Features of the Millennial Kingdom — Isaiah 32.1
by William M. Banks, Scotland
OUTLINE BASED ON ISAIAH 32.1
The Wonder Indicated – “Behold”
The Sovereign Intimated – “a King”
The Kingdom Affirmed – “shall reign”; “He must reign” 1Cor.15.25
The Character Described – “in righteousness”
The Associates Named – “princes” (‘persons of rank’: you and I!)
The Honour Conferred – “rule”
The Results Obtained – “judgment”
THE RELATION OF THE JEW, THE GENTILE AND
THE DISPENSATIONAL CHURCH TO THE MILLENNIUM
INTRODUCTION
The coming Millennial Kingdom of the Lord Jesus is unequivocally affirmed in many Scriptures. In 1Cor.15.25 the apostle Paul affirms the necessity of the reign: “For He must reign, till He hath ‘put all enemies under His feet.’” The apostle John affirms the length of the reign on no fewer than six occasions in Revelation chapter 20: he writes of the “thousand years” once in each of verses 2 to 7. The Book of Isaiah is resplendent with references to the features that mark the reign. Chapters 11 and 60 in particular indicate many of these features, although there are many others besides. Alva J. McClain has said of chapter 60: “Nothing in the whole field of Old Testament prophecy could possibly surpass the brilliance and grandeur of the 60th chapter of Isaiah; and its central theme is the restoration and world supremacy of the nation of Israel.”1 This of course will take place under the Millennial reign of the Lord Jesus. The first verse of chapter 32 will be used as the basis of the consideration in this chapter.
- 1 McClain, Alva J. “The Greatness of the Kingdom”. BMH Books, 1976.
While, as mentioned above, the Millennial reign of the Lord Jesus will last for one thousand years, the eternality of His reign is asserted in not a few Scriptures. Our Lord will be the administrator of the eternal Kingdom. When God addresses Him in Heb.1.8 (quoted from Psalm 45) He says, “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of Thy kingdom”. Likewise, the epitome of the Book of Revelation is found in chapter 11: “The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of His Christ; and He shall reign for ever and ever” v.15, or, to quote Darby’s translation: “The kingdom of the world of our Lord and of His Christ is come, and He shall reign to the ages of ages”. An important reference in the context of the current book is found in Luke chapter 1: “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God shall give unto Him the throne of His father David: and He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of His kingdom there shall be no end” vv.32,33. The eternality of His reign is therefore abundantly clear.
OUTLINE BASED ON ISAIAH 32.1
“Behold, a King shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment.”
- The Wonder Indicated – “Behold”
- The Sovereign Intimated – “a King”
- The Kingdom Affirmed – “shall reign”; “He must reign” 1Cor.15.25
- The Character Described – “in righteousness”
- The Associates Named – “princes” (‘persons of rank’: you and I!)
- The Honour Conferred – “rule”
- The Results Obtained – “judgment”
THE WONDER INDICATED – “Behold”
The word “behold” almost always has interesting connotations. It is really a call to stop and ponder, often leading to wonder and worship when used in the context of the Person of Christ. It is known to us in the ‘Servant Songs’ of Isaiah, for example, “Behold My Servant” 42.1; 52.13. As used here, it is with reference to a kingdom the like of which has never been seen before; do not cease to wonder!
A kingdom can be defined as composed of three aspects: a ruler, a realm (subjects) and a rulership (for example, theocratic and mediatorial)2. The Kingdom is the grand subject of Biblical revelation. The Millennial reign of Christ is the climax. The general considerations of the features of that reign include the following factors.
- 2 Ibid.
THE SOVEREIGN INTIMATED – “a King”
This fact is also clearly stated in Jer.23.5: “Behold [note this word again], the days come, saith the Lord, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.” Some of the features of this coming King are now delineated. He is unique in every way, absolutely qualified to be the Sovereign. This King, our Lord Jesus, is dual in His nature, as is affirmed in Isa.9.6: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given”. “A Child is born“ indicates His true and genuine manhood and His relation to time, while “a Son is given” affirms His true and essential Deity and His relation to eternity, as necessarily existing before He came. Trench has well said, “The Christ did not become; He necessarily and eternally is.”3 The same verse also goes on to affirm that He is authoritative in His government: it is “upon His shoulder”, and “of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end” v.7. One shoulder will be sufficient to support the government of the universe (contrast Lk.15.5, where two shoulders were used to support the lost sheep!). Note also the fact of the “increase”: there will be simply an unending development of administration and peace, with no possibility of diminution with time!
- 3 Trench, R. C. “Synonyms of the New Testament”. Baker Book House, 1989.
This coming King is also heavenly in His origin: He is “the Lord from [ek = ‘out of’] heaven” 1Cor.15.47. No other king has ever come “out of the ivory palaces” Ps.45.8, and brought with him to his throne the “smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia”, the very atmosphere of heaven. In this sense it will certainly be heaven on earth. It will be “a morning without clouds” 2Sam.23.4. In the same connotation, He will be unique in His relationship (with Jehovah and His people). God can say of Him, “Behold My Servant … Mine elect” Isa.42.1; 52.13. The relationship with His people will also be special: “but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee” Isa.60.2.
In addition, there will be no possibility of failure. He will not be affected by age, the passage of time, the variety of the tasks; quite simply He will be unfailing in His service. “He shall not fail” Isa.42.4: He has unparalleled ability. No matter the quality of earthly monarchs, there is simply no equal! Perhaps one of the reasons for this matchless class is that He is, and will be, priestly in His character. He will be “a Priest upon His throne” Zech.6.13. It was not possible for the Old Testament kings to combine priesthood with their royal responsibilities. Good King Uzziah made the mistake of trying. But it was in the very year of his death that Isaiah had the vision of One Who could and would combine both offices in perfection. “In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple” Isa.6.1. Note the reference to the “throne” and the “temple”!
Such a King will require outstanding and supreme power to implement such a programme of universal dimensions. David had experienced help in 2Samuel chapter 8 when he overcame all enemies local to Israel from every direction. The Davidic King now on the throne is altogether more powerful than the original David, who likely will be giving help! The source of His power is not left in doubt: He is powerful in His anointing. The sevenfold Spirit in the plenitude of His power is available to Him: “the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon Him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord” Isa.11.2. While all this was true of the Lord Jesus during His earthly ministry, it will have particular and added significance during His sovereignty in the Millennial Kingdom.
THE KINGDOM AFFIRMED – the Millennium a necessity – “shall reign”
This fact is also asserted by the apostle Paul in 1Cor.15.25: “He must reign”! The coming reign of Christ is imperative for a number of reasons. Generally, it has been unequivocally predicted by Old Testament prophets, for example, references are found in Isaiah chapters 11, 35 and 65; Ezekiel chapters 40 to 48; Zechariah chapters 8,13 and 14 (there is a lovely feature referenced in verse 5 of chapter 8: “the streets of the city [Jerusalem] shall be full of boys and girls playing in the streets thereof”; there will be no violence, intimidation, etc.; what a lovely change!); and Psalms 2 and 72. In addition, it has been prayed for by God’s people, Hab.1.2; Matt.6.10, and confirmed by New Testament revelation, 2Pet.1.16-21. It will include geographical (Zechariah chapter 14), zoological (Isaiah chapter 11), agricultural (Psalm 72), biological (Isaiah chapter 65) and political (Isaiah chapter 32) changes. It is not possible to deal with these in the space available in this chapter. However, a detailed study of these chapters will yield valuable fruit.
Particularly, firstly, the Millennium will validate God’s claim as Creator in control of history. The believer is aware of this today but then it will be universally asserted. Secondly, it will fulfil Old Testament Covenant promises of God. These are the Abrahamic (Genesis chapters 12 and 15), in relation to the land; the Davidic (2Samuel chapter 7), in relation to the throne and his house; and the New Covenant (Jeremiah chapter 31), in relation to future blessing of the united nation of Israel. A third necessity for the Millennium is to reward believers in the scene of their suffering: “If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him” 2Tim.2.12; “He that overcometh, and keepeth My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations” Rev.2.26; “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him” Jms.1.12; see also 2Tim.4.8; 1Pet.5.4.
Fourthly, the Millennium will also reverse the decision of man in relation to the Person of Christ. In the words of the parable, they said, “We will not have this man to reign over us” Lk.19.14. God is going to reverse that decision in no uncertain terms by effectively saying of humanity that rejected Him: ‘for one thousand years they will have Him’; and God’s purpose for a man in dominion (in spite of Adam’s failure) will be realised! A fifth and final reason in this context is to prove that even in the best environment men are still left wanting. Man was found wanting in the best possible environment in Genesis chapters 2 and 3, and, even after the glory and blessings of the Millennial reign, man will mount a rebellion at the end, Rev.20.7-10.
THE CHARACTER DESCRIBED – “in righteousness”
The word for righteousness has in it the idea of equity, prosperity and justice (natural, moral and legal). It parallels the content of Ps.89.14: “Justice and judgment are the habitation of Thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before Thy face”. Righteousness will be to the fore in the Kingdom in a variety of ways. It will be seen in the following particulars:
The Sceptre He Wields
There was a ‘sceptre’ given to the Lord Jesus before He was led to Calvary, to mock His claim to kingship. However, it was the opposite of a “sceptre of righteousness”. In further mockery it was placed in His right hand: “And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon His head, and a reed in His right hand: and they bowed the knee before Him, and mocked Him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews!’ And they spit upon Him, and took the reed, and smote Him on the head” Matt.27.29,30. No longer will the “reed” be used to smite Him but “a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of [His] kingdom” Heb.1.8. The sceptre will be used to ensure that righteousness is the very basis for effective action.
The Girdle He Wears
A girdle was worn to prevent any hindrances to effective and swift movement. It was indicative of sacrifice and readiness, for example, the Israelites had to eat the Passover lamb with their “loins girded” Ex.12.11, and Peter reminds us of the need to “gird up the loins of [our] mind” 1Pet.1.13. Of the Lord Jesus it is said, “And righteousness shall be the girdle of His loins, and faithfulness the girdle of His reins” Isa.11.5. He will be swift to move sacrificially on behalf of others to ensure the implementation of righteousness.
The Words He Speaks
The language of Psalm 71 seems to articulate accurately the language of the Lord Jesus in a Millennial setting: “My tongue also shall talk of Thy righteousness all the day long” v.24. There can be no doubt that the evidence of righteousness will be apparent “all the day long”. There will be total transparency, no room for deception, and the very thought of lies will be absent. How lovely it would be if these kinds of days could be anticipated in our experience as believers today! This seems to be what Peter had in mind when he exhorts us to be “hasting unto the coming of the day of God” 2Pet.3.12. He, as it were, encourages the features of that coming day to be known in our lives now. What Peter desires for the “day of God”, when righteousness will “dwell” (that is, be permanently at home, v.13) and be the very atmosphere we breathe, could be replicated in our anticipation of the Millennium.
The Peace He Engenders
Righteousness inevitably produces peace. The corollary is also true, namely that there can be no peace without righteousness. This is made clear in our chapter: “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever” Isa.32.17. It is further affirmed in Ps.85.10: “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other”. The necessary order in the relationship between the two is given in Heb.7.2, where it says of Melchisedec: “first being by interpretation ‘King of righteousness,’ and after that also ‘King of Salem,’ which is, ‘King of peace;’”. If there is no peace in our personal, home or assembly life, the reason is clear: there is a lack of righteousness.
There is an additional practical point to be noted here. If peace is going to be realised as a result of righteousness then what is unrighteous has to be removed. This is seen in the context of David’s last words in 2Samuel chapter 23. There can be no “morning without clouds”: a clear sky between heaven and earth, that is, Millennial conditions, until “the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away … the man that shall touch them must be fenced with iron and the staff of a spear … they shall be utterly burned with fire” 2Sam.23.4,6,7. Note that protection is necessary when dealing with “sons of Belial”! The same principle applies in Revelation chapters 19 and 20. Before the Millennium is depicted, in chapter 20, the Lord’s enemies are overthrown, in Rev.19.11-21, and Satan is bound, in Rev.20.1-3.
THE ASSOCIATES NAMED – “princes”
One of the wonders of the Millennial reign of the Lord Jesus is that He is not going to be alone. He is going to have a vast multitude of redeemed men and women associated “with Him”. They (we!) are honoured to be called “princes” here, which means ‘persons of rank’: you and I! According to Rev.5.10, “we shall reign [with Him] on [‘over’ J.N.D.] the earth”. Whether it is “on” or “over” really makes no difference, since, while we will be in the celestial city over the earth we will have immediate capability to visit the earth and to be “on” it for administrative purposes. If we die before the Lord comes, our bodies will be “raised in power … a spiritual body” 1Cor.15.43,44, with immediate capability to move seamlessly through the Millennial spheres. Our fundamental honour is that we are going to be “with Him”.
With Him in Glory
It is a tremendous honour to contemplate this prospect that “when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall [we] also appear with Him in glory” Col.3.4. The Lord Jesus is going to be saturated in glory. “The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” Hab.2.14. In His high priestly prayer of John chapter 17 the Lord indicated that this glory will be shared by His own. “Glory … I have given them” v.22. This is a glory which is not yet manifested. It anticipates a day in the future when sharing in the coming reign of Christ there will be an unequivocal demonstration of oneness in glory. It will be the antitype of Joseph and Asenath: she never knew either the pit or the prison but she shared in the manifested glory of the palace.
With Him in Holiness
The apostles Paul, in 1Thessalonians, and Peter, in 1Pet.1.16, desired holiness to be seen in the life of the believer now. Indeed, I understand that Peter’s exhortation in v.16 is an imperative! Regrettably, the threefold opposition of the pull of the world, the activity of the flesh and the guile of Satan are busy against the believer. While we cannot excuse ourselves, we are glad to know that the Millennial day will dawn: “to the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints” 1Thess.3.13. The prayer of the apostle for the Thessalonians will then be answered in full for them and for us!
With Him in Reflected Admiration
One of the other reciprocal wonders of being “with Him” is that “He shall come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them that believe” 2Thess.1.10. This now is not describing us basking in His glory, but Him being glorified in His saints! What a day it will be for the world to see a vast multitude of redeemed men and women associated with Christ in His manifestation. Then the victory of Calvary will be evident; the saints no longer the butt of ridicule or criticism, but the basis of reflected admiration. He will be the object of wonder in the day of His public manifestation, when the amazed onlookers see the transformation wrought in persecuted and evidently unworthy sinners, associated with Him in glory and power: only brought about by believing, 2Thess.2.13; 1Thess.2.13.
With Him in Reigning
Isaac Watts was surely right when he wrote his beloved hymn which encapsulates many of the truths in this chapter and, I would judge, many of the others in this book.
- Jesus shall reign where’er the sun
- Doth its successive journeys run;
- His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,
- Till moons shall wax and wane no more.
- To Him shall endless prayer be made,
- And praises throng to crown His head.
- His name like sweet perfume shall rise
- With every morning sacrifice.
- People and realms of every tongue
- Dwell on His love with sweetest song;
- And infant voices shall proclaim
- Their early blessings on His name.
- Blessings abound where’er He reigns:
- The prisoners leap to lose their chains,
- The weary find eternal rest,
- And all who suffer want are blest.
- Let every creature rise and bring
- The highest honours to our King,
- Angels descend with songs again,
- And earth repeat the loud Amen.
However, not only shall “Jesus … reign” (as Isaac Watts correctly states), but the apostle Paul goes further, and asserts that we will have the honour of being associated with Him in that reign: “If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us” 2Tim.2.12. The apostle, however, uses the conditional word “if” twice in this short verse. The context of vv.8-12 is that of suffering. “If we suffer” we will be assured adequate compensation when we reign with Him in His Kingdom. However, “if we deny [dissent from, refuse]” (“Him” is italicised, having been inserted by the translators) the life that may cause us to “suffer trouble” v.9, then we will be denied the corresponding reward that could have been ours in the coming Kingdom.
THE HONOUR CONFERRED – “rule”
There will be a number of honours conferred on the believer in the coming Kingdom. One of these is articulated clearly in our verse. The others will be considered in the context of rewards.
“Rule”
The word for rule is a most interesting one. It means to reflexively get dominion under the sovereignty of Christ. It is in contrast with the word “reign” earlier in the verse, and means to induct into royalty. In other words, what is being taught is that while the princes rule, they do not do it independently: their dominion is under the sovereignty of the Lord on the throne. He remains supreme. The activity of His people, however, while distinct, is also vitally important. He has “made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on [‘over’ J.N.D.] the earth” Rev.5.10; but He remains the Sovereign, central, and the rightful focus! “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man” Jn.1.51.
Rewards
The honour conferred on believers during the Millennium does not only concern rule but also involves rewards. There is going to be a variety of rewards. Some are delineated clearly, for example: “I saw thrones, and they sat upon them” Rev.20.4; others are general in nature: “Thou shouldest give reward unto Thy servants the prophets, and to the saints [perhaps a reference to Old Testament saints] …” Rev.11.18. Some will have special acclaim: “Ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” Matt.19.28. The variety of acclamations will reflect the different spheres and backgrounds in which the service was rendered. These differences are highlighted in the following table:
Pictures of Rewards from Parables
Parable |
Scripture |
Basis |
Lesson |
Results |
Rewards |
Pounds |
Lk.19.11-27 |
Ten with one pound |
Common responsibility |
Gain of 10, 5, 0 |
Authority over 10, each 5 cities; reward lost (due to misuse of the sweat cloth) |
Vineyard workers |
Matt.20.1-16 |
Differing times (0, 3, 6, 9, 11) |
Unequal opportunity |
One penny each |
Last (in) first; first (in) last (for reward) |
Talents |
Matt.25.14-30 |
5, 2, 1 talent(s) |
Differing ability (capacity) |
5 gains 5; 2 gains 2; 1 hid in earth |
5 and 2 “ruler over many things … joy”; “outer darkness” |
Pictures of Rewards from New Testament Crowns
These are given at the Bema, and “worn” at the Marriage and the Marriage Supper (= the Millennium).
The crown | The reference | The reason for the reward |
Incorruptible crown | 1Cor.9.25 | For self-discipline (‘agonising’, like an athlete) |
Crown of rejoicing | 1Thess.2.19 | For being a faithful evangelist |
Crown of righteousness | 2Tim.4.8 | For loving His appearing (living in light of it) |
Crown of glory | 1Pet.5.4 | For being a selfless under-shepherd |
Crown of life | Rev.2.10; Jms.1.12 | For faithfulness unto death |
They are not given for personal glory, but to further the glory of Christ, Rev.4.10.
- And when above, my crown is at Thy feet,
- I’ll praise Thee still for Calvary’s mercy seat.
- (Edward C. Quine)
THE RESULTS OBTAINED – “judgment”
This word has an excellent connotation in this context, indicating decisions of discretion based on analysis of the evidence, leading to blessing. It will be observed that there are several ideas associated with the details. There is the idea of appropriate discretion. It is not the result of a subjective evaluation, which often leads to the wrong decision. Rather it is an objective analysis of the evidence, leaving no room for doubt. Not surprisingly, this leads to the right conclusion, resulting in blessing. The “princes” are evidently doing a good work, consistent with and contributing to an appropriate atmosphere in the Millennial Kingdom. These factors, along with those discussed earlier, will lead to two main outcomes:
Universal Peace and Prosperity (compare Hag.2.9)
This can only be the case because the “Prince of peace” and His immediate devoted subordinates are on the throne: “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given: and the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this” Isa.9.6,7. Note that there is going to be an “increase of … peace”, which will lead automatically to prosperity!
A government of developing peace will have a number of ancillary results. The presence of peace will have the automatic corollary effect in the absence of war: “They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” Isa.2.4; compare Mic.4.3; Zech.9.10.
The animal kingdom will be transformed as well: “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them” Isa.11.6.
The desert will become fertile: “The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose” Isa.35.1. The arid mountains will not remain unaffected: there will be “a handful of corn in the earth, upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon: and they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth” Ps.72.16. There will be a vast increase of population, and there will be no shortage of food: famine and drought will be a thing of the past!
The Universal Knowledge of God
“The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea” Hab.2.14; Isa.11.9. The universality of the knowledge of the Lord will mean that intelligent conversation will be centred on the Sovereign and in particular His glory! What a difference from today! As noted above, the believer will share in being the object of the glory as well (see also Jn.17.22). Indeed, the atmosphere of glory will be the very air that we breathe!
THE RELATION OF THE JEW, THE GENTILE AND THE DISPENSATIONAL CHURCH TO THE MILLENNIUM
When the apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians he effectively divided the population of that city into three different groups when he said, “Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God” 1Cor.10.32. Today we can make it more universal by speaking of the Jew, the Gentile and the Church which is the Body of Christ. It will be of interest to examine the relation of each of these to the Millennial reign of Christ:
The Jew, or the Nation of Israel
The nation of Israel has been scattered from their homeland for centuries. They have begun to return, a process which has continued apace since the formation of the state of Israel in 1948. This will be accelerated substantially as the Millennium nears. They will be regathered to their homeland in fulfilment of the Feast of Trumpets, Lev.23.24. There are many Scriptures which confirm this great fact. Here are three examples: “Ye shall be gathered one by one, O ye children of Israel. And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet [shophar] shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the Lord in the holy mount at Jerusalem” Isa.27.12,13. “… And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” Matt.24.29-31. There shall be “one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel’’ Ezek.37.19-22 (see v.22).
Not only will they be regathered but they will be restored to the Lord in fulfilment of the Day of Atonement, Leviticus chapter 16 and 23.26-32. Again, here are two confirmatory Scriptures among many others: “And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” Isa.35.10. “The Lord God which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, ‘Yet will I gather others to Him, beside those that are gathered unto Him’” Isa.56.8.
Jerusalem will be the capital city and the centre of national/international interest and rejoicing. “And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles [Lev.23.33-44]” Zech.14.16. In keeping with this, Israel will be the head of the nations, Isa.60.1-22 (brilliance and splendour will give world supremacy); and the Temple will be central to universal worship: “And many people shall go and say, ‘Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths’: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem” Isa.2.3; see also Ezekiel chapters 40-48.
The Gentile Nations
It is delightful to know that during the Millennium, “from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same My name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered unto My name, and a pure offering: for My name shall be great among the heathen, saith the Lord of hosts” Mal.1.11. Thus, the Gentile nations will not only come to Jerusalem to worship at the Feast of Tabernacles, as indicated above, but every day will be a day of universal blessing with the presentation of perpetual worship “from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same”. What a time it will be for them, and what a day of glory for the Lord!
In addition, the Gentile nations will walk in the light of the Millennial city: “And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into [‘to’ J.N.D.] it” Rev.21.24. They will be living on earth in the light of heaven! What a difference it would make if that could begin today!
The Dispensational Church
There are several areas in which the Church of the present dispensation will have an important part to play during the Millennium.
Judgment
As we have seen, we will be reigning with Christ either “on the earth” A.V., or “over the earth” J.N.D., or perhaps both, as necessary for effective administration, Rev.5.10. Also, it seems certain that the reference to “they” who sit on the thrones in Rev.20.4 (“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them”) refers back to “the armies which were in heaven [that] followed Him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean” Rev.19.14. They are the same clothes as are worn by the Lamb’s wife in v.8. Thus, it would appear that the Church of the present age will have a place of honour on thrones of judgment during the Millennium.
Administration
The twelve apostles of the Lamb (there are only twelve of them) were those who united Israel and the Church at the beginning of the present age of grace and will do so again at the consummation of the age. The means of that implementation is not entirely clear. However, since the apostles are at the gates of the city, administration associated with the Millennial earth is certainly in view. Since we will be the main occupants of the celestial city, Rev.21.9-22.5, as the Bride of Christ we will have shared administrative responsibility with them. Indeed, the apostle makes it clear in 1Cor.6.3 that we will judge (administer) angels, as well as the world. These angels are those the Lord referred to when speaking to Nathanael: “Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man” Jn.1.51.
Worship
Perhaps the greatest event for the Church is that referred to in Rev.22.3,4: “And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and His servants shall serve [‘worship’] Him: and they shall see His face; and His name shall be in their foreheads”. This chapter began with wonder and worship; it is surely fitting, in the context of a glorious Millennial reign, that it should end on the same note!