The Bible states that Christ will return to rule on this earth (John 14:3; Isaiah 9:6-7; Luke 1:30-33; Daniel 2:44; Daniel 7:13-14), and born-again Christians will rule with and under Him (Daniel 7:27; Luke 13:28; Jeremiah 30:7-9; Ezekiel 37:24-25; Ezekiel 34:23-24; Isaiah 30:20-21; Luke 22:29-30; Matthew 19:28; Revelation 2:26-27; Revelation 20:4, 6).
It is specifically said that they will rule on the earth (Revelation 5:10. Note the correct rendering: “You have made them kings and priests to our God; and they shall reign on the earth.”). They will not rule from heaven over the earth, but they will be on this earth and rule on the earth. There is no Scripture in the Bible telling us that we will go to heaven when we die—or when Christ returns. Christ told Nicodemus that no one “ascends” or would ascend to heaven (compare the old Luther Bible) except for the Son of Man. The teaching in its various forms and disguises that Christ will return (secretly or openly) to take us to heaven (either to celebrate the marriage supper there, Revelation 19:7-9, and then to return again with Christ, or to stay in heaven and to rule from heaven), is without any biblical foundation whatsoever. We won’t go to heaven, but Christ will return ONCE (not twice, compare Hebrews 9:28) to be with His disciples, here on earth.
Christ will come to confirm to His disciples the promises to the fathers, which include the “promise of the eternal inheritance” of everlasting life in the Kingdom of God (Hebrews 9:15; compare 1 John 2:25; Titus 1:1-2;) and the promise of rulership on the earth (Romans 15:8; Romans 4:13). Note that the promises made to the fathers will begin to be fulfilled when Christ returns (Hebrews 11:39-40).
We read that Christ will come to restore all things on this earth (Acts 3:19-21). What this means, exactly, is fully described in chapter 9 of our free booklet, “Human Suffering—Why… and How Much Longer?”.
It includes, of course, the establishment of the government of God here on earth.
It also includes the fact that mankind will be brought to repentance and that the Holy Spirit will be offered to them, to become converted and obtain God’s nature (2 Peter 1:4; compare Ezekiel 36:26-27; Jeremiah 31:33). As most people will accept God’s teachings (Isaiah 29:24), and even Gentile kings will want to please God (Psalm 68:28-29), Israelites and non-Israelites alike will keep the Ten Commandments and observe God’s annual Holy Days, including the Feast of Tabernacles (Hosea 12:9; Zechariah 14:16).
This spiritual restoration will be accompanied by a physical restoration.
For instance, even though not all animals will become domesticated (compare Ezekiel 39:17; together with Revelation 18:2) , “wild animals” with aggressive natures will not exist anymore to threaten human beings (Hosea 2:18; Isaiah 11:6-9; Ezekiel 34:25). All “evil” or vicious animals will disappear, and their wild nature will be changed so that they become peaceful and tame.
Apart from a war at the very beginning and another war at the very end of the Millennium (compare our Q&A on the subject of war), there will be no more wars (Micah 4:1-4; Isaiah 2:1-4). People will be taught the way to peace—something which they do not know at this time (Romans 3:10-18).
The cities which had been destroyed in the wars prior to Christ’s return will be rebuilt (Ezekiel 36:33-35). But those cities will be quite different from the violent, depressing, congested and dirty cities of today. The inhabitants in those future cities will be truly happy, and they will be living securely (Jeremiah 33:10-14; Ezekiel 28:25-26).
In the Millennium, sick, injured and impaired people will be healed, and there will be no more sickness and disease (Isaiah 33:24; Isaiah 35:3-6; Jeremiah 30:17). People will not be allowed to harm or injure others or themselves; unhealthy habits such as excessive drinking, smoking or the consumption of drugs and wrong foods will become a thing of the past.
There will be no more food shortages, either (Ezekiel 34:26-27; Isaiah 30:23; Jeremiah 31:12; Amos 9:13). Rather, people will enjoy their harvests and the property that they will own (Isaiah 62:8-9). Governments will not confiscate their property or enforce ridiculous rules to limit food production.
Another dramatic change in the conditions of this earth will be that waste places will become fertile (Isaiah 41:17-20; Isaiah 35:1-2, 7; Isaiah 51:3). Deserts will become fruitful grounds—and they would already be today if enough water was available for such areas. God will see to it that this won’t be a problem in the future.
The city of Jerusalem will again be chosen as the center of worship (Zechariah 8:3; Jeremiah 3:17; Isaiah 62:1-2, 7). Even though Jerusalem is not now the primary place of worship (John 4:21), and it is unbiblical to insist that the Feast of Tabernacles must be observed in Jerusalem today, it will become the center of worship in the Millennium and during the Great White Throne Judgment period. After God has created new heavens and a new earth, the heavenly Jerusalem will become God’s Headquarters on the new earth (Revelation 21:1-3).
And finally, beginning with the Millennium, one pure language will be restored to the people (Zephaniah 3:9), so that they will be able to understand each other without the need of translators or the gift of tongues (compare for a unique episode in this regard, Acts 2:5-11). God’s curse on the people at the time of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:7-9) will be lifted and removed.
Let us pray to God that this happy and peaceful time will come soon.
Lead Writer: Norbert Link
©2024 Church of the Eternal God
