Question from a reader:

I have a question concerning the 1,000-year period where we be with Christ. During that time before the New Earth is established, will we live with our current families? I can’t find any Scripture regarding this, but the Bible seems to indicate that people will live, marry, and have families during time. I am hopeful that I will be able to live again with my husband who is already in Heaven.

Answer from Stephanie Anderson, EPM staff:

There are several views about how the Millennium will play out. Regarding Revelation 20:4-5, the ESV Study Bible says, “Premillennialists think this means that these resurrected believers will assist with Christ’s thousand-year reign as righteous King over the whole earth.” It also says, “Amillennialists think this means deceased believers now (and during the entire ‘thousand years,’ which means the time from Pentecost to the second coming) are ‘reigning’ with Christ from heaven. Postmillennialists see it as a future triumph of Christianity in the world.” (See Randy's thoughts here.)

From the premillennialist view, the people who are still living, marrying, and having families during the 1,000 years are those who were still alive in their mortal bodies at Christ's return, and have not yet received glorified bodies. (See this article.) So that wouldn't include saints who have already died and are with Jesus, and come back with Him to reign.

But let’s think a little further along—to the New Earth, our forever home, which we can all agree is our final destination. What will the living arrangements and our day-to-day lives look like, once we’re reunited with our loved ones and living forever in God’s presence? We can speculate, but we just can’t know for sure. Ultimately, it’s an opportunity for us to trust Jesus and rest in His goodness and wisdom. He loves you and your husband more than you can possibly know. He has only good things ahead for all of us who are in Christ. We can trust Him! “Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!” (Psalm 31:19).

You might also like to read this article from Randy.

God bless you as you continue to grieve with hope, knowing that Jesus is with you.