1000 Year Reign - What Will Happen?
- Rebecca Lynn Hardy
- Mar 30
- 13 min read
Years ago, when I began to deepen my relationship with Jesus, I would pray for hours
before I went to sleep each night. One particular week, I asked the Lord, “I know you can’t tell me when you are returning, but could you tell me what it will be like when you do?”
As I continued worshipping the Lord, relaxing in His presence, scenes flooded into my mind. It was like every other disaster movie you have seen: buildings reduced to rubble, people scrounging for food through the debris. “Yes, I know there will be destruction, but what else?”
My mom called me that weekend, saying, “I had the most vivid real dream I’ve ever had. I think God wants me to tell you about it…”
She, her husband, and one of her Christian friends were in a city that had been completely destroyed: no structure was standing as far as she could see. They were ministering to people who were wounded or dying. As they prayed for them, they were healed.
A small boy, dirty and ragged, was pulling a wagon with five loaves of bread piled inside of it. Some bigger boys ran up to him, trying to take the bread. Mom told them to stop and leave him be. The older boys looked startled and went on their way.
They were getting tired when she heard a sound, a call: they all did. Looking up, their bodies streaked skyward.
This was exactly what I was seeing. This is what it will be like at the beginning of the Thousand-Year Reign because the seventh bowl of wrath will have been poured out.
And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done. And there were voices, and thunders, and lightning; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were on the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give to her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. And there fell on men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent… (Revelation 16:17-21 AKJV)
The final bowl of wrath will release an earthquake stronger than anything the earth has previously seen since man has inhabited the third planet from the sun. It will be so fierce that there will be no more mountains or islands. Every building will also fall. This happens as Jesus takes care of God’s greatest enemy.
Then I saw an angel coming down from Heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And He laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, and cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. (Revelation 20:1-3 AKJV)
After the Lord clears out the AntiChrist and the False Prophet, destroying the army of the AntiChrist, He addresses the spirits behind this attack. The bottomless pit is where the angels reside, who originally rebelled against God, when they were sent to guide Adam and Eve on the Earth.
This is not the end of the Earth, nor of all the people of the Earth, only a brief respite from Satan. For 1,000 years, Satan will be bound in the bottomless pit while Jesus reigns on Earth. People will still have free will and be able to choose right or wrong, but they won’t have spirits pushing them in the wrong direction. Who will rule with the Lord?
And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark on their foreheads, nor in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (Revelation 20:4 AKJV)
This group should not be confused with the 144,000, of whom many were beheaded. Those who survived became part of the Rapture and can be seen in Heaven before the wrath is poured out. They “follow the Lamb wherever He goes,” making them part of Jesus’ entourage (Revelation 14).
The reward for being beheaded, because you missed the Rapture and refused to take the Mark or worship the Beast, is that you get to rule with Jesus for 1,000 years. This includes the part of the body of Christ that is in a Jezebel church but resists this spirit:
And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write: These things said the Son of God, who has His eyes like to a flame of fire, and His feet are like fine brass:
I know your works, and charity, and service, and faith, and your patience, and your works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding, I have a few things against you, because you suffer that woman Jezebel, which calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce My servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed to idols… I am He which searches the reins and hearts, and I will give to every one of you according to your works. But to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put on you no other burden. But that which you have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcomes, and keeps My works to the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of My Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit said to the churches. (Revelation 2:18-29 AKJV)
Thyatira has a lot of work, but they also tolerate Jezebel. They must “hold fast” until Jesus returns: that means they will not go in the rapture. The churches that have allowed Jezebel a place will not go in the Rapture; they will not be part of the wedding as the Bride, but if they make it through the devastation that comes, they will rule the nations of the world.
There is a second group that will also rule and reign with the Lord. From Revelation 20:4 there are those who are given judgement over others and those who didn’t take the mark and were beheaded because of it. This is their reward:
The remainder of the dead were not restored to life again until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he that has part in the first resurrection: on such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with Him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:5-6 AKJV)
Not all will be brought back with a physical body during the 1000-year reign. Only the judges and those beheaded will be granted a new body, just like Jesus did when He rose from the grave. If you give your life to the Lord, literally, as you are beheaded for not worshiping the Beast, you will experience the first resurrection; you are good for all eternity! The rest will remain in spiritual bodies until the final judgement.
The way God organized His people, Israel, and this prophecy seem to indicate that a part of the Bride is not in the ruling class of people on the Earth for several reasons. First, in Israel, the Queen of the King never ruled. Second, and most importantly, scripture shows us where the Bride is located after the marriage supper:
Then came one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues and spoke to me, saying, “Come, I will show you the Bride, the wife of the Lamb.” And he carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of Heaven from God… (Revelation 21:9-10 ESV)
This takes place after the 1,000-year reign. The Bride is in Heaven, in the New Jerusalem, which is another entire message. To be part of the Bride is a place of intimacy and honor with the Lord! Let’s recap the hierarchy in the very orderly Kingdom of Heaven:
Bridal Nobility: the 144,000 who remain close to Jesus, as part of His entourage. The part of the Bride that is beheaded for not worshiping the Beast, and the Judges
The Bride: The remaining Bride will have a place of intimacy with Jesus and God and resides in New Jerusalem in Heaven. Lives with God and has access to Jesus and Abba at all times.
Earthly Nobility: those beheaded for refusing the Mark before and after the Rapture, and those part of a Thyatira church will rule on the Earth.
Heavenly Commoners: Those who die before the Rapture and have taken Jesus as Lord, but didn’t seek God’s will for their lives. These are the farmers, bakers, and such of Heaven. Must petition and wait to see Jesus and God. More about this in the New Jerusalem message.
Your placement within each class will depend on how you lived your life on Earth. You may think that just being in Heaven is enough; however, eternity is a long time! As we get older, many of us regret not investing when we were in our twenties. Man, we could have been set! Don’t make the same mistake with your eternal life: You may want to consider investing in your future.
When I asked Jesus about what happened after the destruction, He showed me glimpses of how society would rebuild itself. Those who minister to the people will develop followings. These are the people they will rule and reign over with Jesus. In scripture, there isn’t a lot of information about what happens next, but we have a few facts:
And when the thousand years are ended, Satan will be released from his prison and will come out to deceive the nations that are at the four corners of the Earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them for battle; their number is like the sand of the sea. And they marched up over the broad plain of the Earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city, but fire came down from Heaven and consumed them, and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Revelation 20:7-10 AKJV)
We know that there will be 1,000 years of peace, then Satan will once again be loosed to test and deceive mankind. Gog is a land hostile to God that doesn’t yet exist. Magog refers to the people from that land that will come into existence in the future. In other words, the world will now rebel against the rule of our Lord. How long will Satan have to deceive the world?
The Feast of Tabernacles is a seven-day celebration where Israel remembers the journey through the wilderness when God resided with them. When we consider what we know about God, it gives us hints about the time to come:
With God, 1000 years is like a day.
Adam lived for 1000 years before being removed from the Garden of Eden.
There were approximately 6000 years after the Garden of Eden.
Adam and Eve had 1000 years in Eden with God, then Satan deceived them. There could be 1000 years on the Earth with Jesus ruling over mankind, then 6000 years of when Satan is let loose to test mankind, which would fulfill the Feast of Tabernacles. This is a minor detail and only a theory that makes no real difference concerning our salvation. Consider it food for thought.
Once again, we know that God has a plan and knows the outcome. This is the final fate of Satan, he is thrown into the lake of fire. Mankind’s destiny is, likewise, sealed at this time:
Then I saw a great white throne and Him who was seated on it. From His presence, Earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. (Revelation 20:11-12 AMPC)
Now is the time when all will be resurrected. Every person stands before God after 1000-year reign. The “books were opened” refers to the books that record the events of our lives. “Another book” refers to the book of life Jesus holds: the Lamb’s Book of Life.
And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:13-15 AMPC)
If you die without being beheaded, there will be a judgment day where you are held accountable for what you have done. The spiritual realm is often referred to as the “sea.” Death refers to those who have died but do not reside in Abraham’s bosom or Hades. There are “evil spirits” that were half human, half angel and cursed to walk the earth after they died. In Judaism, Hades refers to an intermediate place, with both good and bad areas. God is covering all who have died and are located anywhere. All will be judged at this time.
The “Book of Life” was mentioned to the Sardis Church who had “no perfect works” and was dying for lack of attachment to Jesus. You really, really, do not want your name blotted out of the Book of Life, so let’s look at that church.
And to the angel (messenger) of the assembly (church) in Sardis write: These are the words of Him Who has the seven Spirits of God [the sevenfold Holy Spirit] and the seven stars: I know your record and what you are doing; you are supposed to be alive, but [in reality] you are dead. (Revelation 3:1 AMPC)
God is reminding this church that His Spirit is sent out along with His angels (stars). The New Testament refers to people as “dead” before they know Jesus as Lord and “alive” once Jesus rules their life. That means this church is Christian in name only.
Rouse yourselves and keep awake, and strengthen and invigorate what remains and is on the point of dying; for I have not found a thing that you have done [any work of yours] meeting the requirements of My God or perfect in His sight. (Revelation 3:2 AMPC)
Jesus referred to those who were literally dead as being “asleep.” If you are not alert and active for the body of Christ, then you are spiritually asleep and dead. “Dead works” are those that are not connected to Jesus, the Vine. Although we can do many “good” works that benefit us or others, if they are not the works that the Lord has for us or if the works are not done according to God’s ways, then these works are considered “not perfect in His sight.”
James, the half-brother of Jesus, tells us that faith without works is dead:
For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:26 AKJV)
This scripture, from the New Testament and half-brother of our Lord, concludes the second chapter of James, in which there are many examples of why faith without works is dead. We cannot be saved by works, but when we really take Jesus as Lord, He becomes our Master and Owner, and we should begin working for Him. If we do not, then we may be part of the Sardis church. If this describes your life, you need to take action!
Begin by reading the entire second chapter of James. This may help to stimulate any Christian who is not working for the Kingdom of Heaven. Then start learning more of God’s ways and ask Him what work He has for you in His Kingdom.
So call to mind the lessons you received and heard; continually lay them to heart and obey them, and repent. In case you will not rouse yourselves and keep awake and watch, I will come upon you like a thief, and you will not know or suspect at what hour I will come. (Revelation 3:3 AMPC)
There is no “quick fix” for those who have been “dead” or “dying.” To wake up, you must relearn the basics of God’s ways. “Continually” in the above scripture shows that this will be a process. Don’t expect to do a quick repentance and have everything restored. You will need to learn and apply what you learn to your life, waking up step by step.
It is only for Christians who are asleep, in need of rousing, that the Lord’s Second Coming will be like a thief in the night. Do you know Christians who are unaware of how close we are to the return of the Lord? That don’t hear Him knocking on the door? Those who are awake will know the times and seasons. We will be ready for His return.
You have a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. (Revelation 3:4 AKJV)
God is singling out those who are not walking in the sin He is judging. If you remain in the church and are not sinning, as most are, then you will not receive the same judgment.
He that overcomes the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit said to the churches. (Revelation 3:5-6 AKJV)
White is a symbol of righteousness before God. The Book of Life is where our name is written when we take Jesus as Lord. Our names can be blotted out if we are “asleep” or with unrighteous works or even no works! This means we will not be cast into the lake of fire, a place of eternal suffering, if our names are not in that book!
Supporting God’s work is important. It allows the word to go forth, sounding loudly so that more people can wake up! It provides for the preachers, the teachers, the administrators, and the intercessors through whom the Holy Spirit flows to set people free. This is why having perfect works for God is important. How can people learn anew the first lessons if there is no one to teach them?
The 1000-Year Reign will begin with great devastation. Society will be rebuilt with Jesus ruling with an iron rod. Then there will be a final judgement after Satan is let loose once more. New Jerusalem comes after the destruction of the Earth when God rains down fire as people attack once more. But that is another message. For now, look at your life:
Do you know how Jezebel is getting into the church?
Look for the prophecy of 2020 where God sent a sign to confirm this.
Are you alive in Jesus or dying on the Vine?
The Online Christian Church has free classes to help you relearn God’s ways. OnlineChristianChurch.com: All materials, all classes, even tutoring, is free!
Don’t wait, begin today!
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