Millennium or Promised Kingdom – Its Beginning

We mentioned in the last post that Rosh Hashanah (i.e., Feast of Trumpets) marks the beginning of the Tribulation Period as this is when God once again deals with Israel as a nation based upon his covenant with them. The entire period lasts for seven years. Judah and Israel are brought back together forcefully (Jr 33:7) due to the persecution by the Antichrist (Rv 6:9; 13:7) who is trying to establish his rule during this time (Rv 13:8). Once the seven years are up and Jerusalem is pushed to the brink of being destroyed (Zc 13:8-9; 14:2), Israel finally calls upon God for their salvation (Zc 12:10; 13:9). He hears and his long-awaited return finally occurs (Zc 14:3). We saw in the last post this is marked by the Day of Atonement because the remnant of Israel will be saved and recognize Christ as their true Messiah (Zc 12:10).

In the book of Daniel are a few unique and curious verses: From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days. Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days. As for you, go your way until the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance (Dn 12:11-13). What is being told to Daniel here? If the entire Tribulation is seven years (and scripture usually has a month as 30 days), then that would be 2,520 days. We know the Antichrist will set up an image of himself in the temple at the middle of this time (3.5 years, or 1,260 days; Mt 24:15, Rv 13:14). Of course, it would take time to set up such an image. If we assume such a feat would take a month to do, then that period plus the last half of the Tribulation Period would be 1,290 days as stated in these verses in Daniel. Once Christ returns, it will likely take time to get things organized for the Kingdom to officially start and be governed. If we allow 45 days for that, then the 30 days we just talked about, the 3.5 years of the last half of the Tribulation Period, and the 45 days to establish the Kingdom, then that yields 1,335 days as stated in these verses of Daniel.

To break this down, we have the following:

•From the time of the Antichrist’s decision to stop sacrifices to the erection of his image in the temple: 30 days.

•From the time of the erection of the Antichrist’s image in the temple to the return of Christ: 1,260 days. Cumulative number of days; 1,290.

•From the time of Christ’s return to the establishment of his Promised Kingdom: 45 days. Cumulative number of days; 1,335.

Let’s break down this last bullet. The transition from the old order to the new order will likely take 45 days.  During this period several events will take place:

•The angels will be judged. ( 1Co 6:3, Mt 25:41)

•The survivors will be judged (Mt 25:31-46)

•Assignments for the saints will be set in motion (Dn 12:13, Jr 30:9, Mt 19:28)

•Nations, property, and laws will be established for the next 1000 years (Zc 14:17-21).

In addition, Christ’s return prepares the area geographically as well. A great earthquake occurs when Christ returns (Zc 14:4; Rv 16:18). The Mount of Olives is split in two and the rift runs toward Jerusalem and merges with a rift that is running from south to north through the Tyropoeon valley (Zc 14:10). This is the valley between the area of Jerusalem which housed the older part of the city, sometimes called the City of David, as well as the Temple, and the newer part of the city more toward the west of that valley. This causes a scarp face to form which pushes the western portion of the city upwards. Jerusalem then becomes the tallest point on earth as the great earthquake causes other mountains to fall and many islands to disappear (Rv 16:20). In addition, Jerusalem is split into three portions (Rv 16:19). This rift that runs south to north also causes the Euphrates River to flow into the Jordan River which floods the Dead Sea and turns it into a living sea (Ek 47:8-9). From the scarp face and under where the temple is built is a river that flows from it (Ek 47:1-2), down the scarp face, and into the Jordan River, with a portion flowing into the Dead Sea and a portion flowing around the scarp face into the Mediterranean Sea (Zc 14:8). The whole area becomes lush and green (Ek 47:7, 12; Zc 14:10) and fishing is done from the once Dead Sea with En Gedi becoming a great seaport (Ek 47:10). The curse on the Earth is lifted and the whole Earth becomes a land of plenty (Is 51:3; Ek 36:35; Ac 3:19).

Can you imagine being a part of this? It will be truly spectacular. What a way to begin the Promised Kingdom. Can you imagine living in a utopian society for one-thousand years? Can you picture it? Can you hardly wait?!

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens