The Millennial Glory and the Future Kingdom of Christ
Imagine a world dominated by righteousness and goodness—a world where there is no injustice, where no court ever renders an unjust verdict, and where everyone is always treated fairly. Imagine a world where what is true, right, and noble marks every aspect of life, including interpersonal relations, commerce, education, and government. The kingdom of God is one of the great themes of the Bible, and all of human and redemptive history culminates in this future earthly kingdom of Christ, often referred to as the millennial kingdom or the millennium.
The Nature of the Coming Kingdom
The millennium will be a time of unprecedented peace and prosperity where Christ will rule over the earth from His throne in Jerusalem. All the saints from every age will be resurrected and enjoy the rule of their King. So much of the Old Testament is taken up with the coming Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ that it would be difficult to read any book without encountering some allusion or foreshadowing of that great age for the nation of Israel and her Messiah. We have promises which God made in His covenants with Abraham and David, and prophecies uttered through Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Zephaniah, and others that tell of the glory of a coming day.
Preparation for the Kingdom: The Arrest of Satan
When we think of Christ’s kingdom, the first thing that comes to mind is probably the peace or joy we will experience as its citizens. But for that bliss to be possible, Christ must deal first with His enemies. Satan’s work in the world is evident in how he influences unbelievers and blinds them from understanding the truth of the gospel. However, that manipulation—and all his other schemes—will be completely halted before the millennial kingdom. Revelation 20:1–3 records: “Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand.” This great arrest of Satan and his binding ensures that the millennium will be a time of unprecedented peace.
Contrasting the Reign of Solomon and the Kingdom of Christ
The life and reign of Solomon provides a picture of this glory. As recorded in 1 Kings 4:25, “Judah and Israel dwelt safely every man under his vine and under his fig tree... all the days of Solomon.” There was not nor has there been any period of time when Israel so closely approximated the fulfillment of God’s promises as during the reign of King Solomon. Yet even here, there are contrasts that must remind us of how much greater and more wonderful are Christ and His future kingdom.
Comparison of Administrative and Territorial Scope
- Administration: Solomon, though a wise man, enlisted the help of advisers and assistants in his handling of the kingdom. In contrast, the Lord Jesus Christ will need no administrative staff, no counsellors or advisors; He will be sufficient in Himself to make every decision and to carry out every plan.
- Geographic Extent: Solomon’s kingdom stretched from the Euphrates to the Mediterranean and down to the border of Egypt. But when the King of kings reigns, His dominion shall be over all the earth.
- Duration: The prosperity and blessing under Solomon lasted only all the days of Solomon and eventually came to an end. But of Christ's kingdom, “there shall be no end,” as His Millennial Kingdom will merge into His eternal Kingdom, and He shall reign forever and ever.
While the millennium will be a time of unprecedented peace, it is important to note that before the new heavens and new earth, which do last forever, Satan is released for a final time. Nevertheless, the millennial reign stands as the culmination of redemptive history where what is true, right, and noble marks every aspect of life.