The Coming and Reign of Our Lord Jesus Christ: The Age to Come, or the Millenium, Part 1

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The Age to Come or The Millennium
The millennium, or the thousand years, is the period in the future of this world’s history, when the Son of Man, the Lord Jesus Christ, shall take into His own hands the rule and government of the world. The thousand years are mentioned no less than six times in the first seven verses of the twentieth chapter of Revelation, and doubtless are to be taken in their literal import. The Scriptures teem with descriptions of the blessings and glory to be enjoyed by this now groaning creation in that glorious age, or world to come. Peter, in addressing the Jews in Acts 3:20-2620And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. 22For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. 23And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. 24Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. 25Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. 26Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities. (Acts 3:20‑26), speaks of the sending of Jesus Christ, “whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. * * * Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel, and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.” The Lord referred to the same period, when He said to His twelve disciples, “That ye which have followed Me, in the regeneration, when the Son of Man shall sit in the throne of His glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matt. 19:2828And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (Matthew 19:28)).
The despised and rejected Jesus of Nazareth has been cast out and crucified here, but “God also hath highly exalted Him, and given Him a name which is above every name; that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess than Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Phil. 2:9-119Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:9‑11)). All who bow receive the priceless gift — eternal life; are called to suffer with the rejected One now, and will appear and reign with Him by-and-by; those who refuse will surely come into judgment. But there is a moments coming when “every knee shall bow” ( Isa. 45:2323I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear. (Isaiah 45:23)), when “all kings shall fall down before Him; and all nations shall serve Him” (Psa. 72:1111Yea, all kings shall fall down before him: all nations shall serve him. (Psalm 72:11)). “And the Lord shall be King over all the earth; in that day shall there be one Lord, and His name one” (Zech. 14:99And the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one. (Zechariah 14:9)).
What joy for the heart of the Christian to know that the Blessed One in whom he has trusted, the One whom he has not seen, but yet loves (1 Peter 1:88Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: (1 Peter 1:8)) whose rights in this scene have been usurped by Satan, the prince of this world, will shortly have all things manifestly under His sway. Then “the government shall be upon His shoulder: and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon His kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice, from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this” (Isa. 9:6-76For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:6‑7)).
(Continued and to be Continued).