HOW BELIEVERS WILL RULE EARTH. With the upcoming 2020 elections in the US, Belize and elsewhere, we should know what kind of government God seeks on the earth. I contend that a constitutional democracy, though flawed, is the best system of government in a fallen world. Because more than any other system, it gives people freedom of expression, freedom of religion, freedom of association, and free markets.
In such a democracy, we can exercise all those freedoms to choose Christ and to serve Him to the utmost. After the Antichrist rises to power, he will take away all these freedoms. But Christ will not restore democracy when He returns. For He has planned something far better for us.
First of all, He will see to it that Satan is bound. Christ will take away the devil’s freedom to steal, kill and destroy. And to tempt leaders to do the same—which democratically elected politicians too often do. In particular, in Israel—which He will make “the head and not the tail” of all nations (Dt. 28:13) —God says,
“My princes shall no longer oppress My people, but they shall give the rest of the land to the house of Israel according to their tribes.” Thus says the Lord God, “Enough, you princes of Israel; put away violence and destruction, and practice justice and righteousness. Stop your expropriations from My people,” declares the Lord God. “You shall have just balances, a just ephah and a just bath” (Ezek 45:8-11).
Just balances ensure fairness in trade. In Christ’s kingdom, free markets—as opposed to the Antichrist economy—will allow freedom to buy and sell. But not freedom to cheat or expropriate. Nor freedom to oppress or commit violence or destruction, as drug lords and corrupt tycoons now do.
Learning justice from Jesus
Instead, His princes will “practice righteousness and justice” (verse 9). For they will learn directly from Jesus—who will reign from Jerusalem—how to judge and render decisions.
“For the law will go forth from Zion and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And He will judge between the nations, and will render decisions for many peoples” (Isa. 2:3-4).
Outside of Jerusalem, Christ will delegate authority to chosen believers to judge in His name. “Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world?” (1 Cor. 6:2).
In Israel, His twelve apostles “shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last; and the last, first” (Mt. 19:28-30).
The twelve apostles will apportion out houses and farms and other properties which had belonged to now-departed unbelievers. They will “make them inherit the desolate heritages” and then “restore the land” that was ruined by the end-time plagues (Isa. 49:8).
“But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.” The apostles will rank the recipients of these properties from first to last. This means the apostles will decide who will have the most influence over the properties, and who will have the least.
In the parable of the minas, the good and faithful servant who made ten minas from one received the most influence—authority over ten cities. But the servant who made no minas received no authority at all (Lk. 19:16-26).
Just as Jesus chose the twelve apostles to delegate authority over Israel, so He will choose leaders to delegate authority over the nations.
Also see Millennium Ruled by Christ
Other End-Times Guide articles related to how believers will rule earth:
Related sources on how believers will rule earth
The Book of Revelation (The New International Commentary on the New Testament)—Robert H. Mounce
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