Will There Be Animal Sacrifices During the Millennial Kingdom?

I was searching for some information one day and ran across a title similar to this post. Out of curiosity, I read the post and the passages that were listed to support this question. Once I read the scriptures, I decided to share this post with you and show you my findings in the Word. 

The primary objective for animal sacrifices in the Old Testament was for the Israelites to make an offering to the Lord for their sin. The blood of the animal was supposed to wash them from sin. Unfortunately, they never felt clean. They continued to feel like sinners because the law continued to point out their sin and they could only look to God to deliver them. The law was made to point out their sin and that they needed a Savior. They needed the Messiah to come and deliver them from their sin.

The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29 KJV

As we read in the scripture above, John the Baptist pointed to Jesus as the lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the world. Now that the Messiah has already come once, according to scriptures, we know He will return again to rule for 1000 years with His faithful saints. We know this as the Millennial Reign.

* Blood of Bulls and Goats *

For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. Hebrews 10:1 KJV

The law was a shadow of good things to come. It tells us that none of those animal sacrifices which they offered year after year would make them perfect or, in other words, righteous.

For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. Hebrews 10:2 KJV

The Bible goes on to tell us that if their sins would be purged from the blood of those animals, then they would not be conscience of sin.

For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Hebrews 10:4 KJV

This scripture confirms that the blood of bulls and goats does not take away sin. They could not replace the blood of Jesus. It was said, those born in the Millennial Reign will do animal sacrifices to help them remember Jesus washed everyone from sin. In the New Testament, the Lord’s supper is a reminder of the death of Christ. So animal sacrifices will be a reminder for those in the Millennial Kingdom. 

I will point out some discrepancies in the comments read through the use of scriptures. The first error I read is the mention of those “born” in the Millennial Kingdom. Jesus clearly told the Jews in His time on earth that no one is given in marriage and no one will procreate after the resurrection. From my understanding of the scripture, this would mean there will not be any people born during that timeframe.

For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven. Mark 12:25 KJV

No one will be getting married and no one will be having children. We will all be like the angels in heaven. Once the Lord returns, the people, who have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, are all transformed to have incorruptible bodies that do not die. Those people who rejected Jesus, on the other hand, will experience His judgment and be executed. They will be separated from the righteous and will await a final judgment at the White Throne of God the Father.

* Feast of Tabernacles *

Another point regarding the Millennial Kingdom was mentioned using the  scripture from Zechariah 14. 

And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. Zechariah 14:16 KJV

It was stated, the people during the Millennial Kingdom will sacrifice animals again, using this passage. The people from all nations will be going to Jerusalem to worship the King and keep the feast of tabernacles. If you know what the purpose of the feast of tabernacles is for, then you will understand why that feast will still be in practice.

The Lord commanded the Jews to keep 7 feasts annually. This particular feast called the “feast of tabernacles”, “feast of booths” or also known as “sukkot” is the 7th and last feast. In the 15th day of the seventh month the Jews would build tents and dwell in them for 7 days. This is a shadow of when the Father will come and live with us on earth. This can only be fulfilled once Jesus gets rid of his enemies. This is the reason it would still be in practice during the Millennial Reign. It represents a shadow of things to come. 

And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, (34) Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the Lord. (35) On the first day shall be an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. Leviticus 23:33-35 KVJ

In the book of Revelation 20, at the end of the Lord’s Millennial Reign, Satan will be loosed from his chains and he will be allowed to deceive again and gather enemies against the Lord. The people will be given a choice of who to follow. Once the enemies of the Lord are revealed, they decide to attack the Holy City but God will send fire down from heaven and consume them in a moment.

And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, Revelation 20:7 KJV

And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. Revelation 20:9 KJV

As we continue to review the festival of tabernacles, notice on the first day of the festival and on the eighth day there will be no work. 

Also in the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when ye have gathered in the fruit of the land, ye shall keep a feast unto the Lord seven days: on the first day shall be a sabbath, and on the eighth day shall be a sabbath. Leviticus 23:39 KJV

According to the scriptures, the people will feast from the fruit of the land.  This would include items such as fruits and vegetables harvested. From other scriptures found in the book of Revelation, it would appear our diet will also be different. Fruits are mentioned but meat from animals does not seem to be part of our diet during that time. Meat was not in Adam and Eve’s diet until they disobeyed the Lord. Once that happened the ground was cursed and they would have to work the land. Before this disobedience, the Lord provided for their sustenance through the fruit of the trees, which were present in the garden.

* The Lord Does Not Delight In Sacrifices *

The Lord was not pleased with burnt offerings or sacrifices. David showed us through the relationship he had with the Lord that He was not happy with these types of offerings.

For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: though delights not in burnt offering. Psalm 51:16 KJV

To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats. Isaiah 1:11 KJV

Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; Hebrews 10:8 KJV

The Lord, also revealed to Isaiah, that He did not delight in the blood of bullocks, lambs or goats. We can see this carried into the New Testament, as well. The Lord wanted and still wants a relationship with us. It has always been better to obey the voice of the Lord than sacrifice and the fat of rams. Burnt offerings were offerings made to the Lord for their sin.

Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Hebrews 10:18 KJV

Although the Festival of Tabernacles required burnt sacrifices, it would not seem likely this would continue in the Millennial Reign. Jesus was the sacrificial lamb for the sin offering, once and for all. It would seem clear, His sacrifice means, once and for all. It should not need to be a practice that would still be implemented if sin has been dealt with. Besides that, the Bible shows us the Lord did not delight in the sacrifices done before. We will have to wait to find out if this part of the feast will be omitted for certain.

* Dwell in Booths *

Ye shall dwell in booths seven days; all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths: Leviticus 23:42 KJV

Another thing, I would like to point out, the Lord spoke specifically in the passage above, was that “all that are Israelites born shall dwell in booths.” The Israelites were commanded to fetch olive branches, pine branches, myrtle branches, palm branches and branches of thick trees to make the booths they would dwell in for a week. The Israelites have special privileges because they are the chosen people of God. That does not change. We (the gentiles) have been adopted but I do not see how all the nations of the world could dwell in tents for a week in Jerusalem. During the festival, it would be the nations coming to see how the Israelites will live with God the Father among them.  

According to what is written, regarding the Millennial Kingdom, only the Jews will be dwelling in the tents but all the nations will come to worship the Lord, during that time of the year. It is the same as, not everyone will be living in the New Jerusalem. Only the privileged family of Israel will be in the city but the gates will be open for the nations to come and go as they please. The city will be called “Jehovah Shammah” – The Lord is there. The other nations will come to the nation of Israel because as the name states, the “Lord is there”. Ezekiel 48:35 KJV

It is quite fascinating to imagine what it will be like. Many people have given their interpretation of what will occur often times because of things they have heard from other people. Scholars give their theological opinions, historians give theirs, even atheists give their opinions. Through the Holy Spirit we know in part and we prophesy in part. This means some of us are shown part of the truth but we need to put the whole truth together through the help of our brothers and sisters who get another part revealed to them. 

We often merge the commands the Lord gave to the Israelites and lump them together with the church. Two covenants under one household. We are all one family but the covenant was made with the Israelites and we were later included. That does not change. The Bible states, the Lord does not change and He made a covenant with Israel and a covenant with the gentiles. We are given clues for the future but we will only know for sure what will occur in the Millennial Kingdom as everything unfolds. For now, we keep our eyes focused on the Lord and let His Spirit show us what will occur through His Word. Keep on imagining what it will be like when our Lord and King is finally here once more.