Most of the preachers I hear on the radio or in the pulpit teach that Jesus will reign for 1000 years, a time called the Millennium.
If that is what you believe, you are flat-out wrong!
Books on Bible prophecy, and other works about the Bible, repeat this error.
The Bible plainly says, in words which cannot be mistaken, that Jesus Christ will reign forever on this earth.
Here is the plain Bible proof for the correct view:
(1) Luke 1:32, 33
Luke 1:32 He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:
Luke 1:33 And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.
Some argue that the word “forever” is sometimes used in a limited sense. That is true, but not here. It cannot be used in its limited sense because (1) the reference is to the future age, the age to come, not this age; (2) the term “for ever” is backed up by an explanatory clause, “and of his kingdom there shall be no end.”
Jesus, therefore, will reign upon (not over!) this earth. We know that this reign must be upon this earth because it is in fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant. How do I know that? The text plainly says that Jesus will reign upon the throne of David. The throne of David is on this earth, not in heaven.
This little item of needful correction changes many things that we thought we knew when it comes to understanding Bible prophecy, or even the Bible at large.
The 1000 years of the Millennium does not mark the length of the reign of our Lord Jesus Christ upon this earth. It marks (1) the length of time Satan is bound; and (2) the time between the First Resurrection and the Second Resurrection.
The reign of our Lord Jesus Christ continues on this earth for ever, not just 1000 years. It is utterly wrong to speak of “the 1000 year reign of Jesus Christ.” That is NOT what the Bible teaches.
It is about time ordinary Bible reading Christians, pastors, Bible teachers, and Christian writers got this straight!
Think I am wrong on this? I dare you to prove me wrong. On this point, it is virtually certain you cannot prove me wrong, but you are most welcome to try.
You know, if you’ve read much on this site, that I can be persuaded to change my mind in the light of better or more accurate evidence.
Are you able to change your mind on the basis of the very plain and incontrovertible evidence I just presented?
lk 1.32-33 is two great promises in the word of god for the future reign of our lord jesus christ. i found some cross references were an encourgement to me. isa 9.7 speaks of his reign for ever,” of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end,upon the throne of david, and upon his kingddom, to order it,and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. the zeal of the lord of hosts will perform this.” clearly states of his reign being forever and ever. num 23.19 brings what god has said he will do my favorite vs” god is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken,and shall he not make it good?
jerry there are some bible students who would say lk 1.32-33 refer to israel. lk 1.32 he shall be great, and shall be called the son of the highest; and the lord god shall give unto him the throne of his father david; ii sa, 3.10 to translate the kingdom from the house of saul, and to set up the throne of david over israel and over judah, from dan even to beersheba. again in 11 sam 7.13 he shall build an house for my name,and i will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever. great promises here. my question would be how would we answer our friends who say these the davidic kingdom primarily refers to israel and not to the church?
Dear Ken,
While Luke 1:32, 33 makes specific reference to Israel and the Davidic Covenant, there is much other Scripture which makes reference to the Abrahamic Covenant, which involves the entire world and all its nations.
Rev 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.
Revelation clearly involves the entire world, and the reign is to last for ever and ever.
Zec 14:9 And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one.
You can see that the Old Testament plainly teaches the same thing in Zechariah 14:9.
Isa 24:23 Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.
It is clear that Jesus Christ will reign in mount Zion and in Jerusalem, and from the other passages just cited, that reign will extend to all the earth.
Each of these texts make for wonderful additional cross reference Bible study.
The Bible makes it clear that those who belong to Christ–his true Church–not the Roman Catholic Church or any other denomination, will be co-heirs in the Kingdom and will reign with Christ (see Psalm 149:9), while those who are on earth when Christ sets up His Kingdom will be subjects of the Kingdom. They will continue to exist and propagate the earth in their normal natural human bodies forever (Psalm 72:5).
Psa 149:9 To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD.
Psa 72:5 They shall fear thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.
If you will study the cross references for Psalm 72:5 in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible (the references are NOT in the New Treasury or the original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge) you will learn much more about this straight from Scripture. This is a doctrine repeated in Scripture but probably never taught in church by any pastor from the pulpit. Unfortunately even some very good Bible believing pastors have never studied the Bible in this much detail to learn what the Bible teaches about this, and even when shown this truth, in my experience, they refuse to believe it. But you can search it out for yourself with little effort.
thank you jerry great points you made and very helpful. like you said for us to do “study to show thyself approved unto god ii tim 2.15!
Revelation 20:1-6
Dear Ben,
If you have actually read my article you must know that the reign of Christ is not limited to 1000 years but will continue forever as the Scripture plainly and repeatedly states. See Revelation 11:15 and Luke 1:32 and Luke 1:33.