Roles in the Millennium: Personal Prophecies in Scripture
I. INTRODUCTION: OUR ASSIGNMENT ON EARTH IN THE AGE-TO-COME
A. In this session, we will look at Scriptures revealing personal prophecies about the role of biblical leaders in the
Millennium. For example, Jesus prophesied to the apostles about having thrones in the age-to-come (Mt. 19:27-29).
David had more personal prophecies in Scripture about his 1,000-year assignment during the Millennium than his
40-year kingship during his natural life.
B. Jesus had more prophecies about His role in the Millennium than His role on earth during His first coming! Israel
has more prophecies about her role in the Millennium than before it. The Millennium is the first time in which all Israel will
be saved (Rom. 11:12).
C. Premise #1: Some leaders in the Scripture were consciously preparing for their next assignment on earth in the
age-to-come knowing that it far surpassed their first assignment on earth.
D. Premise #2: Our major “ministry” assignment on earth will occur in the age-to-come.
E. Premise #3: Some of our personal prophecies have their greatest fulfillment in the Millennium.
A. The Millennium is the time when the saints will reign with Jesus on earth for 1,000 years. He will establish righteousness
worldwide affecting every sphere of life (political, social, agricultural, economic, educational, law enforcement, family,
media, arts, etc.)
6 They shall be priests…and shall reign with Him 1,000 years. (Rev. 20:6)
B. Jesus will rule a worldwide Kingdom in partnership with two types of kings: kings of the earth (non-resurrected
bodies) and resurrected kings (saints with resurrected bodies). Together they will establish a godly social order affecting
every sphere of life. Those with non-resurrected bodies will be the unsaved survivors of the Tribulation (the resisters).
After Jesus’ Second Coming they will be saved and then populate the Millennial earth (Isa. 4:3; 10:20; 11:11; 49:6;
65:8; 66:19; Jer. 31:2; Ezek. 20:38-42; 36:36; Amos 9:9-10; Joel 2:32; Zech. 12:14; 13:8; 14:16).
C. The saints will occupy the highest position of government in the Spirit on the Millennial earth. This will be parallel
to the relationship of angels in the government of the nations in this age. The saints’ residence will be in the New
Jerusalem which descended to the Millennial earth.
D. Jesus will rule the earth with the natural human processes not suspended, yet significantly enhanced by the
supernatural dimension of the Spirit. We see aspects of the natural and the supernatural dimensions operating together
when Jesus appeared to the disciples for 40 days in His resurrected body (Jn. 20-21; Acts 1). Resurrected saints will
relate to but not fully inter-mingle with those in natural bodies. Currently, people occasionally see spirit beings (angels
and demons). At the Second Coming the veil between the natural and spiritual realm will be lifted. Satan and his demons
will be in prison (Rev. 20:1-3).
II. LIFE IN THIS AGE PREPARES US FOR OUR ASSIGNMENT IN THE AGE-TO-COME
A. Our life on earth 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 which will be the time of our primary ministry calling.
1. Our preparatory assignment is a 70 year assignment on earth in this age (our internship).
2. Our primary assignment is a 1,000-year assignment on earth after Jesus’ Second Coming.
B. 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 on earth
in the age-to-come. The choices we make determine our role in our 1,000-year assignment. 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.
C. Being faithful to Jesus in difficulty now prepares us for our greater calling in the Millennium.
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)… (2 Cor. 4:17)
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. (Rom 8:18)
III. DAVID RECEIVED PROPHETIC WORDS ABOUT HIS ROLE IN THE MILLENNIUM
A. There are more personal prophecies in Scripture about David’s 1,000-year kingship over Israel in the Millennium than
his 40-year kingship during his natural life (1 Sam. 13:14; 15:28; 16:1-13).
B. Samuel’s prophecy to David revealed that God commanded him to be commander over Israel. This was only
partially fulfilled in David’s 40 year reign as king during his natural life.
13 Samuel said to Saul, "You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the LORD…The LORD would
have established your kingdom over Israel forever. 14 But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for
Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be commander over His people…
(1 Sam. 13:13-14)
C. Saul was offered the kingdom over Israel forever (1 Sam. 13:13). Saul’s “kingdom” referred to his personal role
in it. Saul’s kingdom did not continue yet the kingdom of Israel did.
D. God promised that David’s kingdom or his personal role in it would last “forever” if he obeyed God. Nathan
revealed two dimensions of David’s calling. First, his personal calling referred to as his house. Second, his national
calling referred to as his throne. Both will continue forever.
16 Your (David’s) house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you (David). Your throne shall be
established forever. (2 Sam. 7:16)
E. Just before David died, he spoke of his role on earth after his life time and of Solomon’s place in that generation
and in the Millennium (i.e., based on Solomon’s obedience).
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 Chr. 28:1-7)
F. The Lord spoke to Solomon of Israel’s future which included his own Millennial blessings. .
2 The LORD appeared to Solomon…3 The LORD said to him…"4 If you walk before Me as your father David walked in
integrity of heart…and if you keep My statutes…5 then I will establish the throne of your kingdom over Israel forever,
as I promised David your father, saying, 'You shall not fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.' (1 Kings 9:2-5)
G. David’s personal prophetic words about his role in the age-to-come are seen in Ezek. 34:23-24; 37:24-25; Isa. 55:4;
Jer. 30:9; Hos. 3:5; double fulfillment in 1 Sam. 13:14 (Amos 9:11-12?).
23 I will establish one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them--My servant David…24 I, the LORD, will be their God,
and My servant David a prince among them…. (Ezek. 34:23-24)
24 David My servant shall be king over them…25 They shall dwell in the land…their children's children, forever; My
servant David shall be their prince forever. (Ezek. 37:24-25)
5 Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They shall fear the
LORD and His goodness in the latter days. (Hos. 3:5)
9 They shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up. (Jer. 30:9)
1. Note that God is distinguished from the historical king David (with a resurrected body) who will be a regent over
Israel ruling under Jesus. The title "My servant, David" is used only for the actual man David and not Jesus
(Ezek. 34:23-24; 37:24-25).
2. Some say that David symbolically speaks of Jesus. Jesus will sit on the throne of David being called the Son of
David (15 times), the seed of David (Rom. 1:3; 2 Tim. 2:8), the root and offspring of David (Rev. 5:5; 22:16) and the
Branch to David (Jer. 23:5). However, Jesus is not once referred to as “David”.
H. King Abijah (100 years after David’s death) referenced David’s role in the Millennial Kingdom.
5 God…gave the dominion over Israel to David forever, to him and his sons… (2 Chr. 13:5)
I. Isaiah repeated Samuel’s prophecy, approximately 300 years after David died.
3 The sure mercies of David. 4 Indeed I have given him as a witness to the people, a leader and commander for the people.
(Isa. 55:3-4)
IV. DAVID THE FIRST “MILLENNIAL THEOLOGIAN” IN SCRIPTURE
A. David was the first “Millennial theologian” in the Scripture. Psalm 37 is his most comprehensive statement on the
Millennium. He understood that only the meek enter into their full inheritance.
9 Those who wait on the LORD, they shall inherit the earth… 11 The meek shall inherit the earth... 18 Their inheritance
shall be forever…22 Those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth...29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell in
it forever. (Ps. 37:9, 11, 18, 22, 29)
B. Jesus provided us with an interpretive key to the prophecies in David’s life based on meekness.
5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. (Mt. 5:5)
C. David was sensitive to how sin in his leadership team might have brought guilt on his kingdom.
28 When David heard it, he said, "My kingdom and I are guiltless before the LORD forever of the blood of Abner... (2 Sam. 3:28)
V. THE APOSTLES RECEIVED PROPHECIES FOR THE MILLENNIAL KINGDOM
A. Jesus gave “personal prophecies” to the apostles about their roles in the Millennium to motivate them to walk in
humility and diligence (Mt. 19:27-29; 25:14-46; Lk. 22:24-30; 19:11-27).
27 Peter answered, "See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?" 28 Jesus said "…In the
regeneration, 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. (Mt. 19:27-28)
28 But you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. 29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father
bestowed one upon Me, 30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve
tribes of Israel. (Lk. 22:28-30)
B. The Lord showed John that his name would be on one of the foundations of the New Jerusalem.
14 The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. (Rev. 21:14)
VI. OTHERS IN SCRIPTURE WITH PERSONAL PROPHECIES FOR THE MILLENNIUM
A. Abraham greatest earthly prophecies will be fulfilled in Millennium (Gen. 12-17). He never received the land that God
promised him. Israel does not have the land even to this day.
B. Zerubbabel will have the signet ring of authority in the Millennium (Hag. 2:21-23)
21 Speak to Zerubbabel…,“I will shake heaven and earth. 22 I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms; I will destroy the
strength of Gentile kingdoms…23 In that day…I will take you, Zerubbabel…and will make you as a signet ring; for
I have chosen you”… (Hag. 2:21-23)
C. Daniel will have an inheritance in the Millennial Kingdom (Dan. 12:13).
13 For you shall rest, and will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days. (Dan. 12:13)
D. Elijah will be used in the restoration process in the Millennium probably by turning the hearts of the people to
the Lord as He will do just prior to the Millennium (Mal. 4:5-6; Mt. 17:10-11).
11 Jesus answered, "Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things.” (Mt. 17:11)
5 I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. 6 And he will turn the hearts
of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.
(Mal. 4:5-6)
E. Melchizedek will be a priest forever, including the Millennium.
17 You are a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. (Heb. 7:17)
F. Aaron was set apart forever to minister to God forever, which includes the Millennial Kingdom.
13 Aaron was set apart, he and his sons forever, that he should...burn incense before the LORD, to minister to Him,
and to give the blessing in His name forever. (1 Chr. 23:13)
G. Phinehas was given the covenant of an everlasting priesthood. Therefore, the Lord placed special blessing on
this family line which included the sons of Zadok (Ezekiel 44:15-16)
10 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: 11 "Phinehas…the priest, has turned back My wrath…because he was zealous
with My zeal…12 Therefore say, 'Behold, I give to him My covenant of peace; 13 and it shall be to him and his
descendants after him a covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was zealous for his God…'" (Num 25:10-13)
H. Zadok the high priest was faithful to God. Therefore, God promised him blessing in the age-to-come which
included blessing on his family line as prophesied also to Phinehas (Num 25:6-13).
15 The…sons of Zadok, who kept charge of My sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from Me, they shall come
near Me to minister to Me… (Ezek. 44:15)
2 David said, "No one may carry the ark of God but the Levites, for the LORD has chosen them...to minister before Him
forever." (1 Chr. 15:2)
I. Eli and his house lost their role in the Millennial Kingdom because of disobedience.
30 The LORD God of Israel says: 'I said indeed that your (Eli’s) house and the house of your father would walk before
Me forever.' But now the LORD says: 'Far be it from Me; for those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me
shall be lightly esteemed…35 I will raise up for Myself a faithful priest (Zadok) who shall do according to what is in My
heart…I will build him a sure house, and he shall walk before My anointed forever. (1 Sam. 2:30-35)
J. Ezekiel, though a priest in a slave camp, will officiate at the Millennial altar (Ezek. 43:18-19).
18 He said, "Son of man...these are the ordinances for the altar on the day when it is made...19 You shall give a
young bull...to the priests...who are of the seed of Zadok...” (Ezek. 43:18-19)
K. The End-Time martyrs also have a prophecy of their authority in the Millennium (Rev. 20:4-6).
4 I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had
been beheaded for their witness to Jesus.….who had not worshiped the beast or his image…And they lived and reigned
with Christ for a thousand years…6 They shall be priests of God…and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
(Rev. 20:4-6)
L. Jesus prophesied that the saints at Philadelphia could lose their crowns.
11 Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. (Rev. 3:11)
M. The saints at Thyatira are promised government in the Millennial Kingdom if they overcome.
26 He who overcomes…to him I will give power over the nations... (Rev. 2:26)
N. Jesus gave one of great promises to the carnal church of Laodicea 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 (Mt. 19:27-28).
21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne… (Rev. 3:21)
O. Paul saw his life as one long race that resulted in one appearance before the “Olympics Judge” at the Bema
Seat of Christ. He compared his life to a marathon runner who was greatly disciplined.
24 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize (stephanos crown)? Run in such a
way that you may obtain it. 25 Everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain
a perishable crown (stephanos), but we for an imperishable crown (stephanos). 26 Therefore I run thus: not with
uncertainty (lack of focus)…27 I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others,
I myself should become disqualified. (1 Cor. 9:24-27)