The Millennial Psalm

 Temple Baptist Church - 6-21-2026

Psalm 47

 

Introduction:

A.  The reason for my naming this psalm “The Millennial Psalm” is that it continually references a future event, not something that has already been or now is. 

 

1.  In the beginning, God established the truth of six literal days of creation.  Found in two texts: Genesis chapters 2-3 with the terminology “the evening and the morning” in each of the six consecutive days of creation and His rest from His work on the seventh. 

 

Exodus 20:11  For in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

 

2.  These seven days were an analogy to the seven millenniums of time before the end of times as we know it. 

 

2 Peter 3:7-8  But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.  (8)  But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

 

3.  It was a period of four days or four thousand years (four days in God’s economy) from the creation to Christ, two thousand years from Christ to the end time the Church Age ended by the Rapture of the Church (two days in God’s economy),  and one thousand years (one day in God’s economy) consisting of Jacob’s Trouble, also known as The Tribulation Period and Millennium.

 

4.  Eschatology is the study of last things.  J. Dwight Pentecost wrote a book on eschatology titled “Things To Come.”

 

B.  There are two distinct possibilities, both times of peace and prosperity, with the former being the 1,000-year reign of Christ and the latter being eternal, mentioned in the Book of Isaiah.  I will give you both, but the Millennial Reign of Christ is probably the one mentioned in this psalm.

 

1.  God’s Millennial Reign - Isaiah 11:1-10  And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:  (2)  And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;  (3)  And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears:  (4)  But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.  (5)  And righteousness shall be the girdle of his loins, and faithfulness the girdle of his reins.  (6)  The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.  (7)  And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.  (8)  And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.  (9)  They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.  (10)  And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.

 

2.  God’s Eternal Reign - Isaiah 65:17-25  For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.  (18)  But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.  (19)  And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying.  (20)  There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed.  (21)  And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.  (22)  They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.  (23)  They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.  (24)  And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.  (25)  The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.

 

C.  Both occur after the Second Coming of Christ, which takes place in Revelation chapter 19.

 

D.  In this psalm, we see the joy and anticipation of the people of Israel as they have been the most hated people on earth over the millennia.   Today, many of the Orthodox Jews go to the Wailing Wall and pray for the coming of the Messiah.  

 

E.  Psalm 47 emphasizes a timeless truth, "For God is the King of all the earth" (Psalm 47:7), that will be glorious for both the Nation of Israel and all the kingdoms of the earth.

 

F. The time of this writing took place approximately 3,000 to 3,500 years ago, when Israel was in the beginning stages of spiritual and physical decline after the rule of David and Solomon. 

 

G.  Now, let us break down the Psalm verse by verse.

 

1.  The introduction of the psalm: “To the chief Musician, A Psalm for the sons of Korah.”

 

a.  "To the chief Musician" indicates that the psalm was given to the leader of music in Israel's worship, likely the director of the temple choir and orchestra. It was intended to be sung publicly in worship, not merely read privately.  Much like our congregational singing out of our hymnal with musical accompaniment, songs with a message.

 

1)  The psalm was part of Israel's corporate worship.

 

2)  The Psalm was meant to be performed with musical accompaniment.

 

3)  The Psalm carried an important message for the congregation.

 

b.  "A Psalm" - The Hebrew word mizmor refers to a song sung with instrumental accompaniment, especially stringed instruments. Psalm 47 is therefore a song of praise and celebration.

 

c. "For the sons of Korah" - The "sons of Korah" were a family of Levites who served as temple singers and gatekeepers.  Korah was the man who led a rebellion against Moses (Numbers 16) and was judged by God. However, his descendants were spared (Numbers 26:11) and later became devoted servants in temple worship.  The Sons of Korah were known for composing several psalms, including Psalms 42–49, 84, 85, 87, and 88.

 

2.  Verse 1.  God’s Praise.  “O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph.”  Here we find enthusiasm!  “Clap … shout!”  Not because of our personal situations of sorrow and defeat, but with joy and excitement!

 

3.  Verse 2.  God’s Position.  “For the LORD most high is terrible; he is a great King over all the earth.”  He is great in His power, lofty in His dominion, eminent in His wisdom, and elevated in His glory.  There is none like Him!

 

4.  Verse 3.  God’s Power.  “He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet.”  Power to protect and elevate the Nation of Israel, as no weapon formed against them shall prosper! 

 

5.  Verse 4.  God’s Prerogative.  “He shall choose our inheritance for us, the excellency of Jacob whom he loved. Selah.”  Israel, God’s glory!  Israel, the apple of God’s eye!  Israel, God’s chosen!

 

6.  Verse 5.  God’s Promise.  “God is gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet.”  One day He is coming, and we will be leaving with Him.  Oh, glorious day!

 

7.  Verse 6.  God’s People.  “Sing praises to God, sing praises: sing praises unto our King, sing praises.”  He is Israel’s King but also ours!  On white horses, we shall be like Him and come back with Him. 

 

8.  Verse 7.  God’s Performance.  “For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding.”  Praise Him for His creation!  He created it; He owns it; and He sustains it!  God is in perfect control of all things.

 

9.  Verse 8.  God’s Perfection.  “God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of his holiness.”  On that day, the unruly nations of earth will submit to God’s rule, which will be a rule of righteousness and equity!

 

10.  Verse 9.  God’s Purpose.  “The princes of the people are gathered together, even the people of the God of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto God: he is greatly exalted.”  God’s redemptive purpose is to return His once perfect creation to its former glory for all eternity.  What a day that will be!

The Millennium

Temple Baptist Church - 2-13-2022

Revelation 20:1-10

 

A.   The Millennium, A Literal 1000 Year Reign on Earth.  I previously mentioned that there are 3 different general views concerning the Millennium.  Amillennialism, Postmillennialism, and Premillennialism.  We, who are Bible believers, are Pre-Tribulation and Premillennial.  The best way to dispel false doctrine is simply to preach sound doctrine. 

 

Amillennialism is a denial of a future 1000-year reign of Christ on earth.  This 1000 year period is mentioned in the Book of Revelation 6 times.

 

Postmillennialism teaches that we are in that age and when things get good enough, Christ will come back to ascend His throne at the end of the age.

 

Premillennialism teaches that that Golden Age is a future event.

 

B.  The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ is perfectly laid out with everything in chronological order.  With this in mind, we will take a short look at the Book of Revelation from the beginning until the time of the Kingdom Age or Millennium.

 

C.  In chapter one, we find the layout of the book.  Notice with me the three-fold breakdown found in verse 19.

 

Revelation 1:19  Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

 

Chapter 1.  "The things which thou hast seen" speaks of the past.

 

Chapters 2-3.  "The things which are" speaks of the present church age from the day of the Apostles till the present day which we live. 

 

Chapter 4-22.  "The things which shall be hereafter."  The prophetic portion of the book which shows that the Tribulation Period and Millennium are future events. 

 

Therefore, we live in Pre-Tribulation and Premillennial days.

 

D.  The Millennium or Kingdom Age begins at the end of the Tribulation Period.  We saw:

 

The Visible Return of Jesus Christ - Revelation 1:7 - Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

 

Revelation 19:11 - And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

 

The Battle of Armageddon - Revelation 19:19 - And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

 

Beast And False Prophet Cast Into The Lake of Fire - Revelation 19:20 - And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

 

Satan Bound For 1000 Years - Revelation 20:2 - And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,

 

The Purposes of The Millennium

 

a.  Concerning Covenants – Fulfillment of God's Promises to Israel.

 

1.  The Abrahamic Covenant—An unconditional covenant.  God promised Abraham that He would make of him a great nation and all nations would be blessed through the nation of Israel.  Later, God changed Abram's name to Abraham and sealed the covenant through the rite of circumcism.  Abraham was the first Hebrew. 

 

Genesis 12:1-3 - Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee:  And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:  And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

 

2.  The Davidic Covenant—An unconditional covenant.  This covenant was made between God and David through which God promises David and Israel that the Messiah (Jesus Christ) would come from the lineage of David and the tribe of Judah and would establish a kingdom that would endure forever. God promised David that his throne would be an everlasting throne upon which Jesus Christ would ultimately sit and reign.  

 

2 Samuel 7:12-13 - And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.  He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever.

 

3.  The Land or Palestinian Covenant—an unconditional covenant.  God promised Abraham that everywhere he set his foot in Canaan would be his and belong to the nation of Israel.  It was also the promise of the future restoration of Israel in the end-time. 

 

Genesis 15:18  In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates:

 

Genesis 17:7-8 - And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

 

4.  The New Covenant—both conditional and unconditional covenant.  The condition part of this covenant is based upon the personal acceptance of the Gospel which is by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ.  It is unconditional in its promise that salvation would be an eternal work of God as He would forgive sin and establish an eternal relationship with the believer.  It is established upon the blood of Christ in salvation instead of the blood of bulls and goats of Atonement as Jesus Christ would fulfill His promise to Abraham that "God will provide himself a lamb:" the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ. 

 

Jeremiah 31:31-33 - Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:  Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them,  saith the LORD:  But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of  Israel; After those days saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their  hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 

 

b.  Concerning Christ – To restore Christ to His position.

 

1.  Receive His Kingdom - Hebrews 10:12-13 - But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;  From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

 

2.  Rule In His Rightful Place - Luke 1:32-33 - He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.

 

c.  Concerning Creation -To restore the earth to its purity.  On this point, I need to clarify that during the Millennium, this earth will have many of the same qualities as it did before the fall of man through Adam's sin but all aspects of the corruption of sin will not be totally removed until we see a new heaven and a new earth in Revelation, chapter 21.

 

Romans 8:22 - For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

 

2 Peter 3:10-12  But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.  (11)  Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,  (12)  Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

 

Revelation 21:1  And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.