Some Christians, mostly conservative Protestants, believe that the Great Tribulation will be followed by the Millennial Reign of Christ on earth. This reign will take place after a rebellion of Satan, in which Satan was bound and cast into the bottomless pit, but before the final judgment of mankind. Since the earth was completely decimated during the Tribulation, God makes a new earth, completely restored, beautiful and sinless. During this time He lives and reigns will all of those who have trusted in Him throughout human history.
Revelation 20:4-6 gives the Scriptural basis for this belief:
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
Though many modern Christians reject the idea of a Millennial Reign of Christ, this was not so in the early church. Notable fourth century scholars such as Jerome and Tertullias taught the concept of a Millennial Reign.
Exactly what will go on during the Millennium, we cannot be sure. Scripture makes reference to the Kingdom Jesus sets up. We know that He will reign and that His children will reign with Him. Though most of the people in heaven will have resurrected, immortal bodies, many believe that those who survived the Great Tribulation will still have human bodies. The Bible says that they will bear children, and, even in the Kingdom of Christ, a rebellion against Him will form.
“And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth.” Revelation 20:7-8a
Satan will be allowed to stage one final attack against God, and he will use some of those who have been born during the Millennial Reign and actually grown up in Christ’s Kingdom to accomplish this. The final insurrection against King Jesus is what is known as the “Battle of Armageddon”. Jesus will be the complete and holy Victor. Satan will then be utterly and permanently cast into the Lake of Fire (hell).
Following the Battle of Armageddon, all of those who have rejected Christ throughout all of human history will stand before Jesus to be judged. Each one will be cast into the Lake of Fire. This is the end of time. From this point on each and every soul’s fate is permanent and unchanging. The lost will face their everlasting eternity and Hell, and the saved an eternity with Jesus in Heaven.
What is the Tribulation? Part 1
What is the Tribulation? Part 2