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THE
END OF THE THOUSAND YEARS
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146.
Will the Kingdom come to an end at the close of
the thousand years?
Answer: The kingdom will
never end: but will undergo a change at the close
of the millenium.
Proof:
And
he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever;
and of his kingdom there shall be no end. (Luke
1:33).
And
when all things shall be subdued unto him, then
shall the Son also himself be subject unto him
that put all things under him, that God may be
all in all. (1 Cor. 15:28).

147.
What will be the nature of the change that will
take place then?
Answer: The nature of
the change in its detail has not been revealed:
but we know that death will then cease upon earth,
and that Christ will deliver up the Kingdom to
the Father, that God may be all in all.
Proof:
The
last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. (1
Cor. 15:26).
And
God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes;
and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow,
nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain:
for the former things are passed away. (Rev. 21:4).
Then
cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up
the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall
have put down all rule and all authority and power.
For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies
under his feet. (1 Cor. 15:24-25).

148.
How will the cessation of death be brought about
at the end of the thousand years?
Answer: By all men being
made immortal who have come into harmony with
God during the reign of Christ. As for those who
remain out of harmony with Him, they will be destroyed.
Proof:
And
he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega,
the beginning and the end. I will give unto him
that is athirst of the fountain of the water of
life freely. (Rev. 21:6).
But
the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable,
and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers,
and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their
part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone:
which is the second death. (Rev. 21:8).
The
LORD preserveth all them that love him: but all
the wicked will he destroy. (Psa. 145:20).
Thou
puttest away all the wicked of the earth like
dross: therefore I love thy testimonies. (Psa.
119:119).
And
death and hell were cast into the lake of fire.
This is the second death. (Rev. 20:14).

149.
Will those who live as mortal men during the reign
of Christ have it in their power to become immortal
at the end of the thousand years?
Answer: Yes; if they
please God, they will enter into life at the end
of the thousand years, just as those do who enter
into life at the beginning of that period. If
they die before that time, they will then be raised
and glorified. If they are alive, they will be
changed. Their number will be much greater than
the number of those who become immortal at the
beginning of the thousand years. They will be
the harvest, while those accepted at the coming
of Christ will be but the first-fruits.
Proof:
The
last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. (1
Cor. 15:26).
In
the midst of the street of it, and on either side
of the river, was there the tree of life, which
bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her
fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree
were for the healing of the nations. (Rev. 22:2).
And
I saw the dead, small and great, stand before
God; and the books were opened: and another book
was opened, which is the book of life: and the
dead were judged out of those things which were
written in the books, according to their works.
(Rev. 20:12).
These
are they which were not defiled with women; for
they are virgins. These are they which follow
the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed
from among men, being the firstfruits unto God
and to the Lamb. (Rev. 14:4).

150.
When death is thus abolished from the earth, will
the earth be destroyed?
Answer: No; the earth
will endure for ever, filled with the glory of
God and His deathless rejoicing people.
Proof:
And
there shall be no more curse: but the throne of
God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants
shall serve him: And they shall see his face;
and his name shall be in their foreheads. And
there shall be no night there; and they need no
candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord
God giveth them light: and they shall reign for
ever and ever. (Rev. 22:3-5).
For
the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of
the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the
sea. (Hab. 2:14).
And
he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like
the earth which he hath established for ever.
(Psa. 78:69).
Ask
of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine
inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth
for thy possession. (Psa. 2:8).
But
the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight
themselves in the abundance of peace. The wicked
plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him
with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him: for
he seeth that his day is coming. The wicked have
drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow,
to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such
as be of upright conversation. Their sword shall
enter into their own heart, and their bows shall
be broken. A little that a righteous man hath
is better than the riches of many wicked. For
the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the
LORD upholdeth the righteous. The LORD knoweth
the days of the upright: and their inheritance
shall be for ever. (Psa. 37:11-18).
And
the seventh angel sounded; and there were great
voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world
are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his
Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (Rev.
11:15). |