The millennium is the thousand-year reign of Christ with His saints in heaven between the first and second resurrections. During this time the wicked dead will be judged; the earth will be utterly desolate, without living human inhabitants, and occupied by Satan and his angels. At its close Christ with His saints and the Holy City will descend from heaven to earth. The unrighteous dead will then be resurrected, and with Satan and his angels they will surround the city; fire from God will consume them and cleanse the earth.
The millennium provides time for the vindication of God's character before the universe. The redeemed will participate in the judgment of the wicked, seeing that God's ways are just and that His people have been treated fairly. Satan and sin will be fully exposed and forever destroyed.
The end of sin means the end of suffering, deception, and death. God's victory will be complete, and the universe will be secure against rebellion forever. The millennium is the final chapter in the great controversy, leading to the creation of a new heaven and a new earth where righteousness dwells.
