You’re Fired!
Not exactly the words one wants to ever hear from his supervisor. But what if you were fired from a toilsome and difficult job, in a dirty and dangerous place, only to be hired by a perfect Employer, for a perfect job, in a beautiful place of countless blessings and rewards?
The Bible teaches that the Lord Jesus Christ will reign over a literal one-thousand-year kingdom on this earth from His throne in Jerusalem one day (Isa. 2:1-4;11, Zech. 14:9-21, Rev. 20:4-5). Sadly, for too many believers, this truth almost seems like a fairy tale because they simply don’t mix faith with the Word of God (Heb. 4:2; 11:1, 6). In today’s study we will consider some of the characteristics of this future Kingdom, things that will and things that will not be done “in all his holy mountain”.
He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron!
As part of His glorious return to earth, the Lord Jesus Christ will break both the power of the nations as well as the curse that has been on the earth since Adam’s sin (Isa. 11:1-9; 35, Rom. 5:12-21). Revelation 19:15 says that, “out of His mouth go’s a sharp sword, that with it He should smite the nations: and He shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.” Psalm 2 as well as the prophetic books of Isaiah, Daniel, and Zechariah all echo this absolute victory that Jesus Christ will bring to His people Israel and in turn to the whole earth (Isa. 24:21-22, Dan. 2:44-45, Zech. 12:3-4; 14:1-3).
But putting down earth’s rebellion is only the start. The Bible also teaches that the One who wore a crown of thorns will also remove the curse from which they grew. Zechariah 14:8-9 tells of this wonderful healing that will begin when the King of the Kingdom is received. "And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be. And the LORD shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one LORD, and his name one."
How Will We Serve the King?
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It goes without saying that all employment in immoral industries such as Casinos, Nightclubs and Liquor Stores will be gone. While it’s true that there will be unsaved people born during the Kingdom years, all sinful activity will be held in check by the omniscient and instant judgment of God (Ps. 2:9, Isa. 11:4, Rev. 19:15).
Gone too, will be all branches of the military and all factories that manufacture munitions and weapons of war. Every military academy across the world will close as Almighty God’s Word declares , “he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plow shares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Micah 4:3.
While it’s true that there will be unsaved people born during the Kingdom years, all sinful activity will be held in check by the omniscient and instant judgment of God
There will no longer be a need for policemen, law enforcement, night watchmen or guards of any kind. All prisons will be closed and there will be no employment relating to the criminal justice system or courts, whether at the state, local, or federal level. This means no judges, lawyers, bail bondsmen, bounty hunters or private detectives.
Since the only people that will die during the Kingdom years are those who commit an open act of rebellion, there will be no hospitals, doctors, nurses, convalescence homes, emergency responders or search and rescue personnel. Drug stores and the pharmacists’ they employ will no longer be necessary and no one will research diseases, run charities or lobby for a social cause. Both the psychiatrist and the psychologist will find different employment for lack of customers.
While farming will still be practiced, good crops will grow naturally and it will be impossible to grow a weed. Both the pesticide and fertilizer industry will cease and there will be no need for either the veterinarian or the exterminator. Instead of back-breaking work, during the Kingdom, farming and gardening will be fun!
Since the weather and climate will be perfect, there will be no weathermen to try and predict it or insurance companies to sell products that protect against it. Manufacturing will cease for any and all products that battle rust, corrosion, mold and decay. Even the cosmetic industry will stop as there will be no battle against the ravages of the aging process.
So what then will believers do and how will they serve the King of kings in the Kingdom?
The Lord Jesus taught that the key was faithfulness. “And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities.” Luke 19:17. By inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul reminded believers, “Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:2.
Jesus will give each believer a perfect position in the Kingdom based on their faithfulness to Him today.
The Lord told his disciples, “Fear not little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Luke 12:32. God told Israel, “as a young man marries a virgin, so shall thy sons marry thee: and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.” Isaiah 62:5. The Lord Jesus Christ loves us as his bride (Eph. 5:23-32)!God promised by the prophet Zechariah, “In that day, says the LORD of hosts, everyone will invite his neighbor under his vine and under his fig tree.” Zechariah 3:10.
What a beautiful description of the coming Kingdom. Just as in Solomon’s day, where every tribe and family of Israel was given their own piece of property by the Lord, Zechariah assures us that the whole earth will be settled in peace and safety when the “greater than Solomon” rules with a “rod of iron” (Ps. 2:9, Isa. 11:4, Matt. 12:42, Rev. 19:15). There will be no need for locks on your doors or high fences to keep your neighbors honest.
Some might be thinking after these reflections on the Kingdom, can anything be greater? You had better be sitting down!
At the conclusion of the thousand year Kingdom on earth, God will create a new heaven and a new earth where all believers of all ages will live with Him forever.
At the conclusion of the thousand year Kingdom on earth, God will create a new heaven and a new earth where all believers of all ages will live with Him forever (Isa. 66:22, 2 Peter 3:13, Rev. 21-22:1-5). As wonderful as we have seen that this earthly Kingdom will be, the ETERNAL dwelling place with Christ will be exponentially better!
The Apostle Paul said, “I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows) such a one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knows) how that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.” 2 Corinthians 12:2-4.
Paul could only say that it would be a crime to try and describe with earthly language the beauty of God’s heaven. If you only had in your language the words, “wet”, “soaked”, “damp” and “moist” could you describe to someone the vast and glorious Pacific Ocean? What would you tell them? It’s really, really damp! It’s a large wet and moist place! To even attempt it would be a crime!
Is it any wonder that God let Satan give Paul a thorn in the flesh after he had been given an eye witness view of such heavenly things (2 Cor. 12:7)?
Let us therefore keep our eye’s fixed on our Savior, remembering the future He has planned for us, while we labor in the valley, introducing others to the Good Shepherd who longs to bring them to such heights as well.
For, “without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
The perfect Boss, the perfect job, perfect co-workers, in a perfect place, with perfect pay, and an endless day…what a Rewarder indeed!
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DMG I.F.
I’ve read the Bible…Jesus wins!
What is Sin?
