All that occurs when Christ returns to this earth is in preparation for Christ’s Millennial Kingdom when He will reign over all the earth (Zc 14:9). However, before this, Christ’s kingdom will only include those righteous as Satan will not be loose during this time (Rv 20:1-3).

The beginning of the Millennium is almost like the antithesis of the earth after the Rapture. This time all those who have not accepted Christ as their Savior are removed.

There are two groups who enter the Millennium. One group is composed of those who were alive at the time of Christ’s return and who had accepted him as their Savior. They enter the Millennium in their current human bodies. The other group is composed of those who are part of the first resurrection and enter the Millennium in glorified bodies. These consists of the following:

·       Those who returned with Christ when He came to destroy the Antichrist and bind Satan (Rv 19:14). These are considered the church, i.e., those from Christ’s resurrection until the Rapture who put their faith in Him.

·       Those that put their faith in the Messiah prior to his resurrection (Dn 12:1-2). These are resurrected after Christ’s return and before the start of His reign (Rv 20:4).

·       Those martyred for their faith during the Tribulation period. These also are resurrected after Christ’s return and before the start of His reign (Rv 20:4).

Those of the Gentiles who are left will travel to Jerusalem each year to worship the Lord (Zc 14:16) and the punishment for not doing so will be lack of rain (Zc 14:17) and those of Egypt will receive plagues as punishment for not worshiping the Lord (Zc 14:18-19). Egypt here may be a metaphor for all the Gentile nations where lack of rain would not be devastating due to river irrigation and, therefore, more severe punishment will be instituted to show to all the world that nation’s disfavor with God. God will establish Jerusalem as the place from which He will reign and will become a holy city dedicated to the Lord (Zc 14:20-21).

A sacrificial system is reinstituted. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, death is abolished. There is no mention of another resurrection of believers after the first resurrection at the beginning of the Millennium (Rv 20:5-6). Sacrifices are the only way the people will know what death means. Those born during the Millennium will need to accept Christ by faith just as all who lived previously had to do. These sacrifices will help those born during the Millennium to understand the death Christ underwent to pay for their sins. The sacrificial system will be used threefold:

·       Sacrificial system depicts what Christ has done for every individual.

·       Sacrificial system depicts what death and separation from Christ looks like.

·       Sacrificial system shows that cleansing is needed to worship a holy God.

Four of the seven feasts will be observed: (Pesach) Passover, (Matzah) Unleavened Bread, (Bikkurim) First Fruits, and (Sukkot) Tabernacles. These represent the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, as well as his literal dwelling with his people. The other three feasts are fulfilled and not needed.

Israel will fulfill their original mandate to be the priests to the world. Israel will lead the world in worship of the Messiah. Just as the Church led to the final harvest prior to the Rapture, Israel is now leading the world to how to worship the Messiah under a sacrificial system. This will be led by an individual known as the Prince. Jesus Christ is the King of kings during this time and over all the other kings of the nations during this time with David serving as the king of Israel. The Prince will be a non-glorified human who will be of the tribe of Judah and lead all the world into the worship of Jesus Christ. It is thought he may be one of the 12,000 Jews of the tribe of Judah who served as evangelist during the Tribulation and Great Tribulation periods.

We have so much to look forward to! It is hard to believe how much he loves us and does for us—both now and in our future. If you accept him and put your faith in him for your future, you too, can be a part of all of this!

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Some say we’re going backwards if we take Ezekiel’s last vision (Ek 40-48) which God gave to him literally. After all, if Christ came and abolished the Law, then why would God say he would go back to a temple with a sacrificial system? Yet, if we look at this more closely, I think we will better understand the why and the need.

We need to understand the following: (1) what Adam’s rebellion caused; (2) the purpose of the Law; and (3) what opportunity Israel failed to fulfill. Understanding these three things help us to understand the need for a Millennium here on this earth, and why a sacrificial system would be re-established. Let’s look at each of these three points.

Did Adam really rebel? Is eating some fruit really that bad? Well, to be honest, any sin is an act of rebellion. What is rebellion anyway? It is knowing what is expected and then doing the opposite. Isn’t that what Adam and Eve did? God only had one rule for them: do not eat of the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil in the middle of the garden (Gn 2:17). Yet, they disobeyed. After hearing the half-truths from the serpent, who was influenced by Satan himself, they believed these lies and doubted God. They doubted that God wanted the best for them and would supply the best for them. Isn’t that at the core of all sin. If we go against what God has told us, then we are really saying we don’t believe he has the best for us in his mind. He’s holding back, and we must take matters into our own hands. That’s what Adam and Eve did. They doubted, which lead to a change in their belief about God and his goodness, which led to actions against God’s will.

So what did Adam lose? Everything. God had established a theocratic kingdom with Adam ruling under God’s leadership. He had given Adam dominion over all the earth and its creatures, had told him and Eve to have many children, and asked them to lead the earth’s inhabitants with God as their ultimate authority. This was lost. Adam turned it over to Satan. How do we know this? We are told that Satan today is the prince of the power of the air (Ep 2:2), and when he tempted Christ in the wilderness, he offered all the kingdoms of the earth to Christ if he would only worship him. If these kingdoms were not his to give, he could not have offered them, and Christ would not have taken his offer so seriously.

So, what was the purpose of the Law? It was to show the wickedness of man. To help mankind understand they were not good on their own. It wasn’t about the sacrifices. God often stated he valued obedience over sacrifice (1Sa 15:22; Ho 6:6). He was always about the heart and not the sacrifice. The sacrifice did not forgive sin. It represented the horror of sin and what it ultimately causes, i.e., death (Ro 6:23). It has always been about faith – not sacrifice. Abraham believed, and it was counted to him as righteousness (Gn 15:6). This was the way before the Law was ever given. Even the prophet Habakkuk stated it had always been about faith (Hk 2:4). The Law pointed to the need of a Savior. It all pointed to Christ. He did not come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill the law (Mt 5:17). Sacrifice also pointed to the fact that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin (Mt 26:28; Hb 10:18). Sin leads to death. Mankind needed a Savior.

When God created Israel as a nation at the base of Mt. Sinai, he told them they were to be a kingdom of priests to the world (Ex 19:6). They were to lead the world in the worship of God. Yet, they failed in his. They took the meaning of being God’s chosen people to make them feel superior to other peoples and not that they were chosen to be God’s ambassadors to the world. While many did do this, they did not as a nation. They missed a great opportunity.

God’s plans will never fail and nothing mankind does can ever thwart his plans. He has something to prove before he makes Satan and sin disappear forever. He will remove the curse that Satan and the rebellious act of Adam and Eve caused upon the earth and all mankind (Ac 3:19-21). While the earth will become a utopian-type society under his rule, there will still be people born into the kingdom who will be unsaved. While Satan will be removed from the earth for this period of time, man’s propensity to sin will not be removed. This will demonstrate man cannot blame his acts of rebellion on Satan’s influence alone. Therefore, they will need to understand their need for a Savior just like we do today. Why does this mean a sacrificial system will be needed to do this? This utopian society, with the curse lifted, will occur after what is called the first resurrection (where all the righteous will be resurrected from the dead; Rv 20:4-6). There is nothing recorded in Scripture that another resurrection of the righteous will occur. Therefore, it would seem that death has also been abolished, although those who rebel will be removed from the earth. It is not clear if others will actually see them die. So, the sacrificial system will be a demonstration of what death means and how it creates separation. In one sense it is a visual aid—a very graphic one—and will show the seriousness of the consequence of their disobedience. Since Christ will be physically present, there is a need for cleansing for worship of a holy God. The sacrificial system demonstrates this need for holiness and purity in the presence of someone holy (Ek 43:26; Zc 13:1). This will also fulfil God’s promise to Israel that they as a nation will lead the world in worship of the one true God.

And, why will it last for one-thousand years (Rv 20:3)? No one knows for sure, but could it be a way to demonstrate to Satan that Christ can build a kingdom which lasts longer than mankind can last on their own? Because of Satan and his influence, the world had to be destroyed with a flood to restore it (Gn 6:11-13). Adam lived for 930 years (Gn 5:5). Methuselah lived for 969 years (Gn 5:27). By Christ’s kingdom lasting one-thousand years, it shows his kingdom is superior to all that has come before. No sin, no disobedience, no acts of rebellion will be able to thwart God’s plan. God will rule forever. He has given us a chance to be a part of all of this. Are you going to accept what he offers?

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Ever been frustrated because you had to get something done, but you couldn’t because someone else had to do their part first – and wasn’t? I’m sure this is how Ezekiel felt many times. God had him sacrifice so much to be the watchman to his countrymen. Yet, he wasn’t seeing any change in them. I’m sure he often asked God, “What’s the point?” But God helped him to realize that Ezekiel’s future hope and the hope for the world was not dependent upon their obedience. Sure, we decide if we become a part of that, but our actions to not deter God from his plans. Let’s see what he told Ezekiel.

Israel was now dispersed. Nebuchadnezzar had captured Judah along with their beloved capital city Jerusalem and had even destroyed their beautiful temple. The Northern Kingdom of Israel has been taken captive by Assyria some one-hundred years earlier. Only a remnant was now left in their land. I’m sure Ezekiel felt all was lost. He likely couldn’t see how any of God’s promises could now come true. Was all hope gone? God said no.

God gave Ezekiel another vision (Ek 37). A very strange vision. One could classify it as a nightmare – an Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom-type of nightmare. Before Ezekiel lay a dry valley filled with human bones. There were likely hundreds of them all thrown together, many of them now disconnected. I’m sure Ezekiel was bewildered. Why was he here? Suddenly, the bones began to vibrate and then move! Do you think Ezekiel jumped backward? I think he did. I would have run! The bones then came together and formed skeletons. Sinews came upon the skeletons, and then flesh covered the sinews. Now, rather than a valley of bones, it was a valley of corpses. It just went from bizarre to morbid. Ezekiel then felt a wind. The wind blew over the corpses, and then into them! The corpses began to breathe! They then sat up and then stood to their feet. God had taken something totally worthless and made it purposeful.

It’s obvious this vision was about Israel. After all, God had just told Ezekiel he would make his Name great again and would cleanse Israel and put his Spirit within her (Ek 36:23-17). Isn’t that what the wind just did? Many have put history to Ezekiel’s vision: the bones represent Israel dispersed throughout the world, the formed skeletons represent the national pride of Israel which still remained in those dispersed which united them as a dispersed nation, the sinews represented the return of Jews to Israel from Russia, Poland, Germany, and central Europe in 1881-1948, the flesh covering the sinews represents the Tribulation period when Jews an Israelis from every nation will gather back to Israel, the wind entering the corpses represents Israel’s national conversion at Christ’s return, and the bodies living and standing to their feet represent Israel in Christ’s Millennial Kingdom. Is this an accurate interpretation? It would seem reasonable. Either way, it was clear God was going to bring about a miracle in Israel’s future and make them his people again.

While this vision was for Ezekiel, God reiterated this message to him and told him to give a visual message to the people. Ezekiel took two sticks (Ek 37:15-23). On one he wrote, “belonging to Judah and all the Israelites associated with him.” On the other, he wrote, “belonging to Joseph and all the Israelites associated with him.” Joseph represented the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, the two largest tribes of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Ezekiel then joined the two sticks together into one whole. God stated he was going to join Judah and Israel back into one nation (Ek 37:22) by gathering them from wherever they had been scattered. They would no longer, and never again, be two nations. God also stated he would cleanse them and be their God.

Although many Jews did return to Israel from Babylonian captivity by the decree of Cyrus who conquered Babylon (2Ch 36:23), this promise was not completely fulfilled with this return. Not all Jews returned, and it did not include Israelis from the Northern Kingdom, although there were likely a few. Actually, most Jews stays in Babylon. So, what was God referring to?

God gives more information to Ezekiel. He states that the Messiah will rule the people and David will be his prince (Ek 37:24-25). Now, the term Prince is used later in Ezekiel, but this was not used in the same context here. Here, God is calling David both king and prince. Why? David will be the king of Israel and will be subservient to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, the King of kings. God states the temple will be restored, everlasting peace will be established, and all nations will know God made Israel holy since his sanctuary will be among them forever (Ek 37:26-28). We know this must be future, even to us, because these things have not yet occurred.

God was giving Ezekiel hope. God was giving Israel hope. Israel’s hope is also our hope. Don’t you want to be part of it: something so grand it is hard to comprehend. Everyone wants to be part of something mind-blowing. You can. It just takes a little faith to put your trust in this coming Messiah and off yourself. Christ did it all for us. Reach out to him. He’s reaching out to you.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Have you ever talked to people about God, and they just don’t seem to get what you’re trying to tell them? Well, Ezekiel had a similar issue. He kept speaking and the people just never seemed to understand what he was trying to get them to see about their relationship with God. Let’s see some examples.

After Ezekiel had spoken to his people several times without them realizing they had drifted away from God and needed to repent, they came to Ezekiel to inquire of the Lord (Ek 20:1). Ezekiel replied, likely a little sarcastically, as to why God should reveal anything to them. He then gave them a detailed history lesson of all the ways the Israelites had rebelled against God. Because of all their rebellion, both past and present, God stated he would “pass them under the rod” (Ek 20:37), meaning he would purge them from their sin. This is similar to what Jeremiah termed “the time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jr 30:7). Ezekiel stated the elders in Judah would be consumed like a forest fire (Ek 20:46-47). Yet, these leaders told Ezekiel he was speaking in parables. The words of Ezekiel went unheeded. Isn’t that just like people? Deflect until you can believe it. People haven’t changed over the centuries.

It is likely these leaders’ response broke his heart. Yet, God wasn’t giving up on his lessons to them. Ezekiel was told to tell the people to morn because their fellow countrymen and relatives back in Jerusalem would be slaughtered (Ek 21:7). As a sign and prophecy to these facts, God told Ezekiel to set up a signpost at the fork in the road which Nebuchadnezzar would take when he would invade Judah. The road to the right led to Judah and Jerusalem while the road to the left led to Ammon. Nebuchadnezzar would use divination techniques to decide which road to take. Yet, God stated he would ensure Nebuchadnezzar chose the road to the right. Ammon would gloat because of Jerusalem’s destruction, but Ezekiel warned them to be careful of doing so because the same destruction would come to them. Ezekiel then calls king Zedekiah “a wicked prince of Israel” (Ek 21:25). He stated Zedekiah would lose his crown and Jerusalem would become ruin. Ezekiel then looked way into the future as he tells his fellow citizens, “the crown would not be restored until he to whom it rightfully belongs shall come; to him I will give it” (Ek 21:27). Ezekiel was referring to Christ when he will reign during his Millennial Kingdom. While this prophecy may sound like it has a positive ending, it meant that no king would reign on the throne in Jerusalem until Christ would do so – quite a long period of time.

To be sure the people understood the reason for the coming destruction on Jerusalem, he points out their sins (Ek 22): they violated all the laws God had given them through Moses, they had shed blood to worship their idols, they didn’t care for the fatherless and widows, they carried out indecent sexual acts, they extorted their neighbors for financial gain, the priests didn’t distinguish between the holy and the profane for the people, the princes put financial gain above the welfare of the people, and the prophets, more like false prophets, often would spread only lies to placate the princes. God stated he was looking for someone to “stand in the gap” (Ek 22:30) so he would not have to destroy Jerusalem, but he could find no one to do so.

God then gives them an analogy. God called Samaria (representing the Northern King of Israel) Oholah, meaning “her own tabernacle.” He called Jerusalem (representing the Southern Kingdom of Judah), Oholibah, meaning “my tabernacle is in her.” This is referring to how Jeroboam lead ten of the twelve tribes to break from the reign of Rehoboam, son of Solomon, and had the people worship golden calves in Bethel and Dan (1Ki 12:28-29). Yet, even though Judah had the tabernacle within her borders, she was just as bad as Israel in not worshipping God. He stated that spiritually, both acted like harlots (Ek 23). The people of both Judah and Israel followed the gods of the surrounding nations and sought protection from these false gods rather than from God. Israel relied upon Assyria, and Judah, Assyria and Babylon. These same nations whom they relied upon were the ones who would cause their destruction. Who says God does not have a sense of irony? Yet, this irony was to show the folly of them trusting in these fickle nations rather than upon him, their Rock, who could always stand firm for them.

I’m sure Ezekiel was upset he wasn’t getting through to his fellow countrymen. After all, they were supposed to be God’s chosen people, but they had rejected God even though God was giving them every opportunity to turn back to him. Yet, are we any different today? We often turn our back on all the attempts God uses to get our attention to no avail. Let’s learn from Ezekiel’s story. Let’s give God a chance in our lives. After all, what do we have to lose? We may actually gain something beyond our expectation.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Once God’s Promised Kingdom, the Millennium is over, out of heaven descends the New Jerusalem. This city is magnificent. It is like a giant crystal which descends to the earth. It has a wall with twelve gates, each of a single pearl, and twelve foundations, each of a precious stone. Its main street is of pure gold, translucent and reflective, as well as is the city itself (Rv 21:15-21). It is fifteen hundred miles square.

It is likely that the city is described as being square because the Holy of Holies has always been square (1Ki 6:20; 2Ch 3:8; Ek 41:4). Since the tabernacle and temple were replicas of heavenly things (Hb 8:5), this is where God dwells. Some believe it may also be pyramid in shape. Or the city could be on top of the jeweled foundations that are pyramid in shape. In either case, God will rule from the highest place on the earth (Is 2:2-3; Jl 3:17). This may be why Satan had the tower of Babel originally built because this was his first attempt to be like the Most High (Is 14:14). It may also be why Babylon had the hanging gardens to try to replicate what God is going to have here in this new world capital. Atop of this magnificent city is God’s throne. From this flows the River of Life reflecting the glory of God through all the light of the precious stones, as well as in that of the golden street and city. One can view this magnificent city from thousands of miles away. The light given off by the Shekinah glory of God will reflect off, and refract through, these crystalline materials making the whole city sparkle and very likely will produce many colors as the light is refracted. It is going to be absolutely spectacular. Truly, “…eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him” (1Co 2:9).

This New Jerusalem will be on the new earth. Although the new earth could be a lot bigger than ours today, one can use the dimensions given in Revelation and the size of the earth today to better understand the enormity of the city. If Jerusalem is the center of the city and the city is almost fifteen hundred miles square, then, based upon today’s earth, the city would stretch from the top of Turkey to below the bottom of Egypt and from the eastern border of Iraq to the eastern border of Greece. If this structure was placed inside the continental United States, it would cover almost two-thirds of the country. By anyone’s standard, that is big! From the dimensions given, one can also get an idea as to how far away the city may be seen. If one takes into account the height of the city and how far away the unobstructed horizon would be, one could start to see it from as far away as the southern tip of Africa to the middle of Alaska; from Greenland to Indonesia. If God’s Shekinah glory that will be shinning from the center and at the top of the city is taken into account, the glow could be extend much further.

The Bible states that this city will have walls that are almost two hundred feet high (some translations state thick) and composed of jasper (Rv 21:17-18). The exact name of these gems may not be known or translated to what they are known as today. However, the Bible states that this stone is clear as crystal. This would provide a bright glow outside the city. Therefore, some interpret that the walls are very thick and as high as the city itself, while others state that the wall is two hundred feet high but that the tallest point in the city, i.e., where God’s throne will be, is fifteen hundred miles high. Either way, it will be totally magnificent.

Excited? Our future in Christ will be absolutely wonderful. It will truly blow our minds. Get yourself ready!

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Unfortunately, life in the Millennium will also have a sad side. Hard to believe, but there will be many born who grow up and refuse to put their faith in their King. They will think Him cruel because they can’t do as they please.

A thousand years is a long time, but it is still a finite time. It will one day come to an end. It will be both exciting and solemn. Exciting because even better things await. Also, somber, because Satan will be released into the world again (Rv 20:7-8).

When Satan is released, he will likely be headquartered back in Babylon (Mi 5:5-6), back where his initial plan for world domination began with Nimrod (Gn 10:8-12, 11:1-9). Over time, it will look like he is becoming very successful. He will accumulate hundreds of thousands of individuals from all the nations (Rv 20:8). As he does today, Satan once again appeals to mankind’s vanity and human nature, and they believe a lie (Ro 1:25). Satan takes their pride and seals it with his own.

It is possible that this phase of Satan’s recruitment will go on for several years, due to the number of recruits he finally manages to obtain. More than likely, he will go to many of the towns throughout the world and tell lies, or likely twisted half-truths, against the Messiah. This continues until, as scriptures state, the number following Satan could no longer be numbered (Rv 20:8).

However, the King will not be entirely complacent, and true to His character, will make a final plea to all those who follow Satan. The King sends out leaders throughout the nations to rally His people to evangelize and to take back as much territory as possible (Mi 5:5-15). They find the Messiah’s name is a force unequal to any weapon. No one will be able stand against it; however, each person still holds the key to their own heart. Not resisting and surrendering are two different things. Control of Satan’s homeland, Assyria, will be taken (Mi 5:6). It is likely that some of this effort will be fruitful, but in the end, this culminates with Satan gathering many thousands of his people to march against Jerusalem and attempt to take the city (Mi 5:6; Rv 20:9). They march against Jerusalem thinking they can overtake the city, but in one swoop they are gone: fire comes down from the sky and destroys them all (Rv 20:9). God kills them, but their pride had already consumed them long before. Pride started it all (Is 14:13) and pride will end it all (Rv 20:9). Satan is cast into the lake of fire (Rv 20:10).

It is no wonder that scripture states Christ will wipe away every tear (Rv 21:4). All these people who have remained faithful to Christ have gone through a lot of heartache. Many tears will be shed, and many hearts will be broken due to loved ones turning their backs to their beloved King. However, heartache will soon turn to ultimate joy.

One further solemn duty must be performed. This is known as the Great White Throne judgment (Rv 20:11). Everyone, from the dawn of time, who never placed their faith in the Messiah, the Promised One, Jesus Christ, the Eternal King, are brought before Him. Where this takes place is a mystery because even the earth and sky cannot stand before a holy God (Rv 20:11). Books are opened as well as the Book of Life (Rv 20:12). It seems, because they did not trust in Christ as the Hope for their future and the payment he made for their sins, each person is judged by their deeds as recorded in these books. Yet, the final element is whether their name is recorded in the Book of Life. If not in the Book of Life, they will pass into the Lake of Fire and be forever where Satan was cast. Since their alliance was with him in this life, they will be with him forever in the next. There is nothing from this passage in Revelation which indicates any were not sentenced to an eternity in the Lake of Fire. If their names were in the Book of Life, they would have been part of the first resurrection (Rv 20:5-6). Here, it seems the Book of Life was opened to prove they were unworthy to enter eternity with Christ.

So, the final reward for pride is revealed. Pride caused Satan to fall from a very special place where he was before God always – a place of great honor (Ek 28:14). However, pride caused him to feel he could become just like God (Is 14:14). This was a very great defiance as God has declared Himself holy (Lv 11:44; 1Pt 1:15), that is, he is unique and there is none like him. Lucifer, disagreed, fell, and became the Adversary, Satan, the devil. Now he is forever separated from the very one he was created to be before.

We today, still have the opportunity to change our destiny. Which will you choose? The choice is yours. Choose wisely. You’ll be glad you did, and you’ll walk into the arms of love which will never let you go – neither in this life or the next.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Life in the Millennium will be utopian. The curse on the earth will be removed (Is 51:3). All plant life flourishes and there will no longer be weeds or pests. The great earthquake when Christ returned causes the Euphrates River to empty into the Jordan, bringing a constant flow of fresh water over the landscape. There is also a river which flows from beneath the temple in Jerusalem into the Dead Sea and into the Mediterranean Sea. The Dead Sea is no longer dead but teams with life as many fish now thrive there and much vegetation grows along its coast (Ek 47:7-10). People will live to be very old in age and children will be playing everywhere (Zc 8:4-5). There will not be any animosity between animals: the lion will be next to the lamb; the child will play next to the snake’s home and harm will come to neither (Is 11:6-9). There will not be any want. While these scriptures focus on Israel, it would seem reasonable that these Edenic-type of conditions would exist over the entire earth. Therefore, all the Gentile nations will enjoy such wonderful living conditions as well.

Christ many times taught that more is given to those who do more (Mt 25:28-29). Therefore, during the Millennium there will likely be a rewards system for those more faithful to their tasks than others. However, this will not create the haves and have-nots and not create disunity. Because God does everything in an orderly fashion, Christ will have a just and equitable system for all to follow (1Co 14:33).

Life will continue much as it does today – with some exceptions, of course (Is 65:21-25). Those who returned with Christ and those resurrected just prior to His reign will likely be involved with overseeing what is rebuilt and restoring God’s order to the agriculture, atmosphere, and animal life. All elements of life will continue – but will be focused on the order that Jesus Christ establishes – those with glorified bodies will be part of overseeing all of these aspects of daily life (Rv 20:6). All of one’s skills, talents, and personality traits they possess in this current life will be used by Christ. People will still have need for clothes, houses, implements, etc. in order to carry out their day-to-day activities. However, there will not be power struggles, greed, monopolies, etc. as there are today. Things will be run under a more equitable system. Likely there will still be arts, theater, and music, but they will all be uplifting and giving praise back to God. Joy will abound (Is 12:4). People will still work, joke, laugh, have fun, and entertain. While there are those who suggest such things will be true in the Eternal State, it would seem logical that these same things would occur at this time in earth’s history as well. A big component of life during this time will be worship. Israel will be the one nation that will have the leadership role in this area. Israelites will be the ones most revered and respected throughout all the Gentile nations because of their place in the worship of the King (Is 11:10; Zc 8:23). How different now. Once, they were considered the dregs of society and the ones to stamp out. But now, everyone will want to know what they know and will follow them up to Jerusalem periodically for, hopefully, a face-to-face encounter with their King.

All of these will have close communion with Christ and those that are still in human flesh will want to know all that they can about their King. Those with glorified bodies are the ones who will help share that message about Him. They will be given administrative tasks (Dn 7:18, 22, 27; Ro 8:17; 1Co 6:2-3; 2Tm 2:12; Rv 2:26, 20:4-6). The Bible states that there will be Gentile nations on earth at this time and they will periodically go up to Jerusalem because there are still certain feasts which will be celebrated in Jerusalem (Zc 14:16). Therefore, the rulers and civil authorities of these nations will likely be those with glorified bodies. As judges and rulers, they will likely oversee the work needed to restore justice over every sphere of life and help establish the world government under Christ’s rule by helping to establish judges and governors, or actually being such. They will be able to know their King’s will and administer His wishes throughout the various nations. They will likely be the teachers of the people to help them understand who their King really is, what He has done, how to worship Him, and how to put their faith in Him and dwell with Him for eternity (Is 2:3, 66:18-20).

It will be an exciting time where those in their resurrected bodies will help lead and teach those still in human flesh about Jesus Christ, their King, who He is and how much He loves them. They will be excited to be able to see those born, grow up and decide to put their faith in the King as well. There will likely be many celebrations and Christ will likely welcome each new member of his spiritual kingdom as they come to Jerusalem for worship, as scripture teaches that those who accept Christ will be brought as an offering to Him (Is 66:20).

Does this get you excited about our future? I hope so. It does that for me!

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

Life in the Millennium will be ideal for those of Israel. Individuals belonging to Israel will have specially assigned territories within the Middle East and around Jerusalem depending upon which tribe they belong, and the overall territory of Israel will be what God originally promised Abraham (Ek 47:13 – 48:35). This territory will be for Jews and Israelites but there will be Gentiles allowed to live there as well (Ek 47:22-23). Who are these Gentiles living within the assigned territory of Israel? Scripture does not say, but perhaps these are Jewish proselytes who have no “official” Jewish or Israeli DNA, but because they have lived as being Jewish their whole lives, they are allowed to continue to do so. Although not an “official” Jew, they will be treated as though they are Jewish (Ek 47:22). Therefore, it would seem there is no real downside to not being an ethnically pure Jew as long as they are followers of their Messiah, Jesus Christ. This shows that God is always just and He is always more concerned about individual obedience than national obedience, even though both are important. God always rewards individual obedience which has already been shown in many examples provided in past posts.

There is another possibility in identifying those Gentiles who would be living within the borders of this New Israel. While this is speculative, it is consistent with God’s character and what He has promised in scripture, even though scripture does not explicitly state these activities. God has made each man and woman unique (Ps 139:13-16) and He treasures this about His creation. One’s uniqueness, one’s identity, will not be lost as one moves into the Millennium and the Eternal State.  Since the Millennium will be a time of great joy, then human beings being able to achieve and excel in their God-given talents, creativity, and personalities will most likely be highly encouraged by God Himself. One will then use these talents as one seeks to praise Him and seek to know Him better, which will be an adventure for many lifetimes over (Jb 36:26). Science has always been about understanding the unknown and the natural processes which occur on a day-to-day basis. There is no reason to believe this will end once mankind dwells with Christ. Since He has made mankind to be very inquisitive, and many have pursued this in a professional manner and have specialized in specific scientific areas, it is likely God will allow such to continue. After all, it seems God wants mankind to search out and discover things about Him (Pr 25:2). While in this present society many try to ignore God in this process of discovery, at this future time in earth’s history, it will be evident to whom all the glory for discoveries made should go. Bringing these scientific discoveries before Him and presenting these findings to all of earth’s inhabitants will further give glory to Him and help those who have not yet received Him as their Savior to have an even better appreciation for Jesus Christ, their King, Lord, and potential Savior.

Since Jerusalem will be the center for all things of the world during the Millennium, the oversight and administration for all these activities will likely also be centered in Jerusalem. Just as the Jews and Israelites will be the leaders of the worship of God during this time, those from the Gentile nations will likely be leading the world in these other avenues of praise to God through science, art, and other forms of creative expression since the Gentile nations are the ones to bring glory into Jerusalem and present this before Jesus Christ (Ps 86:9; Rv 15:4). It would make sense to have those who oversee such activities to also be in or near Jerusalem during this time. These may also be part of Gentile inhabitants to whom Ezekiel alluded when God showed him a vision of this time of earth’s history.

One can never outthink God and everything He has promised will most certainly come true, even if one cannot fathom how. It is likely one will be very astounded at the actuality of this time in earth’s future and will wonder why they limited their own thinking to its possibilities.

This reminds me of what Paul stated in 1st Corinthians: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who live Him” (1Co 2:9).

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

While Gentiles certainly benefit from the Millennial Kingdom, this time is prophetically about Israel fulfilling their original commission of being a kingdom of priests. From the beginning of Israel’s covenant with God at Mount Sinai, they were to be a kingdom of priests to the world. They did not fulfill that command the first time. Therefore, God is going to allow them the honor of fulfilling that command by leading the world in the worship of their King, their Savior. This will also include sacrifices. It is important to note that the purpose of sacrifices has always been about atonement, which is the act of cleansing. Of course, that meant the atonement, or cleansing, from sin, but also included the act of cleansing the implements that were a part of the ceremony.  This would still be true. Everything, including the altar itself, must be cleansed before it can be used in worship (Ek 43:13-27). All these things will, at least in the beginning, be a reminder to all of what Christ did for them.

While Israel will lead the world in the worship of God, there will still be many nations on earth. During this one-thousand-year reign, there will be many, many children born (Zc 8:4-5). They, too, will have to decide about putting their faith in Jesus Christ. It might seem obvious that in such a utopian society it would be a natural thing for people to do. However, even in the present world it is pride that leads to destruction (Pr 16:18); it will be no different in the Millennium. Although Satan will not be present, mankind’s nature is still present. Pride itself does not come from Satan, but he uses it to his advantage. Also, the children born during this time will not be aware of how bad and troubled the world was before Christ came and lifted the curse on both mankind and the earth. They will only know, according to them, that Christ has always been the ruler. While the teaching of their parents and other teachers will tell them of what Christ did and show that the sacrifices reveal the work that He did on the cross for everyone, these will not be experiences for them. These are things they will have to accept by faith just as their parents had done. Unfortunately, as time goes on, not everyone will put their faith in Jesus Christ, their king. This period of history will force mankind to admit that its biggest problem is mankind’s spirit itself. It is not Satan who creates the rebellion in one’s heart, but it is generated by one’s own pride.

The Bible also states that Jesus will reign with an iron scepter (Ps 2:9; Rv 12:5). That means all turmoil will be squelched immediately. After all, when the king knows one’s very thoughts, it is easy for Him to pass judgment quickly. Therefore, anyone who dies less than one-hundred years of age is considered cursed (Is 65:20). This is likely reflecting the seriousness of the acts by those who do rebel. Rebellion will not be tolerated. However, that does not mean internal, deep-seated animosity will not still occur. Some believe these scriptures teach that only those from the Gentile nations may reject Christ as their Savior while all the Jews will accept Him.

While the verse in Isaiah does not explicitly state death will not occur to anyone who does not rebel, it can be implied since the first resurrection has already occurred, and the second resurrection is only for the non-saved (Rv 20:4-6). The Bible does not speak of any further resurrection of the righteous. This suggests that those born during the Millennium and accept Christ as their Savior will never die.

As you can see, this will be quite an awesome kingdom. You, too, can be a part of it. Don’t miss it!

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

The beginning of the Millennium is almost like the antithesis of the earth after the Rapture – the world goes from chaos to peace. This time, all those who have not accepted Christ as their Savior are removed. After the Rapture, the earth and its inhabitants endured all sorts of natural disasters and plagues. In the Millennium, the earth and its inhabitants will have a wonderful environment and almost pure bliss. All has been made right again. All evil has been vanquished – at least for a time. Satan has been placed in the Abyss – locked up for one-thousand years so he can have no influence on mankind (Rv 20:1-3). All those who had come through the Tribulation and still not accepted Christ by faith have also been removed. The earth is full of only those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ, the King of Righteousness. For the first time the earth is at peace – true peace.

There are two groups who enter the Millennium. One group is composed of those who were alive at the time of Christ’s return and who had accepted Him as their Savior. They enter the Millennium in their current human bodies. The other group is composed of those who are part of the first resurrection and enter the Millennium in glorified bodies. These consists of the following:

1. Those who returned with Christ when He came to destroy the Antichrist and bind Satan (Rv 19:14). These are considered the church, i.e., those from Christ’s resurrection until the Rapture who put their faith in Him.

2. Those who put their faith in the Messiah prior to his resurrection (Dn 12:1-2). These are resurrected after Christ’s return and before the start of His reign (Rv 20:4).

3. Those martyred for their faith during the Tribulation period. These also are resurrected after Christ’s return and before the start of His reign (Rv 20:4).

These will be like Christ in the sense that they will have their resurrected, glorified, bodies. They will be different from those who survived the Tribulation. Those who survived the Tribulation will still have human bodies like ours today. These who returned with Christ have what are called “glorified” bodies (1Jn 3:2). They already have the bodies they will possess in the Eternal State and know they will forever be with their Lord. The “New Testament saints” are considered the Bride of Christ (2Co 11:2; Ep 5:25-27; Rv 19:5-9) and the “Old Testament saints” are their attendants (Mt 25:1, 10). Both have a major part to play in Christ’s Kingdom. Future posts will explore this further. I hope you join us.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

In the last post, we looked at some of the events that start the Millennium, or Christ’s Kingdom. Many are surprised that the New Testament contains little about this future time of earth’s history. We go to the Old Testament to really understand what will occur. It seems the Old Testament prophets spent a lot of time focusing people's attention to this future time. Part of this was because God wanted Israel and Judah to know that even though He was going to allow them to go into captivity, that was not the end for them. His dealing with them, and their future hope was still just as real as ever. Even though they had given up on God, God was never going to give up on them. Don't you just love a God like that? We can falter and forget, but he is just the opposite. Whatever he says and promises will come to past just as He has promised. Nothing is too hard for him and time changes nothing for Him. Below are some of those findings which he has promised to us about our future.

Many scriptures state that we will be involved as judges, priests, and rulers (Rv 2:26, 20:4-6; Dn 7:18, 22, 27; 1Co 6:2-3; 2Tm 2:12; Ro 8:17). As priests we will likely oversee, lead, and teach about Christ and his redemptive work and make intercession for them (Is 2:3, 66:18-20). Those who accept Christ will be brought as an offering to Christ (Is 66:20). I think this means they will present themselves to Christ as a willful whole burnt offering, meaning they publicly dedicate their lives to him. As judges and rulers we will likely oversee the work needed to restore justice over every sphere of life and help establish the world government under Christ’s rule by helping to establish judges and governors or actually performing in such a capacity (Is 9:7, 11:3-5, 10:22, 28:17, 32:16, 42:1-4; Jr 30:21; Is 24:23, 32:1; Ek 45:8-9; Mt 19:28; Lk 19:12-28, 22:30; Zc 14:9; Ek 37:13-28; Rv 19:16).

We will likely be involved with overseeing what is rebuilt and restoring God’s order to the agriculture, atmosphere, and animal life (Rv 20:1-6; Is 2:1-4, 9:6-9, 11:1-16, 51:1-8, 60-62, 65:17-25; Ps 2:6-12, 110:1-7; Dt 8, 28; Mt 5:5, 6:10, 17:11, 19:28, 28:19; Ac 1:6, 3:21). All elements of life will continue but will be focused on the order that Jesus Christ establishes. We will be part of overseeing all these aspects of daily life. All our skills, talents, and personality we currently have will be used by, and for, Christ.

While Scripture states life will be more agrarian, I don’t think that means less technology. I believe the two will be incorporated and blended so that life can become less complicated but also easier at the same time. For instance, while more people will likely farm, there will likely be no harmful insects or weeds. The ground will produce in abundance. Yet, I feel we will have non-pollution technology to harvest and distribute the crops throughout the world for the people of the earth.

Israel will lead the world in the worship of God. Yet, those who came back with Christ will help to teach the world his scripture. They will also help those born during this time to understand Christ, what he did for them, and help them accept him as their King, Lord, and Hope of their eternal future.

I hope this whets your appetite to understand more about this time of our future history. It will be spectacular. Whatever you learn, multiply that wonder by at least a thousand-fold. We can’t imagine how wonderful this time will be for those who know him.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens

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

The word paradise conjures up images of somewhere peaceful and beautiful, and where no one has a care in the world. But what is the Biblical meaning? Some would say the Garden of Eden, or Heaven, or the Millennium, or maybe the New Jerusalem as part of the New Earth. Well, let’s see how the Bible used the word ‘paradise.’ Surprisingly, it is only used three times:

Lk 23:43 – Jesus answered him, “I tell you [thief on the cross] the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”

2Co 12:4 – [Paul] was caught up to paradise. He heard inexpressible things, things that man is not permitted to tell.”

Rv 2:7 – He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.

As we first look at these, it would appear three different places are being called paradise. Let’s investigate each one. In a previous post, we saw that prior to Christ’s resurrection, everyone went to Sheol. Was Christ calling the part of Sheol for the righteous, paradise? If that is the case, then this would be the only place in Scripture where Sheol is called Paradise.

King David referred to Sheol differently. Even knowing he would one day go to the portion for the righteous, he referred to it as a place like the following:

•Of captivity

•Where worship at temple cannot occur

•Where joys of life cannot be experienced

Therefore, he did not consider it a place he wanted to go, but a place to be released from.

There was an expectation of future joy after death, but that would occur only after their resurrection. After Babylonian captivity, some Jewish sects did teach of experiencing Gan Eden after death. Yet, most taught this would occur after their resurrection.

Christ would have known the correct time of Gan Eden, or Paradise, so he would not have used it inappropriately.

So, how do we make sense of three different places being called ‘paradise’? Well, what do all these references have in common? It would seem that in all cases, Jesus Christ himself is present. He was in the Garden of Eden; he was in Sheol when the thief on the cross went to Sheol; he is in Heaven today; and we who accept him by faith will be with him in his Millennial Kingdom and in the New Earth. It would seem, then, that paradise is wherever he is. He could tell the thief he would be in Paradise because Christ would be with him in Sheol. This was the only time it could be called Paradise as this was the first time happiness and joy entered there. Christ is today in Heaven, and so it would be correct for Paul to state he went to Paradise. And, in the future, Christ will be a part of the New Heaven and Earth when the Tree of Life will once again be available as John stated in Revelation.

It seems appropriate that Paradise is wherever Christ is. He is the one who brings hope and joy. Paradise is associated with praise, and praise is void without Christ being the subject of it.

Now, if that is the case, how does this play a key role in the transition of Christ’s followers going from being in Sheol after death to being in Heaven in Christ’s presence after death? Stay tuned for our next post.

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Visit Books & Words to Inspire by Randy C. Dockens