This article written by Michael J. Vlach, from the Master’s Seminary. Good article and a fair view of both positions about Christ and Israel and the true of Israel.
Who will live on earth in the Millennium? click
- The millennium, according to Old Testament prophecies, will be enjoyed by literal Jews in normal human bodies (Isaiah 65:23; Jeremiah 30:20; Zechariah 10:7,8). Who are these Jews? They are the same people who turn to Christ as Messiah at His return at the end of the Tribulation (Zechariah 14:1-11, 16-21). Jesus urged those future Jews who will live in the Tribulation to flee and hide so that they will survive (Matthew 24:13, 16-22). The people who are “left” after the judgment of Christ (Matthew 24:41) are those who begin the Millennium in the normal bodies and populate the earth.
2. Where will church age believers be? A point of view, not necessary mine.
- Since the rapture and resurrection have occurred we will already have glorified resurrection bodies. In that new state we don’t need the testing of the Millennium. We’re already righteous (1 John 3:2). The Millennium on earth is designed for God to bless the Jews, not the church. We will be in “heaven” – specifically in the “New Jerusalem” (Revelation 21:1-27:5; “The bride, the wife of the Lamb” – 21:9,10. (Comment: This is an interesting view point. I am not totally sure that only Jews will be here. Are only Jews left at the end of the Tribulation and no Gentiles?
After the Tribulation period who will be in the Millennium? Another view.
- The millennium will not just consist of Gentiles and not just Jews- Mt.25 speaks of sheep that will enter the millennium who helped the brethren. The goats are unbelievers that are judged. This means everyone that will enter the 1,000 year reign of Christ on earth will be saved. But not all will be glorified having resurrected bodies. Only those who come back with Christ will have sinless bodies to co rule and reign under him as King. They will have tom wait until the thousand years are up to receive the transformation.
- The sheep in Mat. 25:33 enter the kingdom prepared for them before the foundation of the world. Where is this kingdom? the kingdom is where Christ is ruling which will be in Israel, Jerusalem (Mt. Zion) as he rules the nations with a rod of Iron. The people of the nations are first those who are saved. Satan will be bound so the only sin will come from mans fallen nature.
- In the millennium the world will be built back up. People will be born to the saved who enter the Millennium and as this increases so will those who do not believe even though Christ will be ruling and only his teaching will be upon the earth Hab 2:14: “ For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.”
- Isa 65:19-25 I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in My people; the voice of weeping shall no longer be heard in her, nor the voice of crying. “No more shall an infant from there live but a few days, nor an old man who has not fulfilled his days; for the child shall die one hundred years old, but the sinner being one hundred years old shall be accursed. They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people, and My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth children for trouble; for they shall be the descendants of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them. “It shall come to pass that before they call, I will answer; and while they are still speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent’s food. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain,” says the LORD.”
Rivers Of Joy Baptist Church 