The Nature and Character of the Kingdom
Revelation 20:4-6
“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 thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. 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.”
We are studying Revelation 20 and talking about the Millennium reign of Jesus Christ. Today we want to talk about nature and the character of the Kingdom. The Scriptures give us some very specific details about what it will be like during this thousand year reign of Jesus Christ on the earth.
In Isaiah 32:1 we read: “Behold, a king will reign in righteousness, And princes will rule with justice.” From this we learn that it will be a kingdom of “righteousness”. In this kingdom where Jesus Christ reigns there will be righteousness. This means that which is right will be what is always done every day. Today we live in a time when evil is called good and good is call evil, and it seems that we are living in a time where lies and liars have the upper hand. But Christ, Who is the Righteous One, will make sure that everyone will always be doing what is right during His reign.
During His reign, we will treat each other right. We can expect to be treated right. Wrong and evil will immediately be punished and dealt with. Those who reign with Christ as His princes will be the ones that will rule with justice enforcing the principles of righteousness in every place on earth. Oh, how different that will be from how it is now.
Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they shall be filled” (Matthew 5:6). In the Millennium Kingdom this verse will literally be fulfilled and we will be totally satisfied and fulfilled with the glorious presence of Jesus Christ. Jesus also taught us to pray, “They kingdom come and thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. This prayer will be answered as the will of God will always be done in Christ’s Kingdom reign!
In Malachi 4:2-3 we find this prophecy and promise: “But to you who fear My name The Sun of Righteousness shall arise With healing in His wings; And you shall go out And grow fat like stall-fed calves. You shall trample the wicked, For they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet On the day that I do this," Says the LORD of hosts.”
This prophecy is fulfilled in the Millennium reign of Jesus Christ because He is “The Sun of Righteousness”. He will reverse the curse of sin, disease, and death with the “healing in His wings”. We will triumph over wickedness and God’s righteousness will always prevail! The Kingdom of Jesus Christ will be characterize by “righteousness” because people will always be obedient to the Word and will of God. We will joyfully keep His commandments because of our love for Him!
During this time our obedience will be an evidence of our faith that will become sight because we will be able to literally see the Lord Jesus Christ ruling from the throne of David in Jerusalem. The Millennium Kingdom will be a kingdom of holiness because the Holy One, the Lord Jesus Christ rules and reigns! It will be a kingdom of truth because Truth Himself is present.
Today, because the spirit of Antichrist is already at work, we live in a time that liars and lies permeate the media and our civil affairs. People are being deceived by these liars and their lies and led into paths of evil and wickedness. But during the thousand year reign of Jesus Christ, truth will always prevail and the Spirit of Truth, the Holy Spirit, will be everywhere empowering everyone who believes to stand for truth and righteousness and holiness!
What a glorious time this will be!!!!! And I firmly believe that it is just around the corner!!!! Are you ready?
God bless!
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