Why does the thousand-year reign have to be another time of testing?
The thousand-year reign must be another time of testing because the Kingdom opens with believers only—Gentiles who believed during the Tribulation under the 144,000’s preaching and the saved remnant of Israel. It is the introduction into the Eternal, so the thousand years do not contradict the Old Testament promises of a forever Kingdom.
Les teaches that the thousand-year reign is not a contradiction of the Old Testament promises that the Kingdom is forever. Revelation is where the time frame of a thousand years is put upon the Kingdom, and consequently it is called the Millennium. The thousand-year reign of Christ is really just an introduction into the Eternal. Even though the millennial reign will end and there will be a complete change in the Creation and the Universe, eternity will be on pretty much the same basis as the Kingdom: there will be nations again, and Christ will be ruling and reigning, perhaps from the New Jerusalem. The thousand years will have to be another time of testing because, as we come into the Kingdom, it is only believers—Gentiles who believed during the Tribulation under the 144,000’s preaching, and the remnant of Israel will be saved.