A Thousand Years of Peace

Chikhumbo chachikulu cha anthu onse padziko lapansi lerolino ndicho kukhala mwamtendere ndi anansi awo, koma umbombo, kaduka, chidani ndi khalidwe laukali la ena, makamaka a olamulira, zapangitsa dziko kukhala lachisokonezo kuyambira pamene Kaini anapha. m’bale wake Abele ( Gen. 4:8 ).

Pachiyambi, nkhondo zinkachitika pakati pa anthu a m’banja limodzi. Zimenezi zinakula mpaka kukhala nkhondo zapakati pa mafuko, mizinda, ndi mayiko. Mbiri ya dziko lapansi ndi mbiri ya nkhondo, kusintha ndi kukhetsa mwazi; za kugonjetsa, imfa ndi chiwonongeko. Atsogoleri ake, monga Alexander Wamkulu, Julius Caesar, Genghis Khan, ndi Napoleon amatchedwa atsogoleri aakulu, pamene anyamata osauka akumenyana ndi kufa saiwalika.

Nkhondo Yadziko Lonse 1 inali “nkhondo yothetsa nkhondo zonse.” Anthu miyandamiyanda anafa, komabe padziko lapansi palibe mtendere. 

Bungwe la League of Nations linalibe mphamvu. Chifukwa cha kuwuka kwa Chikomyunizimu ndi Chifasisti, choloŵedwa m’malo ndi chipani cha Nazi, nkhondo zamenyedwa pofuna kugonjetsa ndi kulamulira mayiko. Zimenezi zinachititsa kuti nkhondo yachiwiri ya padziko lonse iphulike, ndipo anthu mamiliyoni ambiri anafa, ndipo ku Germany, Italy, France, Japan, China, ndi England kunachitika chiwonongeko chachikulu.

Kuchokera pamene nkhondoyo inatha ndipo mosasamala kanthu za zoyesayesa zonse za United Nations, nkhondo zinapitiriza kufalikira ku Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa, ndi Central America. Umu ndi mmene zinthu zilili masiku ano padziko lapansi, ndipo tikamanena za mtendere wa zaka 1000 umene ukubwera posachedwapa, anthu akugwedeza mitu yawo mopanda chikhulupiriro kapena kumwetulira, n’kumanena kuti sudzafika.

Komabe, Baibulo limati: “Kulira kungakhaleko usiku, koma m’maŵa kudzakhala chimwemwe.” ( Salmo 30:8 ); ndipo mngelo, pa usiku umene Ambuye wathu anabadwa, anauza abusa, “Musaope, pakuti onani, Ine ndikuwuzani inu uthenga wabwino wa chisangalalo chachikulu, chimene chidzakhala kwa anthu onse ... Mtendere padziko lapansi ndi chifuno chabwino mwa anthu” ( Luka 2:8-14 ).

Funso limene timafunsa ndi lakuti: Kodi padziko lapansi pakhala mtendere kuyambira pamene angelo ananena zimenezi? Yankho, ndithudi, ndi 'ayi'! Kodi chachitika ndi chiyani? Ndi kugwa kwa Ufumu wa Roma,

Europe, North Africa ndi Middle East zidagwera mu nthawi yomwe timatcha DARK AGES, pomwe umbuli ndi zikhulupiriro zidalamulira kwambiri. Kuchokera mu Nyengo Yamdima kupyolera mu kupangidwa kwa makina osindikizira, ndi kufalitsa chidziwitso chopezeka mosavuta, amuna anayamba kumanga chitukuko chamakono.

Pafupifupi zaka 200 zapitazo, nyengo ya kutulukira zinthu zatsopano ndi kutulukira kwa sayansi inayamba, ndipo chidziŵitsocho chinawonjezeka kwambiri. Maulendo anafala padziko lonse lapansi; anthu anaphatikizana ndi kulankhulana wina ndi mnzake kuposa kale; ndipo chifukwa cha kukula kwakukulu kwa malonda mitundu inakhala yodalirana. Onse anafunikira kugulitsa zinthu zawo ndi kugulirana zinthu zofunika.

Choncho timafunsa mafunso ambiri. Kodi lonjezo la mngelo la “mtendere padziko lapansi ndi chifuno mwa anthu” lidzakwaniritsidwa, ndipo ngati ndi choncho, kodi anthu ayenera kuyembekezera kukwaniritsidwa kodabwitsa ndi kodalitsika kumeneku mpaka liti?

Kodi mtendere wachilengedwe chonse ndi wosatha udzabwera bwanji?

Magwero okha amene tingadalirepo molimba mtima kuyankha mafunso ameneŵa ndiwo Mawu osalakwa a Mulungu, mbali yaikulu yake ili ndi maulosi. Ulosi wa m’Baibulo ndi tsogolo lolembedwa kalekale motsogozedwa ndi mzimu woyera wa Mulungu. Udzakwaniritsidwa mwatsatanetsatane nthaŵi yake ikadzafika. Kuwuka kwa mitundu ndi zochitika zazikulu zakale zinanenedweratu ndi maulosi a m’Malemba amenenso amaneneratu zochitika zamtsogolo ndi mikhalidwe yapadziko lapansi, kugwiritsira ntchito zoimira, zizindikiro ndi mafanizo pofotokoza maulosi ake.

Mwachitsanzo, Baibulo limaneneratu kuti padziko lapansi padzachitika masoka aakulu aŵiri. Loyamba limatchedwa: “Chisautso Chachikulu,” ndipo lachiwiri: “Tsiku Lachikwiriro Lalikulu”. Iwo akuwononga dziko ndi kuwononga chitukuko chamakono kuti chikonzekere Ufumu wa Mulungu padziko lapansi ( Dan. 2:35, 44; 7:13, 27; 12:1; Mat.24:21; Chiv. 11:15 ) 18).

Chiwonongeko chimenechi chikuphatikizapo zonse za Dziko Lapansi ndi Kumwamba ( Hagai 2:6, 7; Ahebri 12:26; Yesaya 24:1-13, 17-23; 34:1-4; Chivumbulutso 6:12-17 ). Izi zikutanthauza kuwonongedwa kwa dongosolo la chikhalidwe cha anthu ndi ndale, lomwe mophiphiritsira limatchedwa Dziko Lapansi, ndi machitidwe achipembedzo chonyenga okhazikitsidwa ndi kulamulidwa ndi Satana, mophiphiritsira amatchedwa Miyamba, yomwe idzanyekedwa ndi moto (2 Petro 3: 7).

Satana ndiye mlengi wa maboma andale ndi achipembedzo m’dzikoli. Iye ndi amene anayambitsa mabodza ndiponso woyambitsa zoipa zonse, nkhanza, nkhondo ndi kuvutika. Baibulo limamutcha “mulungu wa dziko loipali.” ( Agal. 1:4; 2 Kor. 4:4; Mat. 4:8, 9; Yoh. 8:44; 14:30 ) Iye amaloledwa ndi kulolera kwa Mulungu. adzalamulira kwa nthawi ndi zifukwa zomveka.

Baibulo likamanena kuti dzikoli lidzatha, silitanthauza kuti dziko lapansi lidzawonongedwa. Dzikoli linapangidwa kuti anthu azikhalamo ndipo lidzakhalapo mpaka kalekale (Mlal. 1:4; Yes. 45:18). Pamene dongosolo la zinthu limeneli limodzi ndi nkhondo yake, umphaŵi, chisalungamo, uchimo, matenda ndi imfa zichoka, Satana ndi ziŵanda zake adzatsekeredwa m’phompho, osakhoza kusonkhezera amitundu kapena kuyesa anthu kuchita zoipa.

Angelo akugwa adzabwera pansi pa chiweruzo cha Khristu ndi Mpingo (Chiv. 20:1-3; 1 Akor. 6:3).

M’malo mwa mitundu ndi mabungwe amene adzawonongedwa pa Tsiku la Mkwiyo wa Mulungu Wamphamvuyonse, Ambuye Yesu ndi Mkwatibwi Wake (Mpingo) adzakhazikitsa boma latsopano la mtendere ndi chilungamo kwa onse, lomwe lidzakhalitse zaka chikwi chimodzi. Pamenepo padzakhala yankho ku zimene Ambuye wathu anatiuza kuti tizipemphera, “Ufumu wanu udze, kufuna kwanu kuchitidwe, monga Kumwamba chomwecho pansi pano” ( Mateyu 6:10 ).

Ufumu umenewu udzakhala ndi mbali ziŵiri, yakumwamba kapena yauzimu ndi yapadziko lapansi. Kaŵirikaŵiri amasonyezedwa m’Baibulo monga Ziyoni (wauzimu) ndi Yerusalemu (wapadziko lapansi), monga pa Yesaya 2:3.

Khristu ndi Mkwatibwi wake adzalamulira dziko lapansi kwa zaka 1,000 mpaka zoipa zonse zidzathetsedwa, ndipo temberero la uchimo ndi imfa lidzachotsedweratu ( 2 Petro 3:13; Chiv. 21:1-7; Yes 25:6-9; 35:1-10). Satana ndi ziwanda zake adzathamangitsidwa ndi Khristu ndi Mpingo Wake wosankhidwa, amene adzalamulira dziko lonse pamodzi.

Pansi pa ulamuliro wolungama wa Yesu Khristu ndi Mpingo Wake, Kumwamba Kwatsopano kudzalowa m’malo mwa ulamuliro wakale wauzimu. Zimenezi zidzatanthauza dongosolo latsopano la padziko lonse la chipembedzo choona. Madalitso a Mawu a Mulungu adzaphunzitsidwa kwa anthu onse ndi kukhazikitsidwa padziko lonse lapansi. Tamandani Mulungu, chifukwa “adzakhala ndi anthu onse kuti apulumuke, nafike pozindikira choonadi,” pamene onse adzadziŵa kuti Kristu anafera “dipo la onse.” ( 1 Timoteo 2:3-6 ) “Chiwombolo m’malo mwa anthu onse,” kapena kuti “chiwombolo m’malo mwa onse.”

“Dziko Latsopano” lidzakhazikitsidwanso, ndiko kuti, padzakhala dongosolo latsopano la anthu padziko lonse lapansi.” Zimenezi zikugwirizana ndi lonjezo la Ambuye lakuti, “Taonani, ndichita zonse zikhale zatsopano . . . wapita” ( Chiv. 21:4, 5 ) Kodi dziko latsopanoli lidzakhala lotani?

Mu dongosolo latsopano lodabwitsali (dziko) lomwe latsala pang'ono kukhazikitsidwa, sipadzakhala nkhondo, mikangano kapena ziwawa.

Chilungamo, chilungamo ndi choonadi zidzachuluka. Mphulupulu ndi mwambo uliwonse kapena mchitidwe uliwonse woipa udzachotsedwa. Mu Ufumu wa zaka 1,000 umenewo, dziko lapansi lidzabala zipatso zake mochuluka, ndipo sipadzakhala njala kapena umphaŵi. Aliyense padziko lapansi adzakhala ndi kwawo kosatha. Monga kwalembedwa, “Iwo adzamanga nyumba ndi kukhalamo; ndipo adzawoka minda yamphesa, ndi kudya zipatso zake. Iwo adzasangalala ndi ntchito ya manja awo. Sadzagwira ntchito pachabe” ( Yes. 65:17-25 ).

Sikuti anthu onse adzalandira maphunziro athunthu, komanso kumvetsetsa kokwanira kwa dongosolo la Mulungu ndi zolinga zake. “Dziko lapansi lidzadzala ndi odziwa Yehova, monga madzi adzaza nyanja.” ( Yes. 11:9; Hab. 2:14 ) “Pamenepo ndidzatembenuzira kwa anthu chinenero choyera, kuti onse aitanire pa dzina la Yehova, kuti amtumikire ndi chivomerezo chimodzi” ( Zefaniya 3:9 ). Padziko lonse padzakhala chipembedzo chimodzi chokha, choonadi cha Mawu a Mulungu. Zidzakhala zomveka bwino kotero kuti munthu wapaulendo sayenera kulakwitsa ponena za chifuniro ndi njira ya Ambuye. (Onani Yes. 35:8-10.)

Limodzi ndi kubadwanso kwatsopano ndi ungwiro wa malingaliro ndi makhalidwe abwino a mtundu wa anthu, matupi akuthupi a amuna, akazi ndi ana adzachiritsidwa. Palibe amene adzakhala wakhungu, wogontha, wosalankhula, wopunduka kapena wopunduka – matenda adzatheratu (Yesaya 35:1-7). Wakhanda, mwana ndi wachichepere adzakula kukula, osakalamba konse; Okalamba adzakhala achichepere mpaka atayambanso kukhala ndi moyo wapamwamba, umene adzakhalabe nawo popanda kuopa kutha kapena kukalambanso. (Yobu 33:25).

Monga chotulukapo cha mphamvu ya Yehova, mtundu wa anthu udzabwezeretsedwa ku mkhalidwe wake wakale, onse olankhula chinenero chofanana. Dziko lapansi lenilenilo lidzasinthidwa kukhala paradaiso wapadziko lonse lapansi. M’malo movutikira ndi kuwononga mabiliyoni ambiri a madola kupanga zida zowononga zankhondo, anthu adzasangalala kugwiritsa ntchito mphamvu zawo ndi nthaŵi yawo kumanga nyumba, misewu, ndi ntchito zapoyera kuti anthu onse apindule. Anthu sadzaphunziranso nkhondo; sipadzakhalanso magulu ankhondo, apanyanja kapena magulu ankhondo apamlengalenga ( Yes. 2:2-4 ).

Koma bwanji ponena za mabiliyoni ambiri amene afa chiyambire Abele? Kodi iwo afa mopanda chiyembekezo choti adzachira? Kodi adzakhalanso ndi moyo? Kodi achibale, mabwenzi, ndi anansi adzagwirizananso? Ngati ndi choncho, liti komanso kuti?

Baibulo limapereka chiyembekezo chodalitsika kwambiri kwa anthu onse. Limatiuza mmene Mulungu anatumizira Mwana Wake Wobadwa Yekha, Yesu, kuti akhale Momboli wa munthu mwa kusamutsidwa m’mimba mwa Mariya ndi kubadwa monga khanda laumunthu; mmene, atakula, Yesu anapereka moyo wake monga dipo la munthu aliyense amene anakhalapo mwa kufa pa Mtanda chifukwa cha uchimo wa dziko ( 1 Timoteo 2:5, 6; Ahebri 2:9 ).

Lonjezo lolumbira la Mulungu limatsimikizira kuti mwamuna, mkazi ndi mwana aliyense wa fuko lililonse ndi fuko lililonse adzaukitsidwa kwa akufa. Matupi awo atsopano adzakhala ndi umunthu ndi kukumbukira zomwe anali nazo m’moyo wawo wakale. Inde, “onse ali m’manda awo adzamva mawu ake, nadzatuluka.” ( Yohane 5:28, 29 ) Inde Zidzachitika pompano padziko lapansi pano. “Ndipo nyanja inapereka akufawo anali momwemo; ndipo imfa ndi Hade (manda) zinapereka akufa amene anali mmenemo…” (Chibvumbulutso 20:13). Zaka 1000 zamtendere zidzakhalanso zaka 1000 zakuuka kwa akufa, kugwirizananso, kukonzanso ndi kubadwanso kwa anthu ochimwa. Mawu aulosi amapereka umboni woonekeratu wakuti madalitso amenewa adzayamba mwamsanga Ambuye wathu akadzabweranso.

Nyengo ya Golide kapena Zaka 1,000, yomwe yatsala pang'ono kufalikira, imatchedwa "Nthawi zakukonzanso (kukonzanso) zinthu zonse zomwe Mulungu adazilankhula m'kamwa mwa aneneri ake oyera kuyambira chiyambi cha dziko ... "(Machitidwe 3) : 19-24). Idzaloŵetsedwamo ndi chisautso chachikulu chimene sichinachitikepo, chotsatiridwa ndi Tsiku la Mkwiyo limene lidzawononga chitukuko mwa kuyeretsa dziko lapansi kaamba ka Ufumu wa chilungamo.

Komabe, zowawazo zidzakhala za kanthaŵi kochepa, ndipo zaka chikwi za mtendere zidzabweretsa chilungamo, kulemerera, thanzi, moyo ndi chisangalalo chenicheni kwa anthu onse kosatha. Osasintha mwadala ndi oipa okha ndi amene adzalandire chilango cha imfa yamuyaya imene Baibulo limaitcha imfa yachiwiri. Ndiyeno, “Mulungu adzawapukutira misozi yonse kuichotsa pamaso pawo; ndipo sipadzakhalanso imfa, kapena chisoni, kapena kulira; ndipo sipadzakhalanso chowawitsa, pakuti zoyambazo zapita” ( Chiv. 21:4 ). Zimenezo zidzakhala ZAKA CHIkwi CHIMODZI ZA MTENDERE! Ambuye alemekezeke!

Tiyeni tipitirize kupemphera mochokera pansi pa mtima kuti: “Ufumu wanu udze, kufuna kwanu kuchitidwe, monga kumwamba, pansi pano!

The great desire of all people in the world today is to be able to live in peace with their neighbors, but the greed, envy, hatred and aggressive behavior of some, especially of those in power, have kept the world in turmoil since Cain murdered his brother Abel (Gen. 4:8).

In the beginning, wars were fought between members of the same family. These then escalated to wars between tribes, cities, and countries. The history of the world is a history of war, revolution and blood-shed; of conquest, death and destruction. Its leaders, such as Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Genghis Khan, and Napoleon have been called great leaders, while the poor lads fighting and dying are all but forgotten.

World War 1 was “the war to end all wars.” Millions perished, and still there is no peace on earth. 

The League of Nations was powerless. With the rise of Communism and Fascism, succeeded by Nazism, wars have been fought for conquest and political control of nations. This ultimately led to the explosion of World War 2, in which more millions perished, with great destruction wrought in Germany, Italy, France, Japan, China, and England.

Since that war ended and despite all the efforts of the United Nations, wars continued to break out in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Central America. This is the situation today in the world, and when we speak of 1000 years of peace soon to come, people shake their heads in disbelief or smile, and say it will never come.

Nevertheless, the Bible declares that “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:8); and the angel, on the night our Lord was born, told the shepherds, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy , which shall be to all people ... Peace on earth and good will among men” (Luke 2:8-14).

The question we ask is: Has there been peace on earth since the time the angels made their declaration? The answer, of course, is ‘no’! What has happened? With the fall of the Roman Empire,

Europe, North Africa and the Middle East were plunged into what we call THE DARK AGES, where ignorance and superstition reigned supreme. Emerging from the Dark Ages through the invention of the printing press, and with dissemination of know-ledge readily available, men began to build a modern civilization.

Nearly 200 years ago, the epoch of invention and scientific discovery emerged, bringing with it a great increase in knowledge. Travel became common over the entire earth; people intermingled and communicated with one another as never before; and with a vast expansion of commerce the nations became interdependent. They all needed to sell their products and buy from one another what was needed.

So we ask more questions. Will the angel's promise of "peace on earth and good will among men" ever be fulfilled, and if so, how long must man- kind wait for this wonderful and blessed fulfillment?

How will universal and permanent peace come about?

The only source upon which we can confidently rely to answer these questions is the infallible Word of God, a great part of which consists of prophecies. Bible prophecy is the future written long in advance under the direction of God's Holy Spirit. It will be fulfilled in every detail when its due time comes. The rise of nations and great events of the past were foretold by Scriptural prophecies which also predict future events and conditions on earth, using types, symbols and illustrations to describe its prophecies.

For example, the Bible predicts two great calamities to come on the face of the earth. The first is called: "The Great Tribulation," and the second: "The Great Day of Wrath." They engulf the world and destroy the present civilization in order to prepare it for God's Kingdom on earth (Dan. 2:35, 44; 7:13, 27; 12:1; Mat.24:21; Rev.11:15-18).

This destruction includes both the Earth and Heavens (Haggai 2:6, 7; Hebrews 12:26; Isaiah 24:1-13,17-23; 34:1-4; Revelation 6:12-17). This means the destruction of the present social and political order, symbolically called the Earth, and false religious systems instituted and ruled by Satan, symbolically called the Heavens, which are to be consumed by fire (2 Peter 3:7).

Satan is the creator of both political and religious false systems in the world. He is the author of lies and the instigator of all wickedness, cruelty, wars and suffering. The Bible calls him "the god of this evil world” (Gal. 1:4; 2 Cor. 4:4; Matt. 4:8, 9; John 8:44; 14:30), He is allowed by God's permissive will to rule for a time with good reason.

When the Bible states that this world is to end, it does not mean the earth is to be destroyed. The planet was made to be inhabited and will exist forever (Eccl. 1:4; Isa. 45:18). When this order of things with its war, poverty, injustice, sinfulness, sickness and death passes away, Satan and his demons will be imprisoned in a bottomless pit, unable to influence the nations or tempt the people to wrong-doing.

Fallen angels will come under the judgment of Christ and the Church (Rev. 20:1-3; 1 Cor. 6:3).

In place of the nations and institutions that will be destroyed in the Day of the Wrath of God Almighty, the Lord Jesus and His Bride (the Church) will set up a new government of peace and justice for all, to last one thousand years. Then will be the answer to that which our Lord told us to pray, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6:10).

This Kingdom will consist of two phases, one heavenly or spiritual and the other earthly. It is often pictured in the Bible as Zion (spiritual) and Jerusalem (earthly), as in Isaiah 2:3.

Christ and His Bride will rule the earth for 1000 years until all evil is forever destroyed, and the curse of sin and death is completely removed (2 Peter 3:13; Rev. 21:1-7; Isa 25:6-9; 35:1-10). Satan and his demons will be displaced by Christ and His elect Church, who will rule the world together.

Under the Righteous rule of Jesus Christ and His Church, a New Heaven will replace the old spiritual control. This will mean a new worldwide system of true religion. The blessings of God's Word will be taught to all the people and established throughout the earth. Praise God, for “He will have all men to be saved and come to an accurate knowledge of the truth,” when all will know that Christ died “a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:3-6).

A “New Earth" will also be established; that is, there will be a new order of society upon the entire globe. This is in accordance with the Master’s promise, “Behold, I make all things new ... the former things are passed away” (Rev. 21:4, 5). What will this new earth and its population be like? We will let the Bible answer this question!

In that wonderful new order (world) about to be set up, there'll be no war, strife or violence.

Righteousness, justice and truth will flourish. Error and every evil custom or practice will be put down. In that 1,000-year Kingdom, the earth will abundantly yield its fruitage, and there will be no hunger or poverty. Everyone on earth will have an inalienable home. As it is written, “They shall build houses and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards and eat the fruit of them. They shall ... long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain” (Isa. 65:17-25).

Not only will all people receive a complete education, but also a full understanding of God’s plan and purposes. “The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the seas” (Isa. 11:9; Hab. 2:14). “For then I will turn to the people a pure language that they may all call upon the name of the Lord to serve Him with one consent” (Zeph. 3:9). There will be but one religion worldwide, the truth of God's Word. It will be so plain that the wayfaring man need not make a mistake concerning what is the will and the way of the Lord. (See Isa. 35:8-10.)

Along with the regeneration and perfection of minds and morals of mankind, the physical bodies of men, women and children will be made whole. None will be blind, deaf, mute, lame or deformed - disease will disappear (Isa. 35:1-7). The infant, the child and the youth will grow to maturity and never become old. The aged will become younger until they regain the prime of life, which they will retain without a fear of decline or becoming old again. (Job 33:25).

As a result of the Lord's power, mankind will be restored to its original condition, all speaking the same language. The earth itself will be changed into a worldwide paradise. Instead of toiling and spending billions of dollars to produce destructive weapons of war, men will be happy to use their strength and time building houses, roads, and public works for the benefit of all people. Men will never learn war anymore; there will be no more armies, navies or air forces (Isa. 2:2-4).

But what about the billions who have died since Abel? Have they perished beyond hope of recovery? Will they live again? Will relatives, friends, and neighbors be reunited? If so, when and where?

The Bible offers a most blessed hope to all mankind. It tells us how God sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus, to be man's Redeemer by being transferred into Mary’s womb and born as a human babe; how, when mature, Jesus gave His life as the ransom for every human being who has ever lived by dying on the Cross for the sin of the world (1 Timothy 2:5, 6; Hebrews 2:9).

God's oath-bound promise guarantees every man, woman and child of every race and nationality a resurrection from the dead. Their new bodies will possess the same personality and memory they had in their former life. Yes, “All who are in their graves shall hear His voice and shall come forth” (John 5:28, 29). It will take place right here on this earth. “And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell (the grave) delivered up the dead which were in them ...” (Rev. 20:13). The 1000 years of peace will also be the 1000 years of resurrection, reunion, reformation and regeneration for the sin-blighted human family. The Prophetic Word gives plain evidence that these blessings will begin soon after our Lord's return.

The Golden or Millennial Age, which is about to break in full splendor, is called “Times of restitution (restoration) of all things which God has spoken by the mouths of all His holy prophets since the world began ...” (Acts 3:19-24). It will be ushered in by the greatest tribulation ever known, followed by the Day of Wrath that will destroy civilization by purifying the earth for the Kingdom of righteousness.

However, the travail will be of short duration, and a thousand years of peace will bring righteousness, prosperity, health, life and true joy to all mankind forever. Only the willfully incorrigible and wicked will suffer the punishment of eternal death which the Bible calls the second death. Then, “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying; neither shall there be any more pain for the former things are passed away” (Rev. 21:4). Such will be the ONE THOUSAND YEARS OF PEACE! Praise the Lord!

May we continue to earnestly pray, “Your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven!”