGHTEOUSNESS NOW BY RULING IN THE AGE TO COME
A. Jesus gave one of the greatest promises to one of the most carnal Churches (Laodiceans) in the first century. Jesus
sought to motivate them to resist compromise and lethargy by offering them a place of government in the Millennial
Kingdom. This is the same way that He sought to motivate Peter, John and the other apostles when they gave up all to
follow Him (Matthew 19:27-28).
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My
Father on His throne. (Revelation 3:21)
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, 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)
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 12 tribes of Israel. (Luke 22:29-30)
B. The saints will rule with Jesus (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 8:17-18; Daniel 7:22, 25-27).
The saints will judge the world...3 Do you not know we shall judge angels?... (1 Corinthians 6:2-3)
He (noblemen in the parable) said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little,
have authority over ten cities.’ 19 Likewise.., ‘You also be over five cities.’ (Luke 19:17-19)
"His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will
make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' (Matthew 25:23)
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. (Matthew 5:5)
The saints will judge the world...3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels?....(1 Corinthians 6:2-3)
If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. (2 Timothy 2:12)
IX. KINGDOM PARADIGM: ETERNAL CIRCUMSTANCES INSTEAD OF TEMPORAL ONES
A. Premise: life on earth in this age can be likened to a 70 year internship (Psalm 90:10) which prepares us for our
life on earth in the age to come. Our next stage of life in the age to come starts in the Millennial Kingdom which is the time
when our first main ministry calling begins. This primary ministry assignment lasts for 1,000-years (Revelation 20:4-6;
2:26-27; 3:21; 5:10; 22:5).
B. The choices we make in our 70 year internship determine where and how we will function in our 1,000-year ministry
assignment. Few believers will be in government (Luke 19:17; 16:10-12; Matthew 25:21, 23; 19:30; 20:16, 26-27). Most
will be in support roles.
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)
Well done...because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over 10 cities. (Luke 19:17)
C. Premise: our calling in the age to come is far more important than our circumstances now. Our calling is determined
by the growth of our heart now. Our assignment in this temporal life (our internship) is to be focused on the development
of our inner man so that during our primary assignment (age to come) our circumstances and ministry impact can be far
greater.
X. HAVING A RIGHT VIEW OF AUTHORITY IN THE MILLENNIAL GOVERNMENT
A. The secular paradigm of authority and reward is one that seeks self glory in ruling so as to dominate others. This is
driven by pride. The Bridal paradigm of authority and reward is to be with Him where He is and doing what He is
doing, and being involved in is precious to Him.
B. We will cherish and enjoy working closely with the One we love in the details of discipling the nations to bring people
we love to the fullness of blessing under the Father’s authority. This paradigm is established on love. Premise: Personal
rewards in the Millennial Kingdom are a foundational dimension of our lives in fulfilling our prophetic destiny.
C. Jesus enjoys each step of the process of working with the Father. Jesus’ view of authority (ruling) in the Millennial
Kingdom is to walk in the delight of intimate partnership with the Father and His people so as to serve and enrich all. If we
view authority as the way to close partnership with Jesus in establishing on earth what is dear to His heart, then
we will want the fullness of authority that God has invited us to walk in during the Millennial Kingdom.
D. The Father gave Jesus the nations as His reward because of the Father’s profound respect, trust and affection for
Him. Therefore, the Father entrusted to Jesus what was precious to Him. Thus, He mandated that Jesus disciple the nations
to bring them to the fullness of blessing under the Father’s authority. Think of the person you most love, enjoy and admire.
You would want to work closely with that person to glorify God and enrich people’s lives.
XI. THE APOSTLES RECEIVED PROPHECIES FOR THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM
A. Several prominent OT men had significant personal prophecies recorded in Scripture concerning their role in the
Millennial Kingdom. Jesus spoke to the apostles of having thrones (Millennial positions of authority) related to their earthly
obedience, sacrifice and servanthood (Matthew 19:27-29; 25:14-46; Luke 22:24-30; 19:11-27).
B. Jesus had far more prophecies about His role in the Millennial reign after His Second Coming than His role at His
first coming!
C. King David had more personal prophecies in Scripture about his 1,000-year role in the Millennial Kingdom in
Jerusalem than his 40-year kingship in Jerusalem during his life. On three occasions David was promised to rule Israel
during his earthly life (1 Samuel 13:14; 15:28; 16:1-13) yet on five other prophetic occasions David’s rule over Israel in
the Millennial Kingdom was referenced (Ezekiel 34:23-24; 37:24-25; Isaiah 55:3-4; Jeremiah 30:9; Hosea 3:4-5).
XII. A FOUNDATIONAL MESSAGE OF SCRIPTURE: THE KINGDOM OF GOD ON EARTH
A. The essential message of Jesus and the apostles was concerning the Kingdom of God. The core message of the
Kingdom is that Jesus is King of kings and will rule every sphere of society worldwide. We proclaim that a “King is coming
to the earth to establish His kingdom and that anyone can participate in this Kingdom now and have fruit that impacts
our destiny in ruling on earth in the future when He returns. We can participate in this kingdom now by receiving His
free forgiveness and living worthy (holiness) of His kingdom (2 Thessalonians 1:5-12; Luke 21:34-36; 20:35-36;
Colossians 1:9-10 Matthew 10:37-38; 22:8; Revelation 3:4-5; 1 Thessalonians 2:12).
B. Forgiveness is “the door” into the Kingdom but not the essence of the Kingdom-message.
C. To preach the whole counsel of God includes covering the 3-fold message which includes forgiveness, repentance
and Jesus’ earthly Kingdom. Evangelism is the glorious and necessary first step in preaching the Kingdom of God but it is
not Jesus’ complete message.
For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. (Acts 20:27)
D. We must not reduce the gospel to forgiveness and morality rather than building kingdom.