Many Christians believe in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Few, however, talk about what will happen after He returns. Yet the Bible gives definitive answers.

Dozens of clear, detailed Bible prophecies show that, after Christ returns, a 1,000-year period will occur during which He will rule Earth with His saints. Many Christians downplay this Millennium or regard it as being “spiritual,” not literal. But this 1,000-year Millennium is the literal reign of Jesus Christ on Earth. It will be a government just as real as ancient Israel, the Roman Empire or the United States.

For 6,000 years, mankind has been cut off from God, and Satan has influenced this world as its god (2 Corinthians 4:4). He has deceived the whole world with his broadcasts (Revelation 12:9; Ephesians 2:2). After Jesus Christ returns, however, Satan and his demons will be bound for a thousand years, no longer able to influence mankind (Revelation 20:1-3). This thousand-year period of Satan being removed and bound is the same as the Millennium. It will be time free from the devil’s influence.

This of course means the Millennium is a future event, because the world right now is clearly still heavily influenced by Satan. When that evil spirit influence is removed, however, everyone will have the opportunity to receive the wonderful truth God reveals in the Bible, and to learn the way to true happiness.

Prophecies about this marvelous time show that it will be a time of peace, when “nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more” (Isaiah 2:4). Disease and debility will be healed; people will enjoy robust health (Isaiah 33:21-22, 24; 35:5-6). Barren deserts will be reclaimed and made livable (verses 6-10). People worldwide will enjoy prosperity and abundance (Jeremiah 31:12-14; Amos 9:13-15).

In the Millennium, the saints of God will rule with Jesus Christ (Revelation 20:6; Daniel 7:18, 27; Revelation 3:21; 5:10). These resurrected saints will rule beside Jesus Christ as His Bride (Revelation 19:7-8). Under Christ’s direction, they will undertake a massive reeducation project, teaching mankind God’s truth. That is why God has called a small group out now to be His firstfruits (James 1:18): He is educating them in His truth, preparing them to teach others. At that time, the Earth truly will be “full of the knowledge of the Lord” (Isaiah 11:9). High-quality education will be universal; illiteracy will be eradicated. People worldwide will be united in speaking and praising God with one pure language (Zephaniah 3:9).

This reeducation will include instruction in God’s master plan for mankind, pictured by God’s seven annual festivals—which God commanded to be observed forever (Leviticus 23—see verses 14, 21, 31, 41). The sixth of these festivals, the Feast of Tabernacles—which true Christians still observe every year—actually pictures the coming Millennium: This weeklong festival points to and foreshadows the biblical prophecies about Christ’s coming rule!

Deuteronomy 14:22-27 and 16:13-15 show that during the Feast of Tabernacles, God wanted the ancient Israelites to abound with joy, thanksgiving and rejoicing. He commanded them to save a full tenth of their income throughout the year for use at this festival to help them rejoice. The Feast highlights the Millennium being a time of physical abundance, when the whole world will enjoy the fruits of obeying God’s law. Every person on Earth will participate in beautifying the Earth and learning about God and living His way of life.

Jesus Christ Himself risked His life to observe this holy day (John 7:8-14). He knew that these holy days pictured a time when all mankind would be offered salvation.

“Now 6,000 years of human experience have brought mankind to the very brink of world suicide,” Herbert W. Armstrong wrote in Mystery of the Ages. “So, in other words, the first 6,000 years of God’s 7,000-year plan were allotted to allow Satan to labor at his work of deceiving the world, followed by 1,000 years (one millennial day) when Satan shall not be allowed to do any of his ‘work’ of deception. Put another way, God marked out six millennial days to allow man to indulge in the spiritual labor of sin, followed by a millennium of spiritual rest, under the enforced government of God.”

What a beautiful vision! Once mankind submits to God’s law in the Millennium, all people living will be able to enjoy the truly happy way of life. What a wonderful time that will be! With great effort, we will rebuild whole cities, entire nations. We will raise up colleges, erect homes and farms. It will be the time of “refreshing” and the “restitution of all things,” prophesied in Acts 3:19-21. And it will all be directly led by the King of kings, ruling from His magnificent headquarters temple in Jerusalem, from where God’s law will flow (Isaiah 2:3). That city will become the joy of the whole Earth (Psalm 48:2). Under God’s government, the Millennium will be a genuine utopia!

Christ’s return is very soon, and the Millennium is a sure hope to hold onto during the dark days at the close of this age. For more detailed information, read Herbert W. Armstrong’s free booklet The Wonderful World Tomorrow—What It Will Be Like. It will give you an inspiring vision of this coming world.