What will we resurrected believers be doing during the Millennial reign of Christ? And, where is the eternal state located?
3) Activities — During the Millennial reign of Jesus, the Redeemed are going to be doing anything but floating around on clouds playing harps. We are going to reign with Jesus over those who are allowed to enter the Millennium in the flesh (which will be those believers who are alive at the end of the Tribulation). Jesus will reign over all the earth from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:1-4) as King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16). David in his glorified body will reign as the king of Israel (Ezekiel 37:24). The Saints will be scattered across the earth to assist with Jesus’ reign (2 Timothy 2:12).
Every person on earth who is in a position of governing authority will be a glorified Saint. Some of us will be in administrative positions, sharing in Jesus’ reign as presidents, governors, or mayors (Luke 19:11-27). Others will serve as judges (I Corinthians 6:3). Most of us will serve as “shepherds,” or teachers, trying to bring those who are born during the Millennium to faith in Jesus (Isaiah 66:18-21 and Jeremiah 3:15).
In the process, we are going to be given the blessing of seeing this old sin-sick world flooded with peace, righteousness and justice as the waters cover the seas. I can hardly wait!
When the Millennium ends and we move into the Eternal State, the Bible does not go into detail as to what our activities will be. It simply says that we will “serve” God (Revelation 22:3). Whatever that means, I’m sure it will be a meaningful and fulfilling service. I would imagine that, for one thing, our gifts and talents will be magnified and that we will use them to glorify the Lord. Thus, a singer will be able to sing with a perfection never before achieved, and a painter will be able to paint with a glory never imagined.
4) Location — What will be the location of this Eternal State? Will it be in an ethereal, spirit world called Heaven?
Most Christians are amazed to discover that the Bible never promises that the Redeemed will spend eternity in Heaven. Instead, the Bible says that the eternal abode of the Redeemed will be in a new Jerusalem located on a new earth (Revelation 21).
Since the Bible says that the current earth is eternal (Psalms 78:69 and 148:6), I have concluded that the “new earth” will be the current earth renovated by fire (2 Peter 3:12-13).
Instead of our going up to Heaven to live eternally with God, the Bible says He will come to earth to live with us (Revelation 21:3). Since Heaven is located wherever God resides, Heaven will come to earth, and in that sense only will we reside forever in Heaven.
God loves His creation, and He intends to redeem it all of it and not destroy it with some mythical “big bang.” He is going to restore it to its original perfection when He created it.
Jesus died on the Cross not only to redeem Mankind but also to redeem the creation. That’s the reason the High Priest in Old Testament times sprinkled the blood not only on the mercy seat but also on the ground (Leviticus 16:15).
The blood on the mercy seat of the ark was a symbolic prophecy pointing to the fact that the blood of the Messiah would cover the law of God (the tablets inside the ark) with the mercy and grace of God. The blood on the ground was a reminder that the sacrifice of the Messiah would make it possible for the Curse to be lifted and for the animal and plant kingdoms to be returned to their original perfection (Isaiah 11:6-9 and Romans 8:18-23).
In the last part of this series on your Christian hope, I’ll tell you why it’s so important to have an eternal perspective so you can live with hope.
What an awesome reality we all have to look forward to!! I just wish He would HURRY UP!! 🙂
i think most of this is speculation. i will wait and see for myself what the millenium and the eternity are to be. i do not believe anyone on earth can say they know for certain. the bible says no one knows exactly what is in store for us.
"Kings and Priests" not as governors or mayors! This would suggest partiality concerning the Saints based upon their earthly accomplishments, this however is a false premise! The crowns that we as believers receive will be presented at the feet of the Lord in recognition that without the guidance of his Spirit we would have done none of these things!
I have even heard some preachers claim that there will be different living quarters in heaven, the phrase mansions is a misinterpretation that is to be identified with many rooms! These go even as far as claiming some will live in grand palaces and some in shacks, such a conclusion is almost humorous if it was not so full of obvious error!
For those that would deem themselves greatest in the Kingdom will be the least, they that humble themselves as little children, they will be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven!
They do not seek the glory of men, these seek to reveal the glory of God upon a humanity they view as equal, equally in need of redemption only found in Christ!
Anon, i think dr reagan lists scripture references to most of whats in the article.
susie,
true, but that don't match exactly verbatim to his analysis.
i think you can agree NO ONE can say 100% EXACTLY what is in store for us.
Anon, o! Thats definitely true… 🙂 i wonder about why … sometimes…. that the Lord did NOT elaborate more on the subject……. probably cuz we cant comprehend it!
Susie, I think God left part of the puzzle obscured so that we really dig into the Word in our search for answers. That's why the style of mystery novels that give the answers in the beginning and then you read how they came to the answers aren't very popular formats. We read the whole book because we want to try to solve the mystery as we go on the journey.
God has never really hidden anything from us. From the very beginning we chose to eat of the wrong tree. The tree of life was always ours for the taking. We chose blindness when we chose our own knowledge over Gods' The greatest deception is that our God is hiding secrets from us. When we are open to his Holy Word in Jesus Christ all becomes known.
Nathan, i agree…. 🙂
Obviously its all gobble-de-gook to the unsaved, but we r instructed to study to show ourselves approved. I love getting closer to God thru studying the word. (Altho it does make me more impatient for him to return! Haha)
Rodney Mayors and govenors may not be Priests or Kings but Priests and Kings are perfectly capable of being mayors and govenors if so appointed by God. Loss of rewards means some will have greater authority than those plucked from the burning – partiality due to a failure of obedience in present day boot camp.
Its not about where we shall live but what we shall be appointed to do based on how faithful we are to Gods Word and willingness to walk in the Holy Spirit, or not!
2Tim2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, [and] prepared unto every good work.
Anon, awesome word 🙂
Anonymous, the rewards presented by the Lord are for our service upon the earth, yet our service as Kings and Priests, are due to being heirs as children of the promise, of this there is no partiality!
The crowns we receive for our earthly service will be presented before the feet of the Lord in recognition of his great glory, for it was not by our own merit that we accomplished these things but by the guidance of his Spirit!
These rewards however, do not determine our status as heirs, our recognition as sinners and the acceptance of the sacrifice of Christ for redemption determines this. We are made joint heirs as Kings and Priests by our profession of faith, plain and simple.
There is no position of status we can earn, consider what the Lord declared unto James and John and yet also in the revealing depiction of the Prodigal Son! Many have sought to portray heaven as a country club, yet clearly that portrayal is fictional!
Thanks Rodney for expressing what I could not put into words myself.
Friend, I felt these boundaries needed to be defined, the glory belongs to Christ alone!
Rodney please reread as my comment concerned what we shall be called to do AFTER the rewards as kings and priests. What we do in the Holy Spirit, or in the flesh during life, will affect our God given duties when the kingdom comes. Our disobedience now causes the partiality as kings and priests in the future. Some kings and priests will be vessels for honor others vessels for dishonor which is the result of the judgment seat of Christ when rewards are gained or lost – saved brands plucked from the burning. The judgment fire means no honors to give to Jesus except the crown of righteousness which is our unearned, free gift of salvation.
Must add that the rewards we earn by obedience is by God's Grace through the work of the Holy Spirit, so we can't boast, we owe Jesus everything,all the glory goes to Him!