Chapter 7:
The Reign
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Chapter 7: The Reign
As we continue our prophetic journey through the "You Are Here" book, we arrive at what is the most inspiring chapter yet: The Reign. This seventh chapter is dedicated to exploring the thousand-year period described in Revelation 20, as well as in numerous Old Testament scriptures. Our focus will be on understanding the nature of this reign, including the structure of government, the role of the Saints, and the experiences of those living under the Lord's Kingdom.
To set the context, let's recall our progress through the prophetic timeline. We've traversed the seven seals of Revelation and the Olivet prophecy in Matthew 24, bringing us to the Lord's return and beyond. In our previous chapter, we discussed the overthrow of the last human king and false prophet, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, and the imprisonment of Satan (the dragon) for the entire thousand-year period.
Now, let's examine the verses that illuminate the characteristics of this millennial reign. We begin with the book of Daniel, which provides a vivid image of the transition from human kingdoms to God's eternal Kingdom. Daniel 2:35 states:
"Then was the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold, broken to pieces together, and became like the chaff of the summer threshingfloors; and the wind carried them away, that no place was found for them: and the stone that struck the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth."
This passage describes the destruction of the statue representing human kingdoms and the establishment of God's Kingdom, symbolized by the stone that becomes a great mountain filling the whole earth. This mountain is the focus of our discussion today.
Revelation 5:10 further clarifies the role of the Saints in this new Kingdom:
"And has made us to our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth."
This verse indicates that the Saints will have an active role in governing alongside Christ during His millennial reign.
The nature of this government is further described in Isaiah 9:6-7:
"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, 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."
This prophecy promises that the Messiah will establish an ever-increasing government of peace, founded on judgment and justice. It's crucial to understand that the resurrected Saints will play an integral role in this government, ruling alongside Christ.
It's important to note that the Saints are characterized in Revelation as those who have faith in Yeshua and keep the commandments of God. This brings us to a vital point: contrary to some modern teachings, the Torah (God's law) has not been abolished. As we've discussed in previous chapters, Yeshua didn't change the Torah; rather, He revealed the spirit behind the letter, emphasizing the life and hope within it.
True Saints understand that the law has not been abolished and that God's commandments remain crucial in demonstrating our love and obedience to Him. Therefore, it shouldn't surprise us that the government during the millennial reign will be based on Torah.
Let's examine some verses that describe the nature of this government. Zechariah 14:9 states:
"And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one."
This verse emphasizes the unified rule of God over the entire earth.
Ezekiel 37:24 further elaborates on the role of God's law during this time:
"And David my servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have one shepherd: they shall also walk in my judgments, and observe my statutes, and do them."
This passage, referring to the Messiah (often called "David" in prophetic literature), clearly indicates that God's laws and statutes will still be observed during the millennial reign.
Micah 4:1-3 provides a beautiful picture of nations coming to learn God's ways:
"But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more."
This passage from Micah provides a comprehensive view of the millennial reign. It shows that the government will be centered in Jerusalem, with the Torah (law) going forth from Zion. Nations will come to learn God's ways, and the result will be universal peace.
The Lord will continue to teach the spirit behind His word, just as He did during His earthly ministry. While certain aspects of the law, including sacrifices, will still be observed by those living in Jerusalem, the emphasis will be on understanding and living out the spirit of the law. This focus on the spirit of the law is what many failed to recognize in Yeshua's teachings during His first coming.
Now, let's consider how life will change for people and even animals during this reign. Isaiah 65:20 gives us a glimpse of the extended lifespans people will enjoy:
"No more shall there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not fill out his days, for the young man shall die a hundred years old, and the sinner a hundred years old shall be accursed."
This verse indicates that premature death will be rare, and people will generally live to great ages. However, it's important to note that this refers to mortal humans living during the reign, not the immortal Saints. The mention of sinners in this verse also confirms that God's law will still be in effect, as sin is defined as the transgression of the law (1 John 3:4).
The animal kingdom will also undergo dramatic changes, as described in Isaiah 65:25 & 11:6:
"The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, says the LORD."
"The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them."
This beautiful imagery depicts a world where traditional predator-prey relationships have been transformed. The reference to a little child leading these animals emphasizes the safety and peace that will characterize this era. Other passages describe carnivorous animals becoming herbivores, further illustrating the radical changes in the natural order.
The nations of the world will come to pay homage to the King, as described in Zechariah 14:16:
"And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles."
This verse shows that even those who initially opposed God's rule will eventually come to worship Him and observe His festivals, such as the Feast of Tabernacles. This further confirms that God's law, including His appointed times, will be central to life during the millennial reign.
While sin will still exist during this period, the Lord will handle it differently. There won't be a need for the kind of wrath we see in earlier judgments. Instead, there will be measured consequences designed to bring people into alignment with God's ways. Zechariah 14:17 provides an example:
"And if any of the families of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, there will be no rain on them."
This shows that those who refuse to worship God will not face wrath, but other consequences, such as lack of rain. Over time, people will come to recognize God's sovereignty and the benefits of following His ways.
The distinction between Israel and other nations will still exist, but there will be opportunities for integration. Ezekiel 37:28 states:
"And the nation shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel, when my sanctuary shall be among them for evermore."
This verse indicates that Israel will continue to have a special, sanctified status. However, this doesn't mean other nations will be excluded from God's blessings. As we saw in Micah 4, people from all nations will come to learn God's ways.
In fact, there will be provisions for non-Israelites to be fully integrated into the community. Ezekiel 47:22-23 describes this process:
"And it will be, you shall make it fall by lot for an inheritance to yourselves, and to the strangers who live among you, who shall father sons among you. And they shall be to you as native-born among the sons of Israel. They shall be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. And it shall be, in the tribe in which the stranger resides, there you shall give his inheritance, says the Lord GOD."
This passage outlines what could be described as the most perfect immigration system, where anyone who desires to learn and follow God's ways can be fully integrated into the community and even receive an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.
This gradual expansion of God's rule is beautifully illustrated by the image from Daniel that we discussed earlier. The Kingdom starts as a rock that strikes the statue (representing human kingdoms), but then grows into a mountain that fills the whole earth. It begins in an acute, focused way when it defeats the last human king at the Battle of Armageddon (as described in Revelation 19), but then expands as more people accept God's ways.
The role of the Saints during this reign is crucial to understand. In Daniel 7:26-27, we see the transfer of authority from the last human kingdom to the Saints:
"But the judgment shall sit, and they shall take away his dominion, to consume and to destroy it unto the end. And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him."
This passage clearly shows that the Saints will be given authority to rule in God's Kingdom. But who exactly are these Saints? Ezekiel 37:19-22 provides insight:
"Say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I am about to take the stick of Joseph (that is in the hand of Ephraim) and the tribes of Israel associated with him. And I will join with it the stick of Judah, and make them one stick, that they may be one in my hand. When the sticks on which you write are in your hand before their eyes, then say to them, Thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will take the people of Israel from the nations among which they have gone, and will gather them from all around, and bring them to their own land. And I will make them one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel. And one king shall be king over them all, and they shall be no longer two nations, and no longer divided into two kingdoms any more at all."
This prophecy speaks of the reunification of all Israel, including those scattered among the nations (potentially symbolized by the multitude in Revelation 7:9 that no one could count). The Saints, then, are those who have faith in Yeshua, keep God's commandments, and are part of this restored Israel.
During the millennial reign, these resurrected Saints will rule alongside Christ. As Matthew 22:30 tells us:
"For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven."
The Saints will be transformed to be like the angels, but with the added benefit of having experienced human life. This unique perspective will make them ideally suited to judge and minister to mortal humans during the millennial reign.
Their role as judges is affirmed in 1 Corinthians 6:2:
"Do you not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters?"
In conclusion, the millennial reign represents the fulfillment of God's plan to establish His Kingdom on earth. Our Everlasting Father, now united with His bride (the Church), takes His rightful place of inheritance. With the government established on God's eternal word and law, and as the Kingdom grows to fill the whole earth, true Shalom (peace) will finally prevail.
