Who Will Enter the Millennium? Lessons from a Strong House
The story of the two house builders in Matthew 7:24-27 and Luke 6:47-49 is a profound metaphor for the life of faith and who will enter Jesus’ Millennial Kingdom. It is important to make clear from the outset that this is not a question of being saved to enter heaven, but of who will be privileged to participate in Jesus’ 1,000-year reign on earth. Both types of people in these verses are saved believers. The issue is whether their “house” (i.e., their lives and ministry) is strong enough to withstand the test.
- The Wise Man: Building a House on a Rock
Jesus compared the lives and work of his people serving God to a house. The wise man is the one who “digs deep and lays the foundation on the rock” before building his house. The “rock” here is Jesus and His Word, because He Himself is the Word.
A life built on the Word of God will stand firm against three types of trials that God allows:
Rain pouring down from heaven: This symbolizes trials from God, such as the training and purification that He gives to strengthen faith.
Flooding water: Matthew says the water poured down on the house, while Luke emphasizes “the water poured (hit) that house”. “Flooding water” symbolizes the upheavals, the whirlwinds of worldly affairs, the pressures and challenges from people and the outside world that come crashing into our lives.
The Wind Blows: Satan is called the “prince of the power of the air.” The “wind blows” here implies a direct attack by Satan on the house of faith.
The wise man, who has a solid foundation in God’s Word, will stand firm in the face of all these trials. His house will not collapse.
- The Fool: Building on Sand
In contrast to the wise man, the fool builds his house “on sand” (Matthew) or “on ground without a foundation” (Luke). This means that the house of his life is built on the thoughts, opinions, or philosophies of men, not on the pure Word of God.
A house built on such an unstable foundation will collapse and be greatly damaged when the rains pour, the waters pour, and the winds blow.
Conclusion: What is the Foundation of Your Life?
Today, many churches and individuals build their “houses” on word of mouth, on the opinions of some “great man”, or on the false doctrines of men, instead of standing firmly on the truth of the Bible. Although on the outside, those “houses” may still look like churches and groups, on the inside, they are rotten and spiritually decayed. They are just waiting for the “great tribulation” to come and be completely wiped out.
So, the most important question is: “On what foundation is the house of your life built?”
If you are wise, building your life on the rock of Jesus and His Word, we can hope and be sure that we will enter the Thousand Year Kingdom of God. This is the reward for those who not only hear the Word of God but also follow it steadfastly.