Who Will Be On Earth for Christ's 1000 Year Millennial Reign?
This is something to look forward to and know.
The idea of Christ’s Millennial Reign—a 1000-year period prophesied in the Bible, where Jesus rules on Earth—is both a captivating and complex topic for theologians, believers, and curious minds alike. For centuries, interpretations of the Millennial Reign have sparked debate, but many agree that it will be a time of peace, prosperity, and divine justice. But who will be on Earth during this period? How will they get there, and when?
The Timeline
The Millennium, according to Revelation 20:1-6, is a 1000-year period after Christ’s Second Coming. But before we dive into who will be present, let’s understand the key events leading up to it. The Bible lays out a sequence of events:
It is important to take these events as they are laid out in scripture (At Face Value). Meaning as they are described.
Before the below events make sure to understand what occurs before the 2nd coming (learn more about the End Times Signs here)
The birth Pangs: Wars, Famine, Anti- Christ revealed
The Tribulation: (We are raptured after the birth pangs and before the Trumpets)
Wrath: The bowls are poured out on the Earth
The Return of Christ (The Second Coming): Revelation 19:11-16 paints a vivid picture of Christ returning in glory with a vast army of angels. At this time, Jesus will defeat the Antichrist and the forces of evil in the Battle of Armageddon. His arrival marks the beginning of the Millennial Reign.
“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True… and the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.”(Revelation 19:11-14)
Satan’s Binding (Revelation 20:1-3): Following Christ’s victory, Satan is bound and thrown into the Abyss for a thousand years, unable to deceive the nations during this period of Christ’s reign.
“And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years… that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled.” (Revelation 20:2-3)
The Millennial Kingdom (Revelation 20:4-6): During this time, Christ reigns from Jerusalem. The resurrected martyrs, those who died for their faith in Christ, are resurrected to rule and reign with Him. Those alive during the Second Coming are also invited to enter the kingdom.
“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.” (Revelation 20:4)
Satan’s Release and Final Defeat (Revelation 20:7-10): After the thousand years, Satan is released for a short time and will gather the nations for one final rebellion. This rebellion will be crushed by fire from heaven, and Satan will be thrown into the lake of fire, forever defeated.
“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” (Revelation 20:10)
The Great White Throne Judgment (Revelation 20:11-15): Finally, the unrighteous dead are resurrected, and all are judged according to their works. Those whose names are not written in the Book of Life are cast into the lake of fire.
“And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.” (Revelation 20:11)
Who Will Be on Earth During the Millennium?
Now that we understand the timeline, let’s break down who will actually be present on Earth during the 1000 years of Christ’s reign.
1. Believers Who Survive the Tribulation
Those who are alive when Christ returns—believers who have survived the Tribulation—will be on Earth to witness and enter the Millennium. These survivors will not experience death during the period and will live long lives under Christ’s perfect rule.
Zechariah 14:16-17 prophesies that all the nations will come to Jerusalem to worship during the Millennium, suggesting that many from around the world will be present.
“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.” (Zechariah 14:16)
2. The Resurrected Martyrs
Revelation 20:4 speaks of the resurrection of those who were martyred for their faith during the Great Tribulation, who will then reign with Christ for a thousand years. These individuals will be given glorified bodies and will share in the leadership and judgment of the world during the Millennium.
“And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus… and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4)
3. The Church
The Church, consisting of all believers from the time of Christ’s first coming until His return, will also reign with Christ. The Apostle Paul speaks of this in 2 Timothy 2:12, emphasizing that believers will share in Christ’s reign, experiencing both suffering and glory.
“If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us.” (2 Timothy 2:12)
All believers we can take at face value.. if we died in Christ prior to the 2nd coming, or if we were raptured as believers before the tribulation.
4. Resurrected Old Testament Saints
Many Old Testament saints, such as Abraham, Moses, and David, will also be resurrected at Christ’s Second Coming to reign with Him. Jesus affirms this in Matthew 8:11, where He mentions that many will come from the East and West to sit with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
“And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 8:11)
5. The Rest of the Nations
In addition to those who have been saved, the Bible suggests that many from the nations of the Earth will remain alive and will be allowed to enter the Millennium. These individuals will experience a time of peace and will be given the opportunity to accept Christ’s rule.
Revelation 21:24-26 describes the nations bringing their glory into the New Jerusalem, indicating that they will continue to exist during the Millennial period.
“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 it.” (Revelation 21:24)
How Will They Get There?
The transition to the Millennium begins with Christ’s Second Coming. For the believers alive at that time, they will be gathered by angels, as Christ describes in Matthew 24:30-31. The rapture of the church, which many believe to occur just before or at the start of the Tribulation, will also be a part of the process. Those who have died in Christ will be resurrected, and together with the living, they will meet Christ in the air and accompany Him to Earth.
“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.” (Matthew 24:31)
This is a key point that I was always curious about as I wanted to be there with Chris to take part in this on Earth. It is safe to say that if we died in Christ prior to the 2nd coming or were raptured before the tribulation that we will “Meet Christ in the Air” when he returns to Earth and will rule on Earth with Him for the 1000 years . (Along with the Martyrs, Old Testament saints, and tribulation survivors)
3 Key Points to Remember regarding the Rapture:
If you survived the tribulation (and became a believer) you are very lucky as you were not a believer prior to the rapture or you would have been taken up
If you are on Earth and are Raptured you will go to Heaven and wait to meet Christ in the Air to return to Earth
If you died in Christ before the Rapture you will also meet Christ in the Air to return to Earth to reign
For those who survive the Tribulation, they will enter the Millennium with physical bodies and will live under Christ’s rule, experiencing the fullness of God’s peace and justice on Earth.
2 Key points to remember here on our Bodies
Survivors will have Earthly Bodies
Those in Heaven already will get New Bodies (More on this in upcoming studies)
Conclusion
It is very important for us to know what is coming, what to look for, and what will occur when the time comes. The more we know and study the better prepared we can be.
I think this is crucial in helping us deal with the thought of death and what happens when we die. Yes you can say we go to Heaven which we do as believers and that’s great but that alone for me was never enough. I want to know what will happen after Heaven, what Christ is going to do, and the Role I will play in that when the time comes.
The more you know and understand the more you can share with people when they have questions.
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Teaching sorely needed in churches TODAY.
Great work. Very enlightening. Completely agree!