The End of the World

Jesus Christ’s reign on earth in the Millennium will be a glorious time, when peace on earth shall become a reality. Unfortunately, many Christians do not believe it will happen on this earth. They say the teaching of the Kingdom Age on this earth is part of a delusion, and that Jesus Christ is going to destroy the earth when he comes.

These Christians do not study the Old Testament, just the New Testament. The first scripture they use is from the second letter to the Thessalonians: “Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.” 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10. Many Christians believe this scripture describes the end of the world, when all non-Christians will be put to death and the Lord will take his bride, the Church, way off yonder to some other planet, called the new earth. The problem with this is they are taking verses out of context. The apostle Paul was writing to the early Christians about the enemies of Christ, not the whole world. In verse 6, he mentioned “them that trouble you”. He was referring to people who attack the Christian faith and oppose Christ. Most people in the world are not hostile toward Christianity. I have had conversations with a Hindu, a Muslim, a Buddhist, and an agnostic about the Christian faith and I find that most people are not bothered by Christianity. They want to live at peace with Christians. However, there are some people that make it their mission to destroy all Christian influence in our nation. Those people should beware of the approaching wrath of Jesus Christ.

Another scripture that people use to oppose the idea of the kingdom age on earth is from the apostle Peter’s second letter. “But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” 2 Peter 3:7-10. These great events will happen in the day of the Lord. However, Peter said in verse 8 that “one day is with the Lord as a thousand years”. I believe the day of the Lord is a thousand years long, in other words, the millennium. This is the seventh day, the day of rest for humanity, the day of peace on earth, the day in which Satan will be bound and imprisoned in the bottomless pit. At some time in the day of the Lord the events Peter described will come to pass. I believe they will happen at the end of the millennium, when Satan will be released, and the massive rebellion against Jesus Christ will occur. The Bible says the rebels will be consumed by fire. (Revelation 20: 9). It is an awful thing to think about, that people would rebel against Jesus Christ after he gave them a thousand years of peace and prosperity.

Yes, the kingdom age will come. It is the rule of Jesus Christ on the earth. He will rule the nations with a rod of iron (Revelation 19:15). He will rebuke strong nations (Micah 4:3). He will force people to give up their weapons of war (Isaiah 2: 4). The angels at his birth predicted peace on earth and that is exactly what is coming in the kingdom age.