|
Last week we began our four-part "Christ in Prophecy" series titled Epic Battles of the Bible: Genesis vs. Revelation. It is based on a very important question: Can we take the books of Genesis and Revelation literally?
Most people today, even many Christians, do not accept the plain sense meaning of these bookends of the Bible. Instead, they spiritualize their interpretation, arguing that the plain sense meaning of Scripture is not its true meaning. The result is that the beginning and end of the Bible are the two most abused areas of God's Word, having been spiritualized into meaninglessness. We believe this results in a travesty to one's understanding of God and His plan of salvation.
This Epic Battles series is meant to combat this abuse of God's Word. Our hope is that through it you will gain an appreciation for the literal interpretation of the Bible. And, we also hope that you will gain the wonderful realization that Genesis and Revelation are not at odds, but that these books complement each other. God's plan for the ages is meant to be understood and that is meant to provide us with hope in these challenging days.
In our first episode, Eric Hovind of Creation Today Ministries addressed a controversial debate in Genesis: "A Literal Global Flood." (It's one of my all-time favorite "Christ in Prophecy" episodes, so check it out!)
In this week's second episode of our series, I'm going to swing to the other end of the Bible to address a controversial debate in Revelation: "A Literal 1000-Year Kingdom." I'm seeking to prove that a literal interpretation of the Bible reveals that Jesus Christ will, in the future, physically rule over this earth for a thousand years. And, the takeaway that I want you to get from this is — knowing our future in Christ's victory is meant to bring you both joy and hope.
A Time of Joy
One of the aspects that really touches me about the Kingdom of Christ is how it's going to be a great time of joy. Jeremiah 31:13 says, "Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, and the young men and the old, together; for I will turn their mourning to joy, I will comfort them, and make them rejoice rather than sorrow." The Kingdom of Christ is defined as a time of peace and righteousness and justice, but it's also a time of great happiness and childlike joy.
Zechariah 14:16-18 adds: "And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, on them there will be no rain." The Feast of Tabernacles will be instituted across the entire world so that Jesus gets to have all of His people come at least once a year to visit Him. And, if they neglect Him, well He shuts the rain off for a little while as a kind of reminder for them to return.
A Time of Peace and No War
Not only will the Kingdom of Christ be a time of great joy, but it is also going to be a time of peace with no war. Isaiah 2:4 and Micah 4:3-4 tell us: "They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore. But everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree, and no one shall make them afraid; for the mouth of the Lord of hosts has spoken." Hosea 2:17-18 adds, "Bow and sword of battle I will shatter from the earth, to make them lie down safely."
How long has mankind tried to end war and failed? And yet, during the Kingdom of Christ, it will be a time of true peace with no war. Just think about it: no soldiers, no weapons, no hatred towards our fellow man. Consider how much of our nations' budgets go to war production and weaponry when the money could be used for building and caring for its people. What a tremendous time it will be when you don't have to fear for your life due to endless wars!
The Animals at Peace
Nor will mankind have to fear the animal kingdom, for the animal kingdom will once more be at peace with humanity. Isaiah 11:6-9 and 65:25 reveal: "The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play by the cobra's hole, and the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper's den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain."
The Bountiful Land
Amos 9:13-14 tells us, "'Behold, the days are coming,' says the Lord, 'When the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him who sows seed; the mountains shall drip with sweet wine, and all the hills shall flow with it." And, Zechariah 8:12 reveals, "For the seed shall be prosperous, the vine shall give its fruit, the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew — I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these." And, Isaiah 4:2 describes, "In that day the Branch of the Lord shall be beautiful and glorious; and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and appealing for those of Israel who have escaped."
The Kingdom of Christ is defined as a time of great bounty and unlimited food. There will be no hunger or poverty at that time.
Get more marvelous details about your future in the Millennial Kingdom (watch | read)!
|
