“…the kingdom of the world is become the kingdom of our Lord, and of his Christ: and he shall reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15) This scripture summarizes the purpose and results of Jesus’s second presence.
Revelation 20 begins with Jesus’s return. Jesus starts the process of binding Satan and his influence. Jesus’s second advent begins the 1,000 year-day of judgment. (See 2 Peter 3:7-8.)
God has found nations unjust and unloving. Therefore, God says, “Soon I will stand and accuse these evil nations. For I have decided to gather the kingdoms of the earth and pour out my fiercest anger and fury on them. All the earth will be devoured by the fire of my jealousy.” Zephaniah 3:8 (NLT).
God has committed this judgment to His Son (John 5:22) for the purpose of humbling mankind. The trouble will bring people to realize their need for God. This will fulfill Psalms 46:6-10 (ASV), “The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered his voice, the earth melted. …Come, behold the works of Jehovah, what desolations he hath made in the earth. He makes wars to cease unto the end of the earth; He breaks the bow, and cuts the spear in sunder; He burns the chariots in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” In summary, at our Lord’s return he first removes this present, evil world order and establishes a new order where righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:13)
Then Jesus will resurrect the billions of unsaved of mankind. (John 5:28-29) The spirit of God will be poured out on all flesh. (Joel 2:28) The resurrection offers mankind the opportunity to seek the Lord. Isaiah 2:3 (ESV), “…many peoples shall …say: ‘Come, let us go up to…the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’”, “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.” Habakkuk 2:14 (ESV)
The work of restoring the willing of mankind back to the perfection lost in Eden will be accomplished during this 1,000 year period. Acts 3:20-21 (NKJV), “and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of ALL things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.”
When Christ and His Church have completed the thousand-year reign (day of judgment), mankind will be turned over to the heavenly Father and then begin the ages to come. (1 Corinthians 15:25-28, Ephesians 2:7)
Thus will be fulfilled the Lord’s prayer, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)
For a more detailed study on our Lord's second advent, read online: "Our Lord's Return"
