Religion and the Church in the Millennium
It's tempting to imagine a perfect society during the thousand-year Millennium, with most everyone being Spirit-filled Christians and worshiping Jesus who is physically reigning on the renewed earth. But as we have seen, there is continuity in many respects between our world as we know it today and how things will work during that glorious time.
For example, while Christ will be ruling and reigning, He will likely work through a hierarchy of leaders consisting of glorified saints and mortals. His rules will be promulgated and reinforced with training at each level that emphasizes love, humility, and leading by example.
Most of the initial population will consist of glorified saints who have been recently raptured as well as those who had previously died and gone to heaven. However, there will be a growing number of mortals who survived the tribulation. They and their progeny have free will regarding what they believe and how they act.
Zechariah 14 indicates that at the beginning of the Millennium some will not go to Jerusalem annually to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles and will suffer drought and plagues as a consequence. Most will choose the Christian religion and lifestyle, but some will not, culminating in the final rebellion described in Revelation 20.
So things will be a bit more complex and not the simple garden-like Eden we may have in mind. So what could religion and its expressions in churches look like during the Millennium? What might look similar and what might be different from the religious landscape we see today? The following are some possibilities.
Relevant characteristics of the Millennium
While there will be no demonic influence during the Millennium, the mortal humans on earth will have an opportunity to accept Christ and learn to overcome pride, selfishness, and other sins that come from within the human soul.
The Christian religion will be shown to be the one true view of God the Creator and how to relate to Him and to others as well as how to discover one’s identity and purpose. Its tenets and worldview will be promulgated in all facets of society.
Christianity is based on individual liberty to choose, so there will be no laws that require people to accept it personally.
Many people who do not accept Christ’s rule, personally or governmentally, will choose to move to regions with like-minded people. However, they will experience judgment such as drought and plagues.
Churches will be looked to by society as the primary provider of the following:
Sound Christian doctrine and worldview
Christian evangelism and discipleship
Activities promoting deep, biblical relationships between individuals, families, and interest groups
Charitable support for the less fortunate in the church
Fervent and effective prayer for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing
Examples of church expressions and activities:
There will be a variety of local expressions of Christianity, i.e., churches, that reflect the cultures and preferences of each group of believers.
Time and cost constraints will be minimal, so churches will have freedom to take on different looks and modes of operation
Corporate gatherings for praise, thanksgiving, preaching, teaching, and enjoying His tangible Presence
House gatherings to facilitate intimate relationships
Intentional identification and utilization of each person's gifts to help the church mature in the fruit of the Spirit
Topical gatherings and teaching to explore God's manifold mysteries (Proverbs 25:2)
Churches and groups within churches may form around shared interests in hobbies, educational pursuits, vocations, sports, etc.
Revival will be the norm, a habitation rather than occasional visitations; there will be little to no corruption or interruption in the continual revival atmosphere.
Whole cities may have annual gatherings, with Jesus as keynote speaker.
While there will be mega-gatherings, it is unlikely mega churches will form as Spirit-led multiplication results in churches that are family-based and relationship focused.
Church organization
The global church will be seen as an organic whole, with Christ as the head and its members working together as they are led by Holy Spirit.
Leaders will be held to a high standard by apostles and prophets who are responsible to one another and to Christ Himself.
Churches will integrate seamlessly with other aspects of society, especially government, business, and education, all of which will be focused at the city and community level.
Leaders will initially be glorified saints, who provide a bridge (thin veil) between heaven and earth and carry a heavenly aroma.
As mortals increase, mentored by glorified saints, they will begin to plant and lead churches consisting of other mortals
As with the other areas of society, much of what we can imagine for the church during the Millennium could be applied to the current Kingdom Age, which is becoming a strong foretaste of the Millennium. As Spirit-filled believers, and especially leaders, tap into heaven's revelations and ministry gifts, why shouldn't we see not just sporadic revivals, but many instances of ongoing Holy Spirit habitation? Why shouldn't we be walking around, participating seamlessly in every area of society with Holy Spirit fruit and gifts? Why shouldn't we exude that heavenly aroma?