## Countdown to the Millennium: The End and the Beginning

## Revelation 16:12-16

Over the last few weeks we have looked at the events surrounding the return of Christ. Tonight we want to close out this series of messages with a look at what takes place after Jesus returns to this earth. There are four primary purposes that will be accomplished when Jesus Christ returns to this earth .

- He will stop the "battle of Armageddon". cf Re. 16:12-16
- He will cast Satan into the bottomless pit. cf Re. 20:1-3
- He will judge the living Gentiles (sheep -goat judgment). cf Mt. 25:31-46
- He will establish His kingdom on this earth. cf Re. 20:4

The Millennium: When I use that term, I am not talking about the last 1000 years or the next 1000 years. I am talking about the 1000 years that Jesus will reign on this earth. Jesus Christ will bring peace to this world for the first time since Eden.

I. The Purpose of the Millennium.

A. To Fulfill God's Covenants with Israel.

1. The Abrahamic Covenant. cf Ge. 15:18; 17:7-8

2. The Palestinian Covenant.cf De. 30:5-9

3. The Davidic Covenant.cf 2Sa. 7:12-17

4. The New Covenant. cf Jer. 31:31-34

B. To complete the work for which Christ died.

1. Christ's death and the restoration of Israel are inter-related events.

2. When Jesus died on Calvary a fountain was opened potentially for Israel and all the world.

3. However, in "that day" there will be a fountain opened for the cleansing of Israel. cf Zech. 13:1

4. Remember, He came unto His own but His own received Him not.

5. When Christ returns in glory, the nation of Israel will turn to Him.

C. To restore the earth to willing submission.

1. Right now this earth is a rebellious province ruled by the Prince of this world.

2. Since the fall of Adam the earth has been in bondage.

3. When Christ returns creation will be delivered from bondage ... the deserts will rejoice and blossom like a rose. cf Is. 35:1 a

4. There will be no more famine, droughts, disease or pestilence.

II. The Presence of the Earthly Kingdom.

A. Earth's capital will be Jerusalem.

1. It will be a beautiful city.

2. The Lord will make "Jerusalem a praise in the earth". cf Is. 62:7

3. It will be a center for the teaching of God's Word. cf Mi. 4:1-2 0

4. Jerusalem will be known as a place of rejoicing rather than weeping.

B. The conditions on earth.

1. Absolute justice and righteousness.

2. No more curse. cf Is. 11:1-9

3. The earth will revert to conditions that prevailed before the fall.

4. The knowledge of the Lord will fill the earth. cf Is. 11:9

5. The earth will be renovated following the mass destruction of the tribulation. cf Is. 65:17

6. Long life, peace, answered prayers, and security will be characteristic. cf Is. 65:20-25

III. Final Results of the Millennium.

A. Satan will be loosed.

1. Sin has not been done away with during the millennium.

2. However, the influence of Satan has been removed until the 1000 years have ended.

3. Not everyone will be saved, and many will be led astray by the devil when he is released.

4. There will be a brief rebellion that will involve multitudes of people.

5. When they prepare to attack Jerusalem God will destroy them and Satan will be cast into the lake of fire to join the beast and the false prophet.

B. The Great White Throne Judgment will be held. cf Re. 20:11

1. Only the "dead" will be judged.

2. This will be the second resurrection.

3. Only the spiritually dead, the lost of all the ages, will be at this judgment.

4. The Judge will be the same: Jesus Christ.

5. The results will be that all the unsaved will be cast into the lake of fire.

C. There will be no hope for those who must stand before the Great White Throne.

1. They will have no opportunity to escape this awful judgment.

2. The only hope that the lost world has is to turn to Christ now, before it is too late.

3. "Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

D. The New Jerusalem. 21:1-4

1. The Present Heaven and Earth will pass away. v1

a. This is not a renovation, this is a replacement!

b. It will be new because the old will be gone.

c. Note: 2Peter 3:10

2. God will make all things new. v5

3. Mt. 24:35, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away."

4. The Description of the New Jerusalem.

a. It will be a city of "no mores".

1) No more separation from God. v 3

2) No more tears or crying. v4

3) No more sorrow and pain. v4

4) No more death. v4

5) No more wants. v7

6) No more curse and no more sin! v8

b. It will be a perfect city from God.

1) Abraham looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. cf Heb. 11:10

2) Jesus said, "I go to prepare a place for you."

3) It is perfectly symmetrical "the length and the breadth and the height of it are equal"

4) 2,250,000 square miles and 1500 miles high!

5) The world as we know it now, combining the areas of the seven continents equals 57,609,000 square miles.

6) The area of the New Jerusalem will be over 60 times that amount!

7) There will be no shortage on space! "In my father's house there are many mansions".

8) It will be perfect, because the perfect Architect designed and built it!

c. It will be a beautiful city.

1) It will shine with the Glory of God like crystal so there is no need for a sun or moon. (11 ; 23 & 22:5)

2) The walls are jasper and the city is of pure gold. (18)

3) The gates were of pearl and the foundation is of precious stones.

4) There will be no temple there because we will dwell in the very presence of God Almighty. (22)

5) There will be a pure river of the water of life proceeding out of the throne of God. (22:1)

6) There will be the tree of life yielding twelve manner of fruit, a different one for every month.

d. It will be a city of worship and service. (22:3)

1) Only those who are saved will be there. (21:8; 24; 27)

2) We shall see His face and we will be identified by bearing His name in our foreheads.

3) We shall reign for ever and ever!

If heaven was simply a great city with streets of gold, gates of pearl, precious stones and wondrous beauty it might not be worth it all. But it is more than all of this....it is a place where we shall see Jesus face to face and dwell with Him for eternity. And that will be worth it all. David said, "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied when I awake, with thy likeness." (Ps. 17:15)

When we see Him throughout eternity we shall be forever and fully satisfied. We can have a part in this glory and we can enjoy these eternal blessings, all because there was One who made it possible by His death on Calvary's cross. If we know Jesus Christ as our Savior we will enjoy the blessings of the New Jerusalem when this world is no more.