We continue with the subject of,

The Millennium and the End of Sin

Having considered what our Adventist friends believe the Church will be doing during the millennium (as not all believers, all who profess Christ are part of the Church, the bride of Christ nor will be going to heaven, See Matt 7:21-23), let us now consider what the scriptures say the Church will be doing during the millennium.

It is evident that our friends don’t know why the Church (the body of Christ) was called in the first place, what their true purpose is, why they are called to be a nation of kings and priest.

“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation.” (1 Pet 2:9)

“And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.” (Rev 5:10)

Why is the Church called to be a nation of kings and priest, what is the purpose of their reigning?

Before we answer this question perhaps, we should first ask:

What is a king and what is his purpose?

A king is a monarch or ruler appointed by either God or men. The role of those appointed by God as kings is to rule the people in righteousness, enforcing and establishing order, justice and truth.

What is a priest and what is his purpose?

“A priest is a minister of any religion—true or false, good or evil—who is given authority to teach and bring that faith to others.”

The work of those priests appointed by God is one of intercession and instruction in righteousness.

The scriptures say they will reign on the earth, who will they be reigning over if the earth is devoid of life?

What does it mean to reign?

To reign is to possess or exercise sovereign power or authority over others.

Our Adventist friends say that the earth has been laid waste, burned with purifying fire and is devoid of life save that of Satan and all the angels who chose to follow him. The wicked are dead in their graves, the entire planet is empty, left in ruins, without a single human being.

So then if this were true and the Church is reigning on the earth as the scriptures attest then whom exactly are they reigning over, certainly not Satan and his cohorts?

We return now to our first question:

Why is the Church called to be a nation of kings and priest, what is the purpose of their reigning?

First of all, in order for one to reign over others logically implies subjects, and since Satan and the rest of the fallen angles are not compliant to being ruled or instructed in righteousness, as evidenced by their rebellion to God, we can count them out, so who does that leave us?

Let us turn to the scriptures and see what they have to say on the matter.

In Galatians 3:29 we read, “And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.”

And what promise was this?

The great oath-bound promise of God, that all the families of the earth shall be blessed through this seed.

“By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son— blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed ALL the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” (Gen 22:16-22)

But how could this be possible if our Adventist friends have killed off all the people of the earth, how are the nations to be blessed?

We prefer to take the word of the Lord over this matter over theirs.

For the kingdom and dominion and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the Most High; and ALL peoples, and nations, and languages, shall serve and obey. (Compare Dan 7:14, 27)

Through the spiritual seed will come the blessing of Messiah’s Kingdom for a thousand years unto every nation, people, kindred and tongue. Fulfilling the petition of our Lord’s prayer, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth, even as it is done in heaven.”

“…For when Your judgments are in the earth, The inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.” (Isa 26:9)

“Those who are wise (the Church, the “Little flock”) shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, and those (the Ancient Worthies, the earthly representatives of the kingdom) who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.” (Dan 12:3)

It is for this, the “manifestation of the sons of God,” that the “earnest expectation of the creation waits. Because the creation itself (all mankind), also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.” (Rom 8:19-21)

In the restitution age when the bride of Christ is glorified, “like unto Christ’s glorious body,” then it is that the “creature” [not cattle, “preach the gospel to every creature,” does not mean the lower animals] shall be delivered from this bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.” Then it is that “the Spirit and the bride will say, come; and let him that is athirst come: and whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely.” Then it is that the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth, as the waters cover the sea.

The scriptures here presented (and there are more) wholly contradict the idea that the earth will be barren without human occupants, occupants who require help and instruction in righteousness, the work of the royal priesthood. For more on this matter see our blog post entitled, “The Survivors of Armageddon”.

It is because our Adventist friends have felled to properly understand the two salvations and what the resurrection of judgement consist of that they have erred in this matter.

In our next post we move on to where Adventist believe Satan will be during this time.