The Millennial Kingdom

Isaiah 10:24-11:10

“Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD of hosts, O my people that dwellest in Zion, be not afraid of the Assyrian: he shall smite thee with a rod, and shall lift up his staff against thee, after the manner of Egypt.  For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction.” (Isaiah 10:24-25)

God has clearly stated that he is going to use the Assyrians to chasten Israel, but once their job is finished they will be destroyed for their refusal to acknowledge Him.  The people of Judah and Jerusalem have no need to be afraid of the Assyrians.  While they will make a brief attack, it will be like Pharaoh threatening the children of Israel when they fled to the Red sea.  After just a little while they will forget their anger against Judah, and God’s anger will be assuaged by their destruction.

“And the LORD of hosts shall stir up a scourge for him according to the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb: and as his rod was upon the sea, so shall he lift it up after the manner of Egypt.  And it shall come to pass in that day, that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder, and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the anointing.” (Isaiah 10:26-27)

Assyria will be judged and destroyed like the Midianites were in Gideon’s day as described in Judges 6.  Just as Moses held the rod over the Red Sea and caused the Egyptian army to be destroyed.  When it happens they will no longer be under the power of the Assyrians, nor will they ever have to fear them again.    

“He is come to Aiath, he is passed to Migron; at Michmash he hath laid up his carriages: They are gone over the passage: they have taken up their lodging at Geba; Ramah is afraid; Gibeah of Saul is fled.   Lift up thy voice, O daughter of Gallim: cause it to be heard unto Laish, O poor Anathoth.  Madmenah is removed; the inhabitants of Gebim gather themselves to flee.  As yet shall he remain at Nob that day: he shall shake his hand against the mount of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 10:28-32)

At the time of the prophecy, the Assyrians had invaded Israel and were in control of Syria.  Having established a base camp in Israel they had invaded the land of Benjamin and spread across the northern border of Judah threatening a full scale invasion.   It looked like defeat was certain. 

“Behold, the Lord, the LORD of hosts, shall lop the bough with terror: and the high ones of stature shall be hewn down, and the haughty shall be humbled.  And he shall cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon shall fall by a mighty one.” (Isaiah 10:33-34)

God will deal with Assyria like a farmer clearing out brush to prepare a new field.  He will chop off the branches and cut down the big trees, and pull out the small ones by the roots.  The old kingdom of Tyre, in present day Lebanon will be taken over by the Phoenicians and later the Greeks.

“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.  And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.” (Isaiah 11:1-5)

Though he doesn’t talk about it here, David’s family will be deposed when the Babylonians conquer Jerusalem, but his family would continue until Messiah came, about 10 BC.  Later he will return and set up his earthly kingdom for a thousand years, as described in Revelation 20.  Isaiah describes the Lord’s government during the millennial reign.   He will not judge just on what he sees or hears, but on the whole truth, guaranteeing totally fair treatment for the poor and the common people.  He will be strict and consistent killing those who do wickedly.  He will surround himself with what is right, and a reputation for consistency. 

“The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.  And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.  And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.  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.” (Isaiah 11:6-9)

During Christ’s millennial reign, there will be no animals preying on others, which leads me to believe it will be like the earth was created, before Adam’s sin.  Lions, leopards, baby calves and baby lambs will all play together without fear, following little child like a puppy.  Bears and lions will eat grass and hay just like the cows, and snakes, scorpions and spiders will no longer pose a threat to children.  There will be no vandalism or assaults in the entire land, because God’s standards are as thoroughly familiar as sea water is to the fish of the sea.

“And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.” (Isaiah 11:10)

During the millennium, Christ will be king and will represent the people of Israel.  All the peoples of the earth will come to Jerusalem to worship him.  Having completed his work of redemption and established his kingdom, his reign will be magnificent.