Millennium Superworld
Chapter 8: Millennial Life and Health
Opportunity is said to be a time and a place favorable for executing a purpose; a suitable combination of conditions or circumstances favorable to some end.
In the present age, many people lack opportunity to accomplish what they would like to; they may lack time, place, health, money, suitable circumstance, or ability, or any combination of these. But none of these will stand in the way of the millenarians.
The first and greatest opportunity of the mortal citizens of the Millennial era will be that of preparing themselves for eternal life. The knowledge of God having been spread worldwide, it seems likely that the majority will be seriously engaged in that preparation. Of course, all will not. Never has God found all people interested in His offer. All will have to assent outwardly to the laws of the new government and comply with outward demands. But the inner transformation will still be a matter of individual choice and responsibility.
The standard for the life-seekers during the Millennium will be the same required in every age: absolute purity of heart and character, even as Christ is pure (1 John 3:3). Each person will have to make his own choice. Each will have to learn to obey if he wishes to live beyond the Millennium. Each will have to prove his own faithfulness under trial (James 1:12). Each will have to learn obedience, even in the midst of greatly improved conditions.
How do we know that the general populace will be tested and purified? In Revelation 7 they are pictured as having “washed their robes, and made them white in the blood [life, or word] of the Lamb” (v. 14). They are robed in “white,” symbolic of their moral purity (vs. 9-10, 13), the standard of character they will have attained during the Millennium.
But while they are engaged in this most important work, there will be opportunities open for them in all parts of the educational and social and political structures of the New World. It has always been God’s plan to reward superior effort with superior advancement, and such opportunity will be open to Millennium mortals. The Bible indicates that special assignments and positions will be open to the mortals of that age (likely to the more energetic and dedicated). The prophet Isaiah (chapter 66) has this to say:
“And I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal, and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles” (v. 19). This pictures a time early in the Millennium, before all have learned of the Lord’s purposes. Some of the more advanced will be sent as missionaries to those who are bewildered and need to be taught—what thrilling work to share in!
The prophet says further: “And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the Lord out of all nations…to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the Lord, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the Lord. And I will also take of them for priests and for Levites, saith the Lord” (vs. 20-21). The more advanced may hold administrative positions: they will be chosen to serve as “priests and…Levites.”
During the glorious Millennium, mortals will be able to choose a career and pursue it without fear of malicious schemers, untimely death, economic crises, or accident. What a glorious time in which to live!
For the immortals, the Millennium will be the opening of possibilities without limit. The whole earth will be theirs, and all that lies beyond will eventually be opened to their exploration. There will be limitless opportunities in education, administration, travel, creation, and every other area a human mind can imagine—and many more (1 Cor. 2:9). All will be available for immortal adventure. It will indeed be opportunity unlimited.