What will happen in the Millennium?

Understanding The Millennium

The Millennium is an important subject in Bible prophecy. The word “millennium” means one thousand years. Although many common English Bible translations do not use the word “millennium,” the idea comes directly from “Revelation 20,” where the phrase “a thousand years” appears several times.

John wrote, “Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand” “Revelation 20:1.” He then says that Satan is bound “for a thousand years” “Revelation 20:2.”

Many Christians understand the Millennium differently. Some believe it is a symbolic period. Others believe it describes a literal future reign of Christ on earth. However, a careful study of the Bible shows a clear sequence of events: the Millennium begins after the second coming of Christ, continues while the righteous are in heaven and the earth lies desolate, and ends with the final destruction of sin and the creation of the new earth.

The Millennium is not merely a period of earthly peace and prosperity. It is part of God’s final work to end sin, reveal His justice, and restore the earth forever.

Events At The Beginning Of The Millennium

The Millennium begins with dramatic events connected to the second coming of Jesus. Before Christ appears, the earth will be shaken by a devastating earthquake and hailstorm. John wrote, “And there were noises and thunderings and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake” “Revelation 16:18.” He also described “great hail from heaven” falling upon the earth “Revelation 16:21.”

Revelation also says, “Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place” “Revelation 6:14.” These scenes show that Christ’s return will not be secret or quiet. It will be visible, powerful, and world-shaking.

Jesus Himself said, “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven… and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory” “Matthew 24:30.” He added, “And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect” “Matthew 24:31.”

At this time, Jesus comes for His people. The righteous dead are raised, the living righteous are changed, and all of God’s faithful people are caught up to meet the Lord.

The Resurrection Of The Righteous

Paul gives one of the clearest descriptions of what happens when Jesus returns. He wrote, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God” “1 Thessalonians 4:16.” Then he adds, “And the dead in Christ will rise first” “1 Thessalonians 4:16.”

This is the first resurrection. It includes those who died in faith before the second coming. Revelation says, “Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection” “Revelation 20:6.”

After the righteous dead are raised, the living righteous are transformed. Paul wrote, “We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed” “1 Corinthians 15:51.” He continues, “For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality” “1 Corinthians 15:53.”

God’s people will receive glorified bodies. John wrote, “We know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” “1 John 3:2.” Paul also said that Christ “will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body” “Philippians 3:21.”

Then “we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” “1 Thessalonians 4:17.”

What Happens To The Wicked?

At the second coming, the righteous are taken to be with Christ. But the wicked do not enter a thousand years of peace on earth. Instead, the Bible shows that the living wicked are destroyed by the brightness and power of Christ’s coming.

Isaiah wrote, “He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked” “Isaiah 11:4.” Paul gives a similar description, saying that the lawless one will be consumed “with the breath of His mouth” and destroyed “with the brightness of His coming” “2 Thessalonians 2:8.”

Those who rejected God will not be able to stand before Christ’s glory. Revelation describes them crying out to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!” “Revelation 6:16.”

The wicked who are already in their graves remain dead during the Millennium. Revelation says, “But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished” “Revelation 20:5.”

So, at the beginning of the Millennium, the righteous are taken to heaven, the living wicked are slain, and the wicked dead remain in their graves until the end of the thousand years.

Jesus Takes The Righteous To Heaven

Before His death, Jesus promised His followers that He would take them to His Father’s house. He said, “I go to prepare a place for you” “John 14:2.” Then He added, “I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” “John 14:3.”

This promise is fulfilled at the second coming. Jesus does not come at that time to set up an earthly kingdom among the wicked. Instead, He gathers His people and takes them to heaven.

This also agrees with His words to the disciples. Jesus told Peter, “Where I am going you cannot follow Me now, but you shall follow Me afterward” “John 13:36.” The hope of the believer is to be with Christ.

During the Millennium, the redeemed are in heaven with Jesus. They are safe, immortal, and free from the suffering of this world. But they are not idle. The Bible shows that they take part in an important work of judgment.

John wrote, “And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them” “Revelation 20:4.”

Satan Is Bound During The Millennium

Revelation says that an angel binds Satan “for a thousand years” and casts him into “the bottomless pit” “Revelation 20:2-3.” This does not mean Satan is bound with a literal metal chain. A spirit being cannot be restrained by physical chains. The chain represents restriction.

Satan is bound by circumstances. At the beginning of the Millennium, the righteous have been taken to heaven and the wicked are dead. There is no one left alive on earth for Satan to tempt, deceive, or persecute. His work is stopped.

The “bottomless pit” represents the desolate condition of the earth. The Greek word used in Revelation is related to the idea of an abyss, a place of emptiness or chaos. This picture fits the condition of the earth after the plagues, earthquake, hailstorm, and destruction at Christ’s coming.

Jeremiah saw a vision of the earth in a devastated state. He wrote, “I beheld the earth, and indeed it was without form, and void; and the heavens, they had no light” “Jeremiah 4:23.” He added, “I beheld, and indeed there was no man, and all the birds of the heavens had fled” “Jeremiah 4:25.”

This is the earth during the Millennium: dark, empty, ruined, and without human life.

Events During The Millennium

During the thousand years, the righteous are in heaven and the wicked are dead. Satan and his angels are confined to the desolate earth. They have no one to deceive. They are left to consider the results of rebellion against God.

At the same time, the redeemed participate in judgment. Revelation says, “And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them” “Revelation 20:4.” Paul also wrote, “Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?” “1 Corinthians 6:2.” He added, “Do you not know that we shall judge angels?” “1 Corinthians 6:3.”

This judgment does not mean the redeemed decide who is saved or lost. God has already made that clear before the second coming. Rather, this judgment allows the saved to review God’s decisions and understand His justice.

Many questions will be answered. Why are some people in heaven? Why are some not there? How did God deal with every soul? During the Millennium, God opens the records so the redeemed can see that He has been loving, fair, patient, and just in all His ways.

This work prepares the universe for the final end of sin.

Events At The End Of The Millennium

At the end of the thousand years, Jesus returns to earth with His saints. This is not the second coming, when He comes for His people. This is the coming after the Millennium, when He comes with His people.

Zechariah wrote, “Thus the Lord my God will come, and all the saints with You” “Zechariah 14:5.” Revelation describes the holy city descending from heaven: “Then I, John, saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God” “Revelation 21:2.”

The city settles on the earth. Zechariah says that the Lord’s feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, and “the Mount of Olives shall be split in two” “Zechariah 14:4.” The area becomes a great plain, preparing a place for the New Jerusalem “Zechariah 14:10.”

At this time, the wicked dead are raised. Revelation says, “But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished” “Revelation 20:5.” When they are raised, Satan is loosed because he once again has people to deceive.

John wrote, “Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison” “Revelation 20:7.”

Satan’s Final Deception

After the wicked are raised, Satan immediately returns to his work of deception. Revelation says that he “will go out to deceive the nations” “Revelation 20:8.”

The number of the lost is described as being “as the sand of the sea” “Revelation 20:8.” Satan gathers them for one final attack against God, His people, and the holy city. John wrote, “They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city” “Revelation 20:9.”

This is the final rebellion. Even after seeing the results of sin, even after being raised from the dead, the wicked still follow Satan. Their hearts remain unchanged. This final act reveals to the universe that God is just in His judgment.

Then fire comes down from God out of heaven and devours them “Revelation 20:9.” This is the final destruction of sin, sinners, Satan, and his angels. Revelation calls it “the second death” “Revelation 20:14.”

This fire is not for purification but for final judgment. It ends rebellion forever. Sin will never rise again.

The New Earth And Eternal Joy

After the destruction of the wicked, God creates a new heaven and a new earth. John wrote, “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away” “Revelation 21:1.”

Peter also looked forward to this promise, saying, “Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells” “2 Peter 3:13.” Isaiah wrote, “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former shall not be remembered or come to mind” “Isaiah 65:17.”

Then God’s people will live with Him forever. Revelation gives this beautiful promise: “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them” “Revelation 21:3.” It continues, “And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying” “Revelation 21:4.”

At last, sorrow will end. Death will be gone. Pain will disappear. The redeemed will inherit the kingdom God prepared for them.

Isaiah promised, “They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” “Isaiah 35:10.”

Conclusion

The Millennium begins at the second coming of Christ. The righteous dead are raised, the living righteous are changed, and all of God’s people are caught up to meet Jesus. The living wicked are slain, the wicked dead remain in their graves, and Satan is bound on a desolate earth.

During the thousand years, the righteous are in heaven with Christ and take part in the judgment. The earth remains empty and ruined, while Satan is confined with no one to deceive.

At the end of the Millennium, Jesus returns with His saints, the New Jerusalem descends, the wicked are raised, and Satan leads them in one final rebellion. Fire from God destroys sin forever. Then God creates a new heaven and a new earth, where His people will live with Him eternally.

The Millennium shows both the justice and mercy of God. It reveals the terrible results of sin and the perfect fairness of God’s judgment. Best of all, it leads to the glorious promise of a restored world where “there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying” “Revelation 21:4.”