“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.”(Matthew 5:9, ESV)We are called to pray for the peace of Jerusalem in Psalm 122:6. But why are the dispensational pre-tribulation rapture Christians seemingly hoping for a war in the Middle East? Not unlike their Muslim counterparts who are looking forward to their end times Madi, these Christians are hoping for the soon return of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Scripture also teaches us that “no man knows the day or the hour” of his second coming. So, we should show patience and determination to finish well for the Lord when he comes: “but he who endures to the end will be saved.”(Matt. 24:13)
The Thousand Years
“20 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. 2 He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. 3 He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.
4 I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony about Jesus and because of the word of God. They[a] had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.”(Revelation 20:1-6, NIV)
Amillennialists- those who hold a non-literal view of the millennium, see this thousand years as the present church age. No futuristic view of a millennium is held before Christ’s return. When he does return for the final judgment, he will judge the living and the dead. “And if anyone’s name was not found in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”(Rev. 20:15, ESV)
Then comes the New Heaven and the New Earth: this will be a renewal of the entire created order; the new Jerusalem which is the bride of Christ will be adorned as a bride(including Jew and Gentile in Christ).” God’s ultimate purpose in redemption history is to create a people to dwell in his presence, glorifying him through numerous varied activities and enjoying him forever.
So let us pray for the peace of Jerusalem, and the conversion of all peoples to the knowledge of the truth; that Jesus Christ is King of kings and Lord of lords. Amen!
Christian Universal Truth 