In part one of this series we looked at the King coming as a babe, who would be a servant and establish personal salvation through His death on the cross and His resurrection. The Gospel Age began. People (Jew and Gentile) would become members of Christ's spiritual kingdom. This kingdom exists now. You must be born again to comprehend it and belong to it (John 3:3-8).

The next phase of Christ's kingdom is a very physical and visible kingdom. Jesus will come to this world and rule an earthly, global kingdom, fulfilling promises made to both Israel and the Church. This is called the Millennial kingdom. It is yet to appear to mankind.

In the previous lesson and in this lesson, we now explore the third and final phase of the kingdom of Christ. When Jesus has put down all enemies, He will surrender His kingdom to the Father, that God may be all in all (I Corinthians 15:20-28). The old heaven and earth will pass away. There will be a new heaven and earth. There will also be a New Jerusalem. This is an eternal kingdom that is the climax of all things. This kingdom is the perfected result of all things that God the Father has chosen to do through His Son. Thus will be fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah 9:7, "Of the increase of His government and of His peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over his kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this." Click here to view the diagram.

Our multiple Scripture readings, at the beginning of this lesson show us the eternal nature of the King and His kingdom. Born in the little town of Bethlehem (City of David), yet Jesus actually has no beginning. His "goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting" (Micah 5:2). King Jesus "shall abide before God (the Father) forever" (Psalm 61:6-7). The Father, speaking to His Son says, "Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom" (Hebrews 1:8 cp. Psalm 45:6).

Now we must move on to the actual transition to Christ's eternal kingdom in Revelation 20:7 - 21:8.

Revelation 20:7-10 - Satan makes one final attempt to deceive the nations and to try to destroy Christ's millennial kingdom. His effort fails and he is cast into the lake of fire (Isaiah 14:12-17).

Revelation 20:11-15 - Next is the great white throne judgement. All those who died in their sins are judged according to their works. Those, whose names are not written in the Lamb's book of life will be cast into the lake of fire. This is called the second death. You must be born again to escape the second death. Are you in the Lamb's book of life? See Revelation 21:27; 22:17.

Born once - Die twice… Born twice - Die once!

Note that death and hell are also cast into the lake of fire. Right now, hell is only a holding place, like a jail, where people await trial. People in hell are awaiting the great white throne judgment where they will be condemned and sentenced to the lake of fire, which is like a permanent prison (Matthew 25:41,46). At this point, the last enemies have been put down, put under Christ's feet, and destroyed (I Corinthians 15:24-26).

Revelation 21:1 - There will be a passing away of the old heaven and the old earth (Matthew 24:35; II Peter 3:10). There will instantly be a new heaven and a new earth. It will not take billions of years to evolve! There will be no more sea. Why? The sea has been a way of dividing people (Acts 17:26). It is with great risk that men have traversed it, going to other continents (Psalm 107:23-31). The new earth will be a great united planet for a great united people!

Revelation 21:2-3 - The New Jerusalem, capitol city of the new world, will descend from God, out of heaven. She will be as beautiful as a bride presenting herself to her husband at a wedding. This city is called "The bride, the Lamb's wife." See Ephesians 5:22-32; II Corinthians 11:1-2 cp. Revelation 21:9 . The saints of the New Testament Church shall be ministers in this great city. The nations of them that are saved (all the other saints before and after the Church Age) shall come in and out continually to worship God face-to-face. Many of these things, along with more details, may be studied in Revelation 21:9 - 22:7.

Revelation 21:4-5 - A new life of eternal bliss, beyond description, awaits the Lord's people. Misery, suffering, pain, temptation, sin, and death are all removed. Everything about our previous life will be transformed and made new (Psalm 31:19; Isaiah 64:4; Matthew 25:34; Romans 8:18; Philippians 3:20-21; II Peter 3:13). It shall be glorious!

In view of all this, what should we do?

Keep our focus on the glories of the New Jerusalem and Christ's eternal kingdom. All earthly glories pale in comparison (Hebrews 11:9-10; 12:28 cp. II Corinthians 4:14-18; I Peter 1:13; Jude 1:20-21).

Sanctify our spirit, soul, and body in preparation for being citizens of the New Jerusalem and Christ's eternal kingdom (II Peter 3:11-14; Matthew 6:24-33; II John 1:8; I Thessalonians 5:14-24).

Still yourselves. Keep yourself from doubt, fear, anger, and all other distractions (Psalm 46:1-11; Isaiah 26:3; James 5:7-11,13; John 14:27; 16:33).