As the Millennium begins, those who have survived the cataclysmic events before the return of Jesus Christ—called the “day of the Lord” in the Bible will experience the establishment of the Kingdom of God here on earth. Satan will be bound (Revelation 20:1-2) and the firstfruits, God’s people, who will have been changed into spirit at Christ’s return (1 Corinthians 15:52), will be actively teaching people God’s ways.
Commenting on this time, Isaiah 30:20-21 prophesied: “… your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore, but your eyes shall see your teachers. Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.“
Because of this positive teaching and guidance and the fact that God’s law will be going out to all the earth from Jerusalem (Isaiah 2:2-3), the world will experience an amazing metamorphosis. While there will initially be a need to deal with wide-scale resistance due to people having been misled by the devil, Jesus will succeed in carrying out the will of His Father in leading all nations to follow God. After Jesus’ return to earth as “king of kings and Lord of lords” (Revelation 17:14 and 19:16) He will change things for the better in countless ways. Following are just five specific ways He will transform the world.
1. Earth’s revolutionary regime change
At Christ’s second coming, the most important event will be the resurrection to eternal life of the saints, who have been faithful to God (Mark 13:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). Another event that will transform the world will be that the devil and all the demons will be bound, or imprisoned, so they will no longer be an evil influence on the world (Revelation 20:1-2, John 12:31).
Jesus, as “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (Revelation 19:16), will institute a leadership of serving others, based on justice, love and service. Jesus will be the High Priest (Hebrews 8:1), and the resurrected saints will assist Jesus in teaching those living during the Millennium (Revelation 1:5-6). David will be king over all the Israelites (Jeremiah 30:9; Ezekiel 37:21-25), and the 12 apostles will rule on “thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel” (Matthew 19:28). The Bible also indicates that Abraham, Moses, Elijah, Paul and others will also have high positions in the government of God’s Kingdom.
2. The healing of people and the planet
When Christ returns many will still be suffering the traumatic effects of terrible end-time violence, diseases and other disasters. Their bodies, minds and hearts will need healing. Isaiah chapter 35 describes how Jesus Christ will heal these sufferings at His return. This chapter also speaks of future physical improvements to the earth, including its soil, water, climates and vegetation. Ezekiel 36:33-38 teaches the world will become like the Garden of Eden, cities will be rebuilt, and there will be a population explosion (verse 37).
3. People will love and live by the Bible and God’s laws
Hosea 4:6 states: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge….You have forgotten the law of your God.” God’s Word is the starting point and foundation of all knowledge and, after Jesus returns, people will be taught to study and love God’s Word and to “live….by every word of God” (Luke 4:4). Isaiah 11:9 tells us, “They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” Obedience to the Ten Commandments will bring about major, far-reaching benefits for humanity.
4. Worldwide peace will soon prevail
Peace, unity and harmonious relationships will prevail throughout the world, as people will be guided by the two great commandments—to love God and to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Wars will cease, and military hardware will be “beaten” into farm implements. “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore” (Isaiah 2:2-4). Amazingly, even the creatures we consider dangerous will become gentle and harmless (Isaiah 11:6-9.) It will take time for the resurrected saints and other godly leaders to teach and enforce the “way of peace” to the far reaches of the earth, but worldwide peace will ultimately prevail.
5. Personal freedom will bring happiness and prosperity
One of the Bible’s many themes is freedom and liberty, which will accompany Jesus’ return (Isaiah 11:11; Jeremiah 16:14-15) as the Savior for the whole world. Christ will set the example of being a servant to all (Luke 22:24-27), ushering in the greatest worldwide personal freedom since Adam and Eve sinned, as human beings are encouraged and taught to live according to God’s commandments. A prophecy in Micah 4:4 tells us “everyone shall sit under his vine and under his fig tree” indicating a comfortable and peaceful lifestyle.
We have no way of knowing when Jesus will return, but the end-time events prophesied in the Bible are accelerating, and it is critical we remain spiritually prepared and close to God.
