Millennium Superworld
Chapter 6: Millennial Government
How long will this new government last? And what will be the extent of its authority?
Christ’s new government will extend “from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth” (Ps. 72:8)—with far-reaching effects. No longer will people in different parts of the world have different allegiances, different heritages and different languages. All will be united as one nation, for “the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day shall there be one Lord, and his name one” (Zech. 14:9).
The prophet Daniel reveals both the scope of this new government’s jurisdiction and the term of office of its rulers: “And the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people of the saints of the most High, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey him” (7:27; cf. Ps. 145:13). It will be worldwide (“under the whole heaven”) and it will be eternal (“an everlasting kingdom”).
How does the term “everlasting kingdom” describe a thousand-year duration? The new government, once established, will last one thousand years, while the earth is transformed from its present condition to a state of universal peace and prosperity. Then, with the last vestige of evil removed, the last outpost of sin subdued and the rebellious-in-heart eliminated or reformed, all who remain will be made immortal and the new government will progress forever, for the prophecy is: “He shall reign for ever and ever” (Rev. 11:15; 22:5).