The Signs of the TImes: The Millennium and Beyond

CNN Opinion Poll, November 21, 1999: 42% of Americans believe that Jesus will make his return public in the next millennium.

"The very idea of European civilisation is impossible to extricate from the story of Christendom. Would the writings of Plato have survived to us if they had not been first filtered through the Fathers of the Greek Church? If the monks of Benedict had not preserved manuscripts in their libraries, how much of classical literature would have survived in the West? Even if we posit that there would have been other powerhouses of 'civiliation' during the 'dark ages,' it is still unimaginable because what history in fact provided was a Christian civilisation. Europe without Benedict, Europe without Dante, Europe without the cathedrals, Europe without the mediaeval universities, Europe without the fifteenth-century humanists, Europe without the Reformation; Europe without Crusades, the Inquisitions, the Religious Wars. No Ambrose, no Augustine, no Aquinas, no Marcilius, no Duns Scotus. No Hume, Marx or Voltaire reacting against them. No Bach, no Michelangelo, no Shakespeare. No Kant, no Schopenhauer, no Wagner creating other imaginative worlds. Of course, if the Faith had not been European, and Europe had not adopted the Faith, there would have been some other story. But it would not have been our story."

May we add to this list of "no's" the following: No Lutherans in America, or Baptists or Episcopals or Brethren; no Pentecostal or Charismatic movements. Make your own list. The godly movements of the past were born out of the conflict between good and evil, and blood has been shed for their establishment. But the day we currently await will be one in which there will no longer remain any conflict over godliness and righteousness.

(Heb 8:10b-11 KJV) I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: {11} And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.

This kind of transformation will require a period of transition. The transition period between the earth's conflict and it's presentation to God as perfected and restored we know as the Millennium -- a long period in which Christ will reign over the earth through his saints, bringing resurrection, judgment and direction.

(Rev 19:11,14-15a KJV) And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. {14} And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. {15} And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron...

4 Ezra 13:{37} And he will reprove the nations assembled against him, {38} and he will reproach them for their evil thoughts and the torments with which they are to be tortured, and will destroy them without effort by the law. {49} Therefore when he destroys the multitude from the nations that are gathered together, he will defend the people that remain.

The people who have revered the Old Testament and the Dead Sea Scrolls, as well as Zealots from every age (including the Shi'ites of today) have expected to be a part of a final holy war. Through history, fanatics have tried to bring about holy wars. But this vision tells us of a war in the heavenly places, a kingdom for God taken by violent means from an evil enemy, using weapons of warfare that are not carnal (except in type), but mighty to the tearing down of such strongholds. The weapons behind the textual models reveal the Word of God sallying forth from those who have died faithful to the end.

The people of the nations that remain (and according to Matthew 25 there will be nations (ethnoi) judged worthy to remain) will have been defended by the Lamb of God and his saints. And "the meek shall inherit the earth" (Matt 5:5). It is the contentious spirit of the world and it's demonic systems of deprivation and exploitation that will be wasted; Look!

(Rev 19:20 KJV) {20} And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

(Rev 20:1-3 KJV) And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. {2} And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, {3} And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.

The deceiver of nations is bound for a millennium. Having no more governments to subjugate to his purposes, Satan himself (evil) is caged up. This incarceration includes his minions of demonic principalities and evils spirits -- all of them cast out to the feet of the Lamb for him to do with them as He will. No more devil or demonic evil on earth.

(Rev 20:4-6 KJV) And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. {6} Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Faithful martyrs are resurrected in "glorified bodies." Jesus described them to the Sadducees, "like angels." Although they were "beheaded," they were translated alive. These are the immortals -- a special people set aside for God -- who have been called, chosen and faithful. They are the overcomers who have been faithful even to physical death. Now they are benevolent potentates, supervising the discipleship of the nations from the vantage point of multi-dimensionality.

Note astrophysicist Carl Sagan’s view on the existence of fourth dimensional (spiritual ) beings: he tells us such may readily exist now (and they do, according to both theology and mathematics). Sagan goes on to describe them: Such beings are able to materialize and dematerialize at will, taking on any three-dimensional form at will, and able to walk through solid objects as naturally as we walk through doorways. Four-dimensional beings could also "tear you from inside out" (see Cosmos).

Biblical examples of four-dimensional beings intersecting three-dimensional reality include Melchizedek in Gen 14:18, the Yahweh and two angels meeting with Abraham in Genesis 18:2, and Raphael, the guardian angel of Tobias, in Tobit. Angels appear to people today and change the circumstances of their lives. But devils also do this, often appearing as "angels of light."

Only to the elect is given the glorified body and it's power. These people of the first resurrection take the place of those evil principalities and powers that once ruled; they replace those we today engage in warfare for the sakes of our communities and world. Yes, Yahweh's elect take over the entire world that all may come to know the Lord without any hindrance accept the hindrance of the human will. Look:

(Eph 1:20-22 KJV) ...Christ, [whom] he raised him from the dead, [he] set at his own right hand in the heavenly places, {21} Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: {22} And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church...

It becomes obvious to us why we NOW live in a world of sin, evil and wrong: for the Gospel age exists for the very reason of revealing the elect of God for future positions of leadership in the Millennial age. Christ is even now revealing those who are called, who have chosen that calling, and those who have also been faithful through their lives, even unto their physical deaths. This faithfulness is a very narrow way, and few will overcome to complete the journey. In this world of deceit and falsehood, those who we expect to rule and reign in the future may never experience this kind of exaltation.... Ask yourself, "What have our pastors, the “great” evangelists and the chief Christian spokespeople of our generation, sacrificed to gain all?"

In this series of teaching, we have proven that Christ is here now preparing for the earthly manifestation of his Kingdom, which we call "The Millennium." In this short discourse we have learned that the demonic political systems of the world and all their mouthpieces, power mongers, and lackeys will be destroyed. Furthermore, the Devil himself with his fallen angels, demons, principalities, and beasts, will be captivated so that the nations (ethnoi) of the earth can no longer be deceived.

We learned that Jesus will thus conquer all remaining nations of the earth through the power of the Word of God (i.e. the law), and that he will rule the earth with a rod of iron and the staff of a shepherd. His rule and shepherding will be made manifest through those people who sacrificed all in their physical life for the sake of the testimony of Jesus and the Word of God. They will be in power over the earth, able to materialize and dematerialize at will, having now the mind of Christ, his compassion, and his benevolent desire for the world’s destiny. The desire of the ages will have come, and the earth will be at peace.

Now we must briefly deal with all of humanity that has died before us. What has become of them? We know that those who have truly died in Christ are with Christ in some unknown way, and they come back with Christ. But what about those who rejected him and died, or never knew him and died. How about those who knew him allright, but failed in their commitment to his Kingdom? Did the multitude and billions who were not of "the little flock" all go to hell to be tormented for eternity? And if God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, should God now relish his failure in saving the world? Look and see what good news the Apostle to Europe teaches.

God’s plan includes a merciful escape from suffering and death for all: Just as Adam willingly forfeited his right to live in perfection's paradise, Christ willingly gave up his place in multidimensionality to pay the penalty for Adam’s (humanity's) sin. This corresponding price guarantees every descendant of Adam a resurrection and a fresh opportunity to live his life in the righteousness of the Millennium. During this reign of Christ and his saints, every person that ever lived will come forth again upon the earth for a second chance, free of the physical oppression of the Beast and the spiritual oppression of the Devil. For just as all shall be made alive again, in this life, all shall know the Lord from the least to the greatest.

(First:) Space - where will we fit all resurrected? Did you know that six billion people could crowd into the city limits of Jacksonville? And that six billion people could each have an acre of land in Texas? But the terrible overcrowding and lack in some areas of the world is not because of paucity of space or food. The problem comes from the Beast system and the Devil. And the people of the Beast today say we must promote abortion in our overcrowded world because, in reality, they really don't want to share anything of theirs with others, especially with foreigners. In a Kingdom of love and light, there would not be such a problem even if there were 20 billion on the earth.

(Second :) Resurrection -- how could it happen. Today when we see cloning being done by the Beast, we ought to have enough faith in God's biological knowledge to believe entirely in the resurrection of the dead. But furthermore, on of the most discussed topics in quantum physics today is the "Omega Point Theory" of scientist James Tipler (from The Physics of Immortality) which propounds that at some point in the future, all human beings will be resurrected into a universe of decency and order for eternity. And Tipler is not a believer -- he is a man of deep science. The Omega Point of faith is that if man can do it or figure it out, God can do it in reality and in benevolence. All will be resurrected and will live on earth.

(Third:) Will Hitler and Nero be resurrected unto eternal life? The answer is yes. But consider the conditions for staying alive in those wonderful days: As in Eden, where obedience to the command of God meant life and disobedience meant death, it will be in the Millennium. Many, many people will die during the Millennium because of their disobedience. If Adam, a man who walked with God, died out of disobedience. How long will Hitler (or that reprobate ex-husband or wife of yours) last in Christ's Millennial Kingdom, with the righteous demand of obedience or death? (Remember, it still took Adam 160 years to die after he disobeyed.) But the responsibility for the discipleship of the nations in the Millennium will fall to those who rule and reign with Christ. For instance, folks may not keep the biblical sabbath now, but, according to scripture, they will have to then.

There are many people in close contact at SecurityLink. One day someone realized that Debra had not been at work for awhile. Someone said, "She blatantly disregarded our policies on speaking with customers. She was fired three weeks ago." The reply was, "Oh, well, I just wondered. And Dave, what happened to him? I haven't seen him around for a few weeks either, come to think of it." Well, "Dave quit," said a supervisor. "He thought he'd find a better place."

In the Millennium, the disobedient of any nation, like Adam, will die. The Bible calls that "the second death." It may be sad, but no tragedy. The disobedient had a second chance in a perfecting world. And though there was only good influences about them, and plenty, and plenty to do, including the important work of rebuilding a war-torn planet, some will make their conscious decision to live disobediently knowing full well the consequences ... and they just die all over again, for the final time.

The Millennium will put a great responsibility upon the elect. There will be little time to rest until Christ turns the Perfect Kingdom over to Yahweh the Father. For the days and years of the elect will be spent in coaching or shepherding the resurrected world up the highway of holiness unto perfection of God, for

This coaching will require the iron staff in one hand, and the shepherd staff in the other. But the elect will have been prepared for the task, having spent their earthly life completely dedicated to this cause through many hardships and death. Now, in the Millennium, the little evangelist's dream of masses coming through his ministry will become a reality. The world will be saved for Yahweh, and I will be a part of that great move!

And think of all those millions who never heard the name of Jesus. They will not only hear of him (maybe through you), but they will know him, and they may find a place in the eternal glory of God. Now think of your family that has gone before without knowledge of the Lord. Isn't it wonderful news that they are not burning in eternal torments now, but will be resurrected soon to life and youth, and you will be the principality over them to bring them into the full knowledge of Christ and his Kingdom? What a wonderful prospect -- and it is as true as the Bible is true.

All people desire a benevolent government with just an wise laws. It is not only a universal human longing, but God, too, desires life, health, peace, and joy for all (1Tim. 2:4). Think of the memory that never fails, of the judgment that never errs, of the wisdom that plans for eternity without the possibility of failure, and of the power and skill which can harness even every opposing element and make them all work together for the accomplishment of His grand designs. Think of one whose eye never sleeps, whose ear is ever open, and who is ever aware of all the necessities, and active in all the interests of His broad domains.

Now, close your eyes to the scenes of misery and sorrow that yet prevail on account of sin, and picture before your mind the glory of the perfect earth. Not a stain of sin mars the harmony and peace of a perfect society; not a bitter thought, not an unkind look or word; love, welling up from every heart, meets a kindred response in every other heart. There, sickness shall be no more; not even the fear of death. Think of all the pictures of health and beauty that you have ever seen, and know that perfect humanity will be of still surpassing loveliness. Mental and moral perfection will stamp every radiant countenance. Such will earth’s society be; and all tears will be wiped away, when the resurrection work is complete. (ABSCO Website)

Signs of the TImes: The Resurrection and Millennium