When will Christ set up His final kingdom?

The 1000 Years (The Millennium)

The Bible teaches that Christ will establish His eternal kingdom following a prophetic period known as the thousand years or the millennium, described in Revelation chapter 20. This period is crucial in God’s final plan to eradicate sin and restore the universe to eternal harmony. Understanding the timeline and events surrounding the millennium is essential for grasping the full scope of God’s redemptive plan.

The millennium begins at the Second Coming of Christ, when Jesus gathers the righteous-both resurrected and living-and takes them to heaven to reign with Him for a thousand years. After this period ends, the New Jerusalem descends, the wicked are resurrected, final judgment occurs, and God creates the new earth. This sequence of events highlights God’s justice and mercy as He prepares to restore all things.

Let’s walk carefully through the Bible’s teaching to understand the significance of this prophetic period.

The Beginning of the 1000 Years

Revelation 20:4-5 explains the opening scene of this prophetic period:

“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them… And they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years… But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.”

When Jesus returns, a rapid series of end-time events unfolds, setting the stage for the millennium.

Biblical Events at the Start of the 1000 Years

1. A Global Earthquake and Catastrophic Hailstorm Occur

(Revelation 16:18-21) This is the climax of the seventh plague-nature itself convulses at the presence of Christ, signaling His return.

2. The Second Coming of Jesus

(Matthew 24:30-31) He appears in glory with all the holy angels, and every eye will see Him (Revelation 1:7), marking a pivotal moment in human history.

3. The Resurrection of the Righteous Dead

(1 Thessalonians 4:16) This is the “first resurrection,” the resurrection of life (John 5:28-29), where the faithful are raised to eternal glory.

4. The Righteous Receive Immortality

(1 Corinthians 15:51-55) Mortality is replaced with incorruptible, glorified bodies, allowing the redeemed to live forever in God’s presence.

5. The Righteous Living Are Transformed

(1 John 3:2; Philippians 3:20-21) They are changed instantly and join the resurrected saints, ready to reign with Christ.

6. The Saints Are Caught Up to Meet Jesus in the Air

(1 Thessalonians 4:17) Notice: Jesus does not set foot on the earth at His Second Coming. The redeemed meet Him in the clouds, a moment of great joy and reunion.

7. The Wicked Living Are Slain

(Isaiah 11:4; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9) The brightness of Christ’s return destroys all unrepentant sinners, emphasizing the seriousness of rejecting God’s grace.

8. The Wicked Dead Remain in Their Graves

(Revelation 20:5) They do not rise until after the millennium, highlighting the separation between the righteous and the wicked.

9. Christ Takes the Saints to Heaven

(John 13:33, 36; 14:1-3) Jesus fulfills His promise: “I will come again and receive you to Myself,” ensuring the faithful are with Him.

10. Satan Is Bound

(Revelation 20:1-3) He is confined to a desolate, depopulated earth-“the abyss”-with no one to tempt or deceive, marking a time of restraint for evil.

Why Are the Saints in Heaven for 1000 Years?

Revelation 20:4 states that “judgment was given unto them.” During the millennium, God’s redeemed participate in a review phase of judgment, examining the records of the lost and understanding why each soul is either saved or lost. This process assures the universe of God’s justice (Revelation 15:3) and allows the redeemed to appreciate the depth of God’s mercy.

The Close of the 1000 Years

When the millennium ends, another series of prophetic events unfolds, leading to the destruction of sin and the re-creation of the earth. This transition is crucial as it sets the stage for God’s ultimate plan of restoration.

Key Events at the End of the 1000 Years

1. Jesus’ Third Coming with His Saints

(Zechariah 14:5) This time, Christ returns with the redeemed and with the New Jerusalem, fulfilling His promise to bring His people home.

2. The Holy City Descends from Heaven

(Revelation 21:2-3) The New Jerusalem settles upon a great plain created where the Mount of Olives once stood (Zechariah 14:4,10), marking a new beginning for humanity.

3. God the Father and the Angels Come with the City

(Revelation 21:3; Matthew 25:31) Heaven itself relocates to earth, signifying the fulfillment of God’s promise to dwell among His people.

4. The Wicked Dead Are Resurrected

(Revelation 20:5) This is the resurrection of damnation (John 5:29), where the unrepentant are raised for final judgment.

5. Satan Is Loosed

(Revelation 20:7) He now has billions of resurrected wicked to deceive once more, leading to a final confrontation.

6. Satan Deceives the Nations

(Revelation 20:8) He leads them in a final, futile assault on God’s city, demonstrating the persistent nature of rebellion against God.

7. The Wicked Surround the New Jerusalem

(Revelation 20:9) Satan rallies the lost to attack “the beloved city,” showcasing the ultimate folly of opposing God.

8. Fire Comes Down from God and Destroys All Sin and Sinners

(Revelation 20:9; Malachi 4:1-3) This is the “lake of fire”-God’s final and total cleansing of the universe, ensuring that sin will never rise again.

9. The Earth Is Purified, and the Fire Goes Out

(Isaiah 47:14; 2 Peter 3:10) This fulfills God’s promise to remove all traces of sin, paving the way for a new creation.

10. God Creates a New Heaven and a New Earth

(Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:1; 2 Peter 3:13) The world is restored to its original perfection, free from sin and suffering.

11. The Redeemed Enjoy Eternity with God on the New Earth

(Revelation 21:2-4) God wipes away every tear; death and sorrow vanish forever, marking the culmination of His redemptive plan.

God’s Final Kingdom

After sin is eradicated, God establishes His everlasting kingdom on the newly created earth. Jesus Himself will dwell with His people:

“Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men…”
(Revelation 21:3) Human beings will finally enjoy eternal life in perfect joy, holiness, and harmony with God, fulfilling the deepest longings of the human heart.

Summary Chart: Timeline of the 1000 Years

At Christ’s Second Coming (Start):

• First resurrection (righteous)
• Wicked slain
• Saints taken to heaven
• Satan bound

During the Millennium:

• Earth desolate
• Saints review the judgments
• Satan confined with no one to tempt

At the End of the Millennium:

• New Jerusalem descends
• Wicked resurrected
• Satan leads final rebellion
• Fire destroys sin forever
• New earth created
• God dwells with His people

Conclusion

The timeline of the millennium illustrates the significant events that lead to the establishment of God’s eternal kingdom. Beginning with Christ’s Second Coming, the righteous are taken to heaven while the wicked face judgment. This period allows the redeemed to understand God’s justice and mercy as they review the records of the lost.

As the millennium concludes, the New Jerusalem descends, and the final confrontation occurs, resulting in the eradication of sin and the creation of a new heaven and earth. Ultimately, God’s promise to dwell with His people is fulfilled, bringing eternal joy and harmony to all who are redeemed.