Ⅴ
After the Lord Jesus deals with the believers, the Jews, and the nations, He will bring in the millennium—the kingdom of Christ and of God on earth for a thousand years—20:4, 6:
A
The millennium refers to the time after Christ comes again as King to rule the world and before the new heaven and new earth.
B
During the millennium all the nations will come to Christ—Zech. 14:16.
C
In the Old Testament there are many verses concerning the millennial kingdom—Psa. 2:6, 8-9; Isa. 2:2-5; 11:1-10; 65:20-25; Zech. 8:20-23; 14:16-21.
D
In Acts 3:21 the times of the restoration of all things refers to the millennium:
１
This restoration will affect not only man but also the entire universe—the heavens, the earth, the animals, and even the trees.
２
Everything that was cursed through the fall of man will be restored—Isa. 11:6; 30:26.
E
The millennium will still be used by God as an age of preparation:
１
During this age God will perfect the saints who have not been perfected during the age of the church so that they may be qualified to enter into the New Jerusalem for God’s eternal kingdom.
２
During the millennium God will also purify the restored nations to be the people on the new earth.
F
The believers in Christ the Son of God have been regenerated into the kingdom of God, and they are in the church life, living in the kingdom of God today, but not all believers, only the overcoming ones, will participate in the millennium—John 3:5, 15-16; Rom. 14:17; Rev. 12:10-11; 2:26-27; 3:21.
Morning Nourishment
Zech. 14:16 And everyone left from all the nations that went forth against Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, Jehovah of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.8:22 Indeed, many peoples and strong nations will come to seek Jehovah of hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of Jehovah.
After the Lord deals with the believers, the Jews, the nations, and Antichrist with his followers, He will bring in the millennial kingdom... The millennium refers to the time between Christ’s second coming as a King to rule the earth and the new heaven and new earth. This time will last for one thousand years. There are many verses in the Old Testament concerning the millennial kingdom (Psa. 2:6, 8-9; Isa. 2:2-5; 11:1-10; 65:20-25; 30:26; Zech. 8:20-23; Psa. 72:1-17; Isa. 4:2-6; 9:7; 12:1-5; 16:5; 32:1-2; 40:9-11; 61:4-9; Zech. 14:16-21). In the New Testament, the millennium is referred to in Revelation 20:4 and 6. These verses speak of those who reign with Christ for a thousand years. (Truth Lessons—Level Four, vol. 2, p. 254)
Today’s Reading
The millennium will bring in “the restoration of all things” [Acts 3:21]... The restoration will affect not only man but also the entire old creation—heaven, earth, the animals, and even the trees. Everything that was cursed through the fall of man will be restored. There are many prophecies in Isaiah, Zechariah, and the Psalms regarding the millennium bringing in restoration. Isaiah 30:26 says, “The light of the moon will be like the light of the sun, / And the light of the sun will be sevenfold, like the light of seven days, / On the day when Jehovah binds up the breach of His people / And heals the wound left from His stroke.” This indicates that the sun and the moon will be restored to their original condition. Furthermore, all creatures will be restored to their original condition. The beast and the cattle will be restored to such an extent that “the wolf will dwell with the lamb; / And the leopard will lie down with the kid” (11:6). This will not be miraculous; rather, it will be normal and common... When Christ comes again, everything will be restored. The trees will flourish, and the flowers will blossom abundantly. According to 35:1-2, “The wilderness and the desert will be glad; / And the desert will exult and blossom / Like the rose. / It will blossom and blossom, / And even exult with exultation and a ringing shout.” Furthermore, “water will break forth in the wilderness, / And streams in the desert. / And the desert mirage will become a pool, / And the thirsty ground, springs of water” (vv. 6-7). Also, “a highway will be there, and a way, / And it will be called, The Way of Holiness” (v. 8). (Truth Lessons—Level Four, vol. 2, pp. 254-255)The old creation is used by God to prepare the three kinds of people He needs: the church overcomers to be the kings in the millennium, the saved Israelites to be the priests in the millennium, and the restored nations to be the people in the millennium. During the dispensation of the millennium, God will continue to perfect the believers who were not willing to cooperate with God’s sufficient grace to be perfected during the church age. Because they have died without being perfected, God will perfect them in the coming age of the millennium, an age that will still be in the old creation.
During the age of the millennium, God will also purify the restored nations. After they have been purified, they will be qualified to become God’s people, but not His sons, in the new earth. Therefore, the millennial age will still be used by God as an age of preparation. During this age He will perfect the saints who have not been perfected during the age of the church so that they may be qualified to enter into the New Jerusalem for God’s eternal kingdom. During the millennium, God will also purify the restored nations to be the people on the new earth. (The Conclusion of the New Testament, pp. 2595-2596)
Further Reading: Truth Lessons—Level Four, vol. 2, lsn. 39; vol. 4, lsn. 58; The Conclusion of the New Testament, msg. 245