The Saints will Rule in the Millennial Kingdom
I. THE SAINTS WILL RULE WITH JESUS FOR 1,000 YEARS ON THE EARTH
A. The Millennial Kingdom is the time when the saints will reign with Jesus on the earth for 1,000 years. He will
establish peace and righteousness as the Kingdom will be manifest worldwide affecting every sphere of life (political,
social, agricultural, economic, spiritual, educational, law enforcement, family, media, arts, technology, athletics,
environment, social institutions, etc).
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. Daniel saw the governmental thrones of the saints in the Millennial Kingdom.
18 The saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever
and ever…22 The Ancient of Days came…and the time came for the saints to possess the kingdom…27
The…greatness of the kingdoms (national governments) under the whole heaven, shall be given to…
the saints of the Most High. (Daniel 7:18, 22, 27)
C. 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)
D. 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.
E. 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.
4 I saw thrones…and judgment (decisions making) was committed to them… (Revelation 20:4)
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)
23 His Lord said, '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)
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)
II. 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)
1. Jesus is referred to by three prophetic titles (Revelation 1:5) that all come from Psalm 89 which interprets the
Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:8-16). All three titles are best understood in context to Jesus' future leadership over the
Millennial earth. Yes, Jesus has been the faithful witness from His earthly ministry until now as He reigns at God’s right
hand, and He was the firstborn from the dead and the ruler of the kings of the earth since His resurrection. However,
these titles will be totally fulfilled when they are openly manifest and thus seen by all on earth as Jesus reigns on the
Millennial earth as the King of kings (Revelation 19:16). All three titles are understood in their fullness in context to
promises made to the seed of David about the eternal kingdom of the Messiah as seen in 2 Samuel 7.
2. The “faithful witness” (3:14; 19:11) is understood in context to the throne of David which shall be established
forever like the sun and moon as faithful witnesses in the sky (Psalm 89:36-37). The "the first-born from the dead" relates
to God’s promises to make David's seed, His "first-born” or His "highest of the kings of the earth" (Psalm 89:27). Jesus is
called the first-born from the dead or the first-born from among those who died (Colossians 1:18; Acts 2:29-32; 4:2; 26:23;
Romans 1:4). The saints will be raised from the dead, but Jesus is the firstfruits (1 Corinthians 15:23). Jesus is the "ruler
of the kings of the earth" as God promised to David's seed that He would be the "highest of the kings of the earth"
(Psalm 89:27).
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)
III. THE PROGRESSIVE INCREASE OF JESUS’ GOVERNMENT
A. Jesus’ rule will progressively increase in order for all the institutions of the nations to be fully discipled by His
teachings (Isaiah 16:5; 60:3; Jeremiah 23:5; Psalm 89:4; 132:17-18).
7 Of the increase (expansion) of His (Jesus’) government and peace there will be no end, upon the Throne
of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward,
even forever. (Isaiah 9:7)
B. Jesus will rule the earth with the natural human processes not suspended, yet significantly enhanced by the
supernatural dimension of the Spirit especially with Jesus and the saints having a resurrected body. We see aspects of
the natural and the supernatural dimensions operating together when Jesus appeared with His resurrected body
(John 20-21; Acts 1).
C. Jesus will rule with hands-on governmental leadership to establish infrastructure for every sphere of life in every
city and village in every nation. He will replace the governmental leaders from the Antichrist’s worldwide government with
new people at every level of life in every city.
D. 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.
IV. 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; Jeremiah 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 13:3)
L. Jesus and the saints will use a rod of severity against sin (Revelation 19:15; 12:5; Psalm 2:9; Isaiah 11:4;
66:20, 24; Jeremiah 30:21; Ezekiel 45:8-9; Zechariah 14:16-19).
4 He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people... (Isaiah 2:4)
26 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)
4 He (Jesus) shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek…He shall strike the earth with the
rod…and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. (Isaiah 11:4)
M. The saints will function as the judges over the war tribunals that judge the kings of the earth who served the
Antichrist. The Nuremburg trials in 1945-46 give us insight into this. The saints will administrate punishments on the
survivors of the Antichrist’s system (1 Corinthians 6:2-3).
6 He shall judge the nations…and shall execute the heads of many countries. (Psalm 110:6)
21 In that day the LORD will punish…the kings of the earth. 22 They will be gathered together, as prisoners
are gathered in the pit, and will be shut up in prison… (Isaiah 24:21-22)
N. It will take 1,000 years for righteousness to fully mature in every nation before the final testing.
7 Now when the 1,000 years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison 8 and will go out to deceive
the nations which are in the four corners of the earth… (Revelation 20:7-8)
V. NATURAL AND SUPERNATURAL GOVERNMENT
A. Angels will not have the same rule over the nations in the Millennium. The saints will occupy the highest position
of government in the Spirit on the Millennial earth. This will be parallel yet superior to the relationship of angels in the
government of the nations in this age.
5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. (Hebrews 2:5)
1. This world is in subjection to angels because angels have had a significant role in the spiritual leadership of the
nations. Deuteronomy 32:8 (Septuagint) "When the Most High gave to the nations their inheritance…He set the bounds
of the peoples according to the number of the angels of God" instead of the MT (sons of Israel).
2. Daniel referred to the "prince of Persia" and the "prince of Greece" (Daniel 10:20) warring against
Michael "the great prince" for Israel (Daniel 10:21; 12:1). Michael warred against these demon principalities
in a way that influenced political leaders in that day. Paul wrote of demonic principalities (Ephesians 6:12).
B. Governmental authority in the spirit is now carried out by angels who have charge over cities.
1 Then He called out…., "Let those (angels) who have charge over the city draw near, each with a deadly
weapon in his hand." 2 Suddenly six men (angels) came from the direction...which faces north, each with
his battle-ax in his hand. (Ezekiel 9:1-2)
C. Saints will rule over angels who will have a support role to serve the saints.
3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? (1 Corinthians 6:3)
14 Are they not ministering spirits…to minister for those who inherit salvation? (Hebrews 1:14)
VI. LIVING IN THE NEW JERUSALEM WHILE REIGNING ON EARTH
A. Where will the saints live? The saints residence will be in the New Jerusalem and not in a “glorified mansion” on
the Millennial earth. They will rule with governmental responsibilities on earth. I liken this to senators who live in their
home state with a government office in Wash., DC.
20 For our citizenship is in heaven (New Jerusalem)... (Philippians 3:20–21)
B. What kind of body will the saints have? A physical material body with supernatural abilities. Jesus spoke with His
disciples for forty days in His resurrected body (Acts 1:3). Sometimes spirit beings (demons and angels) appear in the
natural realm to interact with people in natural bodies.
C. Resurrected saints will relate to but not fully inter-mingle with those in natural bodies. Inhabitants on the Millennial
earth (with non-resurrected bodies) will work closely with saints with resurrected bodies. Marriage will continue among
those in non-resurrected bodies. Those with resurrected bodies who live in the New Jerusalem will not be given to marriage.
VII. 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 t
o 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. We must not reduce
the gospel to forgiveness and morality rather than building the Kingdom.
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.
27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. (Acts 20:27)