And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years . . . They shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years. (Rev. 20:4, 6b)

Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (Mt. 6:10)

The greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven shall be given to the saints of the Most High. (Dan. 7:27)

Although the subject of the millennial kingdom is one of the major subjects emphasized in Scripture, it is rarely even mentioned or referenced by the majority of today’s Bible teachers, and seldom taught as a stand-alone teaching. Because of this, most of the Body of Christ has little or no understanding concerning key events that will shortly be impacting their lives in ways they never dreamed possible.

The term “millennium” is a composite word comprised of two Latin words: mille”meaning "a thousand" and annus meaning "a year." The millennial kingdom will be established on earth and will be part of the progressive fulfillment of the prayer Jesus instructed His disciples to pray in Matthew 6:10. Most believers. when praying “Lord let Your kingdom come and let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” are mostly praying and thinking about this current age. That is biblical and has great merit. However, we need to be aware that there is a much broader context to this prayer. That period of time is called the millennial reign of Christ and is 1,000 years in duration. This is the appointed time (Acts 3:19–21) when Jesus will literally rule over the entire earth in bridal partnership with His saints.

During the millennial reign of Christ, the kingdom of God will be manifest on a global scale and will affect every sphere of life (social, agricultural, military, economic, educational, spiritual, etc.). The coming of Jesus Christ will initiate the millennium when He returns to earth with His saints and legions of angels (Rev. 19:11–16: Jude 14; Mt. 16:27, 25:31; 2 Thes. 1:7).

This period of worldwide blessing is initiated by the second coming of Jesus. During this time God has Satan bound and incarcerated in the “bottomless pit” (Rev. 20:1–3). The result of this action will produce a 1,000-year period of unprecedented peace, righteousness, prosperity, and profound blessing for the entire earth. Jesus’ righteous leadership will produce conditions not seen on earth since the Garden of Eden (Ezek. 36:35). Jesus will rule and govern a worldwide kingdom (Rev. 1:5–6) from the geographic center of the earth, the city of Jerusalem (Isa. 2:3).

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit. (Rev. 20:1)

Jesus gave an extremely strong rebuke to the religious leaders of His day, who, although they were responsible to teach the people about God’s Word, were themselves  totally ignorant concerning the times and seasons in which they lived. Jesus admonished them for their neglect.

Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing Him asked that He would show them a sign from heaven. He answered and said to them, "When it is evening you say, 'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red'; and in the morning, 'It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.' Hypocrites! You know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. (Mt. 16:1–4)

Sadly, this same rebuke applies to the vast majority of today’s believers. We are living in the most extraordinary times since the formation of the early church and yet very few Christians have either interest or possess living understanding (a spirit of revelation) concerning the critical hour in which we are living.

There are numerous factors that contribute to our neglect of end-time study. The first hurdle we need to address is the list of objections and various misnomers that prevent people from gaining understanding of the last days. Because most people have numerous false assumptions that cause them to struggle with end-time issues, I have attempted to compile a list of misconceptions that are most common and have created the greatest spiritual resistance; the list is not intended to be  exhaustive. These objections and false assumptions are stumbling blocks that I have personally had to grapple with and work through.

Here are six common objections identifying why most believers are reluctant to explore God’s Word concerning the end times.

Objection 1: The Controversy Factor
There are so many different ideas floating around about the end times and most are shrouded in controversy. It’s like wanting to swim in shark-infested waters!

Objection 2: The Weird Factor
People who get into the end times get weird! They move to remote locations, buy guns and join clandestine militias. They store strange food products and stand on street corners while holding signs that have odd slogans. It seems like every pope, president, and head of state becomes a viable candidate for the Antichrist, and they claim his true identity can be proved mathematically.

Objection 3: The Relevant Factor
End-time subjects are so impractical and theoretical. I need teaching that deals with real people who live in the real world, have real problems and need real solutions. End-time subjects have absolutely no relevance to my daily life.

Objection 4: The Generational Factor
Every generation of believers has believed that it was the last one. Why should our generation be any different?

Objection 5: The Jesus Factor
If Jesus didn’t have a clue as to when He’d return, how can we?

Objection 6: The Confusion Factor
If the most educated minds in Christendom are confused and argue with each other over the events of the last days, what chance do I have of understanding these mysterious circumstances?

Jesus gave clear instructions to His people to be familiar with the “signs of the times” which indicate the season of His return. Signs are extremely helpful as they point us to things we need to know. If we are traveling in an unfamiliar town and have a medical emergency—if we simply follow the hospital signs we will soon arrive at the closest medical facility where we can receive assistance. Similarly, the Word of God is full of signs so we can maintain our spiritual bearings. Without them the Lord knows how easy it would be for us to lose our way. The problem today is not the lack of biblical signs but the inattention that today’s believers give to the signs already provided.

Many Scriptures emphasize how important prophetic signs are at the end of the age. In Scripture, Jesus taught more than any of His apostles on our need to discern the signs of the times (Mt.16:1–3; 24:32–44; Lk. 21:28–31). It is my growing conviction through natural observation coupled with biblical study that we are in the beginning stages of the generation that the Lord will return. Many students of Scripture believe that the generation of the Lord’s return began in May 1948 when the State of Israel was officially recognized and granted nation status. Many have also speculated that this also started the end of the age countdown, which released the season Paul called “birth pangs” and which Jesus referred to as the “beginning of sorrows” (Rom. 8:22; Mt. 24:8).

Concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you. For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night . . . But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. You are all sons of light and sons of the day . . .  Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. (1 Thes. 5:1–6)

When comparing Matthew 24 with 1 Thessalonians 5:2–3, we see three distinct prophetic time frames related to the final seven-year period of this age. First, the beginning of birth pangs (Mt. 24:8). Second, the worldwide period of counterfeit peace and safety (time of global deception; intensification of birth pangs with worldwide calamities and disruptions 1 Thes. 5:2–3; Dan. 9:27). Third, the Great Tribulation (heavy birth pangs; Mt. 24:21; Jer. 30:5–7).

It is of no small consequence that many significant prophetic political and military events (i.e. end-time signs) have all taken place in our lifetime. A few of these are: (1) The rebirth of the nation of Israel (May, 15, 1948), (2) The re–capturing of Israel’s capital city, Jerusalem, during the Six-Day War (June, 1967), (3) Jerusalem being at the center of world controversy (Zech. 12:1–3, 14:1–3), (4) The establishment of the European Union in the same territory as the ancient Roman Empire (Dan. 2:41–42; 7:7, 20, 24; 9:26–27; Rev. 12:3, 13:1, 17:3, 7, 12 and 16) which opens the way for an international leader to establish a peace treaty with Israel and the Middle East in order to bring world peace (Dan. 9:27; 1 Thes. 5:2–3), (5) The development and deployment of global technologies that connect the communications networks together, (6) The linkage and, thus, growing dependence of world economies (7) The strengthening and international recognition of the United Nations along with its expanding military presence, (8) The spread of global terrorism which is setting up the nations for the Antichrist’s program of counterfeit peace and safety (security), (9) The war in Iraq which will soon produce a fast–track for economic development and prosperity which will ultimately produce one of the most influential and most ungodly countries on earth.

The point of this list is to focus our attention on the fact that all  of these strategic events have  happened in our generation. These prophetic events need to grab our attention and motivate us to soberly ask ourselves what this flood of prophetic activity means! The key government agencies that are on the frontlines investigating terror threats understand that an increase in “chatter” (terrorist cell phone conversations) is the clearest indication that a new attack is in the making. They speculate that the increase in communications is related to the nearness of an impending act of terror. It would be wisdom for believers who are familiar with the prophetic Word of God to do likewise.

The nation of Israel has always been the primary timing indicator for God’s prophetic calendar. The entire end times scenario in Scripture is given in the context of events related to Israel. Daniel 9:24–27 is the most significant prophesy about nations in the end times. It speaks of Israel being in the land, with a functioning temple in Jerusalem and in covenant with the Antichrist. Isaiah graphically calls this treaty a “covenant with death.” “We have made a covenant with death” (Isa. 28:15). There are numerous prophetic events that are related specifically to Israel and will unfold in the generation in which the Lord returns. Many of these circumstances are interdependent and closely linked.

Although not intended to be a complete list, some of these key events include: (1) birth pangs: reasonably short, but a period of growing intensity fueled by divine judgments (released through angelic forces resulting in natural calamities), political, economic, military, and spiritual upheaval (Rom. 8:22); (2) the Lord calls large numbers of Jewish people to return to Israel in order to reestablish the State of Israel (Isa. 43:5, 54:7; Ezek. 11:17); (3) A brief season of the appearance of global peace and security (1 Thes .5:2–3; Eze.l 38:8); (4) Israel’s brief moment of international favor (Dan. 9:27); (5) Antichrist seven-year covenant of peace with Israel (Dan. 9:27); (6) rebuilding the temple (Dan. 9:26–27; 2 Thes. 2:3–4); (7) restoration of the Hebrew language (Zeph. 3:9); (8) the abomination of desolation (Dan. 11:31, 12:11) (time of Jacob’s trouble, Jer. 30:7) ;(9) intense persecution of both Jewish and Gentile believers on an international level (Rev. 12:17, 13:7); (10) The great end-time battle as all the nations gather to lay siege against Jerusalem (Joel 3:2); (11) twenty-one numbered judgments in the form of seals, trumpets, and bowls (Rev. 6–18); (12) Jesus returns from heaven, raptures His people (1 Cor. 15:51–52; Rev. 11:15) after the seventh seal is opened; (13) saints receive resurrected bodies (1 Cor. 15:51–54); (14) after being evaluated, His church is invited to attend the marriage supper of the Lamb (Rev. 19:9); (15) Jesus appears in the sky, seen by all, leading a triumphal procession of the redeemed (Old and New Testament saints) as well as myriad angels (Rev. 1:7); (16) Jesus comes to earth, subdues His  enemies, and begins His 1,000-year reign from Jerusalem (Isa. 2:2–4; 1 Cor. 15:25; Rev. 11:15).

Other prophetic developments in Israel at the end of the age are: (1) It appears that sabbaths will take a more prominent role perhaps even enforce judicially (Mt. 24:15–20); (2) Islamic terror organizations will become better organized and have greater effectiveness in inflicting massive causalities in Israel (Ezek. 35:1–36:7; Ps. 83; Jn. 16:2); (3) anti-Semitism will become a global issue as Satan seeks to exterminate every Jewish person alive (Rev. 12:13–17; Dan. 12:1); (4) Messianic Jews will be killed by fellow Jews deceived into believing that they are doing serving God; (Mt. 10:17; Lk.  21:12; Jn. 16:2); (5) All nations turn against Israel and even gather to destroy her (Joel 3:1–3).

Just before the Lord returns. the Jewish people are either (1) Hunted and running for their lives—various locations; (2) Hidden by Gentile believers; (3) Laying dead in the streets of Jerusalem; (4) Fighting for their lives in Jerusalem; (4) Taken prisoner in nearby Arab countries as well as other places (Isa. 11:11–16, 27:12–13, 42:7, 22, 49:5–25; Jer. 30:3–10, 31:2,8–11, 16–17; Ezek. 39:25–28; Zech. 9:11–14, 13:8).

The generation in which the Lord returns will witness the full fury of God against his three longstanding enemies: the world, the flesh. and the devil. This is the generation that will see the Lord’s great compassion and jealous love as He vindicates the saints through resurrection and glorification (resurrected bodies) and saves Israel in the midst of their darkest hour.

The Jewish people will meet their Bridegroom King in all His passion and glory. He will fully embrace those who receive Him as their King and Messiah, and will remove those who despise and refuse His kindness. God’s enemies will be destroyed, Satan will be incarcerated for 1,000 years, and Jesus will begin ruling and reigning with His saints over His millennial kingdom.

One of the first things that happens when Jesus returns is the regathering of the Jewish people. Jesus will separate the believing remnant from those who still remain in opposition to His leadership and refuse to acknowledge Him as their Messiah. The prophetic depiction of this spiritual reunion is pictured in Scripture when Joseph took His brothers aside and revealed himself to them. His brothers are the ones who had scoffed at his prophetic dream and totally rejected him. The relational restoration that took place between Joseph and his brothers was both powerful and extremely emotional (Gen. 45). Jesus will fully reveal Himself to His brethren (he Jewish people) at the end of the age, and they will likewise have a deeply moving time of repentance and restoration.

It shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall set His hand again the second time [first time was 1897–1947 … to current day] to recover the remnant of His people who are left [still alive]. He will set up a banner for the nations, and will assemble the outcasts [prisoners] of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth [global regathering - still future] (Isa. 11:11).

I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you are scattered, with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, and with fury poured out.  And I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will plead My case with you face to face [clearly a millennial event]. Just as I pleaded My case with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will plead My case with you," says the Lord GOD.  "I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant; I will purge the rebels from among you [this is the unbelieving remnant], and those who transgress against Me; I will bring them out of the country where they dwell, but they shall not enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the LORD. (Ezek. 20:34–38)

Then you shall know that I am the LORD, [having experienced Jesus’ miraculous deliverance from the Battle of Jerusalem … most of the survivors will be totally zealous and totally committed to Jesus] when I bring you into the land of Israel, into the country for which I raised My hand in an oath to give to your fathers. And there you shall remember your ways and all your doings with which you were defiled; and you shall loathe yourselves in your own sight because of all the evils that you have committed [The Jewish remnant experiences a corporate season of deep regret for their rejection of their Messiah and the great pain that rejection caused them and their people for centuries]. (Ezeki.20:42–44)

And I will pour on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem the spirit of grace and supplication; then they will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him as one mourns for his only son, and grieve for Him as one grieves for a firstborn. (Zech. 12:10–11)

In that day a fountain [of cleansing and spiritual purification] shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin and for uncleanness. (Zech. 13:1)

Many of today’s church leaders have embraced a subtle form of replacement theology, which says that because of Israel’s past sin and spiritual rebellion, God has canceled out His covenant promises (broken His contract with the Jewish people), has therefore changed His mind, and has decided to transfer those covenants and promises to the Church.

This perspective stands in stark contradiction to the Word of God and has been used very effectively to promote division; it greatly misrepresents God’s passionate heart to fully restore His promises to the Jewish people in fullness.

My covenant I will not break, nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips. Once I have sworn by My holiness; I will not lie. (Ps. 89:34–35)

And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. (Gen. 17:7–8)

[The word establish in Strong’s Concordance: accomplish, confirm, decree, endure, make good, ordain, perform, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed.]

Zion said [the groan of the Jewish people], 'The LORD has forsaken me, and my Lord has forgotten me.' [God’s clear response] 'Can a woman forget her nursing child, and not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, yet I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me. (Isa. 49:14–16)

Thus says the LORD, who gives the sun for a light by day, the ordinances of the moon and the stars for a light by night, who disturbs the sea, and its waves roar (The LORD of hosts is His name): "If those ordinances depart from before Me, says the LORD, then the seed of Israel shall also cease from being a nation before Me forever." Thus says the LORD: "If heaven above can be measured, and the foundations of the earth searched out beneath, I will also cast off all the seed of Israel for all that they have done, says the LORD. (Jer. 31:35–37)

I ask, then, has God rejected his people, the Jews? Of course not! Remember that I myself am a Jew, a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin. (Rom. 11:1 NLT)

When Jesus returns, a period of time the Bible calls the “restoration of all things” (Acts 3:21) begins. This will be a glorious time. It will be a season of great recovery and change. Satan is confined to the bottomless pit and so the earth is finally free from demonic harassment (Rev. 20:1–3).

Once the Jewish people are restored to their Messiah (Yeshua, Jesus) some amazing changes take place. The Jewish people transition from being the reproach of the earth (hunted and imprisoned) to being given great favor and high esteem by the most significant man on earth—the Lord Jesus Christ. Some refer to this dramatic change of status as the “great reversal.”

Behold, at that time I will . . . gather those who were driven out; I will appoint them for praise and fame in every land where they were put to shame. At that time I will bring you back, even at the time I gather you; for I will give you fame and praise among all the peoples of the earth, when I return your captives before your eyes, says the LORD. (Zeph. 3:19–20)

But Israel shall be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation; you shall not be ashamed or disgraced forever and ever. (Isa. 45:17)

Rise, shine; for your [Israel] light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you . . . but the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising . . . Then you shall see and become radiant, And your heart shall swell with joy; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you  . . . "The sons of foreigners shall build up your walls, and their kings shall minister to you; for in My wrath I struck you, but in My favor I have had mercy on you. Therefore your gates shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day or night that men may bring to you the wealth of the Gentiles, and their kings in procession. For the nation and kingdom, which will not serve you shall perish, and those nations shall be utterly ruined . . .  Also the sons of those who afflicted you shall come bowing to you, and all those who despised you shall fall prostrate at the soles of your feet; and they shall call you The City of the LORD, Zion of the Holy one of Israel . . .  Also your people shall all be righteous; they shall inherit the land forever, the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, that I may be glorified. (Isa. 60:1–21)