« La vraie richesse est en moi (Dieu); toutes les choses matérielles sont passagères; les richesses de ce monde passeront; elles seront couvertes de rouille et de teigne. Tout ce que je mettrai en vous est éternel et ne passera jamais » Amen.
Dieu nous parle de la vraie richesse, celle du royaume du Père Céleste qu’il nous fait connaître et qu’il partage avec ses enfants. Nous ne sommes pas riches si nous avons accumulé des biens sur cette terre sans Dieu. Les chrétiens qui pensent « avoir réussi » dans la vie en ayant des propriétés en Côte d’azur, des maisons à Beverly Hill, lorsqu’ils roulent dans les voitures achetées de l’année…, et dont les choses sont à reconsidérer encore et encore. Ils se trompent sur la vraie richesse qu’ils ont nous dit l’Esprit de Dieu en ce jour. Je pourrai même me montrer radicale sur ce point en disant qu’ils n’ont rien et qu’ils sont plus pauvres que la personne pauvre en biens matériels mais qui a son cœur dans les choses de Dieu. Car la Parole nous dit « là où est ton trésor là où sera ton cœur » (Matt 6 :21). Si ton cœur et tes pensées s’activent à regarder à gauche et à droite et à rechercher les choses terrestres, à amasser des trésors et des biens intarissables, si ton goût de réussir s’amplifie de plus en plus et que tu recherches sans arrêt le gain et la réussite, il y a un problème lorsque Dieu est mis de côté !. Comprenons que nous ne pouvons pas mettre de manière égale la même intensité dans les choses terrestres que nous recherchons et dans les richesses éternelles. Nous allons choisir un camp parfois inconsciemment, mais nous allons faire ce choix. La Parole nous dit que nous ne pouvons servir Dieu et Mammon en même temps. Nous allons aimer un et détester l’autre. Et nous serons au service de l’un ou de l’autre et non des deux. Le Seigneur te dit aujourd’hui, « la vrai richesse est en moi ». Les écritures nous parlent dans Matthieu 6 :19 « Ne vous amassez pas des trésors sur la terre, où la teigne et la rouille détruisent, et où les voleurs percent et dérobent; mais amassez-vous des trésors dans le ciel, où la teigne et la rouille ne détruisent point, où les voleurs ne percent ni ne dérobent ». Frères et sœurs, Dieu nous dit que toutes les richesses amassées sur cette terre seront détruites, elles n’en valent pas la peine, vous comprenez, elles n’en valent point le coup qu’on s’y attardent en mettant de côté les richesses éternelles, qui elles demeurent à jamais (elles sont éternelles) et qui valent la peine qu’on s’y attarde car il s’agit des richesses qui nous suivront jusqu’à l’éternité avec Dieu.
Nous avons l’assurance d’une richesse éternelle; pourquoi perdons-nous notre temps à courir à gauche et à droite pour amasser encore et encore alors que notre Dieu nous dit que cela ne vaut pas la peine? Et tout cela pour la gloire de qui et de quoi? Oh, Non, faisons attention, ne nous égarons pas, car chrétiens que nous sommes nous devons le demeurer de la manière annoncée par les écritures. Nous ne pouvons-nous dire en nous-mêmes, nous allons chercher les richesses et nous reviendrons dire merci au Seigneur pour cela. Ce n’est pas ce que nous lisons dans les écritures. Le Seigneur Dieu, L’éternel des armées, ne te demande pas de courir et te lasser, il t’appelle à faire partie de son armée et à regarder aux choses divines, célestes qui vont garantir ta destinée éternelle.
Est-ce Dieu te demande de rester les mains croisées à ne rien faire? NON. Notre Dieu n’encourage pas la paresse, mais il te dit aujourd’hui encore de prendre garde là où tu mets ton cœur, de ne pas te créer « d’autres dieux » : l’argent, l’honneur, des engagements bidons, la gloire terrestre…des « dieux humains » qui te détournent de la vraie richesse que Dieu met en toi. Travaillez et multipliez-vous; depuis toujours, l’homme a travaillé pour gagner sa vie, mais tu ne dois pas devenir l’esclave de ce travail, ni de ta réussite, ni des gains connexes à ce travail. Frères et sœurs nous avons un Père Céleste jaloux, il ne veut vous partager avec personne et avec rien d’autre, si vous êtes à lui, si vous lui appartenez en vérité. Le message s’adresse aux personnes qui ont donné leur vie au Seigneur véritablement et j’insiste sur véritablement, vous n’avez pas d’autre alternative de faire ce choix aujourd’hui; vous tourner vers Dieu et amasser des trésors célestes qui sont éternelles et qui ne passeront jamais car c’est votre Père Céleste qui met en vous cette pensée de l’éternité, vous conduira et vous soutiendra jusqu’à son retour. « Tout ce que je mettrai en vous est éternel et ne passera jamais ». Un chrétien qui passe son sabbat à travailler devrait se poser la question où se trouve son cœur, on s’entend!. Frères et sœurs, faisons attention à notre cœur, confions le à Dieu. «Confie-toi en l'Éternel de tout ton cœur, et ne t'appuie pas sur ta sagesse ; reconnais-le dans toutes tes voies, et il aplanira tes sentiers.» (Prov.3:5-6). Le Seigneur te dit, mon fils donne-moi ton cœur afin que tu me sois agréable, sinon, il n y a rien d’autre!. C’est avec ton cœur que Dieu va agir « Mon fils, donne-moi ton cœur, et que tes yeux se plaisent dans mes voies » (Prov.23:26).
Frères et sœurs, gardons nos cœurs plus que toute autre chose car de lui viennent les sources de la vie (Prov.4:23) et Jésus est la source de notre vie. Amen.
Soyez bénis.
Millennium Promises, Population, and the Faithfulness of God
Introduction
During the 20th century mankind experienced the fastest population growth rate in recorded history . during one period averaging over 2% annually. This exponential increase began in the 1800s and continues today. (Refer to the World Population Growth graph on page 10)
During the future Millennium Kingdom the population will likely grow even more rapidly due to the restored earthfs Eden-like environment, greatly extended life spans, the blessings of child rearing restored, sin nipped in the bud, and Satan bound.
If we assume a very conservative annual population growth rate of 2% and if the Millennium commences with only 4 million people, then by the middle of the Millennium there would be about 80 billion people, and by the end of the Millennium the population would swell to over a thousand trillion people!1 As this article will explain, I believe this number is very conservative.
God Eternal Promises
You might be saying gWho cares . why is this important?h I believe this has deep theological ramifications concerning the nature of God and His faithfulness to His promises to mankind. In the beginning God commanded mankind, gBe fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue ith (Genesis 1:28; 9:1, 7). Due to mankindfs sin and resultant curse, this has never happened . yet.
Later God promised to Abraham, geLook now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.f And He said to him, eSo shall your descendants befh (Gen. 15:5). God promised Abraham that his descendents would number as the stars of heaven! This clear guarantee is reiterated over and over in Godfs Word (Gen. 13:16; 22:17; 26:4; Exod. 32:13; Deut. 1:10; 1 Chron. 27:23; Jer. 33:22; Heb. 11:12; etc.).
I believe the Lord will literally fulfill His promise to both the physical descendents and the spiritual descendents of gAbraham, who is the father of us allh (Rom. 4:16). Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. (God) does not say, And to seeds,f as of many, but as of one, eAnd to your Seed,f who is Christh (Gal. 3:16. See also Gen. 12:3; 18:18; 22:18). Through faith in Christ an innumerable multitude will be saved!
To calculate the future population, use the following formula: Pn = P (1 + r)n in which P is the population at any certain time, r is the proportionate annual increase in population, and Pn is the population n years later. So for our example Pn = 4,000,000 X (1 + 0.02)1000 = 1.593 X 101.
Who will repopulate the Millennial Earth?
Zechariah chapters 12 and 13 explain that one-third of all the Jews will survive the Tribulation, finally trust in their Messiah, and enter the Millennium saved. They, along with believing Gentiles who survive through the Tribulation, will have healed bodies and repopulate the earth during the Millennium (Matt. 25:31-46; Is. 33:24; Is. 35; Ps. 72:16; Mic. 4:7). All those who enter the millennial earth will be redeemed, however their offspring will still have a sin nature (Is. 65:20) and have to choose whether to sincerely trust in the Lord.
All the Old Testament believers, New Testament church, and Tribulation martyrs will receive their glorified bodies and return with Christ to reign as kings and priests for one thousand years (Exod. 19:6; Dan. 7:13-14; Zech. 14:5-9; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9; Jude 14-15; Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6).
Millennium Population Explosion and Rebellion
g
When the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the seah (Rev. 20:7-8).
At the end of the Millennium there will be a great number of people on the earth who will rebel against God. Though they are living in ideal conditions with the Prince of Peace reigning from Jerusalem, as many gas the sand of the seah will choose to rebel and follow Satan. Their revolt does not last long because gfire (comes) down from God out of heaven and (devours) themh (Rev. 20:9).2
Based on this passage, many good Bible teachers believe that the majority of those living on the earth will reject the Lord. And sadly, many will rebel. However if we survey the numerous Scriptures describing the Millennium promises, it appears that many will be saved!
Revival in the Millennium!
The good news is that there are several passages which indicate that many, perhaps the majority, will trust the Lord! Referring to the Jews during the Millennium, God promises: gYour 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. A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation. I, the LORD, will hasten it in its timeh (Is. 60:21-22).
This rebellion, under near perfect conditions, will forever silence the humanistfs lie that man is basically good given an ideal environment. We need our Creator to redeem and change us.
Zechariah provides this encouraging insight: gThus says the LORD of hosts: ePeoples shall yet come, Inhabitants of many cities; The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, gLet us continue to go and pray before the LORD, And seek the LORD of hosts. I myself will go also. Eyes, many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.f Thus says the LORD of hosts: eIn 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. (Zech. 8:20-23).
Not only will the Jews be saved and made righteous by faith in the Lord, but ga small oneh from the Jewish remnant will become ga strong nationh and gmany peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem!
Psalm 72:7-8 adds gIn His (Messiahfs) days the righteous shall flourish, and abundance of peace, until the moon is no more. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
Verses 15-19 provides these amazing promises: gPrayer also will be made for Him continually, and daily He shall be praised. There will be an abundance of grain in the earth, On the top of the mountains; Its fruit shall wave like Lebanon; And those of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth. His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun. And men shall be blessed in Him; All nations shall call Him blessed. Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, Who only does wondrous things! And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.
Psalm 22 describes the suffering and the victory of the Messiah. It concludes with this assurance: gAll the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before Youh (v. 27). This does not sound like most are feigning submission to the Lord . they are truly turning to and trusting in Him!
In fact, these and other Scriptures declare that the greatest revival ever will occur during the Millennium. Yes, there will be sin (Ps. 2:8-9; Is. 60:12; 65:20; Zech. 14:16-19; Rev. 2:27), and a great many will revolt at the end (Rev. 20:8), but it also appears a great many will be saved.
In the New Testament we read: gNone of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, eKnow the LORD,f for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of themh (Heb. 8:11). This is the New Covenant promise God made in Jeremiah 31:31-34 to the Jews . but the Book of Hebrews applies it not only to Jewish believers, but to all who will trust the Lord!
Remember Godfs incontrovertible covenant: gThus says the LORD: eIf you can break My covenant with the day and My covenant with the night, so that there will not be day and night in their season, then My covenant may also be broken with David My servant, so that he shall not have a son to reign on his throne, and with the Levites, the priests, My ministers. As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, nor the sand of the sea measured, so will I multiply the descendants of David My servant and the Levites who minister to Mefh (Jer. 33:20-22). David, Israelfs greatest king, was given the same promise as Abraham (2 Sam. 7:11-16).
God promise to Abraham and the Israelites is unfailing: gBy Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son . blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voicefh (Gen. 22:16-18).
Do these promises refer only to Abrahamfs and Davidfs physical descendents or to all of the redeemed? Romans chapter 4, Galatians and Hebrews explain that Abraham is the father of all who trust in Christ (Rom. 4:16). All true believers in the Lord . both Jew and Gentile . are the ultimate fulfillment of this promise. God is going to save an enormous multitude, and the greatest revival is yet future!
Revival during the Tribulation
After the Rapture of the Church, the earth will experience the darkest time in all of history. Those who refuse to look to their Creator, repent of their sin, and trust in Jesus Christ will suffer Godfs wrath and be eternally damned. However, even during this time of severe tribulation, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tonguesh will trust in Jesus Christ and be saved (Rev. 7:9, 14).
This coming revival is also described in Daniel chapter 12. The context of Daniel 12 is the Great Tribulation, and verses 9 and 10 state: gGo your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.
How many will be saved? The Apostle John was told the number of an army in the last days . 200 million (Rev. 9:16). This was the approximate population of the world at that time. That John also beholds ga great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongue coming out of the Great Tribulation at the end of the age (Rev. 7:9, 14), indicates an enormous number of people on planet earth in the last days.
Now if John could number a 200 million man army, but he is unable to number this great multitude of redeemed people coming out the Tribulation, how many might this be? If he could number 200 million it seems reasonable he could number 300 or 400 or 500 million. Is it possible over a billion souls may surrender to the Lord during the Tribulation? I believe the Holy Spirit purposely inspired the words gno one could numberh to make sure that everyone knows he or she is invited . there is no limit!
gAnd the Spirit and the bride say, eCome!f And let him who hears say, eCome!f And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.h (Rev. 22:17).
Though God will judge the multitudes who turn their backs and ignore His Word and Savior, Godfs desire is to save. g(God) desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truthh (1 Tim. 2:4). geAs I live,f says the Lord GOD, eI have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you diefh (Ezek. 33:11).
God loves His creation . particularly those made in His image. gFor God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting lifeh (John 3:16). In fact Jesusf name literally means gThe Lord is salvation.h So even during the time of greatest wrath, God is gnot willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentanceh (2 Peter 3:9).
Future Revival!
Now if there will be such a great revival during earthfs darkest days, what type of revival will occur during the righteous and wonderful rule of Christ?! A time when: They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious." (Is. 11:9-10). (See also: Is. 2:1-5; Hos. 1:10; Rom. 15:12)
gAnd in that day you will say: ePraise the LORD, call upon His name; Declare His deeds among the peoples, Make mention that His name is exalted. Sing to the LORD, For He has done excellent things; This is known in all the earthfh (Is. 12:4-6).
gfSing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,f says the LORD. Many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to youh (Zech. 2:10-11). The Lord Himself will rule and reign from Jerusalem and many nations shall become His people!
For 2000 years believers have prayed, gOur Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heavenh (Matthew 6:9). Surely this prayer will be answered during the Millennium and then completely fulfilled in the New Heaven and New Earth (Rev. 21 and 22)!
In Romans chapter 11, Paul explains that God is not through with the Jewish nation. He has always preserved and saved a believing remnant . even in their apostate times . and turned even their disobedience for good: Now if their (Israelites) fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!h (Rom. 11:12). Their fullness will occur during the Millennium . and a great, great multitude of both believing Jews and Gentiles will trust in their Creator, Lord, and Savior Jesus Christ!
The Innumerable Angels
How many angels are there and does their number relate at all to the number of the redeemed? Scripture repeatedly refers to angels as the gsons of Godh (Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7), and states that there are gan innumerable company of angelsh (Heb. 12:22). Might there be as many angels as there are stars in heaven? Yes, there may!
In fact, the Bible likens the angels to the stars of heaven: gYou alone are the LORD; You have made heaven, The heaven of heavens, with all their host, The earth and everything on it, The seas and all that is in them, And You preserve them all. The host of heaven (angels) worships Youh (Neh. 9:6).
gI saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven (angels) standing by, on His right hand and on His lefth (1 Kings 22:19).
How many angels follow the Lord? g(Satanfs) tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earthh (Rev. 12:4). Apparently one third of the angels fell; therefore two-thirds still follow the Lord . an innumerable company of holy angels.
Millennium Fulfillment of Godfs Grand Plan
God has never rescinded His original Dominion Mandate to mankind: gBe fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue ith (Gen. 1:28). However, due to mankindfs sin and the resultant curse, Godfs original intent was greatly restricted. Raising children under the curse involved great sorrow and pain (Gen. 3:16), and tending and harnessing the earth became much more difficult (Gen. 3:17).
However, at the end of the Tribulation the earth will be resurfaced by great earthquakes that will destroy every city, lift ever valley, lower every mountain and move every island (Rev. 6:12-14; 16:17-21; Is. 24:1-4). Jerusalem will be lifted up and Mt. Zion will become the highest of all mountains (Zech. 14:10; Micah 4:1). Significant changes to the environment will occur when Christ returns to Jerusalem (Zech. 14), including gthe powers of the heavens shall be shakenh (Matt. 24:29). Other transformations include gthe light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfoldh (Is. 30:26).
At the onset of the Millennium, the curse will be substantially lifted and the earth will be restored to near ideal conditions. A protective canopy will likely be restored because life spans will be expanded to what they were at the beginning of creation (Is. 65:20-22). All the earth will become rich once again with lush vegetation, the deserts will blossom abundantly, and the sick healed (Gen. 1:29; Is. 4:2; 30:23-26; 35; Amos 9:13-14). Healing waters will flow from Jerusalem and give life to the Dead Sea and wherever the waters flow (Ezek. 47:1-9; Is. 30:25). There will be trees that bear fruit every month and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for medicine (Ezek. 47:12).
Nature shall be reconciled to itself: gThe wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them. cAnd the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play by the cobra's hole, cThey shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the seah (Is. 11:6-9).
As Many as the Stars of Heaven?
Before the Flood, manfs lifespan was about 900 years (Gen. 5). Childbearing years were also greatly extended compared to today . Noah was 500 years old when he had children! With global righteousness, peace, and plenty, combined with long life spans and the blessing of child rearing restored, the population will mushroom quickly. To calculate how many and how quickly, we must estimate the saved population that will survive the Tribulation and estimate the likely annual population growth rate.
How many repopulate the earth? At the end of the Tribulation when the Lord returns to set-up His millennial kingdom, Isaiah tells us gTherefore the curse has devoured the earth, and those who dwell in it are desolate. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are lefth (Is. 24:6). Jesus explains, and unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortenedh (Matt. 24:22). Therefore, only the elect and a small fraction of earth population will survive the Tribulation period.
Today population is about 7 billion. But during the Tribulation we know many will die: gAnd power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earthh (Rev. 6:8). Subsequent plagues kill even more: By these three plagues a third of mankind was killedh (Rev. 9:18). The remaining Bowl Judgments will kill even more people (Rev. 15 & 16).
How many will survive? Concerning the Jews, Zechariah provides this insight: And it shall come to pass in all the land,f Says the LORD, That two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, But one -third shall be left in it: I will bring the one-third through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, This is My peopleh; and each one will say, The LORD is my God.hfh (Zech. 13:8-9).
Officially there are an estimated 13 to 14 million Jews alive today. Some believe the number is much higher because many Jews do not identify themselves as Jewish due to fear of persecution. I spoke to the head of one Messianic Jewish group who believes there are over 20 million Jews alive today. Only God knows for certain, but I suspect he may be right. If the Tribulation period began today and one-third are preserved, then about 4 to 7 million Jews will enter the Millennium saved and will repopulate the earth.
Can we estimate how many Gentiles will make it through saved? Zechariah 8:23 provides this clue: 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. Could it be that ten times as many Gentiles enter the Millennium redeemed?
We know that most of the Gentiles who survive the Tribulation will not be believers. So if we estimate that only 280 million Gentiles survive the Tribulation (4% of the current population), and one quarter of these are believers in the Lord, then 70 million believing Gentiles will enter the Millennium . or 1% of the worldfs current population.
But let start with very conservative numbers and say that 4 million Jews and only 6 million Gentiles enter the renewed earth. Assuming a conservative population growth rate of 3%, by the end of the Millennium there would be ~69 X 101. people! That 69 million trillion people!
However, I think it is possible that 7 million Jews and 70 million Gentiles are preserved and saved at the end. Further, a population growth rate of 4% seems likely based on the restored Edenic conditions. If these estimates are correct then there would be over 102. people on the
In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus explains that those of all the nations who remain alive after the Tribulation will be judged and the righteous will inherit His kingdom on earth. Matthew 24:30 and Revelation 1:7 tell us that at Christ return gall the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.h Apparently most people who remain are not saved and they mourn because they know that they must now face judgment.
earth at the end of the Millennium! This number is in the range of all the stars in the universe and all sand grains by the sea combined! Might God literally fulfill His promise to Abraham?
Conclusion
The current earth could never support such a huge population. However, as wefve reviewed, the millennial earth will be renewed and perhaps greatly enlarged. The Millennium Temple complex will be significantly larger than previous temples (Ezek. 40-48. Cf. 2 Chron. 3:3). And the New Jerusalem that descends from heaven to the earth at the end of the Millennium will be 1500 miles square . far too large for the present earth.
And there is another clue that the population of saved souls may be as the stars of heaven. It is found in a parable concerning the coming kingdom. In this parable Jesus exhorts His followers to serve Him diligently until His return. Those who invested in the Lordfs work and faithfully served Him in this life will receive a wonderful commendation: gThen came the first, saying, eMaster, your mina has earned ten minas.f And he said to him, eWell done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.f And the second came, saying, eMaster, your mina has earned five minas.f Likewise he said to him, eYou also be over five cities.fh (Luke 19:16-19).
The church, the Old Testament saints, and all the Tribulation martyrs will be glorified and reign as kings and priests with Christ for a thousand years. Each of the Lordfs disciples will receive an eternal inheritance in proportion to their faithfulness in this life. Some will be over ten cities!4
gThe LORD has said to Me, eYou 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 possessionfh (Psalm 2:7-8). Jesus has been interceding for lost souls to be reconciled to God, and surely He shall see the labor of His soul and be abundantly satisfied (Hebrews 7:25; Isaiah 53:11)!
Messiah will receive the nations as His inheritance, and apparently many (perhaps most?), of the souls will be redeemed and be a part of His eternal inheritance!
After the Millennium, God will make a new heaven and a new earth; the Lord will dwell with man in all His glory; usher in everlasting righteousness; there will be no more sin, death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain . no more curse! The Lord will make all things new and we shall inherit all things (Rev. 21 and 22)! gHe who testifies to these things says, eSurely I am coming quickly.f Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!h (Rev. 22:20)!
If 10 billion souls throughout the ages are saved and glorified, and if the population is 102. (a trillion trillion) at the end of the Millennium, then on average, each glorified saint will be over trillions of people by the end of Millennium.
World Population Growth
Addendum
Jesus said Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, eBe removed and be cast into the sea, it will be done (Matt. 21:21). I believe we may literally fulfill this promise during the Millennium. Letfs say you are reigning over a town and the families are quickly outgrowing their area. Perhaps you will pray to the Lord to shift a mountain or remove a few hills to make more room for the burgeoning population! And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receiveh (Matt. 21:22).
During the Millennium there will be some death and limited sin (Is. 65:20). Though the saints will be glorified and full of the joy of the Lord, we may have limited sorrow and tears during the Millennium, and particularly at the end when some of those who wefve discipled rebel. After that there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, pain, or curse ever again! AMEN. (cliquez sur le titre pour une traduction française...)
During the 20th century mankind experienced the fastest population growth rate in recorded history . during one period averaging over 2% annually. This exponential increase began in the 1800s and continues today. (Refer to the World Population Growth graph on page 10)
During the future Millennium Kingdom the population will likely grow even more rapidly due to the restored earthfs Eden-like environment, greatly extended life spans, the blessings of child rearing restored, sin nipped in the bud, and Satan bound.
If we assume a very conservative annual population growth rate of 2% and if the Millennium commences with only 4 million people, then by the middle of the Millennium there would be about 80 billion people, and by the end of the Millennium the population would swell to over a thousand trillion people!1 As this article will explain, I believe this number is very conservative.
God Eternal Promises
You might be saying gWho cares . why is this important?h I believe this has deep theological ramifications concerning the nature of God and His faithfulness to His promises to mankind. In the beginning God commanded mankind, gBe fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue ith (Genesis 1:28; 9:1, 7). Due to mankindfs sin and resultant curse, this has never happened . yet.
Later God promised to Abraham, geLook now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.f And He said to him, eSo shall your descendants befh (Gen. 15:5). God promised Abraham that his descendents would number as the stars of heaven! This clear guarantee is reiterated over and over in Godfs Word (Gen. 13:16; 22:17; 26:4; Exod. 32:13; Deut. 1:10; 1 Chron. 27:23; Jer. 33:22; Heb. 11:12; etc.).
I believe the Lord will literally fulfill His promise to both the physical descendents and the spiritual descendents of gAbraham, who is the father of us allh (Rom. 4:16). Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. (God) does not say, And to seeds,f as of many, but as of one, eAnd to your Seed,f who is Christh (Gal. 3:16. See also Gen. 12:3; 18:18; 22:18). Through faith in Christ an innumerable multitude will be saved!
To calculate the future population, use the following formula: Pn = P (1 + r)n in which P is the population at any certain time, r is the proportionate annual increase in population, and Pn is the population n years later. So for our example Pn = 4,000,000 X (1 + 0.02)1000 = 1.593 X 101.
Who will repopulate the Millennial Earth?
Zechariah chapters 12 and 13 explain that one-third of all the Jews will survive the Tribulation, finally trust in their Messiah, and enter the Millennium saved. They, along with believing Gentiles who survive through the Tribulation, will have healed bodies and repopulate the earth during the Millennium (Matt. 25:31-46; Is. 33:24; Is. 35; Ps. 72:16; Mic. 4:7). All those who enter the millennial earth will be redeemed, however their offspring will still have a sin nature (Is. 65:20) and have to choose whether to sincerely trust in the Lord.
All the Old Testament believers, New Testament church, and Tribulation martyrs will receive their glorified bodies and return with Christ to reign as kings and priests for one thousand years (Exod. 19:6; Dan. 7:13-14; Zech. 14:5-9; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9; Jude 14-15; Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6).
Millennium Population Explosion and Rebellion
g
When the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the seah (Rev. 20:7-8).
At the end of the Millennium there will be a great number of people on the earth who will rebel against God. Though they are living in ideal conditions with the Prince of Peace reigning from Jerusalem, as many gas the sand of the seah will choose to rebel and follow Satan. Their revolt does not last long because gfire (comes) down from God out of heaven and (devours) themh (Rev. 20:9).2
Based on this passage, many good Bible teachers believe that the majority of those living on the earth will reject the Lord. And sadly, many will rebel. However if we survey the numerous Scriptures describing the Millennium promises, it appears that many will be saved!
Revival in the Millennium!
The good news is that there are several passages which indicate that many, perhaps the majority, will trust the Lord! Referring to the Jews during the Millennium, God promises: gYour 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. A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation. I, the LORD, will hasten it in its timeh (Is. 60:21-22).
This rebellion, under near perfect conditions, will forever silence the humanistfs lie that man is basically good given an ideal environment. We need our Creator to redeem and change us.
Zechariah provides this encouraging insight: gThus says the LORD of hosts: ePeoples shall yet come, Inhabitants of many cities; The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, gLet us continue to go and pray before the LORD, And seek the LORD of hosts. I myself will go also. Eyes, many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.f Thus says the LORD of hosts: eIn 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. (Zech. 8:20-23).
Not only will the Jews be saved and made righteous by faith in the Lord, but ga small oneh from the Jewish remnant will become ga strong nationh and gmany peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem!
Psalm 72:7-8 adds gIn His (Messiahfs) days the righteous shall flourish, and abundance of peace, until the moon is no more. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
Verses 15-19 provides these amazing promises: gPrayer also will be made for Him continually, and daily He shall be praised. There will be an abundance of grain in the earth, On the top of the mountains; Its fruit shall wave like Lebanon; And those of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth. His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun. And men shall be blessed in Him; All nations shall call Him blessed. Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, Who only does wondrous things! And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.
Psalm 22 describes the suffering and the victory of the Messiah. It concludes with this assurance: gAll the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before Youh (v. 27). This does not sound like most are feigning submission to the Lord . they are truly turning to and trusting in Him!
In fact, these and other Scriptures declare that the greatest revival ever will occur during the Millennium. Yes, there will be sin (Ps. 2:8-9; Is. 60:12; 65:20; Zech. 14:16-19; Rev. 2:27), and a great many will revolt at the end (Rev. 20:8), but it also appears a great many will be saved.
In the New Testament we read: gNone of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, eKnow the LORD,f for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of themh (Heb. 8:11). This is the New Covenant promise God made in Jeremiah 31:31-34 to the Jews . but the Book of Hebrews applies it not only to Jewish believers, but to all who will trust the Lord!
Remember Godfs incontrovertible covenant: gThus says the LORD: eIf you can break My covenant with the day and My covenant with the night, so that there will not be day and night in their season, then My covenant may also be broken with David My servant, so that he shall not have a son to reign on his throne, and with the Levites, the priests, My ministers. As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, nor the sand of the sea measured, so will I multiply the descendants of David My servant and the Levites who minister to Mefh (Jer. 33:20-22). David, Israelfs greatest king, was given the same promise as Abraham (2 Sam. 7:11-16).
God promise to Abraham and the Israelites is unfailing: gBy Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son . blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voicefh (Gen. 22:16-18).
Do these promises refer only to Abrahamfs and Davidfs physical descendents or to all of the redeemed? Romans chapter 4, Galatians and Hebrews explain that Abraham is the father of all who trust in Christ (Rom. 4:16). All true believers in the Lord . both Jew and Gentile . are the ultimate fulfillment of this promise. God is going to save an enormous multitude, and the greatest revival is yet future!
Revival during the Tribulation
After the Rapture of the Church, the earth will experience the darkest time in all of history. Those who refuse to look to their Creator, repent of their sin, and trust in Jesus Christ will suffer Godfs wrath and be eternally damned. However, even during this time of severe tribulation, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tonguesh will trust in Jesus Christ and be saved (Rev. 7:9, 14).
This coming revival is also described in Daniel chapter 12. The context of Daniel 12 is the Great Tribulation, and verses 9 and 10 state: gGo your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.
How many will be saved? The Apostle John was told the number of an army in the last days . 200 million (Rev. 9:16). This was the approximate population of the world at that time. That John also beholds ga great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongue coming out of the Great Tribulation at the end of the age (Rev. 7:9, 14), indicates an enormous number of people on planet earth in the last days.
Now if John could number a 200 million man army, but he is unable to number this great multitude of redeemed people coming out the Tribulation, how many might this be? If he could number 200 million it seems reasonable he could number 300 or 400 or 500 million. Is it possible over a billion souls may surrender to the Lord during the Tribulation? I believe the Holy Spirit purposely inspired the words gno one could numberh to make sure that everyone knows he or she is invited . there is no limit!
gAnd the Spirit and the bride say, eCome!f And let him who hears say, eCome!f And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.h (Rev. 22:17).
Though God will judge the multitudes who turn their backs and ignore His Word and Savior, Godfs desire is to save. g(God) desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truthh (1 Tim. 2:4). geAs I live,f says the Lord GOD, eI have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you diefh (Ezek. 33:11).
God loves His creation . particularly those made in His image. gFor God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting lifeh (John 3:16). In fact Jesusf name literally means gThe Lord is salvation.h So even during the time of greatest wrath, God is gnot willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentanceh (2 Peter 3:9).
Future Revival!
Now if there will be such a great revival during earthfs darkest days, what type of revival will occur during the righteous and wonderful rule of Christ?! A time when: They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious." (Is. 11:9-10). (See also: Is. 2:1-5; Hos. 1:10; Rom. 15:12)
gAnd in that day you will say: ePraise the LORD, call upon His name; Declare His deeds among the peoples, Make mention that His name is exalted. Sing to the LORD, For He has done excellent things; This is known in all the earthfh (Is. 12:4-6).
gfSing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,f says the LORD. Many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to youh (Zech. 2:10-11). The Lord Himself will rule and reign from Jerusalem and many nations shall become His people!
For 2000 years believers have prayed, gOur Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heavenh (Matthew 6:9). Surely this prayer will be answered during the Millennium and then completely fulfilled in the New Heaven and New Earth (Rev. 21 and 22)!
In Romans chapter 11, Paul explains that God is not through with the Jewish nation. He has always preserved and saved a believing remnant . even in their apostate times . and turned even their disobedience for good: Now if their (Israelites) fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!h (Rom. 11:12). Their fullness will occur during the Millennium . and a great, great multitude of both believing Jews and Gentiles will trust in their Creator, Lord, and Savior Jesus Christ!
The Innumerable Angels
How many angels are there and does their number relate at all to the number of the redeemed? Scripture repeatedly refers to angels as the gsons of Godh (Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7), and states that there are gan innumerable company of angelsh (Heb. 12:22). Might there be as many angels as there are stars in heaven? Yes, there may!
In fact, the Bible likens the angels to the stars of heaven: gYou alone are the LORD; You have made heaven, The heaven of heavens, with all their host, The earth and everything on it, The seas and all that is in them, And You preserve them all. The host of heaven (angels) worships Youh (Neh. 9:6).
gI saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven (angels) standing by, on His right hand and on His lefth (1 Kings 22:19).
How many angels follow the Lord? g(Satanfs) tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earthh (Rev. 12:4). Apparently one third of the angels fell; therefore two-thirds still follow the Lord . an innumerable company of holy angels.
Millennium Fulfillment of Godfs Grand Plan
God has never rescinded His original Dominion Mandate to mankind: gBe fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue ith (Gen. 1:28). However, due to mankindfs sin and the resultant curse, Godfs original intent was greatly restricted. Raising children under the curse involved great sorrow and pain (Gen. 3:16), and tending and harnessing the earth became much more difficult (Gen. 3:17).
However, at the end of the Tribulation the earth will be resurfaced by great earthquakes that will destroy every city, lift ever valley, lower every mountain and move every island (Rev. 6:12-14; 16:17-21; Is. 24:1-4). Jerusalem will be lifted up and Mt. Zion will become the highest of all mountains (Zech. 14:10; Micah 4:1). Significant changes to the environment will occur when Christ returns to Jerusalem (Zech. 14), including gthe powers of the heavens shall be shakenh (Matt. 24:29). Other transformations include gthe light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfoldh (Is. 30:26).
At the onset of the Millennium, the curse will be substantially lifted and the earth will be restored to near ideal conditions. A protective canopy will likely be restored because life spans will be expanded to what they were at the beginning of creation (Is. 65:20-22). All the earth will become rich once again with lush vegetation, the deserts will blossom abundantly, and the sick healed (Gen. 1:29; Is. 4:2; 30:23-26; 35; Amos 9:13-14). Healing waters will flow from Jerusalem and give life to the Dead Sea and wherever the waters flow (Ezek. 47:1-9; Is. 30:25). There will be trees that bear fruit every month and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for medicine (Ezek. 47:12).
Nature shall be reconciled to itself: gThe wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them. cAnd the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play by the cobra's hole, cThey shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the seah (Is. 11:6-9).
As Many as the Stars of Heaven?
Before the Flood, manfs lifespan was about 900 years (Gen. 5). Childbearing years were also greatly extended compared to today . Noah was 500 years old when he had children! With global righteousness, peace, and plenty, combined with long life spans and the blessing of child rearing restored, the population will mushroom quickly. To calculate how many and how quickly, we must estimate the saved population that will survive the Tribulation and estimate the likely annual population growth rate.
How many repopulate the earth? At the end of the Tribulation when the Lord returns to set-up His millennial kingdom, Isaiah tells us gTherefore the curse has devoured the earth, and those who dwell in it are desolate. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are lefth (Is. 24:6). Jesus explains, and unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortenedh (Matt. 24:22). Therefore, only the elect and a small fraction of earth population will survive the Tribulation period.
Today population is about 7 billion. But during the Tribulation we know many will die: gAnd power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earthh (Rev. 6:8). Subsequent plagues kill even more: By these three plagues a third of mankind was killedh (Rev. 9:18). The remaining Bowl Judgments will kill even more people (Rev. 15 & 16).
How many will survive? Concerning the Jews, Zechariah provides this insight: And it shall come to pass in all the land,f Says the LORD, That two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, But one -third shall be left in it: I will bring the one-third through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, This is My peopleh; and each one will say, The LORD is my God.hfh (Zech. 13:8-9).
Officially there are an estimated 13 to 14 million Jews alive today. Some believe the number is much higher because many Jews do not identify themselves as Jewish due to fear of persecution. I spoke to the head of one Messianic Jewish group who believes there are over 20 million Jews alive today. Only God knows for certain, but I suspect he may be right. If the Tribulation period began today and one-third are preserved, then about 4 to 7 million Jews will enter the Millennium saved and will repopulate the earth.
Can we estimate how many Gentiles will make it through saved? Zechariah 8:23 provides this clue: 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. Could it be that ten times as many Gentiles enter the Millennium redeemed?
We know that most of the Gentiles who survive the Tribulation will not be believers. So if we estimate that only 280 million Gentiles survive the Tribulation (4% of the current population), and one quarter of these are believers in the Lord, then 70 million believing Gentiles will enter the Millennium . or 1% of the worldfs current population.
But let start with very conservative numbers and say that 4 million Jews and only 6 million Gentiles enter the renewed earth. Assuming a conservative population growth rate of 3%, by the end of the Millennium there would be ~69 X 101. people! That 69 million trillion people!
However, I think it is possible that 7 million Jews and 70 million Gentiles are preserved and saved at the end. Further, a population growth rate of 4% seems likely based on the restored Edenic conditions. If these estimates are correct then there would be over 102. people on the
In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus explains that those of all the nations who remain alive after the Tribulation will be judged and the righteous will inherit His kingdom on earth. Matthew 24:30 and Revelation 1:7 tell us that at Christ return gall the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.h Apparently most people who remain are not saved and they mourn because they know that they must now face judgment.
earth at the end of the Millennium! This number is in the range of all the stars in the universe and all sand grains by the sea combined! Might God literally fulfill His promise to Abraham?
Conclusion
The current earth could never support such a huge population. However, as wefve reviewed, the millennial earth will be renewed and perhaps greatly enlarged. The Millennium Temple complex will be significantly larger than previous temples (Ezek. 40-48. Cf. 2 Chron. 3:3). And the New Jerusalem that descends from heaven to the earth at the end of the Millennium will be 1500 miles square . far too large for the present earth.
And there is another clue that the population of saved souls may be as the stars of heaven. It is found in a parable concerning the coming kingdom. In this parable Jesus exhorts His followers to serve Him diligently until His return. Those who invested in the Lordfs work and faithfully served Him in this life will receive a wonderful commendation: gThen came the first, saying, eMaster, your mina has earned ten minas.f And he said to him, eWell done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.f And the second came, saying, eMaster, your mina has earned five minas.f Likewise he said to him, eYou also be over five cities.fh (Luke 19:16-19).
The church, the Old Testament saints, and all the Tribulation martyrs will be glorified and reign as kings and priests with Christ for a thousand years. Each of the Lordfs disciples will receive an eternal inheritance in proportion to their faithfulness in this life. Some will be over ten cities!4
gThe LORD has said to Me, eYou 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 possessionfh (Psalm 2:7-8). Jesus has been interceding for lost souls to be reconciled to God, and surely He shall see the labor of His soul and be abundantly satisfied (Hebrews 7:25; Isaiah 53:11)!
Messiah will receive the nations as His inheritance, and apparently many (perhaps most?), of the souls will be redeemed and be a part of His eternal inheritance!
After the Millennium, God will make a new heaven and a new earth; the Lord will dwell with man in all His glory; usher in everlasting righteousness; there will be no more sin, death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain . no more curse! The Lord will make all things new and we shall inherit all things (Rev. 21 and 22)! gHe who testifies to these things says, eSurely I am coming quickly.f Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!h (Rev. 22:20)!
If 10 billion souls throughout the ages are saved and glorified, and if the population is 102. (a trillion trillion) at the end of the Millennium, then on average, each glorified saint will be over trillions of people by the end of Millennium.
World Population Growth
Addendum
Jesus said Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, eBe removed and be cast into the sea, it will be done (Matt. 21:21). I believe we may literally fulfill this promise during the Millennium. Letfs say you are reigning over a town and the families are quickly outgrowing their area. Perhaps you will pray to the Lord to shift a mountain or remove a few hills to make more room for the burgeoning population! And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receiveh (Matt. 21:22).
During the Millennium there will be some death and limited sin (Is. 65:20). Though the saints will be glorified and full of the joy of the Lord, we may have limited sorrow and tears during the Millennium, and particularly at the end when some of those who wefve discipled rebel. After that there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, pain, or curse ever again! AMEN. (cliquez sur le titre pour une traduction française...)
Millennium Promises, Population, and the Faithfulness of God
Introduction
During the 20th century mankind experienced the fastest population growth rate in recorded history . during one period averaging over 2% annually. This exponential increase began in the 1800s and continues today. (Refer to the World Population Growth graph on page 10)
During the future Millennium Kingdom the population will likely grow even more rapidly due to the restored earthfs Eden-like environment, greatly extended life spans, the blessings of child rearing restored, sin nipped in the bud, and Satan bound.
If we assume a very conservative annual population growth rate of 2% and if the Millennium commences with only 4 million people, then by the middle of the Millennium there would be about 80 billion people, and by the end of the Millennium the population would swell to over a thousand trillion people!1 As this article will explain, I believe this number is very conservative.
God Eternal Promises
You might be saying gWho cares . why is this important?h I believe this has deep theological ramifications concerning the nature of God and His faithfulness to His promises to mankind. In the beginning God commanded mankind, gBe fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue ith (Genesis 1:28; 9:1, 7). Due to mankindfs sin and resultant curse, this has never happened . yet.
Later God promised to Abraham, geLook now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.f And He said to him, eSo shall your descendants befh (Gen. 15:5). God promised Abraham that his descendents would number as the stars of heaven! This clear guarantee is reiterated over and over in Godfs Word (Gen. 13:16; 22:17; 26:4; Exod. 32:13; Deut. 1:10; 1 Chron. 27:23; Jer. 33:22; Heb. 11:12; etc.).
I believe the Lord will literally fulfill His promise to both the physical descendents and the spiritual descendents of gAbraham, who is the father of us allh (Rom. 4:16). Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. (God) does not say, And to seeds,f as of many, but as of one, eAnd to your Seed,f who is Christh (Gal. 3:16. See also Gen. 12:3; 18:18; 22:18). Through faith in Christ an innumerable multitude will be saved!
To calculate the future population, use the following formula: Pn = P (1 + r)n in which P is the population at any certain time, r is the proportionate annual increase in population, and Pn is the population n years later. So for our example Pn = 4,000,000 X (1 + 0.02)1000 = 1.593 X 101.
Who will repopulate the Millennial Earth?
Zechariah chapters 12 and 13 explain that one-third of all the Jews will survive the Tribulation, finally trust in their Messiah, and enter the Millennium saved. They, along with believing Gentiles who survive through the Tribulation, will have healed bodies and repopulate the earth during the Millennium (Matt. 25:31-46; Is. 33:24; Is. 35; Ps. 72:16; Mic. 4:7). All those who enter the millennial earth will be redeemed, however their offspring will still have a sin nature (Is. 65:20) and have to choose whether to sincerely trust in the Lord.
All the Old Testament believers, New Testament church, and Tribulation martyrs will receive their glorified bodies and return with Christ to reign as kings and priests for one thousand years (Exod. 19:6; Dan. 7:13-14; Zech. 14:5-9; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9; Jude 14-15; Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6).
Millennium Population Explosion and Rebellion
g
When the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the seah (Rev. 20:7-8).
At the end of the Millennium there will be a great number of people on the earth who will rebel against God. Though they are living in ideal conditions with the Prince of Peace reigning from Jerusalem, as many gas the sand of the seah will choose to rebel and follow Satan. Their revolt does not last long because gfire (comes) down from God out of heaven and (devours) themh (Rev. 20:9).2
Based on this passage, many good Bible teachers believe that the majority of those living on the earth will reject the Lord. And sadly, many will rebel. However if we survey the numerous Scriptures describing the Millennium promises, it appears that many will be saved!
Revival in the Millennium!
The good news is that there are several passages which indicate that many, perhaps the majority, will trust the Lord! Referring to the Jews during the Millennium, God promises: gYour 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. A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation. I, the LORD, will hasten it in its timeh (Is. 60:21-22).
This rebellion, under near perfect conditions, will forever silence the humanistfs lie that man is basically good given an ideal environment. We need our Creator to redeem and change us.
Zechariah provides this encouraging insight: gThus says the LORD of hosts: ePeoples shall yet come, Inhabitants of many cities; The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, gLet us continue to go and pray before the LORD, And seek the LORD of hosts. I myself will go also. Eyes, many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.f Thus says the LORD of hosts: eIn 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. (Zech. 8:20-23).
Not only will the Jews be saved and made righteous by faith in the Lord, but ga small oneh from the Jewish remnant will become ga strong nationh and gmany peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem!
Psalm 72:7-8 adds gIn His (Messiahfs) days the righteous shall flourish, and abundance of peace, until the moon is no more. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
Verses 15-19 provides these amazing promises: gPrayer also will be made for Him continually, and daily He shall be praised. There will be an abundance of grain in the earth, On the top of the mountains; Its fruit shall wave like Lebanon; And those of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth. His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun. And men shall be blessed in Him; All nations shall call Him blessed. Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, Who only does wondrous things! And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.
Psalm 22 describes the suffering and the victory of the Messiah. It concludes with this assurance: gAll the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before Youh (v. 27). This does not sound like most are feigning submission to the Lord . they are truly turning to and trusting in Him!
In fact, these and other Scriptures declare that the greatest revival ever will occur during the Millennium. Yes, there will be sin (Ps. 2:8-9; Is. 60:12; 65:20; Zech. 14:16-19; Rev. 2:27), and a great many will revolt at the end (Rev. 20:8), but it also appears a great many will be saved.
In the New Testament we read: gNone of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, eKnow the LORD,f for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of themh (Heb. 8:11). This is the New Covenant promise God made in Jeremiah 31:31-34 to the Jews . but the Book of Hebrews applies it not only to Jewish believers, but to all who will trust the Lord!
Remember Godfs incontrovertible covenant: gThus says the LORD: eIf you can break My covenant with the day and My covenant with the night, so that there will not be day and night in their season, then My covenant may also be broken with David My servant, so that he shall not have a son to reign on his throne, and with the Levites, the priests, My ministers. As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, nor the sand of the sea measured, so will I multiply the descendants of David My servant and the Levites who minister to Mefh (Jer. 33:20-22). David, Israelfs greatest king, was given the same promise as Abraham (2 Sam. 7:11-16).
God promise to Abraham and the Israelites is unfailing: gBy Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son . blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voicefh (Gen. 22:16-18).
Do these promises refer only to Abrahamfs and Davidfs physical descendents or to all of the redeemed? Romans chapter 4, Galatians and Hebrews explain that Abraham is the father of all who trust in Christ (Rom. 4:16). All true believers in the Lord . both Jew and Gentile . are the ultimate fulfillment of this promise. God is going to save an enormous multitude, and the greatest revival is yet future!
Revival during the Tribulation
After the Rapture of the Church, the earth will experience the darkest time in all of history. Those who refuse to look to their Creator, repent of their sin, and trust in Jesus Christ will suffer Godfs wrath and be eternally damned. However, even during this time of severe tribulation, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tonguesh will trust in Jesus Christ and be saved (Rev. 7:9, 14).
This coming revival is also described in Daniel chapter 12. The context of Daniel 12 is the Great Tribulation, and verses 9 and 10 state: gGo your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.
How many will be saved? The Apostle John was told the number of an army in the last days . 200 million (Rev. 9:16). This was the approximate population of the world at that time. That John also beholds ga great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongue coming out of the Great Tribulation at the end of the age (Rev. 7:9, 14), indicates an enormous number of people on planet earth in the last days.
Now if John could number a 200 million man army, but he is unable to number this great multitude of redeemed people coming out the Tribulation, how many might this be? If he could number 200 million it seems reasonable he could number 300 or 400 or 500 million. Is it possible over a billion souls may surrender to the Lord during the Tribulation? I believe the Holy Spirit purposely inspired the words gno one could numberh to make sure that everyone knows he or she is invited . there is no limit!
gAnd the Spirit and the bride say, eCome!f And let him who hears say, eCome!f And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.h (Rev. 22:17).
Though God will judge the multitudes who turn their backs and ignore His Word and Savior, Godfs desire is to save. g(God) desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truthh (1 Tim. 2:4). geAs I live,f says the Lord GOD, eI have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you diefh (Ezek. 33:11).
God loves His creation . particularly those made in His image. gFor God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting lifeh (John 3:16). In fact Jesusf name literally means gThe Lord is salvation.h So even during the time of greatest wrath, God is gnot willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentanceh (2 Peter 3:9).
Future Revival!
Now if there will be such a great revival during earthfs darkest days, what type of revival will occur during the righteous and wonderful rule of Christ?! A time when: They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious." (Is. 11:9-10). (See also: Is. 2:1-5; Hos. 1:10; Rom. 15:12)
gAnd in that day you will say: ePraise the LORD, call upon His name; Declare His deeds among the peoples, Make mention that His name is exalted. Sing to the LORD, For He has done excellent things; This is known in all the earthfh (Is. 12:4-6).
gfSing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,f says the LORD. Many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to youh (Zech. 2:10-11). The Lord Himself will rule and reign from Jerusalem and many nations shall become His people!
For 2000 years believers have prayed, gOur Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heavenh (Matthew 6:9). Surely this prayer will be answered during the Millennium and then completely fulfilled in the New Heaven and New Earth (Rev. 21 and 22)!
In Romans chapter 11, Paul explains that God is not through with the Jewish nation. He has always preserved and saved a believing remnant . even in their apostate times . and turned even their disobedience for good: Now if their (Israelites) fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!h (Rom. 11:12). Their fullness will occur during the Millennium . and a great, great multitude of both believing Jews and Gentiles will trust in their Creator, Lord, and Savior Jesus Christ!
The Innumerable Angels
How many angels are there and does their number relate at all to the number of the redeemed? Scripture repeatedly refers to angels as the gsons of Godh (Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7), and states that there are gan innumerable company of angelsh (Heb. 12:22). Might there be as many angels as there are stars in heaven? Yes, there may!
In fact, the Bible likens the angels to the stars of heaven: gYou alone are the LORD; You have made heaven, The heaven of heavens, with all their host, The earth and everything on it, The seas and all that is in them, And You preserve them all. The host of heaven (angels) worships Youh (Neh. 9:6).
gI saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven (angels) standing by, on His right hand and on His lefth (1 Kings 22:19).
How many angels follow the Lord? g(Satanfs) tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earthh (Rev. 12:4). Apparently one third of the angels fell; therefore two-thirds still follow the Lord . an innumerable company of holy angels.
Millennium Fulfillment of Godfs Grand Plan
God has never rescinded His original Dominion Mandate to mankind: gBe fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue ith (Gen. 1:28). However, due to mankindfs sin and the resultant curse, Godfs original intent was greatly restricted. Raising children under the curse involved great sorrow and pain (Gen. 3:16), and tending and harnessing the earth became much more difficult (Gen. 3:17).
However, at the end of the Tribulation the earth will be resurfaced by great earthquakes that will destroy every city, lift ever valley, lower every mountain and move every island (Rev. 6:12-14; 16:17-21; Is. 24:1-4). Jerusalem will be lifted up and Mt. Zion will become the highest of all mountains (Zech. 14:10; Micah 4:1). Significant changes to the environment will occur when Christ returns to Jerusalem (Zech. 14), including gthe powers of the heavens shall be shakenh (Matt. 24:29). Other transformations include gthe light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfoldh (Is. 30:26).
At the onset of the Millennium, the curse will be substantially lifted and the earth will be restored to near ideal conditions. A protective canopy will likely be restored because life spans will be expanded to what they were at the beginning of creation (Is. 65:20-22). All the earth will become rich once again with lush vegetation, the deserts will blossom abundantly, and the sick healed (Gen. 1:29; Is. 4:2; 30:23-26; 35; Amos 9:13-14). Healing waters will flow from Jerusalem and give life to the Dead Sea and wherever the waters flow (Ezek. 47:1-9; Is. 30:25). There will be trees that bear fruit every month and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for medicine (Ezek. 47:12).
Nature shall be reconciled to itself: gThe wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them. cAnd the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play by the cobra's hole, cThey shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the seah (Is. 11:6-9).
As Many as the Stars of Heaven?
Before the Flood, manfs lifespan was about 900 years (Gen. 5). Childbearing years were also greatly extended compared to today . Noah was 500 years old when he had children! With global righteousness, peace, and plenty, combined with long life spans and the blessing of child rearing restored, the population will mushroom quickly. To calculate how many and how quickly, we must estimate the saved population that will survive the Tribulation and estimate the likely annual population growth rate.
How many repopulate the earth? At the end of the Tribulation when the Lord returns to set-up His millennial kingdom, Isaiah tells us gTherefore the curse has devoured the earth, and those who dwell in it are desolate. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are lefth (Is. 24:6). Jesus explains, and unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortenedh (Matt. 24:22). Therefore, only the elect and a small fraction of earth population will survive the Tribulation period.
Today population is about 7 billion. But during the Tribulation we know many will die: gAnd power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earthh (Rev. 6:8). Subsequent plagues kill even more: By these three plagues a third of mankind was killedh (Rev. 9:18). The remaining Bowl Judgments will kill even more people (Rev. 15 & 16).
How many will survive? Concerning the Jews, Zechariah provides this insight: And it shall come to pass in all the land,f Says the LORD, That two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, But one -third shall be left in it: I will bring the one-third through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, This is My peopleh; and each one will say, The LORD is my God.hfh (Zech. 13:8-9).
Officially there are an estimated 13 to 14 million Jews alive today. Some believe the number is much higher because many Jews do not identify themselves as Jewish due to fear of persecution. I spoke to the head of one Messianic Jewish group who believes there are over 20 million Jews alive today. Only God knows for certain, but I suspect he may be right. If the Tribulation period began today and one-third are preserved, then about 4 to 7 million Jews will enter the Millennium saved and will repopulate the earth.
Can we estimate how many Gentiles will make it through saved? Zechariah 8:23 provides this clue: 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. Could it be that ten times as many Gentiles enter the Millennium redeemed?
We know that most of the Gentiles who survive the Tribulation will not be believers. So if we estimate that only 280 million Gentiles survive the Tribulation (4% of the current population), and one quarter of these are believers in the Lord, then 70 million believing Gentiles will enter the Millennium . or 1% of the worldfs current population.
But let start with very conservative numbers and say that 4 million Jews and only 6 million Gentiles enter the renewed earth. Assuming a conservative population growth rate of 3%, by the end of the Millennium there would be ~69 X 101. people! That 69 million trillion people!
However, I think it is possible that 7 million Jews and 70 million Gentiles are preserved and saved at the end. Further, a population growth rate of 4% seems likely based on the restored Edenic conditions. If these estimates are correct then there would be over 102. people on the
In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus explains that those of all the nations who remain alive after the Tribulation will be judged and the righteous will inherit His kingdom on earth. Matthew 24:30 and Revelation 1:7 tell us that at Christ return gall the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.h Apparently most people who remain are not saved and they mourn because they know that they must now face judgment.
earth at the end of the Millennium! This number is in the range of all the stars in the universe and all sand grains by the sea combined! Might God literally fulfill His promise to Abraham?
Conclusion
The current earth could never support such a huge population. However, as wefve reviewed, the millennial earth will be renewed and perhaps greatly enlarged. The Millennium Temple complex will be significantly larger than previous temples (Ezek. 40-48. Cf. 2 Chron. 3:3). And the New Jerusalem that descends from heaven to the earth at the end of the Millennium will be 1500 miles square . far too large for the present earth.
And there is another clue that the population of saved souls may be as the stars of heaven. It is found in a parable concerning the coming kingdom. In this parable Jesus exhorts His followers to serve Him diligently until His return. Those who invested in the Lordfs work and faithfully served Him in this life will receive a wonderful commendation: gThen came the first, saying, eMaster, your mina has earned ten minas.f And he said to him, eWell done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.f And the second came, saying, eMaster, your mina has earned five minas.f Likewise he said to him, eYou also be over five cities.fh (Luke 19:16-19).
The church, the Old Testament saints, and all the Tribulation martyrs will be glorified and reign as kings and priests with Christ for a thousand years. Each of the Lordfs disciples will receive an eternal inheritance in proportion to their faithfulness in this life. Some will be over ten cities!4
gThe LORD has said to Me, eYou 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 possessionfh (Psalm 2:7-8). Jesus has been interceding for lost souls to be reconciled to God, and surely He shall see the labor of His soul and be abundantly satisfied (Hebrews 7:25; Isaiah 53:11)!
Messiah will receive the nations as His inheritance, and apparently many (perhaps most?), of the souls will be redeemed and be a part of His eternal inheritance!
After the Millennium, God will make a new heaven and a new earth; the Lord will dwell with man in all His glory; usher in everlasting righteousness; there will be no more sin, death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain . no more curse! The Lord will make all things new and we shall inherit all things (Rev. 21 and 22)! gHe who testifies to these things says, eSurely I am coming quickly.f Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!h (Rev. 22:20)!
If 10 billion souls throughout the ages are saved and glorified, and if the population is 102. (a trillion trillion) at the end of the Millennium, then on average, each glorified saint will be over trillions of people by the end of Millennium.
World Population Growth
Addendum
Jesus said Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, eBe removed and be cast into the sea, it will be done (Matt. 21:21). I believe we may literally fulfill this promise during the Millennium. Letfs say you are reigning over a town and the families are quickly outgrowing their area. Perhaps you will pray to the Lord to shift a mountain or remove a few hills to make more room for the burgeoning population! And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receiveh (Matt. 21:22).
During the Millennium there will be some death and limited sin (Is. 65:20). Though the saints will be glorified and full of the joy of the Lord, we may have limited sorrow and tears during the Millennium, and particularly at the end when some of those who wefve discipled rebel. After that there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, pain, or curse ever again! AMEN.
During the 20th century mankind experienced the fastest population growth rate in recorded history . during one period averaging over 2% annually. This exponential increase began in the 1800s and continues today. (Refer to the World Population Growth graph on page 10)
During the future Millennium Kingdom the population will likely grow even more rapidly due to the restored earthfs Eden-like environment, greatly extended life spans, the blessings of child rearing restored, sin nipped in the bud, and Satan bound.
If we assume a very conservative annual population growth rate of 2% and if the Millennium commences with only 4 million people, then by the middle of the Millennium there would be about 80 billion people, and by the end of the Millennium the population would swell to over a thousand trillion people!1 As this article will explain, I believe this number is very conservative.
God Eternal Promises
You might be saying gWho cares . why is this important?h I believe this has deep theological ramifications concerning the nature of God and His faithfulness to His promises to mankind. In the beginning God commanded mankind, gBe fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue ith (Genesis 1:28; 9:1, 7). Due to mankindfs sin and resultant curse, this has never happened . yet.
Later God promised to Abraham, geLook now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them.f And He said to him, eSo shall your descendants befh (Gen. 15:5). God promised Abraham that his descendents would number as the stars of heaven! This clear guarantee is reiterated over and over in Godfs Word (Gen. 13:16; 22:17; 26:4; Exod. 32:13; Deut. 1:10; 1 Chron. 27:23; Jer. 33:22; Heb. 11:12; etc.).
I believe the Lord will literally fulfill His promise to both the physical descendents and the spiritual descendents of gAbraham, who is the father of us allh (Rom. 4:16). Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. (God) does not say, And to seeds,f as of many, but as of one, eAnd to your Seed,f who is Christh (Gal. 3:16. See also Gen. 12:3; 18:18; 22:18). Through faith in Christ an innumerable multitude will be saved!
To calculate the future population, use the following formula: Pn = P (1 + r)n in which P is the population at any certain time, r is the proportionate annual increase in population, and Pn is the population n years later. So for our example Pn = 4,000,000 X (1 + 0.02)1000 = 1.593 X 101.
Who will repopulate the Millennial Earth?
Zechariah chapters 12 and 13 explain that one-third of all the Jews will survive the Tribulation, finally trust in their Messiah, and enter the Millennium saved. They, along with believing Gentiles who survive through the Tribulation, will have healed bodies and repopulate the earth during the Millennium (Matt. 25:31-46; Is. 33:24; Is. 35; Ps. 72:16; Mic. 4:7). All those who enter the millennial earth will be redeemed, however their offspring will still have a sin nature (Is. 65:20) and have to choose whether to sincerely trust in the Lord.
All the Old Testament believers, New Testament church, and Tribulation martyrs will receive their glorified bodies and return with Christ to reign as kings and priests for one thousand years (Exod. 19:6; Dan. 7:13-14; Zech. 14:5-9; 1 Pet. 2:5, 9; Jude 14-15; Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6).
Millennium Population Explosion and Rebellion
g
When the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the seah (Rev. 20:7-8).
At the end of the Millennium there will be a great number of people on the earth who will rebel against God. Though they are living in ideal conditions with the Prince of Peace reigning from Jerusalem, as many gas the sand of the seah will choose to rebel and follow Satan. Their revolt does not last long because gfire (comes) down from God out of heaven and (devours) themh (Rev. 20:9).2
Based on this passage, many good Bible teachers believe that the majority of those living on the earth will reject the Lord. And sadly, many will rebel. However if we survey the numerous Scriptures describing the Millennium promises, it appears that many will be saved!
Revival in the Millennium!
The good news is that there are several passages which indicate that many, perhaps the majority, will trust the Lord! Referring to the Jews during the Millennium, God promises: gYour 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. A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation. I, the LORD, will hasten it in its timeh (Is. 60:21-22).
This rebellion, under near perfect conditions, will forever silence the humanistfs lie that man is basically good given an ideal environment. We need our Creator to redeem and change us.
Zechariah provides this encouraging insight: gThus says the LORD of hosts: ePeoples shall yet come, Inhabitants of many cities; The inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, gLet us continue to go and pray before the LORD, And seek the LORD of hosts. I myself will go also. Eyes, many peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.f Thus says the LORD of hosts: eIn 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. (Zech. 8:20-23).
Not only will the Jews be saved and made righteous by faith in the Lord, but ga small oneh from the Jewish remnant will become ga strong nationh and gmany peoples and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem!
Psalm 72:7-8 adds gIn His (Messiahfs) days the righteous shall flourish, and abundance of peace, until the moon is no more. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
Verses 15-19 provides these amazing promises: gPrayer also will be made for Him continually, and daily He shall be praised. There will be an abundance of grain in the earth, On the top of the mountains; Its fruit shall wave like Lebanon; And those of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth. His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun. And men shall be blessed in Him; All nations shall call Him blessed. Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, Who only does wondrous things! And blessed be His glorious name forever! And let the whole earth be filled with His glory. Amen and Amen.
Psalm 22 describes the suffering and the victory of the Messiah. It concludes with this assurance: gAll the ends of the world shall remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations shall worship before Youh (v. 27). This does not sound like most are feigning submission to the Lord . they are truly turning to and trusting in Him!
In fact, these and other Scriptures declare that the greatest revival ever will occur during the Millennium. Yes, there will be sin (Ps. 2:8-9; Is. 60:12; 65:20; Zech. 14:16-19; Rev. 2:27), and a great many will revolt at the end (Rev. 20:8), but it also appears a great many will be saved.
In the New Testament we read: gNone of them shall teach his neighbor, and none his brother, saying, eKnow the LORD,f for all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of themh (Heb. 8:11). This is the New Covenant promise God made in Jeremiah 31:31-34 to the Jews . but the Book of Hebrews applies it not only to Jewish believers, but to all who will trust the Lord!
Remember Godfs incontrovertible covenant: gThus says the LORD: eIf you can break My covenant with the day and My covenant with the night, so that there will not be day and night in their season, then My covenant may also be broken with David My servant, so that he shall not have a son to reign on his throne, and with the Levites, the priests, My ministers. As the host of heaven cannot be numbered, nor the sand of the sea measured, so will I multiply the descendants of David My servant and the Levites who minister to Mefh (Jer. 33:20-22). David, Israelfs greatest king, was given the same promise as Abraham (2 Sam. 7:11-16).
God promise to Abraham and the Israelites is unfailing: gBy Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son . blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voicefh (Gen. 22:16-18).
Do these promises refer only to Abrahamfs and Davidfs physical descendents or to all of the redeemed? Romans chapter 4, Galatians and Hebrews explain that Abraham is the father of all who trust in Christ (Rom. 4:16). All true believers in the Lord . both Jew and Gentile . are the ultimate fulfillment of this promise. God is going to save an enormous multitude, and the greatest revival is yet future!
Revival during the Tribulation
After the Rapture of the Church, the earth will experience the darkest time in all of history. Those who refuse to look to their Creator, repent of their sin, and trust in Jesus Christ will suffer Godfs wrath and be eternally damned. However, even during this time of severe tribulation, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tonguesh will trust in Jesus Christ and be saved (Rev. 7:9, 14).
This coming revival is also described in Daniel chapter 12. The context of Daniel 12 is the Great Tribulation, and verses 9 and 10 state: gGo your way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, made white, and refined, but the wicked shall do wickedly; and none of the wicked shall understand, but the wise shall understand.
How many will be saved? The Apostle John was told the number of an army in the last days . 200 million (Rev. 9:16). This was the approximate population of the world at that time. That John also beholds ga great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongue coming out of the Great Tribulation at the end of the age (Rev. 7:9, 14), indicates an enormous number of people on planet earth in the last days.
Now if John could number a 200 million man army, but he is unable to number this great multitude of redeemed people coming out the Tribulation, how many might this be? If he could number 200 million it seems reasonable he could number 300 or 400 or 500 million. Is it possible over a billion souls may surrender to the Lord during the Tribulation? I believe the Holy Spirit purposely inspired the words gno one could numberh to make sure that everyone knows he or she is invited . there is no limit!
gAnd the Spirit and the bride say, eCome!f And let him who hears say, eCome!f And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.h (Rev. 22:17).
Though God will judge the multitudes who turn their backs and ignore His Word and Savior, Godfs desire is to save. g(God) desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truthh (1 Tim. 2:4). geAs I live,f says the Lord GOD, eI have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you diefh (Ezek. 33:11).
God loves His creation . particularly those made in His image. gFor God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting lifeh (John 3:16). In fact Jesusf name literally means gThe Lord is salvation.h So even during the time of greatest wrath, God is gnot willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentanceh (2 Peter 3:9).
Future Revival!
Now if there will be such a great revival during earthfs darkest days, what type of revival will occur during the righteous and wonderful rule of Christ?! A time when: They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, who shall stand as a banner to the people; For the Gentiles shall seek Him, and His resting place shall be glorious." (Is. 11:9-10). (See also: Is. 2:1-5; Hos. 1:10; Rom. 15:12)
gAnd in that day you will say: ePraise the LORD, call upon His name; Declare His deeds among the peoples, Make mention that His name is exalted. Sing to the LORD, For He has done excellent things; This is known in all the earthfh (Is. 12:4-6).
gfSing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion! For behold, I am coming and I will dwell in your midst,f says the LORD. Many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and they shall become My people. And I will dwell in your midst. Then you will know that the LORD of hosts has sent Me to youh (Zech. 2:10-11). The Lord Himself will rule and reign from Jerusalem and many nations shall become His people!
For 2000 years believers have prayed, gOur Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heavenh (Matthew 6:9). Surely this prayer will be answered during the Millennium and then completely fulfilled in the New Heaven and New Earth (Rev. 21 and 22)!
In Romans chapter 11, Paul explains that God is not through with the Jewish nation. He has always preserved and saved a believing remnant . even in their apostate times . and turned even their disobedience for good: Now if their (Israelites) fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!h (Rom. 11:12). Their fullness will occur during the Millennium . and a great, great multitude of both believing Jews and Gentiles will trust in their Creator, Lord, and Savior Jesus Christ!
The Innumerable Angels
How many angels are there and does their number relate at all to the number of the redeemed? Scripture repeatedly refers to angels as the gsons of Godh (Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7), and states that there are gan innumerable company of angelsh (Heb. 12:22). Might there be as many angels as there are stars in heaven? Yes, there may!
In fact, the Bible likens the angels to the stars of heaven: gYou alone are the LORD; You have made heaven, The heaven of heavens, with all their host, The earth and everything on it, The seas and all that is in them, And You preserve them all. The host of heaven (angels) worships Youh (Neh. 9:6).
gI saw the LORD sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven (angels) standing by, on His right hand and on His lefth (1 Kings 22:19).
How many angels follow the Lord? g(Satanfs) tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earthh (Rev. 12:4). Apparently one third of the angels fell; therefore two-thirds still follow the Lord . an innumerable company of holy angels.
Millennium Fulfillment of Godfs Grand Plan
God has never rescinded His original Dominion Mandate to mankind: gBe fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue ith (Gen. 1:28). However, due to mankindfs sin and the resultant curse, Godfs original intent was greatly restricted. Raising children under the curse involved great sorrow and pain (Gen. 3:16), and tending and harnessing the earth became much more difficult (Gen. 3:17).
However, at the end of the Tribulation the earth will be resurfaced by great earthquakes that will destroy every city, lift ever valley, lower every mountain and move every island (Rev. 6:12-14; 16:17-21; Is. 24:1-4). Jerusalem will be lifted up and Mt. Zion will become the highest of all mountains (Zech. 14:10; Micah 4:1). Significant changes to the environment will occur when Christ returns to Jerusalem (Zech. 14), including gthe powers of the heavens shall be shakenh (Matt. 24:29). Other transformations include gthe light of the moon will be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun will be sevenfoldh (Is. 30:26).
At the onset of the Millennium, the curse will be substantially lifted and the earth will be restored to near ideal conditions. A protective canopy will likely be restored because life spans will be expanded to what they were at the beginning of creation (Is. 65:20-22). All the earth will become rich once again with lush vegetation, the deserts will blossom abundantly, and the sick healed (Gen. 1:29; Is. 4:2; 30:23-26; 35; Amos 9:13-14). Healing waters will flow from Jerusalem and give life to the Dead Sea and wherever the waters flow (Ezek. 47:1-9; Is. 30:25). There will be trees that bear fruit every month and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for medicine (Ezek. 47:12).
Nature shall be reconciled to itself: gThe wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them. cAnd the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play by the cobra's hole, cThey shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the seah (Is. 11:6-9).
As Many as the Stars of Heaven?
Before the Flood, manfs lifespan was about 900 years (Gen. 5). Childbearing years were also greatly extended compared to today . Noah was 500 years old when he had children! With global righteousness, peace, and plenty, combined with long life spans and the blessing of child rearing restored, the population will mushroom quickly. To calculate how many and how quickly, we must estimate the saved population that will survive the Tribulation and estimate the likely annual population growth rate.
How many repopulate the earth? At the end of the Tribulation when the Lord returns to set-up His millennial kingdom, Isaiah tells us gTherefore the curse has devoured the earth, and those who dwell in it are desolate. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are lefth (Is. 24:6). Jesus explains, and unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortenedh (Matt. 24:22). Therefore, only the elect and a small fraction of earth population will survive the Tribulation period.
Today population is about 7 billion. But during the Tribulation we know many will die: gAnd power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earthh (Rev. 6:8). Subsequent plagues kill even more: By these three plagues a third of mankind was killedh (Rev. 9:18). The remaining Bowl Judgments will kill even more people (Rev. 15 & 16).
How many will survive? Concerning the Jews, Zechariah provides this insight: And it shall come to pass in all the land,f Says the LORD, That two-thirds in it shall be cut off and die, But one -third shall be left in it: I will bring the one-third through the fire, will refine them as silver is refined, and test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, This is My peopleh; and each one will say, The LORD is my God.hfh (Zech. 13:8-9).
Officially there are an estimated 13 to 14 million Jews alive today. Some believe the number is much higher because many Jews do not identify themselves as Jewish due to fear of persecution. I spoke to the head of one Messianic Jewish group who believes there are over 20 million Jews alive today. Only God knows for certain, but I suspect he may be right. If the Tribulation period began today and one-third are preserved, then about 4 to 7 million Jews will enter the Millennium saved and will repopulate the earth.
Can we estimate how many Gentiles will make it through saved? Zechariah 8:23 provides this clue: 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. Could it be that ten times as many Gentiles enter the Millennium redeemed?
We know that most of the Gentiles who survive the Tribulation will not be believers. So if we estimate that only 280 million Gentiles survive the Tribulation (4% of the current population), and one quarter of these are believers in the Lord, then 70 million believing Gentiles will enter the Millennium . or 1% of the worldfs current population.
But let start with very conservative numbers and say that 4 million Jews and only 6 million Gentiles enter the renewed earth. Assuming a conservative population growth rate of 3%, by the end of the Millennium there would be ~69 X 101. people! That 69 million trillion people!
However, I think it is possible that 7 million Jews and 70 million Gentiles are preserved and saved at the end. Further, a population growth rate of 4% seems likely based on the restored Edenic conditions. If these estimates are correct then there would be over 102. people on the
In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus explains that those of all the nations who remain alive after the Tribulation will be judged and the righteous will inherit His kingdom on earth. Matthew 24:30 and Revelation 1:7 tell us that at Christ return gall the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.h Apparently most people who remain are not saved and they mourn because they know that they must now face judgment.
earth at the end of the Millennium! This number is in the range of all the stars in the universe and all sand grains by the sea combined! Might God literally fulfill His promise to Abraham?
Conclusion
The current earth could never support such a huge population. However, as wefve reviewed, the millennial earth will be renewed and perhaps greatly enlarged. The Millennium Temple complex will be significantly larger than previous temples (Ezek. 40-48. Cf. 2 Chron. 3:3). And the New Jerusalem that descends from heaven to the earth at the end of the Millennium will be 1500 miles square . far too large for the present earth.
And there is another clue that the population of saved souls may be as the stars of heaven. It is found in a parable concerning the coming kingdom. In this parable Jesus exhorts His followers to serve Him diligently until His return. Those who invested in the Lordfs work and faithfully served Him in this life will receive a wonderful commendation: gThen came the first, saying, eMaster, your mina has earned ten minas.f And he said to him, eWell done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.f And the second came, saying, eMaster, your mina has earned five minas.f Likewise he said to him, eYou also be over five cities.fh (Luke 19:16-19).
The church, the Old Testament saints, and all the Tribulation martyrs will be glorified and reign as kings and priests with Christ for a thousand years. Each of the Lordfs disciples will receive an eternal inheritance in proportion to their faithfulness in this life. Some will be over ten cities!4
gThe LORD has said to Me, eYou 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 possessionfh (Psalm 2:7-8). Jesus has been interceding for lost souls to be reconciled to God, and surely He shall see the labor of His soul and be abundantly satisfied (Hebrews 7:25; Isaiah 53:11)!
Messiah will receive the nations as His inheritance, and apparently many (perhaps most?), of the souls will be redeemed and be a part of His eternal inheritance!
After the Millennium, God will make a new heaven and a new earth; the Lord will dwell with man in all His glory; usher in everlasting righteousness; there will be no more sin, death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain . no more curse! The Lord will make all things new and we shall inherit all things (Rev. 21 and 22)! gHe who testifies to these things says, eSurely I am coming quickly.f Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!h (Rev. 22:20)!
If 10 billion souls throughout the ages are saved and glorified, and if the population is 102. (a trillion trillion) at the end of the Millennium, then on average, each glorified saint will be over trillions of people by the end of Millennium.
World Population Growth
Addendum
Jesus said Assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but also if you say to this mountain, eBe removed and be cast into the sea, it will be done (Matt. 21:21). I believe we may literally fulfill this promise during the Millennium. Letfs say you are reigning over a town and the families are quickly outgrowing their area. Perhaps you will pray to the Lord to shift a mountain or remove a few hills to make more room for the burgeoning population! And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receiveh (Matt. 21:22).
During the Millennium there will be some death and limited sin (Is. 65:20). Though the saints will be glorified and full of the joy of the Lord, we may have limited sorrow and tears during the Millennium, and particularly at the end when some of those who wefve discipled rebel. After that there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, pain, or curse ever again! AMEN.
« Qui es-tu? »
« Qui es-tu? »
« Sais-tu qui tu es ?»
« Quelle est ton identité en Christ? »
« Vous avez tout en moi »
« Je puis tout par celui qui me fortifie » Amen.
J’ai tout pleinement en lui. Amen. Ce message nous ramène à notre identité dans le Seigneur. Savons-nous que Christ, le fils de Dieu, a donné sa vie pour nous? Le comprenons-nous vraiment?. Jésus Christ, fils de Dieu a donné sa vie et nous a délivré des ténèbres de l’enfer; il nous a réconcilié avec Dieu, notre Père Céleste. Il a agi comme un pont pour nous unir au Père. Par la croix, Jésus nous racheté de la malédiction de nos premiers parents Adam et Ève. Il nous a donné le pouvoir de devenir des enfants de Dieu. Lorsque nous devenons enfants de Dieu et cela uniquement par l’acceptation de Jésus comme notre Seigneur et Sauveur personnel, au travers de la repentance et de la reconnaissance de notre état de pécheurs. Par cet acte de renonciation à notre ancienne vie de pécheur et par l’acceptation de notre nouvelle vie en Jésus, notre identité reflète celle de la nouvelle créature que nous sommes en Jésus Christ. Être « en Christ », c’est recevoir une nouvelle identité.
« Et comme tous meurent en Adam, de même aussi tous revivront en Christ » (1Cor. 15 : 22)
Jésus, dépendait complètement de Dieu son Père. Les écritures nous disent de Jésus dans (Jean. 5 : 30). : « Moi, je ne peux rien faire par moi-même ». Si ton identité est en Jésus Christ comme celle de Jésus est en Dieu son Père, alors tu vas dépendre de lui complètement et tout ce que tu auras à faire sera de te soumettre à lui et lui laisser faire. Tu n’auras rien à faire par toi-même car la Parole déclare « Je puis tout par celui qui me fortifie ». C’est Jésus qui te fortifie et t’amène à réussir les actions que tu dois entreprendre !
Nous ne sommes plus exclus de la présence de Dieu, nous sommes assis avec Christ dans les lieux célestes (Éphésiens 2:6). C’est vraiment notre identité et nous devons nous en souvenir.
« Vous avez tout en moi ». Notre vie en christ a changé les paramètres de notre vie actuelle : attitude, vision du monde, compréhension des choses… Cette nouvelle naissance en Jésus nous a permis de nous rapprocher de Christ. Christ est devenu notre espérance, notre assurance, et notre force. Il n y a rien que nous ne puissions faire ou espérer dans la situation actuelle de la nouvelle naissance. Ce n’est plus par notre puissance, ni à cause de notre propre force, mais par l’Esprit du Seigneur. « Vous avez tout pleinement en lui, qui est le chef de toute domination et de toute autorité » (Colossiens 2 : 8-10).
Frères et sœurs, ne nous laissons pas tromper par des doctrines et des philosophies de toutes sortes des hommes et de ce monde. Nous avons été affranchis par la vérité divine que nous avons connue. Ne laissons pas le monde nous détourner par des doctrines vaines et destructrices car tout cela nous mènera à la ruine. Jésus est vrai et il vit à jamais, croyons le et nous serons plus que vainqueurs car notre identité est en lui.
Soyez bénis.
« Sais-tu qui tu es ?»
« Quelle est ton identité en Christ? »
« Vous avez tout en moi »
« Je puis tout par celui qui me fortifie » Amen.
J’ai tout pleinement en lui. Amen. Ce message nous ramène à notre identité dans le Seigneur. Savons-nous que Christ, le fils de Dieu, a donné sa vie pour nous? Le comprenons-nous vraiment?. Jésus Christ, fils de Dieu a donné sa vie et nous a délivré des ténèbres de l’enfer; il nous a réconcilié avec Dieu, notre Père Céleste. Il a agi comme un pont pour nous unir au Père. Par la croix, Jésus nous racheté de la malédiction de nos premiers parents Adam et Ève. Il nous a donné le pouvoir de devenir des enfants de Dieu. Lorsque nous devenons enfants de Dieu et cela uniquement par l’acceptation de Jésus comme notre Seigneur et Sauveur personnel, au travers de la repentance et de la reconnaissance de notre état de pécheurs. Par cet acte de renonciation à notre ancienne vie de pécheur et par l’acceptation de notre nouvelle vie en Jésus, notre identité reflète celle de la nouvelle créature que nous sommes en Jésus Christ. Être « en Christ », c’est recevoir une nouvelle identité.
« Et comme tous meurent en Adam, de même aussi tous revivront en Christ » (1Cor. 15 : 22)
Jésus, dépendait complètement de Dieu son Père. Les écritures nous disent de Jésus dans (Jean. 5 : 30). : « Moi, je ne peux rien faire par moi-même ». Si ton identité est en Jésus Christ comme celle de Jésus est en Dieu son Père, alors tu vas dépendre de lui complètement et tout ce que tu auras à faire sera de te soumettre à lui et lui laisser faire. Tu n’auras rien à faire par toi-même car la Parole déclare « Je puis tout par celui qui me fortifie ». C’est Jésus qui te fortifie et t’amène à réussir les actions que tu dois entreprendre !
Nous ne sommes plus exclus de la présence de Dieu, nous sommes assis avec Christ dans les lieux célestes (Éphésiens 2:6). C’est vraiment notre identité et nous devons nous en souvenir.
« Vous avez tout en moi ». Notre vie en christ a changé les paramètres de notre vie actuelle : attitude, vision du monde, compréhension des choses… Cette nouvelle naissance en Jésus nous a permis de nous rapprocher de Christ. Christ est devenu notre espérance, notre assurance, et notre force. Il n y a rien que nous ne puissions faire ou espérer dans la situation actuelle de la nouvelle naissance. Ce n’est plus par notre puissance, ni à cause de notre propre force, mais par l’Esprit du Seigneur. « Vous avez tout pleinement en lui, qui est le chef de toute domination et de toute autorité » (Colossiens 2 : 8-10).
Frères et sœurs, ne nous laissons pas tromper par des doctrines et des philosophies de toutes sortes des hommes et de ce monde. Nous avons été affranchis par la vérité divine que nous avons connue. Ne laissons pas le monde nous détourner par des doctrines vaines et destructrices car tout cela nous mènera à la ruine. Jésus est vrai et il vit à jamais, croyons le et nous serons plus que vainqueurs car notre identité est en lui.
Soyez bénis.
« Il n’y a point d’autre Dieu que moi! »
« Il n’y a point d’autre Dieu que moi! » Amen.
« I am the mighty God » said the Lord! ( Je suis le Dieu Tout-puissant) Amen.
« Qui se compare à moi!
Suis le créateur de toutes choses
Rien n’a n’existé sans moi
Les cieux et la terre passeront, moi je vis d’éternité en éternité, de générations en générations
« Je suis », je vis et mon règne n’a point de fin
Je suis le début et la fin
La terre et les cieux passeront, mon règne subsistera à jamais ». Amen. Paroles prophétiques pour son peuple!.
Avez-vous remarqué que c’est Dieu lui-même qui se présente à nous ce matin, Le message nous dit : Je suis, je vis, moi, mon règne. Tous les sujets des phrases prononcées sont à la première personne. Alléluia.
Frères et sœurs, ce message nous révèle la présence et le règne indestructible de notre Dieu. Dieu ne peut être échangé contre quelque chose d’autre, il ne peut pas être comparé à rien d’autre que lui-même car il existe et règne, point final.
Matthieu 13:16-17 nous dit : « Mais heureux sont vos yeux, parce qu’ils voient, et vos oreilles, parce qu’elles entendent! Je vous le dis en vérité, beaucoup de prophètes et de justes ont désiré voir ce que vous voyez et ne l’ont pas vu, entendre ce que vous entendez, et ne l’ont pas entendu. » Nous donc frères et sœurs, écoutons et voyons combien Dieu nous aime; qu’il prenne le temps un samedi matin de nous parler afin de nous rapprocher davantage de lui. Dieu nous encourage par l’évidence de sa nature divine à ne pas laisser le monde nous faire des propositions qui n’ont pas de sens et qui sont là pour nous perdre. Quelle grâce, nous recevons les messages de notre Dieu directement de son cœur, WOW, nous n’avons plus besoin de passer par un sacrificateur comme dans l’ancien testament. Dieu nous fait sacrificateurs lui-même, en sommes-nous conscients?.
La parole déclare :
- 1 Pierre 2 –9 et 10 : « vous au contraire, vous êtes une race élue, un sacerdoce royal, une nation sainte, un peuple acquis, afin que vous annonciez les vertus de celui qui vous a appelé des ténèbres à son admirable lumière. Vous qui autrefois n’étiez pas un peuple, et qui maintenant êtes le peuple de Dieu, vous qui n’aviez pas obtenu miséricorde, et qui maintenant avez obtenu miséricorde ».
- Apocalypse 1-6 : « Dieu a fait de nous un royaume, des sacrificateurs pour Dieu son Père, à lui soient la gloire et la puissance, aux siècles des siècles ! » Amen !. Dieu nous a fait des sacrificateurs pour lui.
- Apocalypse 5- 9 et 10 : « tu as racheté par ton sang des hommes de toute tribu, de toute langue, de tout peuple et de toute nation. Tu as fait d’eux un royaume et des sacrificateurs pour notre Dieu, et ils régneront sur la terre ».
Si nous sommes des sacrificateurs élus de Dieu, alors écoutons ce message car le rôle du sacrificateur est relié au service. C’est notre rôle de sacrificateur d’annoncer au peuple ce que Dieu nous a donné afin qu’il le serve. C’est un service particulier, précieux entre tous, qui consiste à entrer dans la présence de Dieu et à offrir des sacrifices, à représenter le peuple devant Dieu à « l’autel », et représenter Dieu devant le peuple. C’est par ce moyen que Dieu faisait connaître ses pensées à ses élus (Moïse entre autres); c’est à « l’autel »que nous recevons la signification des secrets de Dieu. Dieu n’a pas changé; il est le même aujourd’hui, hier et éternellement. Dieu se révèle à ceux qui l’invoquent! Amen.
Aujourd’hui Dieu nous dit au travers de son message qu’il est le seul Dieu, le Dieu tout puissant, qu’il n’y a point d’autre que lui. Que le monde ne nous détourne pas de cette Parole divine que Dieu nous fait connaître ce matin; ce n’est pas parce que nous ne le savions pas, mais parce que nous avons tendance à oublier souvent à mettre les priorités à la bonne place. Dieu est notre priorité et doit le demeurer car il n y point d’autre qui soit comparable à lui. Il est le début et la fin et son règne n’a point d’égal Alléluia.
Frères et sœurs, y a-t-il quelque part dans ce siècle un autre dieu qui soit présenté comme le Dieu créateur de toutes chose?, y en a –t-il qui parle à ses « enfants » de manière directe comme il l’a fait ce matin?, y a-t-il un dieu qui guérisse encore les malades aujourd’hui?. Écoutons donc notre Dieu qui nous dit « I am the mighty God ». Il est le Dieu tout puissant, à qui rien ne résiste, qui peut tout par lui-même. Amen.
Voyez comment les écritures nous présente notre Dieu. Il parle lui-même et se présente comme l’Éternel Yahweh, ton Dieu (Elohim). Tu n’auras point d’autre Dieu devant ma face (Exode 20 :1-3), « Sache donc aujourd’hui et médite en ton cœur que l’Éternel est Dieu, dans les cieux et sur la terre et il y’en a point d’autre » (Deutéronome 4 :35et39), « il n y a point de dieu à côté de moi » (Deutéronome 4 :32-39). « …afin que vous connaissiez et que vous me croyiez, et que vous compreniez que je suis le même : avant moi aucun Dieu n’a été formé, je suis l’Éternel, et hors de moi il n’y en a point qui sauve (Ésaïe 43 : 10, 11), il n y a pas de sauveur hors moi (Osée 13 :4).
Dieu confirme sa divinité dans le nouveau testament de la bouche de ses serviteurs.
Marc 12 :29 et 32 : « Le Seigneur notre Dieu est un seul Seigneur…Il n’ y a point d’autre que lui. Il n’y a qu’un seul Dieu déclare Paul aux Romains 3:30.
« Au seul Dieu, notre Sauveur, par notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ, gloire et majesté, force et pouvoir dès avant tout siècle et maintenant et pour tous les siècles » (Jude 25).
Notre Dieu est le seul et unique Dieu, croyons le!
« Si tu oublies l'Éternel, ton Dieu, et que tu ailles après d'autres dieux, si tu les sers et te prosternes devant eux, je vous déclare formellement aujourd'hui que vous périrez » (Deutéronome 8 :19).
Soyez bénis.
« I am the mighty God » said the Lord! ( Je suis le Dieu Tout-puissant) Amen.
« Qui se compare à moi!
Suis le créateur de toutes choses
Rien n’a n’existé sans moi
Les cieux et la terre passeront, moi je vis d’éternité en éternité, de générations en générations
« Je suis », je vis et mon règne n’a point de fin
Je suis le début et la fin
La terre et les cieux passeront, mon règne subsistera à jamais ». Amen. Paroles prophétiques pour son peuple!.
Avez-vous remarqué que c’est Dieu lui-même qui se présente à nous ce matin, Le message nous dit : Je suis, je vis, moi, mon règne. Tous les sujets des phrases prononcées sont à la première personne. Alléluia.
Frères et sœurs, ce message nous révèle la présence et le règne indestructible de notre Dieu. Dieu ne peut être échangé contre quelque chose d’autre, il ne peut pas être comparé à rien d’autre que lui-même car il existe et règne, point final.
Matthieu 13:16-17 nous dit : « Mais heureux sont vos yeux, parce qu’ils voient, et vos oreilles, parce qu’elles entendent! Je vous le dis en vérité, beaucoup de prophètes et de justes ont désiré voir ce que vous voyez et ne l’ont pas vu, entendre ce que vous entendez, et ne l’ont pas entendu. » Nous donc frères et sœurs, écoutons et voyons combien Dieu nous aime; qu’il prenne le temps un samedi matin de nous parler afin de nous rapprocher davantage de lui. Dieu nous encourage par l’évidence de sa nature divine à ne pas laisser le monde nous faire des propositions qui n’ont pas de sens et qui sont là pour nous perdre. Quelle grâce, nous recevons les messages de notre Dieu directement de son cœur, WOW, nous n’avons plus besoin de passer par un sacrificateur comme dans l’ancien testament. Dieu nous fait sacrificateurs lui-même, en sommes-nous conscients?.
La parole déclare :
- 1 Pierre 2 –9 et 10 : « vous au contraire, vous êtes une race élue, un sacerdoce royal, une nation sainte, un peuple acquis, afin que vous annonciez les vertus de celui qui vous a appelé des ténèbres à son admirable lumière. Vous qui autrefois n’étiez pas un peuple, et qui maintenant êtes le peuple de Dieu, vous qui n’aviez pas obtenu miséricorde, et qui maintenant avez obtenu miséricorde ».
- Apocalypse 1-6 : « Dieu a fait de nous un royaume, des sacrificateurs pour Dieu son Père, à lui soient la gloire et la puissance, aux siècles des siècles ! » Amen !. Dieu nous a fait des sacrificateurs pour lui.
- Apocalypse 5- 9 et 10 : « tu as racheté par ton sang des hommes de toute tribu, de toute langue, de tout peuple et de toute nation. Tu as fait d’eux un royaume et des sacrificateurs pour notre Dieu, et ils régneront sur la terre ».
Si nous sommes des sacrificateurs élus de Dieu, alors écoutons ce message car le rôle du sacrificateur est relié au service. C’est notre rôle de sacrificateur d’annoncer au peuple ce que Dieu nous a donné afin qu’il le serve. C’est un service particulier, précieux entre tous, qui consiste à entrer dans la présence de Dieu et à offrir des sacrifices, à représenter le peuple devant Dieu à « l’autel », et représenter Dieu devant le peuple. C’est par ce moyen que Dieu faisait connaître ses pensées à ses élus (Moïse entre autres); c’est à « l’autel »que nous recevons la signification des secrets de Dieu. Dieu n’a pas changé; il est le même aujourd’hui, hier et éternellement. Dieu se révèle à ceux qui l’invoquent! Amen.
Aujourd’hui Dieu nous dit au travers de son message qu’il est le seul Dieu, le Dieu tout puissant, qu’il n’y a point d’autre que lui. Que le monde ne nous détourne pas de cette Parole divine que Dieu nous fait connaître ce matin; ce n’est pas parce que nous ne le savions pas, mais parce que nous avons tendance à oublier souvent à mettre les priorités à la bonne place. Dieu est notre priorité et doit le demeurer car il n y point d’autre qui soit comparable à lui. Il est le début et la fin et son règne n’a point d’égal Alléluia.
Frères et sœurs, y a-t-il quelque part dans ce siècle un autre dieu qui soit présenté comme le Dieu créateur de toutes chose?, y en a –t-il qui parle à ses « enfants » de manière directe comme il l’a fait ce matin?, y a-t-il un dieu qui guérisse encore les malades aujourd’hui?. Écoutons donc notre Dieu qui nous dit « I am the mighty God ». Il est le Dieu tout puissant, à qui rien ne résiste, qui peut tout par lui-même. Amen.
Voyez comment les écritures nous présente notre Dieu. Il parle lui-même et se présente comme l’Éternel Yahweh, ton Dieu (Elohim). Tu n’auras point d’autre Dieu devant ma face (Exode 20 :1-3), « Sache donc aujourd’hui et médite en ton cœur que l’Éternel est Dieu, dans les cieux et sur la terre et il y’en a point d’autre » (Deutéronome 4 :35et39), « il n y a point de dieu à côté de moi » (Deutéronome 4 :32-39). « …afin que vous connaissiez et que vous me croyiez, et que vous compreniez que je suis le même : avant moi aucun Dieu n’a été formé, je suis l’Éternel, et hors de moi il n’y en a point qui sauve (Ésaïe 43 : 10, 11), il n y a pas de sauveur hors moi (Osée 13 :4).
Dieu confirme sa divinité dans le nouveau testament de la bouche de ses serviteurs.
Marc 12 :29 et 32 : « Le Seigneur notre Dieu est un seul Seigneur…Il n’ y a point d’autre que lui. Il n’y a qu’un seul Dieu déclare Paul aux Romains 3:30.
« Au seul Dieu, notre Sauveur, par notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ, gloire et majesté, force et pouvoir dès avant tout siècle et maintenant et pour tous les siècles » (Jude 25).
Notre Dieu est le seul et unique Dieu, croyons le!
« Si tu oublies l'Éternel, ton Dieu, et que tu ailles après d'autres dieux, si tu les sers et te prosternes devant eux, je vous déclare formellement aujourd'hui que vous périrez » (Deutéronome 8 :19).
Soyez bénis.
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