Change (1): the source of light

Through the Messiah’s Second Coming, five changes will take place. These changes provide clues for understanding the conditions of the Millennial Kingdom (the Messianic Kingdom). Today, let us look at the first two changes. The first change is a change in the source of light. “On that day there will be no light; the luminaries will die out. For it will be a unique day which is known to the Lord, neither day nor night, but it will come about that at the time of evening there will be light” (v 6-7). (1) “On that day” refers to the day of the Messiah’s Second Coming. (2) In the Millennial Kingdom, a change will occur in the source of light. People will no longer live under the light of the sun and moon, but under a new light. This change in the source of light will take place as the result of cosmic upheaval. (3) From expressions such as “it will be a unique day,” “neither day nor night,” and “there will be light,” we understand that the Millennial Kingdom will be “one continuous day lasting a thousand years.” This is something beyond our present ability to imagine, but “it is known to the Lord.”

Change (2): a river of the Millennial Kingdom

The next change is that a river of the Millennial Kingdom will flow forth. “And on that day living waters will flow out of Jerusalem, half of them toward the eastern sea and the other half toward the western sea; it will be in summer as well as in winter” (v 8). (1) It says, “living waters will flow out of Jerusalem,” but more specifically, the water will flow out from beneath the threshold of the temple. (2) This water will eventually become a great river. Half of it will flow into the eastern sea (the Dead Sea), and the other half into the western sea (the Mediterranean Sea). The waters of the Dead Sea will be healed, and it will become an excellent fishing area. (3) The same thing is prophesied in Joel 3:18: “And on that day the mountains will drip with sweet wine, and the hills will flow with milk, and all the brooks of Judah will flow with water; and a spring will go out from the house of the Lord and water the Valley of Shittim.” The same prophecy is also found in Ezek. 47:1-12. “… And behold, water was flowing from under the threshold of the house toward the east, for the house faced east. And the water was flowing down from under, from the right side of the house, from south of the altar… And it will come about that fishermen will stand beside it; from Engedi to Eneglaim there will be a place for the spreading of nets. Their fish will be according to their kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea, very many…” These prophetic words must be understood literally. They may be difficult for us to comprehend now, but this is what the Millennial Kingdom, which will be established after the Messiah’s Second Coming, will be like. What great blessedness and what wonderful grace this is.