Chapter 10

The Reign of Christ on Earth

"All the Peoples, Nations, and Languages Should Serve Him"

The first fourteen verses of Daniel seven gives in order the succession of human world empires down to "the beast" and the judgment; these human world empires are displaced by the Son of man coming from heaven to reign, "And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations ,and languages should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed" (Dan. 7:11).

In Revelation 11:15 this announcement is made: "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." The final conflict with the beast — antichrist — is seen in Revelation 19:1121; the reign of Christ in which all enemies are subdued is given in Revelation 20:1-15. After all enemies are subdued, a joint throne "of God and of the Lamb" appears for the first time. The saints reign with Christ for the thousand years and in the eternal reign "they shall reign for ever and ever" (Rev. 21.22). This is the reign of Christ. Usually, however, when we speak of "the reign of Christ on earth" we refer to the reign of the thousand years. Such is the subject of this chapter. The qualities of all human government will appear in the last form, under the beast, end the whole image of Daniel two will stand up again to be broken in pieces and disappear like the chaff of a summer threshing floor. All the people are not destroyed, but human government is displaced by the government of Christ and the saints (Zech. 14:16 21).

"All the Earth Shalt be Filled with the Glory of Jehovah."

The thousand year reign will not be a time of absolute righteousness in the earth; it is a time in which enemies are being subdued (I Cor. 15:24-26). But the earth will have an absolutely righteous government which will be administered by Christ and His church as spiritual rulers, and the nation of Israel as a perfect and redeemed nation on the earth. These two elections from among the peoples will displace the present world-rulers, that is, "the host of the high ones on high, and the kings of the earth en the earth" (Isa. 24:2123). Having a perfect government in the earth's the only guarantee of a warless world" "He will judge between the nations, and will decide concerning many peoples; . . . . nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more" (Isa. 2:24). If the nations do not obey the righteous ruling, sanctions from heaven will be visited upon them to compel obedience (Zech. 14:16, 21): If a nation refuses the rulership of God's nation of kings and priests, Israel, with her capital and temple in Jerusalem, that nation will utterly perish (Isa. 60:10-14; 61-49).

"As the Days of a Tree Shall be the Days of My People"

There is no account, not even a hint, that any righteous shall die during the thousand years reign. Longevity will be increased so that it seems that accountability will begin at the age of 100 years. If one persists in disobedience after such time he is a subject of judgment. As it needs be "He shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth; and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked." The animal creation will return to an herbiverous life (Gen. 1:30), and to peace with themselves and with man (Examine Isa. 11:1-10; 65:17-25).

The desert shall blossom as a rose and sorrow and sighing shall flee away (Isa. 35). The land of Israel will become more fruitful than it ever was (Ezek. 36:1-15). Much discussion has taken place regarding the time Gog's armies meet God in Israel's land as recorded in Ezekiel 38 and 39: I regard this prophecy, that is. placing the TIME of its fulfillment, as the hardest in all the Bible. Is it BEFORE or AFTER the thousand years? As far as I have any position, I reject both suggestions, and place the time of this invasion of Gog DURING the thousand years reign. Space is too short to give reasons but Christ's enemies "shall hick the dust" during His reign, and He shall redeem His people "from oppression and violence" during such time ''Reed Psalm 72 and note such implications; also Isa. 11:1-10; Ps. 2:8-9 with Rev. 2:26-27).

"The Time Cometh that I Will Gather all Nations"

The time cometh when God will gather the nations for judgment (Zeph 3:8). But another time cometh saith God, "that I will gather all nations and tongues: and they shall come and see my glory." These are far riff nations and the time of such gathering seems to be in the reign of Christ (1st 66:18-21). When the Gentile lease of power runs out, government is taken from them and the judgments of the great tribulation greatly reduces the population of the earth, but after all, many shepherdless peoples remain to pass immediately under the reign of Christ (Zech. 14:16; Rev. 11:15; Matt. 24:22). We should learn to distinguish between GOVERENED nations and SAVED nations. There will be both as the millinneum advances. All the nations will be under the government of Christ — they must submit to the rod of iron (Ps. 2:8 9; Rev. 2:2627), but salvation is a matter of choice. At the close of the thousand years many hearts are ready to follow the leadership of Satan — .Adam's seed always fails. We write these things to induce a re study of millennial times. This study closes this series.