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The History of the Ages – Lesson 63

In the last lesson we looked at some things the Lord will do in the Millennium to bring about universal peace. Now we’ll look at what He does to promote universal prosperity.  

1. When Micah speaks of the millennial restoration in Micah 4 (4:1 starts out “But in the last days it shall come to pass….”), he says, “But every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, and they will fear nothing (they will be content), for the Lord of hosts has promised it.” (Micah 4:4) Personal ownership (“his own vine, his own fig tree”) is meant to convey individual prosperity. “In that day every one will invite his neighbor to sit under his vine and fig tree, says the Lord.” (Zechariah 3:10) This idea of sitting under the vine and fig tree was always an expression of peace and prosperity in Israel (compare I Kings 4:25).  
2. There will be no drought, but it will always rain in season and produce abundant crops (Ezekiel 34:26-27). During the Millennium the effects of the curse that resulted from man’s sin (Genesis 3) will be reversed so by the time the eternal earth becomes a reality it will be totally gone (Revelation 22:3, more on this later). Man will still have to work, but with God’s blessing he will work less and produce more. The growing seasons will be continuous and plentiful (Amos 9:13-15). Israel will become the example of a nation that is blessed of God, leading the way for others to follow (Ezekiel 36:8-15; Joel 2:18-27).
3. Land that has previously been barren and dry will become productive (Isaiah 35:1-2, 7). The waste places of Israel will be rebuilt and become so prosperous that foreigners will come to live there and work.
4. Earlier in Lesson 61 and point number 7 I talked about Jerusalem becoming the capital city of the earth during the Millennium. That is where the Lord will reside and where the Millennial temple will be built. It will become the center of activity and blessing, starting with Israel and moving on to the other nations of the world. One of the more interesting aspects contributing to prosperity is described in Ezekiel 47. In this chapter Ezekiel tells us a river will flow out from the temple, going out of the east gate and to the right (southward). This river will then divide into two branches, one going west to the Mediterranean Sea, the other east to the Dead Sea (Ezekiel 47:1-12; Zechariah 14:8). Everywhere this water flows, life of all kinds will spring up in abundance (verse 9). The result of this will be that the Dead Sea will be changed and will become a sea full of fish (verses 8-10). And, though not specifically mentioned, I would imagine it would have the same effect on the Mediterranean Sea (if you remember, this sea was turned to blood and every living thing in it died under the 2^nd bowl judgment in Revelation 15:3). Ezekiel also tells us there are many trees growing on both sides of this river (verse 7). This is similar to the river of life that will flow out from the throne of God in the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem and the tree of life that will grow on its banks (Revelation 22:1-2). In verse 12 these trees are described in greater detail. The fruit of the trees will be for food. The trees will produce leaves continually. The fruit will be so abundant that it will never be used up, but always available (they will produce a new crop every month, instead of every year). And the leaves will have healing properties. I imagine the fruit and the leaves from these trees would be distributed worldwide.    

These last several points regarding prosperity mainly refer to Israel. Again, Israel will become the example of a nation blessed by God (Isaiah 61:8-11). And if other nations follow their example, they will be blessed as well. But if they do not, they will be destroyed (Jeremiah 12:15-17). This is something that will cause other nations to seek after God during this time (Acts 15:16-18).

And, from what we have covered so far, I think we can draw some further conclusions of things that will contribute to prosperity. The nations of the world will no longer need to support the bureaucratic waste and corruption of human governments. There will be no need of government agencies to regulate commerce, oversee education, collect taxes, direct social programs such as welfare, or social security. There will be no armies, navies or air forces to support. Cities will not need law enforcement agencies or courts. People will not need health insurance. The medical industry (doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, medical research facilities, etc) will be obsolete. And I’m sure there will be other aspects to this I haven’t mentioned, you get the idea.

Now, earlier in Lesson 61 I point out the fact that Satan will be bound in the abyss during this time (Revelation 20:1-3). Then in Lesson 62 I talked about how religion in its many forms will be abolished. So, now let’s look at some of the spiritual dynamics that will manifest during the Millennium.

1. I mentioned above that Christ would build the millennial temple in Jerusalem. The description of the temple starts in Ezekiel 40. In Ezekiel 42:13-14 the dressing and dining rooms for the priests are described. And in Ezekiel 43:19-27, 44:9-31 you’ll see descriptions of the sacrificial offerings, duties and provisions made for the priests and Levites that will serve in the temple. After the initial cleansing of the altar and the consecration of the priests, the sacrificial offerings, feasts and rituals of the temple worship will be observed forever as a memorial to the things they symbolized before Christ came and as a memorial to Him when He completely fulfilled them on the cross (Ezekiel 43:25-27, 45:17-25, 46:1-24). Now, if you read the last two references given here in Ezekiel 45 and 46, you should have noticed the “prince” was mentioned. This is not Christ, nor is it King David. This “prince” is first mentioned in 44:3 and seems to be a natural man from among the people (Jeremiah 30:21) who will be the earthly ruler of Israel under the Messiah and King David. He will: receive the holy offerings given to the Lord (45:7); offer sacrifices to the Lord at the feasts, new moons, Sabbaths and other solemn occasions (45:17); receive gifts from Israel for his support (45:13-16); live and worship with the people (45:22-46:15); have children and servants (46:16); and rule with justice and not oppress the people in any way (46:18). The nations of the earth will be able to see these activities in the temple and this will help them understand the history of the ages and how God has provided for their redemption and deliverance.