THE MILLENNIUM: 8 Key Insights you must know

Pr. Almodad Amos Yaragwiller

Let us embark on a journey through the prophecies that unveil a pivotal era in the grand tapestry of God's plan – a thousand-year period, often referred to as the "millennium." While this specific term is not found in the sacred pages of the Bible, the divine revelations clearly delineate this distinct epoch, a time of profound significance in the culmination of earth's history and the establishment of God's eternal kingdom. Let us prayerfully explore the events foretold for this solemn and glorious time.

The Millennium that we are refereing to here, is a specific period of one thousand years, prophesied in the Bible, that immediately follows the second coming of Jesus Christ. During this time, the righteous who have been resurrected or translated are with Christ in heaven, while the wicked are dead in their graves on a desolate earth. The great adversary, Satan, is bound on this empty earth, unable to deceive the nations. This period leads to the final events of judgment, the resurrection of the wicked, Satan's final rebellion, and the ultimate creation of a new heavens and a new earth.

The Great Divide: Two Great Resurrections

The Holy Scriptures speak about a time when all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come out. There are two resurrections: one for life, and another for judgment (John 5:28, 29).

The Resurrection of Life: This will happen at the appearing of the Lord in glory (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Those who have died in faith will be resurrected, and together with the faithful who are still alive, they will be caught up to be with the Lord in the air. They ascend to live with Him in heaven for a thousand years (Revelation 20:5, 6). If those resurrected first are the faithful and holy ones of God, then those who remain are the group of people who died before repenting of sin. These remaining dead, meaning those who died in wickedness, will not live again until the thousand years are finished (Revelation 20:5). When that period is finished, they will be resurrected so they can be judged.

Special Resurrection

While all who died in faith come forth glorified to meet God in the clouds, simultaneously, “they also which pierced him” are raised to behold Him in His glory and to see the honor placed upon the loyal and the obedient (Revelation 1:7). These are “those that mocked and derided Christ’s dying agonies, and the most violent opposers of His truth and His people, are raised to behold Him in His glory, and to see the honor placed upon the loyal and obedient.” ~ (Ellen G. White Impending Crisis p.30.1).

This special resurrection is part a fulfillment to a promise Jesus made at a certain scene during His trial (Mt. 26:63–64). At Jesus’ trial, the high priest Caiaphas raised his hand and, invoking the living God, solemnly commanded, “Tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God.” He answered, “Thou hast said,” and added, “Nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.”

The Fate of the Unprepared

For those who are alive upon the earth at the coming of the Lord, yet whose lives are not in harmony with His will, destruction awaits. The wicked living are slain by the brightness of His coming and by the sword that proceeds from His mouth (2 Thess. 2:8; Jer. 25:30-33; Rev. 19:17, 18; Jer. 16:4).

The Earth's Desolation

Following this judgment, the earth is left in a state of utter ruin and emptiness. The prophet describes it as waste and void, with no man dwelling in it, and the heavens dark (Jer. 4:23-27). It is a scene of profound desolation.

The Confinement of the Adversary

During this thousand-year period, the great dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, is bound. An angel descends from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. He lays hold of Satan and binds him for a thousand years, casting him into the bottomless pit and shutting him up, setting a seal upon him so that he should not deceive the nations any longer until the thousand years are fulfilled (Rev. 20:1-3). The scripture also indicates that angels who sinned are reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day (2 Peter 2:4). This state of the earth, desolate and dark, can be understood as the "bottomless pit" of prophetic vision (Isa. 24:19-22).

A Time of Waiting

For this thousand years, the righteous are with Christ in heaven, reigning with Him (Rev. 20:4, 6). Although their ultimate inheritance is the earth (Matt. 5:5), their present dwelling is celestial. The wicked remain dead in their graves (Isa. 24:22; Rev. 20:5). Satan is bound on the desolate earth, unable to deceive. The earth itself lies waste and desolate (Jer. 4:27), observing a long Sabbath of rest after the centuries of human activity and sin (compare 2 Chron. 36:21; Lev. 26:33-35).

The Dawn After the Millennium

At the close of the thousand years, significant events transpire. John in vision saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband (Rev. 21:2).

The city descends to the earth. The prophet describes a time when the Mount of Olives is divided in two, and a great valley is formed, providing a place for the city to rest (Zech. 14:4, 5).

At the end of the thousand years, Satan is loosed out of his prison (Rev. 20:7). This occurs when the wicked are raised from their graves (Rev. 20:5).

Being loosed, Satan goes out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle. They encompass the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city. But fire comes down from God out of heaven and devours them (Rev. 20:8, 9). This is the second death (Rev. 20:14).

A New Creation

Following the destruction of the wicked, God brings forth a new creation. The scripture promises new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousness (2 Peter 3:10-14). This becomes the eternal home of the redeemed.

Conslusion

When God graciously reveals to us matters concerning the future, it is because He longs for all to be prepared and ultimately saved. His warnings are invitations to respond to His love and grace while there is still time. There is no better moment to surrender to God than today—indeed, this very hour—so that when this present life comes to an end, you may be counted either among those who rise in the first resurrection or those who are found alive and faithful at Christ’s return. The time is drawing near; this world will soon stand before the righteous judgment of God, and Satan shall be utterly defeated. Those who receive Jesus Christ now and truly repent of their sins align themselves with the kingdom of God—on the side of those who will be redeemed, who will reign with Christ during the thousand years, and who shall dwell with Him eternally on the new earth.