For the past week, we have been rehearsing the coming 1,000-year period of rest and peace on earth, based upon II Peter 3:8, which states that With the LORD a day is like a thousand years. Finally, after 6,000 years of botched human history marked by horrific wars, arduous toil, sin, and endless conflict, the Millennium, symbolized by the Feast of Tabernacles, represents a Sabbath-like era of total restoration under Christ's rule, in which God's resurrected saints will be serving as kings and priests.
The Millennial Sabbath has multiple spiritual implications, including:
Rest from Sin and Spiritual Warfare - which God's saints have had to endure since their calling. When Satan is bound (Revelation 20:2-3) humanity will experience relief from continuous deception and temptation, allowing widespread knowledge of Almighty God (Isaiah 11:9): proclaiming The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea). This abundance of knowledge, also described in Hebrews 8:10; 10:16; and Jeremiah 31:31-34, represents the fulfillment of God's sanctification process, in which believers enter a state of holiness and direct communion with Christ.
Role of the Saints - Resurrected believers (the Bride of Christ) will rule as priests and kings (Revelation 5:10, 20:6) embodying God's glory as glorified spirit beings, shepherding survivors, the remnants of Jacob's family as well as Gentiles. This Millennial practicum implies a period of teaching and spiritual growth, preparing for eternity.
Sabbath Observance - Prophecies (including Isaiah 66:23) reinforce the seventh day Sabbath will be universally kept during the Millennium. The Millennial Sabbath contains several societal and global implications such as:
