What terminology do the Old Testament prophecies use for the kingdom?
The Old Testament prophecies concerning the kingdom use the terminology of “forever” and “eternally,” rather than limiting it to a thousand years. Revelation specifies a thousand-year reign, but the Old Testament presents the kingdom as forever, making that thousand-year kingdom an introduction to the eternal state.
Les explains that while Revelation specifies the kingdom will be a thousand years, all the Old Testament prophecies concerning the kingdom use the terminology “forever, forever, eternally.” Therefore, the thousand-year kingdom is best understood as an introduction to the eternal state. Les notes it will be interrupted by the new heaven and new earth, yet eternity will still be based on the physical attributes of this thousand-year reign of Christ. There will be differences, such as flesh-and-blood people having children during the thousand years, which he does not believe carries on into the eternal state.