Jesus the Messiah Reigns in the Millennium
Psalm 99:1-9 |
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Introduction: This is a Millennial scene. I. The Lord Reigns. (Psa. 99:1) A. Let the people tremble. (v1) In this Psalm Jesus the Messiah is shown reigning, which indicates that this is a Messianic Psalm in which Christ rules in the coming Millennium. B. He sitteth between the cherubim. In the Holy of holies in the Tabernacle and Temple was placed the ark of the covenant. The Ark of the Covenant was a box, covered with gold. It had a lid on top of the box in which where the images of two cherubim facing each other. Between them was the mercy seat where once a year the high priest would come and sprinkle the blood of a perfect and blemish-free lamb. This was done symbolically to show the day when the Messiah would come take away the sins of the people. The ritual itself did not take away sin, but the ritual pointed to the coming Messiah, who would forgive the sins of the righteous, meaning those who lived by faith. The Old Testament believer was saved by the shed blood of Jesus Christ the same as in our Church Age. "So the people sent to Shiloh, that they might bring from thence the ark of the covenant of the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth between the cherubim: and the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, were there with the ark of the covenant of God" (1 Samuel 4:4). God’s presence seen between the Cherubim showed that God then as the Savior is with His people. He is reigning and with His people in the Holy of Holies. It was the blood of the lamb that was sprinkled between the Cherubim, that looked forward to the coming sacrifice of Jesus the Messiah. It was His sacrifice and shed blood that God the Father accepted for the remission of sin. At no time in the Bible did God ever indicate that man’s works saved him. This was a ritual, but the meaning of the ritual was that only the blood of the Lamb, Jesus the Messiah would take away sins. C. Most Bible commentators say the "people" are the unsaved who are to tremble at the presence of the Lord. That could be true, but here I think this is a reference to the saved in the Millennium. There will be the believing remnant that survives the seven-year Tribulation who are not killed. These will enter the 1000 year Millennium as God preserves them because of their faith. Furthermore, when Christ appears at His second coming those who have not believed will also tremble. Another group will be those that in the Millennium reject Christ and openly sin and commit crimes. Jesus is said to rule th a rod of iron. "And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. (Revelation 2:26-27) "And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God." (Revelation 19:15) Although the Millennium will be a time of peace on earth, with Satan and his demons locked up and not tempting people, there will be those who will not believe and accept Jesus Christ as there Lord and Savior. READ Rev. 20:7-10. Christ in the Millennium will rule justly and righteously. The world will have a perfect government and God’s laws will be the rule of the people, administered by Jesus Himself and the saints of God from the Old and New Testaments. Those that commit criminal acts will be swiftly judged and punishment justly executed. What a wonderful day it will be when our Lord and Savior is given His proper honor. Blinders will be removed, and the hindrances to truly exalting the Lord will cease to exit. Christ will be worshiped truly in spirit and truth. (v5) Moses and Aaron are among His priests. (Psa. 99:6-8) Moses was Israel’s prophet and leader and Aaron was their priest. Here both Moses and Aaron are seen as priests in the Millennial Kingdom. This also is further evidence that this Psalm is referring to Christ’s rule in the Millennium. Moses is identified as a priest, however, in the Old Testament he was prophet, yet he is described here as serving with Aaron who was the high priest. Samuel was not a priest also, but a Levite and God’s prophet. This verse shows all three men "calling upon the Lord" and administering before the Lord. (v6) D. Let the earth be moved. The whole of the earth will see the majesty of the Messiah. The word moved means the movement of staggering. words they are awed and humbled in His presence.
II. The Lord is great in Zion. (99:2-5) is the Bible always refers to the hill of Jerusalem. Moriah in particular.
A. He high above all the people. As the Messiah finally, after all the centuries, is recognized and accepted by Israel who are His people.
B. Let them praise God’s greatest and terrible name. (V3) We understand the word praise, and the word "terrible" means to be feared or revered. Thus, Christ is ruling in Jerusalem from the temple mount. There will be a new Temple built.
1. Read Isaiah 2:1-5;
2. Isaiah 60:1-14
3. Ezekiel 40-48 describes in great detail the Millennial Temple.
4. Haggai 2:7-9
C. For He is Holy. This a noun that means this is a name of God. To God as being a sanctuary. Is a special place set aside for a single and strict purpose. It refers to the separation of God from sin and a place of refuge from sin and evil. He indeed is holy, being separated from sin and those flee to Him are protected by His holiness.
D. The King’s strength loveth judgment, establishes equity, executes judgment and righteousness in Jacob. (V4)
There is a new thing the earth has never seen. That is a perfect and righteous ruler. He has love, or a deep affection for judgment. Jesus is seen as ruling with a rod of iron. There then is perfect justice. You commit the crime you reap your just reward. No plead bargains, no appeal to one’s upbringing, no reduced sentences. He rules perfectly and administers justice without restraint. He is not swayed by emotional appeals or closing arguments. He is the prosecutor, the defense and the judge and knows all.
Again, He is ruling in Jacob. Jacob refers to Israel, thus Jesus is ruling from the nation of Israel and from its capitol Jerusalem.
III. Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at His foot stool, for He is holy. (Psa. 99:5)
The title "Lord" is "Jehovah" or "self existent one". The name "God" is the word "elohiym" is plural and "eloah" identifies God as the God of the Hebrews.
The word "holy" is the Hebrew word "qados - kaw-dos'’ and means sacred. The root word means "pure" and "devoted or dedicated." It is more than just separated, but "separated and devoted." The statement qualified exalting God as being faithful to Him. "And ye shall be holy unto me: for I the LORD am holy, and have severed you from other people, that ye should be mine." (Leviticus 20:26) Israel being separated "holy" were to be a witness and testimony and to reveal God to the world.
Based upon the intimate nature of the believer and God, the Lord expected His people to live up to His expectations and demonstrate themselves as a holy nation. (Vines, p113)
IV. The Millennial Temple.
A. Many Scriptures state that there will be a restoration of the Temple, the sacrifices and the priesthood in the Millennium. (Psa. 51:18,19; Isa. 66:21; Jer. 33:17-18; Eze. 40:38-43; Zec. 1:16; Hag. 2:9).
I often here people say they do not need to go to church to worship as they can worship wherever they are. That is a totally false idea. Worshiping God is always seen as a formal and solemn affair. We can revere the Lord in our hearts as we should, but love of God and being thankful to Him also demands the believer formally worship Him. It is to be a joyous but respectful worship that is directed toward God, and not the entertainment of the worshiper.
The modern "emergent" church movement has turned the worship of our Lord into a disrespectful, show, and a informal, come-as-you are concert. God wants us to sing to Him, but in a respectful way. We do not take the worlds music, change some words and offer that to the Lord. In the Temple worship God killed two sons who offered "strange" fire unto the Lord. God only accepts a "pure" and holy worship.
B. They called and the Lord answered them. These are faithful men of God and God hears their prayers and accepts their worship.
C. God spake to them in the cloudy pillar, they kept his testimonies and ordinances.
The cloudy pillar lead Moses and Israel and then rested in the Holy of Holies. The pillar reflected the "Shechinah" glory of the Lord.
D. God answered their prayers, and forgave their sins, though God took vengeance of their intentions.
V. Exalt the Lord our God. (Jehovah our Elohim) (Psa. 99:8)
The nations of the earth will worship the Lord at his holy hill, for the Lord our God is Holy. Jerusalem is God’s Holy hill, His holy city. In the Millennium nations will come to Jerusalem to worship the Lord. If they do not Jesus will withhold their rain.
"And it shall be, that whoso will not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. And if the family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that have no rain; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles." (Zechariah 14:17-18)
Yes, even in this near perfect world, ruled justly and righteously by the Lord Jesus Christ....there will be men who will rebel and reject God’s mercy and Grace.
It is clear, man will have a perfect environment and will not be tempted by Satan and his demons as they are all locked up in the bottomless pit. A perfect environment does not lead men to serve the Lord and make them moral.
Nor does even being able to see him ruling from Jerusalem cause them to believe. Think about this: Today man as God’s word the Bible, yet do men serve Him and live by His, our Creators, godly principles? The answer is NO. And even with Christ ruling from Jerusalem, men in their unrighteousness with reject God.
There is nothing to blame, but man’s selfishness and pride. It was Eve’s and Adam’s pride that cause them to fall and they too lived in a perfect world.
Conclusion:
What Psalm presents is a prophetic look into the future. For the true believer it will be a time of rejoicing and living in the peace and joy that comes from accepting Christ as one’s Savior.
It will also be a time of judgment as the Lord rules with a rod of iron. We all should accept that a man’s carnal nature does not want to be ruled. It wants its way and it rejects all the blessing of God’s grace for the merciful state of living in sin.
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