The Millennial Reign

What Happens After Jesus Returns

 

 

 

Revelations 20: 1-6 (New English translation)

 

The Thousand Year Reign

 

20 1Then I saw an angel descending from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the abyss and a huge chain. 2 He seized the dragon—the ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan—and tied him up for a thousand years. 3 The angel then threw him into the abyss and locked and sealed it so that he could not deceive the nations until the one thousand years were finished. After these things he must be released for a brief period of time.

 

 

4 Then I saw thrones and seated on them were those who had been given authority to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of the testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. These had not worshipped the beast or his image and had refused to receive his mark on their forehead or hand. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were finished.)[l] This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is the one who takes part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years.

 

 

 

Revelations 20: 1-6 (New King James Version)

 

Satan Bound 1,000 Years

 

20 1Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3 and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.

 

The Saints Reign with Christ 1,000 Years

 

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for [a]a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with Him a thousand years.

 

 

Not to be confused with the Rapture of the church

 

 

The Millennial Reign: What Happens After Jesus Returns?

 

After Jesus returns, He will establish His reign on Earth for 1,000 years, a period referred to as the Millennial Reign. This event is described in Revelation 20:4-6, where believers who remained faithful to Christ will reign with Him. Those who resisted the Antichrist and stayed true to God will experience this time of peace and divine justice.

 

 

What Is the Millennial Reign?

 

The Millennial Reign is a unique time when Jesus Christ will rule the world directly. This 1,000-year period will bring profound peace, joy, and restoration, a stark contrast to the turmoil and sin of the present age.

 

 

Key Features of the Millennial Reign

 

  1. Peace and Safety
  • The Earth will experience complete peace under Christ’s rule.
  • Fear and violence will be eliminated—no one will need to lock their doors or worry about their safety.
  • People will live in harmony with one another and with nature.

 

  1. Transformation of Creation
  • Wild animals will become peaceful and live harmoniously. For example:
    • (Isaiah 11:6-9) Wolves will live with lambs, lions will eat straw like oxen, and children will play safely with them
  • The natural world will be completely renewed, free from sin’s curse, and filled with the knowledge of the Lord.

 

  1. Long Lives and Health
  • Human lifespans will increase significantly, resembling the long lives seen in the early days of humanity. There will be death
  • Isaiah 65:20 describes a time when even someone 100 years old will still be considered young.
  • Families will thrive, with generations living together and celebrating life without sorrow.

 

  1. Joyful and Harmonious Society
  • Pain, sorrow, and suffering will vanish under Christ’s perfect leadership.
  • Society will flourish with peace, safety, and prosperity
  • Children will grow up without fear, and parents will no longer worry about harm or danger.

 

  1. Christ as Supreme Ruler
  • Jesus will rule from Jerusalem, bringing justice, righteousness, and joy to the world.
  • Satan will be bound during this time, allowing humanity to experience life without sin’s influence.

 

The Glory of the Millennial Kingdom

 

This period will reflect the beauty and perfection of God’s original design for creation. The natural world will praise God, and people will live in unity and love.

 

 

The prophet Isaiah paints a vivid picture of this time:

 

  • “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them” (Isaiah 11:6).
  • “The Earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:9).

 

 

A World Beyond Imagination

 

During this reign, people will experience:

 

  • A safe society where children can play freely, and no one fears harm.
  • Unprecedented joy and peace.
  • Restored relationships with God and each other.

 

For those living in this time, Jesus’ reign will be the only reality they know. This millennial age will be marked by long life, health, and happiness. Imagine knowing your great-great-great-grandparents and living in a world where love and righteousness prevail!

 

 

Hope for the Future

 

The Millennial Reign gives us a glimpse of what life will be like when Christ rules over the Earth. It fills us with hope for a time when all sin, suffering, and death are gone.

 

Let us eagerly look forward to this glorious time, praying, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20).

 

This lesson is given to provoke questions, if you ask the right questions, you can learn a lot. In my opinion this lesson should make a lot of questions, this is how I want to teach you on this subject.

 

 

HOLLAND PCG