The Word of God is filled with foreshadows, or types, or patterns, that show us something that is yet future. For this reason I refer to the Bible as the Picture Book. Perhaps one of the easiest foreshadows to perceive is that of Abraham offering Isaac, his only son, on Mount Moriah, where later the Temple was built and sacrifices offered. Two-thousand years later, the Lord offered His only son, Jesus, on Calvary which is geologically on the same mountain.
The first foreshadow that we know of is found in Genesis chapter one. The Lord created the world that we know in six days. He rested on the seventh day. In this process the Lord gave us a pattern of rest on the seventh day. From before the time of Jesus, the Jews have believed that these days of Creation represented millennial days, or a one-thousand year period for each of the six days of Creation. The early Church, being largely Jewish, had the same belief which was confirmed by both Moses (Psalm 90:4) and the Apostle Peter (Second Peter 3:8).
There will be at least one great, wonderful and grand final foreshadow, and it will last for one-thousand years. This last foreshadow will be the Millennium as described in the Revelation 20:1-6, representing the seventh day of rest. There are those that have been taught that there is no Millennium, but the Bible says it will occur. During this time Satan will be bound and unable to deceive mankind. Scripture says the Saints will reign with the Lord Jesus. (Revelation 20:4) The Apostle Paul confirmed this when he asked, “Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?” (First Corinthians 6:2) The Saints will judge, or govern, as did the Judges of the Old Testament.
The Old Testament contains many promises to the Children of Israel regarding the Millennium, although it is not referred to as such. This time will be a wonderful time of healing and strength. No one living in Zion will say, "I am ill". (Isaiah 33:24) Isaiah also says there will never be an infant who lives but a few days, or an old man who does not live out his years. He also says that the days of the Lord's people will be like the days of trees. (Isaiah 65:22) This is not a description of Heaven, for there will be no death in Heaven.
Here is how I think the Church will govern during the Millennium. “I will restore your judges as in days of old, your counselors as at the beginning. (Isaiah 1:2) “Then I will give you shepherds (or pastors) after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding. (Jeremiah 3:15) “Your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” (Isaiah 30:20)
Then, at the end of one-thousand years, Satan will be released to deceive man once more. I struggled with the release of Satan for a long time, until I realized that our Lord is a God who gives you a choice. Those who have not been tempted and have not made a choice during the Millennium will be given the opportunity to make one last decision. Then, those who choose to follow Satan will be destroyed and Satan will be flung into the lake of fire.
As wonderful as the Millennium will be with Jesus reigning as Prince of Peace, it is but a foreshadow of the time we will spend in Heaven with the Lord. “Time” is not the correct word, for eternity has no time. Just as the Lord is outside of time, so we will be also.
Amen and Amen!
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