Horticulture in the Millenium

Last week as we ended our family summer vacation we drove homeward from Southern California back to our cool mountain home in Canmore Alberta. As we motored along I-5 streaming past mile upon mile of fruit and nut orchards I found myself in wonder and amazement. My course of study while at the University of MN was horticulture. Seeing these absolutely spotless orchards with absolutely no cluttering weeds on the ground (the opposite of my families apple orchard in MN) made me daydream somewhat longingly at what my life would have been like had I continued on a horticultural path.

It wasn’t until a few days later that I had an interesting realization. It came as we were watching Lindsey Lohan’s first movie, The Parent Trap, which setting took place in one of these Northern California orchards. As I longingly looked at the beautiful vineyards on the screen I remembered what I’d recently been reading about the Millennial Kingdom of Christ. That the Earth would grow tremendous crops. We’d seemingly all be capable gardeners and because the soil would produce such a bounty, we’d easily be able to be self sufficient in growing our own food. So this means that even though my career choice went from harvesting fruit to harvesting souls via ministry...my days as a horticulturist most certainly aren’t over! It was also good news to know how easily the crops would grow. The last couple of years I’ve been a little embarrassed to let people know what my undergrad degree was in if they knew how brutal the turf in my small front yard looked!

There are some other interesting features about this 1000 year reign that comes immediately after the 7 year tribulation period. One of them is that scripture seems to indicate that the final earthquake of the tribulation levels all the mountains. That and the probable eradication of winter would surely end our skiing! Another is that the animals all live peacefully together...which likely means that they revert to an all plant diet as in the days before the flood. Does this mean that humans also will be vegetarians?

There are many fascinating aspects to this time, but the best for sure is that Jesus will be physically present and will be our ruler. Finally...face to face with our Saviour!!!