I’ve been thinking about the future of this world as a story idea is taking shape in my mind centered around the thousand year reign. If you’re not familiar with this, it’s really cool. And if you’re into Sci-Fi and or Fantasy, you’ll love it all the more.

After the great tribulation, Jesus will return to rule as the Jews expected Him to when He first arrived. He will rule this world for a thousand years while Satan is bound.

“Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven with the key to the bottomless pit and a heavy chain in his hand. He seized the dragon—that old serpent, who is the devil, Satan—and bound him in chains for a thousand years. The angel threw him into the bottomless pit, which he then shut and locked so Satan could not deceive the nations anymore until the thousand years were finished. Afterward he must be released for a little while.” – Revelation 20:1-3

Why would He do this?

I can’t know for sure. But I believe it’s one final opportunity for more people to choose Him.

“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.” – 2 Peter 3:9

But I also think it’s to show us just how messed up we are and how much we need a Savior.

In the Old Testament times, people didn’t have the Holy Spirit. The sacrificial system showed them their sin and need for a Savior. Sometimes God would “be with” someone. But without God, they were hopeless against sinning.

In the New Testament times, Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice for sin. If people believe in Him, the Holy Spirit will come reside within them, helping them not to sin.

Guess what … we still sin. Even with the Holy Spirit. Yes, we’re able not to sin and we sin less than we did before. But we still sin.

We could blame the devil. I mean, he’s still prowling around.

“Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8

And we could blame our imperfect justice system.

But, during the thousand year reign, Jesus will be here, ruling perfectly. Satan will be bound. And yet, people who survived the tribulation or were born during the thousand year reign will still sin.

How do I know? The Bible tells us that thousands of men will join an Army with Satan to fight against God. That’s thousands of people gathering together during Jesus’ rule.

“When the thousand years come to an end, Satan will be let out of his prison. He will go out to deceive the nations—called Gog and Magog—in every corner of the earth. He will gather them together for battle—a mighty army, as numberless as sand along the seashore. And I saw them as they went up on the broad plain of the earth and surrounded God’s people and the beloved city. But fire from heaven came down on the attacking armies and consumed them. Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” – Revelation 20:7-10

Honestly, I’m not sure I can write such a story though it would obviously be a work of fiction. But I love thinking about those who will come to rule with Christ.

“Then I saw thrones, and the people sitting on them had been given the authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony about Jesus and for proclaiming the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his statue, nor accepted his mark on their foreheads or their hands. They all came to life again, and they reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” – Revelation 20:4

Those of us who died in Christ will be raised to rule with Him. We’ll probably have bodies like Jesus did after His resurrection–able to morph his appearance, walk through walls, etc.

It doesn’t get much more Sci-Fi/Fantasy than that.

Whether I ever write stories set against the thousand year reign backdrop or not, it’s fun to think about. And it’s a good reminder of just how dire our situation is and how much we need Christ.

If you don’t know Christ as your Savior, I pray that you will. Don’t know what to do? Check out my post: Get Saved.

You are loved,

J F Rogers