1,000 Years of Peace?
I believe the greatest question our team had to answer when preparing to write stories set in the Millennium was, “If the Millennium is a time of peace, how does it end in war?”
Before I start, I’d like to point out that it is not, and never will be, my intention to create doctrine regarding the Millennial Reign of Christ. However, as a Bible-believing Christian, I seek to honor the truth of the scriptures. If you hold a different viewpoint, I welcome the debate, as long as it shared in the spirit of grace. No one has a perfect interpretation of prophecy.
JMH
Peace on Earth
The most famous scripture regarding the Messianic reign of Christ is Isaiah 2:4. It is so famous, in fact, that Isaiah’s words are inscribed on a granite wall at the United Nations.
“And he shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.” Isaiah 2:4
For those who believe in a literal fulfillment of Jesus’ earthly kingdom, the singular quality of this future kingdom is peace. This is a quality so intricately woven into prophecy that the Lord Jesus had to address the concept. He said:
“Think not that I came to bring peace on Earth: I came not to bring peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:34
The Lord did not come the first time to bring peace on Earth, but he will bring peace when he returns to the Earth a second time.
“And in that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, from east to west, making a very large valley; …” Zechariah 14:4
“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 11:15
“I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to me, ‘You are my Son, today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance, and the ends of the Earth for your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; you shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.” Psalm 2:7-9
“Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter." He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.” Revelation 19:15
As you can see, peace on Earth during the Millennium is a “forced” peace. God and His servants will rule with an iron rod.
Two Kinds of Peace
God offered “peace” during his first advent, but it was not an earthly peace; it was the grace of God which brings internal peace. He also ushered in a Kingdom, but it was not of this world.
“Jesus answered, my kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from here.” John 18:36
Notice the word now.
When Jesus came the first time, his kingdom was a spiritual kingdom, and his peace was a spiritual peace. But a day is coming when he will return to the Earth, in the same way he ascended, and institute his earthly kingdom. At that time, he will bring an earthly kingdom and an earthly peace.
“Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw him go into heaven.” Acts 1:11
We can have peace with God now, but we will not see peace on Earth until Jesus returns.
What Kind of Peace?
There is some misunderstanding regarding the peace that will come to the Earth during the millennium. Much of it has to do with mistaking the New Earth for this current Earth. I’ll cover this in a moment. First, I’d like to point out why some people think that God will usher in a perfect peace during the Millennium:
Animals will live harmoniously with each other and also with humans. Romans 8:18-23, Isaiah 11,35,6
The Earth will produce crops easily, and the fields will be free of weeds and thorns. Isaiah 32:13-15
The people of Earth will no longer be subject to diseases. Ezekiel 34:16, Isa 32: 13-15, 33:24, 35:5-6, 61:1-2
Infants will not die, people will live out their years, and death will not come unexpectedly. Isaiah 65:20
People will live to be as old as trees. Isaiah 65:22
As you can see, the world is renewed, and there is peace—even between animals in nature. But even that peace isn’t perfect.
The priests shall not eat anything, bird or beast, that died naturally or was torn by wild beasts. Ezekiel 44:31
The implication here is that somewhere on the planet, there are wild beasts and beasts that die from natural causes. Since this scripture is found at the end of Ezekiel, which references the temple built during the Millennium, we must conclude that there are places where animals do not live in harmony and where diseases may still be present. We also must consider that humans don’t live entirely harmoniously. Why? Because there is still sin.
“... but the sinner being one hundred years old shall be accursed.” Isaiah 65:20
The Millennium is not the New Earth. It is our current Earth, renewed and turned into what God intended. But there is still sin in the heart of man and the “curse” that leads to death.
What About Satan?
During the Millennium, Satan is bound. We know this from the book of Revelation.
“He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years;” Revelation 20:2
We don’t have to wonder who this is; it is quite clear. The dragon, the serpent of old, the devil, Satan, is bound for a thousand years. But human sin is not bound, and sin still leads to death. Yet, in this renewed Earth, it will take a hundred years for people to die from the curse—as indicated in Isaiah:
“Never again will there be in it an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years; the one who dies at a hundred will be thought a mere child; the one who fails to reach a hundred will be considered accursed” Isaiah 65:20
During the Millennium, no one will be able to say, “The devil made me do it.”
The key enemy during the thousand-year reign of Christ is sinful desire, which is suppressed by the iron rod of God’s rule. However, when the Earth is again filled with people, and the thousand years are fulfilled, that “serpent of old” will be released.
“Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the Earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea.” Revelation 20:7
When the thousand years have expired, those who do not love God’s rule will once again be deceived by Satan. It is likely that they will give themselves over to The Great Deception once more. But this decision will be far more grievous a crime for them than it will be for people before the Millennium—because they will know the mystery of God, the mystery that will be revealed during the end times:
“Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.” Revelation 10:4
“... but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as he declared to his servants the prophets.” Revelation 10:7
After the mystery is “finished” (revealed), and this present age of dark utterings has passed, God will teach the people of the Earth.
“... many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord.’ Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, “Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.” Zechariah 8:20
“... Your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore, But your eyes shall see your teachers.” Isaiah 30:20
“For the Earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” Isaiah 11:9 and Habakkuk 2:14
The people of Earth will be without excuse when they begin to listen to the voice of Satan and gather together to fight against God and his iron rule, and they will be without excuse when fire comes down from the heavens and consumes them. Having read the scriptures and knowing what is written, they will not believe.
“And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.” Revelation 20:9
It is important to note that the army we see here at the end is not the military forces of the nations but an incredibly large “untrained” army of conscripts whose sin has been ignited into unbelief by Satan. It is ultimately their lack of faith that becomes their ruin, not their disobedience.
The New Earth
As you can see, there is conflict during the Millennium—lots of it. But this will not be the case with the New Earth. Here is what the scriptures say regarding the New Earth.
“God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4
During the Millennium, there will be tears, death, sorrow, and pain. There will also be an incredible conflict at the end of the thousand years as sinners seek to come out from underneath the iron rod of God’s authority. At some point, after the fire falls, God will create a New Earth. Of this Earth God says:
“The city had no need of the sun or of the moon to shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it. The Lamb is its light.” Revelation 21:22
While the sun yet shines and the moon reflects its light, there will be no perfect peace on Earth.
Conclusion
The story that unfolds in Revelation is simple: God judges the Earth and returns to rule with an iron rod. The people of the nations experience peace under his reign, and they enjoy a beautiful, restored Earth. Yet, even in a world of visible glory, truth, and love, many still reject him. In the end, God creates a new heavens and Earth in which there is no sin.
This truth confronts a deep mystery of the human heart: rebellion does not stem from lack of evidence but from the sinful desires of the heart. The final rebellion proves this. After a thousand years of Christ’s direct rule, with righteousness established, prosperity abundant, and knowledge of the Lord flooding the Earth, sin still festers in the hearts of those who refuse to love the truth—so when Satan is released, they do not hesitate.
They rise.
The Millennium Project is a collection of fictional stories set in this future age, with all of its beauty, mystery, and challenges. We’re not here to argue eschatology. We’re storytellers, and the Millennium offers a powerful canvas for the kinds of stories we love to tell—tales of suspense, sacrifice, grace, and redemption. We believe stories such as these can touch hearts in this present age, offering hope, healing, and life to those who are hurting. We also hope to light a fire in the hearts of believers so they will search the scriptures themselves regarding the millennial reign of Christ.
As we tell our stories, we are doing our best to remain faithful to what God has revealed in his word. Please feel free share your thoughts so that we may do the best job possible.
