The Christadelphian Instructor/Concerning The End of the Thousand Years
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).