👑 The King is coming soon – Hope beyond the end
📅 February 22 – The Millennium and the Judgment of the Righteous
Monthly Theme: The Great Controversy – The Conflict Between Good and Evil
Yearly Theme 2026: “The King Is Coming Soon – Hope Beyond the End”
📖 Central Bible Verse of the Day
“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them … and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”
— Revelation 20:4
🌅 Devotional of the Day
After the glorious return of Jesus, a phase of salvation history begins that is often misunderstood — the thousand-year reign, the so-called Millennium.
It is a time of judgment, revelation, and the final confirmation of God’s justice.
The earth lies desolate and empty,
while the redeemed are with Christ in heaven.
Satan is bound — not by chains of iron,
but by circumstances:
no more people to deceive,
no kingdom left to rule.
“And he laid hold on the dragon … and bound him a thousand years.”
— Revelation 20:2
Ellen G. White wrote:
“During the thousand years the redeemed are in heaven with Christ.
They participate in the judgment,
while the earth remains a desolate wilderness,
a testimony to the consequences of sin.”
(The Great Controversy, p. 660)
✨ The Judgment of the Righteous
Why is there a judgment after Christ’s return,
if He has already saved?
Not so that God may be informed —
but so that the universe may be convinced.
The redeemed are allowed to review God’s decisions.
They see the history of every person,
the paths of grace and the free choices of hearts.
“Do you not know that the saints will judge the world?”
— 1 Corinthians 6:2
This judgment shows
that God has acted justly and lovingly.
No doubt will remain,
no question unanswered.
Ellen White explains:
“The righteous will see
why some were not saved.
Then they will recognize
that God’s ways are perfectly just and full of love.”
(The Great Controversy, p. 661)
The judgment is therefore not an act of revenge,
but a revelation of truth.
🌿 The Earth During the Millennium
While the redeemed reign with Christ,
the earth remains in a state of devastation.
“I beheld the earth, and indeed it was without form and void …
I beheld, and indeed there was no man.”
— Jeremiah 4:23–25
This is the result of rebellion against God —
a world without life, without hope, without future.
Satan stands alone with the results of his own work.
Ellen White wrote:
“Satan will wander over the desolate earth
and reflect upon the results of his rebellion.
He has no one left to deceive
and must contemplate his revolt.”
(The Great Controversy, p. 659)
This scene shows the entire universe
where sin ultimately leads:
to emptiness and destruction.
🕊️ The Purpose of the Thousand-Year Reign
The Millennium is a time
when all open questions are answered.
God desires to leave a universe without doubt.
Every angel, every redeemed soul, every created being
shall recognize:
God’s ways have always been just.
“Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty;
just and true are Your ways.”
— Revelation 15:3
Ellen White wrote:
“The great controversy will be fully explained before the entire universe.
Then all will see
that God’s law is love
and that His judgment was just.”
(The Great Controversy, p. 670)
🌄 Preparation for Eternity
At the end of the thousand years, Christ will return to the earth with the redeemed (Revelation 21:2).
Then follows the final judgment upon Satan and the wicked,
and sin will be eradicated forever.
Yet the Millennium itself is a time of healing.
The redeemed learn to understand,
to trust, and to praise — without open wounds, without doubt.
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
— Revelation 21:4
In the presence of Jesus,
every question will be answered,
every tear explained,
every wound healed.
Ellen White wrote:
“During the thousand years the redeemed will learn
how wonderful God’s leading has been.
Their trust will be complete,
and their praise will resound without end.”
(Maranatha, p. 344)
🙏 Prayer
Lord Jesus,
thank You that Your judgment is just and full of love.
Help me to trust You already today,
even when I do not understand everything.
Prepare my heart for Your kingdom,
that one day I may reign with You.
Let me live in the light of eternity,
knowing that Your ways are true and good.
Amen.
💭 Thought for the Day
“The thousand-year reign shows the universe
that God’s love and justice are inseparably united.”
— Ellen G. White, Maranatha, p. 345
💡 Personal Application
-
Read Revelation 20 and 1 Corinthians 6:1–3.
Ask yourself: What does the judgment reveal about God’s character? -
Pray: “Lord, teach me to trust Your ways, even when I do not yet understand them.”
-
Practical:
Today, consciously place an open question or a pain into God’s hands —
trusting that one day everything will be explained and healed.
🌺 Closing Verse
“For now we know in part …
but then I shall know just as I also am known.”
— 1 Corinthians 13:12
