The word "millennium" is a Latin word that means a 1000 year time period. Old Testament prophecies were never foretold of the 1000 year reign of Christ with the saints...Why? The reason is, "Israel had to accept Christ first". Israel as a nation never accepts Christ until the Great Tribulation and the beginning of the 1000 year reign of our Lord.
Rev 20:4-6... And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
The 1000 year reign of Christ is predicted by John in his revelation of the return of Christ with all the saints. In order to understand the "millennium" or the "1000 year reign of Christ with the saints" you must see the distinction between the Church and Israel. The Church was never prophesied. Israel's destiny to inherit the Kingdom on Earth was! The Church Age was birthed at the death of Christ. The calling out of the Church (the saints of God) to meet Christ in the air was never prophesied in the Old Testament but was predicted by the Apostles Paul and Peter. This calling out (or the Rapture of the saints) is the Churches escape of the Great Tribulation prophesied to come upon Israel. This Jewish Tribulation was prophesied by Daniel the Prophet.
After the Church is caught up (Raptured) for seven years, Christ and the saints of God return to Earth to set up the 1000 year reign of Christ with all His saints upon the Earth. Christ's return to the Mount of Olives will allow Him to reign on the Earthly Throne as did His father David in the days of Old. Renovation with fire takes place at the beginning of the Millennium. God purifies the Earth so the saints (the Bride) can reign with Christ (the Bridegroom) upon physical Earth for 1000 years. Israel accepts Christ on Earth at the beginning of this 1000 year reign. The Promised Kingdom was established in Jerusalem as foretold by the Prophets. For 1000 years the Church (kings and priests) and Christ reign on Earth to minster the Messiahship of Christ to the Heathen nations.
Restoration of the Earth is the picture of the 1000 year reign. Israel's blessing of the promised land being touched by the Divine hand of God will bring the "latter rains". Rain upon the land and agricultural life of Israel will allow the crops upon the Earth to flourish and prosper. It is prophesied in the Old Testament that the entire Earth will be blessed as the Law flows from Zion which is the geographical place where David throne was . Isa. 2 and Micah 4. The Law flowing from Zion is Israel's outreach ministry to the Heathen nations and mixed multitudes. As the Heathen nations accept Christ as Messiah and Redeemer they will receive the "rains" that will allow their crops to flourish and prosper according to the blessings of the Law of Moses in Duet. 28. This initial stage of the promised Kingdom on Earth is "confined" at the beginning 1000 year reign but spreads throughout the renovated Earth as the Law of God flows through Israel and the saints of God. Divine Law according to God, Israel's witness, and Israel's faith in Christ ministers to Tribulation Saints and their offspring that reproduces throughout the 1000 year Reign of Christ on Earth. Both glorified saints (eternal) and mortal saints (temporal) live during the 1000 year reign of our Lord. Of course mortals live, reproduce, and die during the 1000 year reign.
Isa 65:20-25... There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.
The land upon "all" Earth is gradually restored as promised by God. The agricultural life, the plant life, the animal life will gradually be restored as well. The earth is purged from all dross as men and women from all nations and different walks of life will be able to accept the Messiahship of Christ who reigns physically in Jerusalem. Many people will accept Christ during the Millennium reign. Many will receive the blessings of the Law with faith in the Messiah as promised in the Old Testament Scriptures.
When the 1000 year of Christ with the saints of God or the Church on Earth expires...the Church will flee (go back to the Father) as the Final Judgment of the Great White Throne is carried out according to the Revelation of John, Rev. 20. The graves of the nations will be resurrected and judged as the wicked dead are raised, punished, and cast into the sea of fire for everlasting damnation. This final Judgment and last war between Russia and Israel will allow death and Hell to be destroyed and cast into the sea of fire. The Church in Heaven will descend to Earth as promised. After this last and final act of God and Christ there will be no more need for Judgment or Redemption. The whole earth will be completely restored like the Garden of Eden.
Israel will be blessed spiritually, physically, and eternally. Then the descension of the Church from Heaven (the Lambs Bride) will allow God to pour out His Spirit upon "all" flesh as promised in Old Testament Prophesies. The new Heaven and New Earth will render the fullness of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in "complete restoration" of the whole earth and everything in it!
Rev 21:1-21 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
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