The Doctrine of the Millennium Part III: Social and Economic Aspects of the Millennium -- By: John F. Walvoord

Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 115:459 (Jul 1958)
Article: The Doctrine of the Millennium Part III: Social and Economic Aspects of the Millennium
Author: John F. Walvoord


The Doctrine of the Millennium
Part III:
Social and Economic Aspects of the Millennium

John F. Walvoord

Social and Economic Aspects of the Millennium

The reign of Christ on earth during the millennium, featuring as it does His righteous and universal government over all nations and characterized by spiritual blessing, obviously will affect all phases of life on the earth. Though the principal effects of the reign of Christ will be manifested in righteous government and in the spiritual realm, the rule of Christ will have extensive impact on the economic and social aspects of life on the earth.

Universal justice and peace. The fact that wars will cease during the millennium will have a beneficial effect upon both the social and economic life of the world. Instead of large expenditure for armaments, attention no doubt will be directed to improving the world in many various ways. Even under present world conditions, a relief from taxation due to military expenditure would have a great effect upon the economy. This coupled with absolute justice, resulting in greatly reduced crime and assuring minority people of government protection, will establish a social and economic order far different from anything the world had ever experienced prior to the millennium. Many of the prophetic Scriptures such as Psalm 72 and Isaiah 11 testify to these unusual millennial conditions.

Salvation of the majority of men. Due to the unusual conditions in the world where all will know the great truths concerning Christ and redemption (Isa 11:9), it is safe to assume that the majority of the earth’s population will be saved in contrast to all previous generations where only a comparatively few ever came to know the Lord. The testimony of Scripture is to the effect that at the beginning of the millennium all unsaved people are put to death. In the parable of the wheat and the tares (Matt 13:24–30, 36–43) and in the parable of the good and bad fish (Matt 13:47–50) it seems clear that only the righteous survive. This is also confirmed by the judgment of Matthew 25:31–46. What is here pictured for the Gentile nations seems also indicated in the judgment of Israel where all rebels or unbelievers are purged out (Ezek 20:33–39). The enemies of Christ are thereby eliminated (cf. You must have a subscription and be logged in to read the entire article.
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