Post by Tom Green on Oct 3, 2007 1:11:53 GMT -5
The Millennial Reign
by
Anthony Valasek
In this study, I would like to present my ideas of what the millennial reign of Yahshua (Jesus Christ) will be like. In this study I will give answers to many of the questions surrounding this millennial reign, from my studies in the Bible.
I guess the first thing that needs addressed is the question: What is this millennial reign that you suggest? The millennial reign is the one-thousand-year reign of Yahshua on earth with his saints after the destruction of the wicked at Yahshua's Second Coming. This is found in Revelation 20:4.
Revelation 20:4
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.
There are three primary views concerning the millennial reign that all stem from the way in which one reads the book of Revelation. These three views are described as the postmillennial, amillennial, and premillennial views. I will briefly explain the differences in these views and give some reasons for why I belong to the premillennial camp as opposed to the other two.
In the postmillennial view, the book of Revelation is not taken literally. Those who fall under this category believe that Revelation is a book entirely composed of allegory, symbolism, and imagery. Though I won't deny the use of these in this book, I differ in that I take certain parts of this book literally. This view suggests that the one-thousand-years represent the triumph of the gospel leading up to the second coming of Yahshua. In other words, there will be a gradual improvement in the world leading up to his return. I don't believe this interpretation for a number of reasons. First of all, when I look at the world today, I don't see an improvement, but a continual collapse of morality and ethics. It is my belief that if you believe that the world is getting better spiritually instead of worse every day, someone needs to throw a bucket of cold water in your face so you open your eyes. The second main reason I reject this view is that postmillennialists believe that Satan is bound by the gospel during this time, which is now. This comes from a symbolic interpretation of Revelation 20:1-2.
Revelation 20:1-2
And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
All one needs to do to disprove this is take a look at 1 Peter 5:8. If you do believe that Satan is bound, then explain to me why he is walking about? Postmillennialists believe that Satan was bound when Christ's work on earth was finished. This epistle is clearly written after the ascension of Yahshua into heaven, disproving this view.
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Furthermore, in other books of the New Testament, Satan is described as the prince of this world (John 12:31) and the god of this age (2 Corinthians 4:4). These books were also written after Christ's ascension. Let me put it this way, if a book written after the ascension of Christ calls Satan the god and prince of this world, how could he be bound?
John 12:31
Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
2 Corinthians 4:4
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
The next view we need to look at is the amillennial view. This view is similar to the postmillennial view in that it also does not interpret the book of Revelation literally. This views primary attribute is that it suggests that there is no literal reign of Christ on earth. Amillennialists believe that the one-thousand-year reign mentioned earlier represents the spiritual reign of Christ in heaven. There is no doubt that Yahshua rules everything from heaven as seen in 1 Corinthians 15:25-27. However, the amillennialist denies that dominion and power over earth has been given to Satan until Yahshua's return. I have shown in the previous section that the apostles themselves acknowledge that Satan is the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4). The bounding of Satan in Revelation 20:1-2 is interpreted by the amillennialist as meaning that Satan's power is now limited. Although I agree that Satan's power is limited, this is no new thing. In the book of Job 2:6, we find that Satan's power over humankind has always been limited.
Job 2:6
And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.
Another problem with this view is that the phrase "one-thousand-years" is mentioned in Revelation 20 six times. How could John in a vision get this information unless it was given unto him? He certainly could not have seen one-thousand-years! Furthermore, why would he even mention any time at all? Why couldn't he have just written that Satan was bound and Christ reigned? For these reasons, I feel this view is flawed.
That leads us up to the view that I believe, the premillennial view. In this view, there is a literal one-thousand-year reign of Yahshua on earth with his saints. Along with the reasons expressed above in disproving the other views, there are a few others that I would like to present.
One reason is that I personally believe that there are 7000 years of time for the redemption of humankind. There were 2000 years until Abraham's covenant, 2000 years until the first appearance Christ, 2000 years until the second coming of Christ, and the last 1000 years, that corresponds to the seventh day Sabbath. This seventh day or last 1000 years will see peace over the earth and rest in our savior Yahshua. This is commonly known as the seven day, seven thousand year theory. Obviously I believe that the universe was created in seven literal days and I'm not going to address this issue in this study. Since I believe in an all-powerful God who doesn't need billions of years to accomplish creation, I have come to the conclusion that these seven days must represent something prophetic. If they were not meant to be as a sign, there would be no reason to take seven days, he would have created everything in an instance. The interpretation that one day is equal to one thousand years comes from Psalms 90:4 and 2 Peter 3:8.
Psalms 90:4
For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.
2 Peter 3:8
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
In Genesis 1:14, we can see that the days were given to us as a sign for days and years. This adds to the interpretation that I have set forth in the previous paragraph.
Genesis 1:14
And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
Another reason that I believe that there will be a literal reign of Christ on earth after the tribulation period is found in the feasts of Yahweh. In Leviticus 23, there were seven feasts instituted by Yahweh for the purpose of revealing his salvation of humankind through Yahshua. Looking at the prophetic nature of these feasts, we can see that the spring festivals were fulfilled at Yahshua's first coming. The fall festivals reveal the nature of the second coming of Yahshua. An important point to be made about these feasts is that they are fulfilled in order. Our God is a God of order not disorder.
The final feast is called the Feast of Tabernacles. This feast represents the time that Yahshua himself will dwell among his people on earth and reign over them. Since Rosh Hashanah represents the rapture and the Day of Atonement represents Yahshua's second coming and these days are before the Feast of Tabernacles, I conclude that the literal reign of Christ on earth is after these events. The Feast of Tabernacles is also the only feast mentioned by name as appearing in the millennial reign (Zechariah 14:16). This chapter in Zechariah gives a very good description of the Second Coming and the time period that follows, the millennial reign. Notice in Zechariah 14:4 that the Lord will stand on the Mount of Olives. This shows that Yahshua will reign physically on earth. This verse also corresponds to what we find in Acts 1:11. I highly recommend to all of you who desire to study prophecy in the Bible to study the significance of the feasts of Yahweh.
Zechariah 14:16
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 14:4
And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
Acts 1:11
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
With the descriptions of the three primary views concerning the millennial reign under our belts and what I believe to be the correct view expressed, we can now move on to the next section of this paper. In the next section, I will present my views on what the millennial reign will be like here on earth. With the aid of the Bible, I will challenge most if not all of the views about this period of time.
The first difference I believe with respect to those of the traditional premillennial view is who will be on earth at that period of time. I agree with the traditional view that all of the wicked will be destroyed at Yahshua's second coming (Psalms 101:8). I also agree with the traditional view in that all Christians will receive incorruptible bodies (1 Corinthians 15:51-54). Where the difference lies is in that I believe that sin will be present in the millennium. Traditional thinking suggests that only Christians will be present during this time and that no sin will be found. You may be asking "How can all of the wicked be destroyed, Christians receive incorruptible bodies, and yet still witness sin?"
Psalms 101:8
I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.
1 Corinthians 15:51-54
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
The answer to this question can be found in Revelation 7:4-8. In these verses we find that God seals 144,000 Hebrews for safekeeping during the tribulation. Most people who believe in the pre-tribulation rapture believe that these are the witnesses of the gospel during the tribulation. Not that I disagree with the pre-tribulation rapture in whole, but I find it very odd that the Bible makes mention of each tribe of Israel. I believe that these who are sealed are not Christians at all, but Israelites that believe in the salvation of God. Throughout the scriptures, we can find that when Israel is to be severely punished, God always saves a remnant of the Hebrews in order to fulfill his covenant with Abraham. This covenant has yet to be fulfilled and I think that this remnant will do so in the millennium. Nowhere in the Bible does it state that these 144,000 Hebrews who are sealed are Christians. Pretribulationalists invented this to account for the spreading of the gospel during the tribulation since they believe all Christians will be raptured prior to the tribulation. Just for the sake of curiosity, I will state but not debate that I happen to believe in a partial rapture theory with the last of the Christians being raptured before the seventh seal is opened.
With this scenario, sin still can be seen in the millennium. You may now be saying to yourself "Even if all of these 144,000 did not believe prior to the tribulation, they most certainly would now, and therefore they wouldn't sin." I agree that they will now believe that Yahshua is the messiah (Zechariah 12:9-10). However, let me remind you that the Hebrews that came out of Egypt witnessed ten miraculous plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, manna from heaven every day, and water instantly flowing from rocks and yet they still did what? Sinned again and again and again. Now I hope your saying, "All yeah, I guess it is possible." Nowhere does it say that these 144,000 receive incorruptible bodies, just the Christians. These who are sealed are preserved through the tribulation and will repopulate the earth during the millennial reign of Christ. This scenario also answers the question derived from Revelation 20:4 that traditional premillennialists have, "Who are the saints reigning over with Christ?" All of the saints will receive incorruptible bodies and will reign with Christ over the Hebrews who inherited the earth, fulfilling the covenant of Abraham.
Zechariah 12:9-10
And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
For further proof that there may be sin in the millennium, look at Zechariah 14:17-19. In these verses we can see that there is a punishment for those who do not keep the Feast of Tabernacles. Earlier, I showed that this chapter is a prophetic picture of the millennial reign. Don't you find it odd that God would issue a warning to those that are with him in this millenium? Egypt is a prophetic symbol for the nations of the world other than Israel. Why would God have to warn his incorruptible saints that a plague will come upon them if the saints have incorruptible bodies (1 Corinthians 15:51-54)?
Zechariah 14:17-19
And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
Another question that can be answered with this view is the problem of Satan being released at the end of the millennium to deceive the nations. How could Satan deceive incorruptible saints? As we have seen in the story of the Exodus, God's people rejected him in spite of all the things he provided them. I see no reason why this wouldn't be possible again. In Revelation 20:5, we see that the wicked of eternity are raised also at this time, and I suppose that these are the one who Satan deceives, but he has already deceived them, why does he have to again? He also specifically says that he deceives the nations. At this period of time the nations are made up of the Hebrews and their descendents. I think this is millennial Hebrew's last chance to accept or reject God and Yahshua. We know that the only way to eternal life is acceptance of Yahshua as King and Messiah as we see in John 14:6. At this point in time, it isn't clear that they have truly accepted him as Messiah, although I would expect almost all of them to do so.
Revelation 20:5
But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
At the consummation of the millennial reign of Yahshua, we see the final judgement. At this time Christians will receive their rewards based on their works and the wicked, or non-Christians, will receive eternal death. This final judgement will usher in the rest of eternity with God on the new earth that has been created for us, with God himself reigning from the new Jerusalem with the most righteous of his saints.
I hope that this little study has been both informative and helpful. Of course I will be happy to assist with further questions regarding this article. I also hope that this clears up some of the problems with traditional views. Finally, I hope that everybody realizes the importance of trusting God and Yahshua.
by
Anthony Valasek
In this study, I would like to present my ideas of what the millennial reign of Yahshua (Jesus Christ) will be like. In this study I will give answers to many of the questions surrounding this millennial reign, from my studies in the Bible.
I guess the first thing that needs addressed is the question: What is this millennial reign that you suggest? The millennial reign is the one-thousand-year reign of Yahshua on earth with his saints after the destruction of the wicked at Yahshua's Second Coming. This is found in Revelation 20:4.
Revelation 20:4
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.
There are three primary views concerning the millennial reign that all stem from the way in which one reads the book of Revelation. These three views are described as the postmillennial, amillennial, and premillennial views. I will briefly explain the differences in these views and give some reasons for why I belong to the premillennial camp as opposed to the other two.
In the postmillennial view, the book of Revelation is not taken literally. Those who fall under this category believe that Revelation is a book entirely composed of allegory, symbolism, and imagery. Though I won't deny the use of these in this book, I differ in that I take certain parts of this book literally. This view suggests that the one-thousand-years represent the triumph of the gospel leading up to the second coming of Yahshua. In other words, there will be a gradual improvement in the world leading up to his return. I don't believe this interpretation for a number of reasons. First of all, when I look at the world today, I don't see an improvement, but a continual collapse of morality and ethics. It is my belief that if you believe that the world is getting better spiritually instead of worse every day, someone needs to throw a bucket of cold water in your face so you open your eyes. The second main reason I reject this view is that postmillennialists believe that Satan is bound by the gospel during this time, which is now. This comes from a symbolic interpretation of Revelation 20:1-2.
Revelation 20:1-2
And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
All one needs to do to disprove this is take a look at 1 Peter 5:8. If you do believe that Satan is bound, then explain to me why he is walking about? Postmillennialists believe that Satan was bound when Christ's work on earth was finished. This epistle is clearly written after the ascension of Yahshua into heaven, disproving this view.
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
Furthermore, in other books of the New Testament, Satan is described as the prince of this world (John 12:31) and the god of this age (2 Corinthians 4:4). These books were also written after Christ's ascension. Let me put it this way, if a book written after the ascension of Christ calls Satan the god and prince of this world, how could he be bound?
John 12:31
Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out.
2 Corinthians 4:4
In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
The next view we need to look at is the amillennial view. This view is similar to the postmillennial view in that it also does not interpret the book of Revelation literally. This views primary attribute is that it suggests that there is no literal reign of Christ on earth. Amillennialists believe that the one-thousand-year reign mentioned earlier represents the spiritual reign of Christ in heaven. There is no doubt that Yahshua rules everything from heaven as seen in 1 Corinthians 15:25-27. However, the amillennialist denies that dominion and power over earth has been given to Satan until Yahshua's return. I have shown in the previous section that the apostles themselves acknowledge that Satan is the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4). The bounding of Satan in Revelation 20:1-2 is interpreted by the amillennialist as meaning that Satan's power is now limited. Although I agree that Satan's power is limited, this is no new thing. In the book of Job 2:6, we find that Satan's power over humankind has always been limited.
Job 2:6
And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.
Another problem with this view is that the phrase "one-thousand-years" is mentioned in Revelation 20 six times. How could John in a vision get this information unless it was given unto him? He certainly could not have seen one-thousand-years! Furthermore, why would he even mention any time at all? Why couldn't he have just written that Satan was bound and Christ reigned? For these reasons, I feel this view is flawed.
That leads us up to the view that I believe, the premillennial view. In this view, there is a literal one-thousand-year reign of Yahshua on earth with his saints. Along with the reasons expressed above in disproving the other views, there are a few others that I would like to present.
One reason is that I personally believe that there are 7000 years of time for the redemption of humankind. There were 2000 years until Abraham's covenant, 2000 years until the first appearance Christ, 2000 years until the second coming of Christ, and the last 1000 years, that corresponds to the seventh day Sabbath. This seventh day or last 1000 years will see peace over the earth and rest in our savior Yahshua. This is commonly known as the seven day, seven thousand year theory. Obviously I believe that the universe was created in seven literal days and I'm not going to address this issue in this study. Since I believe in an all-powerful God who doesn't need billions of years to accomplish creation, I have come to the conclusion that these seven days must represent something prophetic. If they were not meant to be as a sign, there would be no reason to take seven days, he would have created everything in an instance. The interpretation that one day is equal to one thousand years comes from Psalms 90:4 and 2 Peter 3:8.
Psalms 90:4
For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.
2 Peter 3:8
But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
In Genesis 1:14, we can see that the days were given to us as a sign for days and years. This adds to the interpretation that I have set forth in the previous paragraph.
Genesis 1:14
And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
Another reason that I believe that there will be a literal reign of Christ on earth after the tribulation period is found in the feasts of Yahweh. In Leviticus 23, there were seven feasts instituted by Yahweh for the purpose of revealing his salvation of humankind through Yahshua. Looking at the prophetic nature of these feasts, we can see that the spring festivals were fulfilled at Yahshua's first coming. The fall festivals reveal the nature of the second coming of Yahshua. An important point to be made about these feasts is that they are fulfilled in order. Our God is a God of order not disorder.
The final feast is called the Feast of Tabernacles. This feast represents the time that Yahshua himself will dwell among his people on earth and reign over them. Since Rosh Hashanah represents the rapture and the Day of Atonement represents Yahshua's second coming and these days are before the Feast of Tabernacles, I conclude that the literal reign of Christ on earth is after these events. The Feast of Tabernacles is also the only feast mentioned by name as appearing in the millennial reign (Zechariah 14:16). This chapter in Zechariah gives a very good description of the Second Coming and the time period that follows, the millennial reign. Notice in Zechariah 14:4 that the Lord will stand on the Mount of Olives. This shows that Yahshua will reign physically on earth. This verse also corresponds to what we find in Acts 1:11. I highly recommend to all of you who desire to study prophecy in the Bible to study the significance of the feasts of Yahweh.
Zechariah 14:16
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 14:4
And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.
Acts 1:11
Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.
With the descriptions of the three primary views concerning the millennial reign under our belts and what I believe to be the correct view expressed, we can now move on to the next section of this paper. In the next section, I will present my views on what the millennial reign will be like here on earth. With the aid of the Bible, I will challenge most if not all of the views about this period of time.
The first difference I believe with respect to those of the traditional premillennial view is who will be on earth at that period of time. I agree with the traditional view that all of the wicked will be destroyed at Yahshua's second coming (Psalms 101:8). I also agree with the traditional view in that all Christians will receive incorruptible bodies (1 Corinthians 15:51-54). Where the difference lies is in that I believe that sin will be present in the millennium. Traditional thinking suggests that only Christians will be present during this time and that no sin will be found. You may be asking "How can all of the wicked be destroyed, Christians receive incorruptible bodies, and yet still witness sin?"
Psalms 101:8
I will early destroy all the wicked of the land; that I may cut off all wicked doers from the city of the LORD.
1 Corinthians 15:51-54
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
The answer to this question can be found in Revelation 7:4-8. In these verses we find that God seals 144,000 Hebrews for safekeeping during the tribulation. Most people who believe in the pre-tribulation rapture believe that these are the witnesses of the gospel during the tribulation. Not that I disagree with the pre-tribulation rapture in whole, but I find it very odd that the Bible makes mention of each tribe of Israel. I believe that these who are sealed are not Christians at all, but Israelites that believe in the salvation of God. Throughout the scriptures, we can find that when Israel is to be severely punished, God always saves a remnant of the Hebrews in order to fulfill his covenant with Abraham. This covenant has yet to be fulfilled and I think that this remnant will do so in the millennium. Nowhere in the Bible does it state that these 144,000 Hebrews who are sealed are Christians. Pretribulationalists invented this to account for the spreading of the gospel during the tribulation since they believe all Christians will be raptured prior to the tribulation. Just for the sake of curiosity, I will state but not debate that I happen to believe in a partial rapture theory with the last of the Christians being raptured before the seventh seal is opened.
With this scenario, sin still can be seen in the millennium. You may now be saying to yourself "Even if all of these 144,000 did not believe prior to the tribulation, they most certainly would now, and therefore they wouldn't sin." I agree that they will now believe that Yahshua is the messiah (Zechariah 12:9-10). However, let me remind you that the Hebrews that came out of Egypt witnessed ten miraculous plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, manna from heaven every day, and water instantly flowing from rocks and yet they still did what? Sinned again and again and again. Now I hope your saying, "All yeah, I guess it is possible." Nowhere does it say that these 144,000 receive incorruptible bodies, just the Christians. These who are sealed are preserved through the tribulation and will repopulate the earth during the millennial reign of Christ. This scenario also answers the question derived from Revelation 20:4 that traditional premillennialists have, "Who are the saints reigning over with Christ?" All of the saints will receive incorruptible bodies and will reign with Christ over the Hebrews who inherited the earth, fulfilling the covenant of Abraham.
Zechariah 12:9-10
And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
For further proof that there may be sin in the millennium, look at Zechariah 14:17-19. In these verses we can see that there is a punishment for those who do not keep the Feast of Tabernacles. Earlier, I showed that this chapter is a prophetic picture of the millennial reign. Don't you find it odd that God would issue a warning to those that are with him in this millenium? Egypt is a prophetic symbol for the nations of the world other than Israel. Why would God have to warn his incorruptible saints that a plague will come upon them if the saints have incorruptible bodies (1 Corinthians 15:51-54)?
Zechariah 14:17-19
And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
Another question that can be answered with this view is the problem of Satan being released at the end of the millennium to deceive the nations. How could Satan deceive incorruptible saints? As we have seen in the story of the Exodus, God's people rejected him in spite of all the things he provided them. I see no reason why this wouldn't be possible again. In Revelation 20:5, we see that the wicked of eternity are raised also at this time, and I suppose that these are the one who Satan deceives, but he has already deceived them, why does he have to again? He also specifically says that he deceives the nations. At this period of time the nations are made up of the Hebrews and their descendents. I think this is millennial Hebrew's last chance to accept or reject God and Yahshua. We know that the only way to eternal life is acceptance of Yahshua as King and Messiah as we see in John 14:6. At this point in time, it isn't clear that they have truly accepted him as Messiah, although I would expect almost all of them to do so.
Revelation 20:5
But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
John 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
At the consummation of the millennial reign of Yahshua, we see the final judgement. At this time Christians will receive their rewards based on their works and the wicked, or non-Christians, will receive eternal death. This final judgement will usher in the rest of eternity with God on the new earth that has been created for us, with God himself reigning from the new Jerusalem with the most righteous of his saints.
I hope that this little study has been both informative and helpful. Of course I will be happy to assist with further questions regarding this article. I also hope that this clears up some of the problems with traditional views. Finally, I hope that everybody realizes the importance of trusting God and Yahshua.