Why A New Millennium

Why A New Millennium

Not long ago, the world was anticipating an event known as Y2K, the beginning of a new millennium. Many people were either relieved or disappointed that the beginning of the 21st Century was such a dud-no computer outages, no societal shutdown, just life as normal. But there is a millennium worth looking forward to with great anticipation, a time-period known as the "millennium " or "the kingdom age." This millennium, spoken of in Scripture, is the climax of history on earth when Christ will reign for a thousand years.

Why do we need a millennial kingdom? It seems odd that God would bring in a thousand -year kingdom on earth only to destroy it later when He creates a new heaven and earth. "Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away" (Revelation 21:1). We could easily wonder, "What’s up with that? Why not skip the millennium altogether and go directly into the eternal state?" There are three reasons for a millennial kingdom on earth: 1) To Redeem the Earth From the Curse, 2) To Fulfill God’s Promises to Israel, 3) To Confirm Man’s Depravity.

1) TO REDEEM THE EARTH FROM THE CURSE. When mankind fell in the Garden of Eden, it was as if the title deed to the earth was given to Satan (Genesis 3). But during the millennium, Jesus will redeem the earth from the curse that came because of the original sin and subsequent judgment. In the millennium, the earth will reflect the blessings God originally planned when He first created it and mankind will experience the fulfillment of Christ’s prayer, "Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Matthew 6:10).

2) TO FULFILL GOD’S PROMISES TO ISRAEL. In the millennial kingdom, God will fulfill His covenant promises to the nation of Israel concerning a perpetual throne to the line of King David, "I have made a covenant with My chosen, I have sworn to My servant David: ’Your seed I will establish forever, and build up your throne to all generations’" (Psalm 89:3-4). God promised a future earthly kingdom as well as a heavenly one to the Jews and He will fulfill those promises because He ALWAYS keeps His promises!

3) God will also establish the millennial kingdom TO CONFIRM MAN’S DEPRAVITY. We’re not as civil as we would like to believe. Given the right circumstances, mankind is a breath away from civil anarchy. The millennium will prove the depth of man’s rebellion and wickedness. This time period will confirm that man’s innate depravity exists even when Satan is bound and even though we live in perfect surroundings. At the close of the thousand years, Satan will be released and gather these defiant ones in yet another worldwide rebellion against God. (Revelation 20:7-10)

God promises some amazing things in the millennium. PERPETUAL HEALTH AND LONGEVITY OF LIFE: At last! No aches, no pains, no need for doctors, no HMO’s, no Advil-just constant, vibrant health. "No more shall an infant from there live but a few days, nor an old man who has not fulfilled his days; for the child shall die one hundred years old…" (Isaiah 65:20). A PEACFUL ANIMAL KINGDOM: Jesus will restore the earth to its pre-curse, pre-fall-of-man condition, "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them" (Isaiah 11:6). A LUSH EARTH: The entire biosphere of the earth will be lush and beautiful, "The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice…" (Isaiah 35:1-2a). No more citations for excessive water usage! WORLD PEACE: Jesus will intervene in worldly affairs and bring the peace we all crave. No longer will we see nightly news updates about military maneuvers and international conflicts. Parents will not lose their children to war. "He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore." (Isaiah 2:4)

We didn’t know what Y2K would bring, but we DO know that the millennial kingdom will bring paradise to earth. Under the reign of our Lord Jesus Christ we will experience the world as God planned it since the beginning of time. I can’t wait!