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Life in the Millennium

A lot of folks think that a day will come when Jesus appears in the sky and all those who’ve believed in him, living and dead, will rise and go to his heaven forevermore; and everything and everyone left back on earth is going to experience life that in every way just runs “downhill.”  But, stop and think:  Jesus shed his blood here, and the Father is genuinely sentimental, honoring and respectful of His Son’s obedience at Calvary.  For all the “live righteously” teaching that’s come from Moses and the Prophets, from Jesus himself, followed by Paul, Peter, James, John, Luke and perhaps Barnabas (N.T. book of Hebrews), people of the earth have never consciously lived to follow God’s law but instead have continued to carry out their selfish living styles.  Where is the satisfying victory in this, for God?  Has he demonstrated that his way really would work here?  Only partially, in the clusters of Christians here and there.  Being in this world, we have seen a manifestation of an Age of Grace, salvation through faith in Christ’s merit of self-sacrifice on the cross; but still, we have not witnessed—nor have the angels and the Triune God—the working out of true righteousness as the preferred (and enforced) way of living here on earth.  This short essay will describe for you—principally following the carefully-thought-out writings of Finis Dake (Finis Dake products available at www.dakebible.com )—what life is in the “hereafter”; hereafter beginning when Christ raptures the Church just prior to the Tribulation (seven years of “peace”-become-turmoil) on earth.

Who Goes?  Who Stays?  Who Dies?

What is God’s purpose for conducting a coming Tribulation as a lead up to his 1000-year reign?  The answer is that it allows those still-living Jews another chance to believe in Christ as their Messiah, and through their own preachers; this, after their having been witness to a sudden evacuation from the earth of all living Christians.  We have lived in a 2,000-year-plus Age of the Gentiles, where grace goes to those who want to be “grafted in” to being God’s chosen.  When Christians are removed from the earth in the Rapture (a word not actually appearing in the New Testament—but expressed as being “caught up to be with Christ in the sky”), further Gentile conversions for Christ will cease--that's my opinion, not Mr. Dake's.  This shall be a time of Ichabod, when the glory of God has left the earth, just as it did in Old Testament times when it left the ark and the temple.  Then life, without God, naturally runs its downhill course. The people living will put their total faith in the efforts of man.

For the first half of the Tribulation—a period of 3 ½ years—an international peacemaker will arise and bring a settling to tensions between nations and be heralded as a genius able to coax even Arabs and Jews into their making surprise agreements.  But as this person’s appetite for more political power does increase, he wishes more:  to have reverence from all as being “super-human.”  Now, superhuman is god-like.  This person will demand allegiance that can easily be verified by a physical mark that an adherent will allow to be placed on either the forehead or the hand.  People refusing the mark are to be shunned and no longer permitted the benefit of open commerce and partaking of essential services.  Mr. Dake does not think these phenomena will be worldwide but be confined to the stage of this evil-become-monster drama in Europe and the Middle East.  Finally, complete break with Israel comes when this world leader has his own image placed in the holy place in Israel’s border, and armies from around the world converge to destroy Israel for that nation's opposition and resistance.  The invaders amass in the valley of Armageddon.  The Lord Jesus will return, however, to prevent this annihilation; he slays the armies gathered, and their blood will run deep in this valley.  This ends the Tribulation, and though many have died, many will survive.  Conveniently rid of are all the evil killer soldiers!  Christ “reshapes” all these pieces into something workable, and presentable. 

In the world, still, are many who have either not heard of Christ or who have been unaffected by escalating events in Europe and the Holy Land.  They have lived through the Tribulation by either enduring the suffering and hardship, or by being remote and self-sufficient so as to not be subjected to the severe political-economic conditions.  We who have resurrected bodies and resemble Christ physically will return to earth and be educators to explain to them all the Law.  This is a meaning behind disciples “judging” the twelve tribes of Israel.  But, it is not a time of Grace and conversion.  It is a time of educating the people much as Moses and Ezra read the law to Israelites prior to entry into and return from captivity into the Promised Land!  People who stubbornly refuse to practice the Law (Ten Commandments and many other Old Testament provisions) will be excised from society all during this 1,000 years.  Disobedient survivors coming through the Tribulation are not allowed to just “do their thing” up through to completion of the Millennium. 

Man Stops Chasing the Animals Respect for all God's creation will be emphasized, and the beauty of nature honored by our wholesome and un-selfish attitude towards it.

Rulers in the Millennium -- King David and the Lord Jesus Christ

Christ Jesus will rule all the world from Jerusalem in a special city that he has created in Heaven for this use and that he transports down to earth.  These are the “mansions” or abodes that he promised us he’d prepare while away the past 2,000 years.  We in this city (and now called "The Bride") have the tasks as his men- and women-become-like-angels to see that the people still alive on the earth follow all God’s Law.  Interestingly, David the ancient King (resurrected at the Rapture) will have rule of that ancient Israel land boundary. This “millennium” is the 1000-year reign of Christ where it is demonstrated that the best quality of living and the most blissful and satisfying life is when God, above all, receives full honor. HAPPINESS WE SHALL HAVE! Gifts, offering and tithe will be given to Christ by all, brought to Jerusalem on land-bridges that have formed for the Millennium, permitting land travel from all points on earth.  Praise and actual physical worship before God will have due recognition by earth's residents.  Sacred spots on earth will exist, having to do with the Christian message. Praise can be given to God in areas outside of Jerusalem, as has always been the case. The actual blood of Christ that was long-ago shed will be visible for admiring.  People shall choose for God and live; nothing shall be just “given” to them!  Life for man during the Millennium is work, not privilege; however, the Sabbath rest will be strictly observed, as are other non-sacrifice related laws of Old Testament times.  Jews living shall be able to teach others about festivals, etc.

People will not die of old age during this time, animals will lose their fear of men, and babies will be born to many during the 1000-year reign of Christ on earth, where proper care of the environment is practiced.  This government by the headship of Christ is God’s convincing accomplishment that demonstrates his way of living truly is best, the most productive--as well as being joyous, too, for man.  The curse that now exists on the earth (weeds, etc.) will be lifted.We, as resurrected saints, now like angels, can fly all around, and we will instruct and judge all the natural mankind who live for the millennium duration.  Our life, however, is everlasting as saints—it extends beyond this 1,000 years, but in a new heaven and new earth God will create.  This 1,000 years is neither “a time of Gentiles” or a “time of Jews;” there is no distinction.  This is not a time of conversion or of faith and prayer.  Christ is truly on the earth physically, and to talk with him, one travels on to New Jerusalem.  Society will be ar more successful with farming, as Christ will send rainfall where needed.  What is the use of communication via the Net?  There will be no pornography allowed.  Probably no advertising to get people to buy things that appeal to lust or ostentatious luxury.  Definitely no Hollywood!—no glorified depiction of sex, rebellion, and lawlessness.  People will concern themselves with honoring and obeying God’s strict Law, because it means their survival if they properly comply, and with them, children who learn to honor the law in their lives.  Mankind’s own ruling code will be:  We will treat all others as neighbors and how we wish to be treated.  This mankind living during this time still is in the “fallen state” of Adam and Eve’s; they are not as we:  new creatures in Christ Jesus.

One thousand years of this living by the earthly survivors from the 7-year Tribulation time, their having been instructed by angels and us (the Rapture saints) in how to live by The Law is irrefutable proof of the truth that God’s ways are best.  God wants this time to show all: In obedience to God’s word is a paramount way to live.  All sin and sinfulness is a poor way to live, and thousands of years before now amply testify to this fact.  At the close of the Millennium, another opportunity for mankind to argue against God’s way will be a short insurrection where Satan is released to again tempt the nations against conforming with God’s instructed ways.  This now becomes the final destruction of Satan who has, for 1000 years, been held captive and rendered ineffectual without power and influence.  Following the close of the Millennium will be the Father’s “White Throne Judgment” where all those living and the now-resurrected dead will be judged for sinful acts and thoughts of their lives.  Then what happens? Stay tuned...

The Reward of Christians

Christians, at the Rapture (which just precedes the onset of Tribulation), receive rewards for service to Christ that they did in their lifetimes.  They are not judged at this time for sin they did—it is covered and out of view from God the Father due to the meritorious, atoning blood of Christ shed at Calvary.  This is Saving Grace.  Should you accept Christ into your heart fully, you have gained eternal life with him.  It is the only future worth having!

My Views and Rev. Dake's