The Millennium and the End of Sin [Spirituality & Religion]

The millennium is the thousand-year reign of Christ with His saints in heaven between the first and second resurrections. During this time the wicked dead will be judged; the earth will be utterly desolate, without living human inhabitants, but occupied by Satan and his angels. At its close Christ with His saints and the Holy City will descend from heaven to earth. The unrighteous dead will be resurrected, and with Satan and his angels will surround the city; but fire from God will consume them and cleanse the earth. The universe will be freed of sin and sinners forever.

[b]The 1,000 years begins with the general resurrection of the righteous and extends to the general resurrection of the wicked. During the 1,000 years, the righteous will live with Christ and reign in heaven, participating in the judgment of the wicked dead. Only Satan and his angels will be alive on earth during the millennium.[/b]
* The millennium is a 1,000-year period when the righteous will reign with Christ in heaven. Revelation 20:4
* Judging the wicked dead will be part of the work of reigning with Christ. Revelation 20:6; 1 Corinthians 6:2-3
* The millennial period is between the two resurrections. Revelation 20:4-6
* Satan will be confined to earth during it. Revelation 20:1-3, 7
* The earth will be desolate. Revelation 20:1; Jeremiah 4:23-26 (compare with Genesis 1:2); Revelation 6:14-17, 16:17-21

[b]After the millennium Christ and the righteous will return to earth in the Holy City. The unrighteous will be resurrected at this time and Satan will lead them in an attack on the City. Finally all sin and sinners will be destroyed.[/b]
* Christ and the righteous will descend with the holy City. Revelation 21:1-5
* The unrighteous will be resurrected. Revelation 20:5
* They will join Satan in a war against the Holy City. Revelation 20:7-10
* Satan's army will be defeated. Revelation 20:9
* The executive phase of the judgment will occur. Revelation 20:10-15
* Fire will cleanse the earth of all the results of sin. Once the fire has done its cleansing work, it will go out. 2 Peter 3:10-13; Malachi 4:1
* Satan and sin will be destroyed. Ezekiel 28:18-19

[b]Personal Application[/b]
* Why does God want the righteous to have a part in the judgment of the wicked?
* Why must Satan be utterly destroyed?
* Do you think anyone will ever challenge God's authority again after seeing the results of sin on this earth?
* I am glad that God has provided the millennium period for me to spend with Him in heaven reviewing the cases of those who were lost. It increases my confidence that He is dealing justly with everyone.

[b]Commitment[/b]
* Father, grant me the joy of spending the millennium reigning in heaven with Jesus and thos You made righteous!