The actions of many world leaders, particularly as it concerns Israel, is most certainly a cause for distress amongst the remnant church. The quality of leadership which exists throughout the nations (with the exception of a few) is extremely poor. Yet, we look ahead with confident assurance that one day, the world will be governed by the perfect Ruler and the redeemed will no longer be distressed or depressed! No votes will be cast, no UN resolution will be sought, no social media poll will be taken. Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords will reign and He will do so from Jerusalem. So, what can we expect when that glorious day arrives?
Global Government
The world is currently on the road to a one-world system. The ruler of this system, known to us as the Antichrist, will hold a defiant, rebellious and antagonistic attitude toward God. In short, he will have a blasphemous character. The apostle John wrote in Revelation 13:6: “Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven.” The Antichrist will speak contemptuously of God and everything that God stands for. Many will believe he is the answer to the world’s problems. However, rather than receiving peace and freedom, the earth will be subjugated by a despot ruling the ultimate totalitarian empire. The dream of a godless utopia, with people living together in perfect harmony, will morph into the world’s worst nightmare.
In the Millennial Kingdom, government will also be global, this time under perfect rulership. Psalm 2:6-9 reads: “Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: The LORD has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter’s vessel.'”
The rule of the Antichrist will only be for a short time but note how Daniel 7:14 records the reign of Messiah: “Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed.”
Christ’s rule will bring about an ideal environment for all people, succeeding where all other human governments have failed!
Peace
Although the UN may believe it has the people, power, and acumen to bring peace to this world, the reality is far different. Rather than being the peacemaking entity long desired, the UN has proven itself to be a corrupt and antisemitic body which fails to bring peace amongst its ranks, let alone amongst the nations of the world. But universal peace will come when the Prince of Peace rules. Isaiah 2:4: “He shall judge between the nations, and rebuke many people; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore.”
In this age, nations would not dare turn their weapons into agricultural equipment but when Jesus rules, armed conflict will be no more.
The Righteousness Of Israel
In Isaiah 61:11, we read: “For as the earth brings forth its bud, as the garden causes the things that are sown in it to spring forth, so the Lord GOD will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.” This is yet another reason to believe that God is not finished with Israel. Just as surely as His creative power brings forth natural life, in the Millennial Kingdom, so God will also cause righteousness and praise to spring forth from converted Israel.
Although the Hebrew word for “its bud” (semah) is often used to describe God’s work in the natural world, it is a word which is also used to refer to Messiah. Therefore, the Millennial Kingdom is not just about God’s plan for Israel – it is about God’s plan for Israel through Messiah. In Jeremiah 33:14-16 we read this: “‘Behold, the days are coming,’ says the LORD, ‘that I will perform that good thing which I have promised to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah: ‘In those days and at that time I will cause to grow up to David a Branch [semah] of righteousness; He shall execute judgement and righteousness in the earth. In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell safely. And this is the name by which she will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS.’” Note also that Jeremiah 23:5, Zechariah 3:18 and Zechariah 6:12 all use “semah” in referring to the Branch (Messiah).
What a glorious day it will be when the saved of Israel shows forth the fruit of righteousness to the nations through their conversion and belief in the Branch of Righteousness.
Worship
The world of today adheres to the ABCs of worship: Anything But Christ. However, in the Millennial Kingdom, universal worship of Christ will exist. Malachi 1:11 says: “‘From the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; in every place incense shall be offered to My name, and a pure offering; for My name shall be great among the nations,’ says the LORD of hosts.“
Psalm 113:3 makes a similar declaration: “From the rising of the sun to its going down the LORD’S name is to be praised.” Although some see a present-day fulfilment of Malachi 1:11, I believe in its future fulfilment. A day is coming when all people will respond with proper worship to Jesus. This will also cure the world of antisemitism. Zechariah 8:23: “Thus says the LORD of hosts: In those days ten men from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.'”
What else can I say but this – what a day that will be!
