Davy
Well-Known Member
Then John says “that the souls of those killed for Christ lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years”. Thus the dead came back to life just like Paul said that he was “made alive with Christ”
The Revelation 20:4 verse GOES WITH THE PREVIOUS VERSES. You cannot just skip and pull out a single verse and apply whatever meaning to you want. You MUST keep to the actual Scripture flow and context. And we KNOW the devil is NOT YET locked in his pit prison for that thousand years, but is still able to roam the earth and devour whom he will, like Apostle Peter said.
Furthermore, for those dead saints to COME BACK TO LIFE, that means the FUTURE RESURRECTION, not just talking about being saved! And Apostle Paul rebuked some among the Church at Corinth because they were saying there is no resurrection of the dead (1 Corinthians 15:12 KJV). In 2 Timothy 2, Apostle Paul even rebuked two disciples that were saying the resurrection was already past (2 Timothy 2:17-18).
Then Paul said (while still alive on earth)“ God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,” Thus while Paul is still alive on earth he is also seated with Christ in the heavenly realms. This is spiritual but also giving the saints hope that they will still live even though they physically die.
Meant spiritually for this present world. We are not 'literally' seated with Christ on His throne. Jesus has not even inherited His throne yet today, for He is to inherit David's throne, which is an EARTHLY throne. This is why in most of the Scriptures Jesus is shown today sitting on the 'right hand' of The Father's throne in Heaven (Luke 22:69 Jesus saying that Himself).
John said this about the dead “ And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them,” then John also said about these dead people “they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years”
Thus the coming back to life is spiritual on earth and in heaven. Paul claims that he was fulfilling what John saw.
That's Christ's promise in the FUTURE to His elect, like His 12 Apostles who are 'already' promised that each one of them will sit upon a throne judging over the 12 tribes of Israel (Matthew 19:28). Even in Revelation 3:21 Jesus is promising that for the overcomers, which means at the end of this present world when He returns.
Even the following Revelation 20:6 verse tells you of that future resurrection and awarding of thrones to His elect that will rule with Him in the future thousand years...
Rev 20:6
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years.
KJV
So to say that already happened, or is already happening today, is to commit great error in God's written Word.
Even this is about that future award to Christ's elect overcomers at the time of the future resurrection...
Rev 5:9-10
9 And they sung a new song, saying, "Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
KJV
Are you already a 'king' sitting upon a throne literally, reigning over the nations with Christ? NOPE! Not yet you aren't, none of us are yet.