READING TIME: 2-3 MINUTES
January 7, 2020
Millennium, Part 2
This continues yesterday’s post about the characteristics of the 1000-year Millennium.
Political and Social Characteristics
Universal language (Zeph 3:9) and unimpaired labor (Is 62:8-9; 65:21-23; Ezek 48:18-19).
Human longevity increased (Is 65:20-25) and children are born (Is 65:20, 23; Ezek 47:22).
Worldwide knowledge of God – Is 2:2-3; 11:9; 54:13; Jer 31:34; Mic 4:5; Hab 2:14.
Jesus Christ personally and visibly reigns on earth in righteousness over the affairs of all mankind; Davidic Covenant fulfilled (Christ on David’s throne) – 2 Sam 7:8-17; Ps 2:6-8; 72:8; 89:3-4, 19-37; 110:2; 132:11-18; 146:10; Is 2:2-4; 9:6-7; 11:1-5; 24:23; 32:1; Jer 23:5-6; 33:14-17, 20-21; Dan 2:35, 44-45; 7:13-14; Amos 9:11-12; Mic 4:7-8; Zeph 3:15; Zech 2:11; 9:10; 14:9; Lk 1:31-33; Rev 11:15; 20:4.
The 12 Apostles have authority over the 12 tribes of Israel – Matt 19:28; Lk 22:28-30.
The church has a part in governing the earth and will reign with Christ – 2 Tim 2:12; Rev 5:10; 20:4, 6; 22:5.
Resurrected saints reign with Christ – Matt 19:28; Lk 22:30; 2 Tim 2:12; Rev 5:10; 20:6.
Spiritual
Unparalleled filling of and empowerment by the Holy Spirit on Israel – Is 32:15; 44:3; Ezek 36:24-29; 39:29; Joel 2:28-29.
Millennial temple built – Ezek 40:5-43:27 (cf. 37:26-28); Zech 6:12-15. Gentile nations will assist in this project – Is 60:10-12; Zech 6:15.
New Covenant with Israel fulfilled – Jer 31:31-34; 32:35-39; Ezek 11:18-20; 16:60-63; 36:25-28; 37:26; Rom 11:26.
The glory of the Lord/the Shekinah glory returns to the Temple – Ezek 43:1-7; cf. 48:35 (cf. 11:23 when the Shekinah left the first temple).
The aforementioned Shekinah glory will serve as Jerusalem’s independent light source – Is 24:23; 60:19-20; Rev 21:23.
Feasts of the New Year, Passover & Tabernacles reinstituted – Ezek 45:18-25; Zech 14:16-21.
Animal sacrifices offered – Jer 33:17-18; Ezek 43:18-27; 45:13-25; Mal 3:3-4. Many debate why there is a need for animal sacrifices in the Millennium. In Ezekiel 40-48 we see a vision of a future temple during the millennial kingdom with the resident glory of God. During this time, many will have glorified bodies, but many people will have nonglorified bodies (those who survive the 7-year Tribulation and who pass the judgment of the sheep and goats in Matthew 25:31-46). Therefore, because of the presence of these nonglorified individuals who can be a source of communicable contamination, there is a need for sacrifices to protect the purity of Yahweh’s presence. Yahweh refuses to dwell among people if uncleanness remains untreated.
In conclusion, because Yahweh promised to dwell on earth during the Millennium (as stated in the New Covenant), He must protect His presence through sacrifice. Also, this sacrificial system will be a temporary one in that the Millennium (with its partial population of unglorified humanity) will last only one thousand years. During the eternal state, all inhabitants of the New Jerusalem will be glorified and will therefore not be a source of contagious impurities to defile the holiness of Yahweh.
The journal articles below expand on this:
Hullinger, Jerry M. “The Compatibility of the New Covenant and Future Animal Sacrifices.” Journal of Dispensational Theology 17:50 (Spring 2013): 47-64.
_____. “The Divine Presence, Uncleanness, and Ezekiel’s Millennial Sacrifices.” Bibliotheca Sacra 163:652 (October-December 2006): 405-422.
_____. “The Function of the Millennial Sacrifices in Ezekiel’s Temple, Part 1.” Bibliotheca Sacra 167:665 (January-March 2010): 40-57.
_____. “The Function of the Millennial Sacrifices in Ezekiel’s Temple, Part 2,” Bibliotheca Sacra 167:666 (April-June 2010): 166-179.
_____. “The Problem of Animal Sacrifices in Ezekiel 40—48.” Bibliotheca Sacra 152:607 (July-September 1995): 279-289.
Satan confined in the abyss – Rev 20:1-3.