The millennium is the thousand-year reign of Christ with His saints in heaven between the first and second resurrections. During this time the wicked dead will be judged; the earth will be utterly desolate, without living human inhabitants, but occupied by Satan and his angels. At its close Christ with His saints and the Holy City will descend from heaven to earth. The unrighteous dead will then be resurrected, and with Satan and his angels will surround the city; but fire from God will consume them and cleanse the earth. The universe will thus be freed of sin and sinners forever. (Rev. 20; 1 Cor. 6:2, 3; Jer. 4:23-26; Rev. 21:1-5; Mal. 4:1; Eze. 28:18,19.)
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Atonement and Universal Harmony ” .. in the Bible the millennium is an indispensable event that will lead to a cosmic revelation of God’s justice, and it will result in the full reconciliation of all the things on earth and in heaven (Col. 1:20). The millennium indicates that at the Second Coming the cosmos is not yet ready for the annihilation of unrepentant sinners, of Satan, and of his fallen angels.” (Lesson from 2008d.)
When All Things Become New “What is the millennium, when does it happen, and to what does it lead?” (Lesson from 2012d.)
Interpreting the Prophetic Writings Principles on interpreting prophetic writings. See Tuesday’s section, in particular. (Lesson from 2009a.)
Invented by the Devil “The Bible teaches three phases of God’s final judgment: (1) the pre-Advent judgment (the judgment of believers before Christ comes), (2)the millennial judgment (the judgment of the wicked dead), (3)the executive judgment (at the end of the millennium when justice against sin will be carried out and a new earth will be created).” (See Wednesday’s and Thursday’s lessons.) (Lesson from 1999b.)
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