Is the idea of Messianic age / Kingdom Biblical?

Messianic age / Messianic Kingdom

The Messianic age, also known as the Messianic kingdom, is a concept adopted by Jews and some Christians. It revolves around the idea of a future era of global peace, justice, and prosperity, typically associated with the coming of a messiah or a chosen one who will bring about these transformative changes.

In Judaism, the Messianic age is often referred to as the “World to Come” or “Olam Haba.” It is envisioned as a time when a messiah, a descendant of King David, will emerge to restore the Davidic dynasty and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem. This era is characterized by the ingathering of exiles, universal knowledge of God, and a world at peace, free from war and suffering. Judaism typically does not associate the Messianic age with the divinity of the messiah.

Some Christian denominations share a similar Messianic concept, but it is often tied to the second coming of Jesus Christ. To them, the messianic age is sometimes interpreted in terms of Millenarianism and the 1000-year period in which Satan is to be bound so that he cannot influence those living on the Earth, and Jesus Christ will reign on the Earth with resurrected saints. After that Satan will be defeated and the Earth and heaven will pass away, and people will face judgment by Jesus Christ to determine whether or not they will enter the new heaven and earth that will be established.

Is the Teaching of the Messianic age / Messianic Kingdom Biblical?

The Messianic Age / Messianic Kingdom is not Biblical. The Bible teaches that the 1000 years or the millennium is a period that will take place after the second coming of Christ. It is mentioned in the book of Revelation during which Satan will be bound on earth and the righteous will be in heaven. Let us examine the Scriptures:

The Chronological Events at the Beginning of the 1000 Years

A devastating earthquake and hailstorm (Revelation 16:18–21).
The second coming of Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:30, 31).
The saved dead raised to life (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
The saved given immortality (1 Corinthians 15:51–55).
The saved given bodies like Jesus (1 John 3:2; Philippians 3:20, 21).
All the saved caught up into the clouds (1 Thessalonians 4:17).
The living sinners destroyed by God (Isaiah 11:4).
The unsaved dead remain in their graves until the end of the 1,000 years (Revelation 20:5).
Christ takes the righteous to heaven (John 13:33, 36; 14:2, 3).
The devil is bound (Revelation 20:1–3).

The chain that Satan will be bound with is symbolic. Satan is “tied down” because he has no one to deceive and lead astray. The sinners are all dead and the saints are all in heaven. God binds Satan to this earth so he cannot harm anyone forcing the devil to stay on the earth, alone with his evil angels for a thousand years will be the most maddening chain ever made. 

The Chronological Events During the 1000 Years

The earth is in a ruined state (Revelation 16:18–21).
The earth is in complete blackout and desolate, a “bottomless pit” (Jeremiah 4:23, 28).
The devil is bound and forced to stay on the earth (Revelation 20:1–3).
The saints are in heaven participating in the judgment (Revelation 20:4).
The sinners are all dead (Jeremiah 4:25; Isaiah 11:4).

The saints from all ages will participate in the judgment during the 1000 years. The record books of all who are lost, including the devil and his angels, will be examined. This judgment will answer any questions the saints might have about those who were lost. In the end, everyone will see that the lost are shut out of heaven only because they did not wish to live like God.

The Chronological Events at the End of the 1000 Years

The third coming of Jesus with His saints (Zechariah 14:5).
The Holy city settles on the Mount of Olives, which becomes a great plain (Zechariah 14:4, 10).
The Father, His angels, and all of the saints come down with Jesus (Revelation 21:1–3; Matthew 25:31; Zechariah 14:5).
The wicked dead are raised; Satan is loosed (Revelation 20:5, 7).
The devil deceives the entire world to capture the New Jerusalem (Revelation 20:8).
The sinners surround the holy city (Revelation 20:9).
The sinners are destroyed by God’s fire (Revelation 20:9).
New heavens and earth are created (Isaiah 65:17; 2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1).
The saints enjoy eternity with God on the new earth (Revelation 21:2–4).

God will create new heavens and a new earth. Sin and its destructiveness will vanish forever. God’s children will inherit the kingdom promised to them. “They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isaiah 35:10). The kingdom Christ prepared for His children (John 14:1–3) will be glorious (1 Corinthians 2:9).