A THOUSAND YEARS

Hi.  My name's Susan and I'm a Serial Self Slackcutter.

That's right. I'm fond of thinking "Well, I wouldn't have responded that way if I hadn't been so tired."  Or..."When I spend time with that person, I'm more prone to gossip and criticize."

It's easier to think circumstances (or others) are the problem.  That's a LOT easier than seeing things as God sees them.  He says NONE are righteous and ALL have hearts that are desperately wicked.  That's why when we come to Revelation 20 and read about the Millennium Kingdom, we understand how God's pure justice is put on display.

When Christ returns to earth for His thousand-year reign, there will be beauty from ashes as the Creator destroys His creation and remakes the earth.  There we will enjoy utopian conditions in "Garden of Eden" splendor.  Animals will revert to their "pre-fall" nature as the lion lays down with the lamb.  Scripture says Jesus will rule there with a rod of iron.  His rule is not out of harshness, but rather kindness as He enforces the law to insure the world's long-sought peace and harmony and security.

Know what else?  Satan will be bound.  Our nemesis loses his permission slip to roam the earth seeking those he might devour.  The time for his evil influencing is done.  There won't be "the devil made me do it" in the Millennium.

In fact, when that trumpet sounds, a believer's life will no longer have to make time for the daily routines that compete with our devotion to God.  Our sole focus from then on will be the King's business.

Here are the three groups of people who get to go into Christ's Millennial Kingdom:

1.  There are believers raptured at the end of the church age 

 who return with Christ to fight @Armageddon in their glorified bodies.

2.  There are believers (both Jew and Gentile) who died before Pentecost...

plus believers who will die during the Tribulation.  These believers will be 

resurrected and transformed into immortals after Armageddon.

3.  There are believers (both Jew and Gentile) 

who are "natural men" and survivors of both the Tribulation and Armageddon, 

and judged righteous.  This category is different 

from the other two because they still have mortal bodies 

and will grow, mature, marry, procreate, age and die (Isaiah 65:20-25).

Have you heard people say when we get to Paradise we will just sit around strumming harps?  How strange they would say such a thing and assume God has no purpose for us!

In our present age, the Bible calls the church a priesthood of believers.  Our service to God and men will go seamlessly into the new kingdom.  Satisfaction from being His ambassadors will only swell into more satisfaction.

In the new kingdom, we are said to be co-heirs with Christ, and will rule with Him.  How amazing that we are to judge the angels and the twelve tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28)!  We will have our hands full as we share Christ, resolve disputes, and mentor new believers.  Remember survivors will be in a ragged recovery mode after all that has happened on the earth, so there will be much opportunity for service.

NOW is the time for preparation.  As we follow Him as faithful stewards of the tasks He assigns, we gain more opportunity and reward in the kingdom to come.

So how does God show His pure justice during the Millennium?

We see that it's not unfavorable circumstances or the devil's influences that make men's neck stiff.  It is our rebellious hearts which call for God's judgment.

Revelation 20 says when Satan is unbound, he gathers up all the rebellious souls who refuse to bend the knee and their number will be as many as sand on the seashore.

Then God brings destruction by calling down fire from heaven on the rebels.  Nothing tainted with sin will be allowed in the new heaven and earth.  Almighty God throws Satan into the Lake of Fire for eternity that he may not deceive God's people anymore.

GOD'S PLAN HAS ALWAYS BEEN THAT HE WOULD BE AT HOME WITH HIS PEOPLE IN A WORLD WITHOUT SIN.  So He protects His people, destroys evil, and exalts His Son.

All men deserve the Lake of Fire, but Jesus' provision for sin cancels the wages of sin for those who call on His name.

Today I'm rather consumed with decorating details for a house under construction.  One day those "things" will burn.  Lord, help me live with the end in mind!