Could Ezekiel 37, 38 and 39 all be post millennial?

[Hiddenthings]

For the record I like @TribulationSigns approach - he is investing the time to present the issues and hopefully he will show Douggg how to unlock the symbol.

"And a cage of every unclean and hateful bird"

Context:
Meaning:
Application:

 

[Spiritual Israelite]

I got it the first time which is why I called you out lol.

Nothing you have said would indicate that you got it the first time or any time since. I can't take you seriously. But, of course, I already knew that before today.

 

[Hiddenthings]

Nothing you have said would indicate that you got it the first time or any time since. I can't take you seriously. But, of course, I already knew that before today.

You are like a dog with the bone! But thank you for clarifying that for me!

 

[TribulationSigns]

For the record I like @TribulationSigns approach - he is investing the time to present the issues and hopefully he will show Douggg how to unlock the symbol.

"And a cage of every unclean and hateful bird"

Context:
Meaning:
Application:

While we wait for Douggg to give his explanation, I'll answer that by referring you to one of the primary and crucial rules of Biblical interpretations. That the Bible is its own interpreter. We need to search to see where other Scriptures are speaking with the same language, and consider (in context) what God is actually talking about. For Example:

Jeremiah 5:26-31

• "For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men.
• As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.
• They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.
• Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
• A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;
• The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?"

See the correlation between these wicked, who are the wicked among God's people who lay in wait setting snares that they may by deceit catch the unsuspecting in their traps. That's WHY God instructs His own chosen people to come out from among them, so that they not also receive of their plagues in judgment. These who prophesy falsely are coming under the wrath of God. In Revelation 18, God's people who were this once great city (Church), have now become as a cage of these unclean birds, that city now spiritually as Babylon.

 

[Hiddenthings]

While we wait for Douggg to give his explanation, I'll answer that by referring you to one of the primary and crucial rules of Biblical interpretations. That the Bible is its own interpreter. We need to search to see where other Scriptures are speaking with the same language, and consider (in context) what God is actually talking about. For Example:

Jeremiah 5:26-31

• "For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men.
• As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich.
• They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge.
• Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?
• A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land;
• The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?"

See the correlation between these wicked, who are the wicked among God's people who lay in wait setting snares that they may by deceit catch the unsuspecting in their traps. That's WHY God instructs His own chosen people to come out from among them, so that they not also receive of their plagues in judgment. These who prophesy falsely are coming under the wrath of God. In Revelation 18, God's people who were this once great city (Church), have now become as a cage of these unclean birds, that city now spiritually as Babylon.

It’s rare, but I agree with everything written above, there’s nothing to add to what’s already true. While we may differ on the true nature of Babylon, let’s delight in the agreement! @Douggg you should read the above and seek to learn how to skillfully divide the Word of Truth.

 

[Davidpt]

My point is that you have no clues with the verses the Lord talked about. It is because you lacks spiritual understanding.

Rev 19:17-18
(17) And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
(18) That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great

The angel standing in the sun. Who is He? Who are the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven? What heaven is this? And why are they gathering together for the supper? And what is the meaning for eating the flesh of kings, captains, mighty men, horses and ALL men.

And the best answer you came up with your carnal mind, like Douggg's, is...that... well, "these birds are carnivore."

No, you need to do more researching with your Bible. For example:

Revelation 18:2
(2) And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

Do you understand who are the unclean and hateful bird here? They are the unfaithful people of the congregation for they have the spirit of Satan deceived by the beast. They call themselves the body of Christ, they have a name that lives, but they are dead. Throughout Scripture, birds of prey gathering over a body represent divine judgment and the certainty of destruction (see also Deuteronomy 28:26; Jeremiah 7:33; Ezekiel 39). It is covenant curse language. It is prophetic imagery. It is NOT a National Geographic scene.

Remember when Christ said, "Wheresoever the BODY is, there will the eagles be gathered together" unto these kings of the Earth, Matthew 24:38, Luke 17:37? Is it literally? Or spiritually? You need to take some time to study and think about it for a while instead of expecting us to accept the idea that Revelation is merely predicting a literal bloodbath of scavenger birds devouring every class of humanity. That misses the spiritual weight of the passage entirely.

Maybe the feasting birds are literal, maybe they are not. But one reason they could be literal is that they would obviously aid in cleansing the land of all the corpses littered throughout. But you probably don't even believe there will be dead bodies everywhere or anywhere. That it's meaning something spiritual instead.

BTW, I'm not intimidated in the least by you continuing to insist I lack spiritual discernment. I'm not losing sleep over your opinion, that's for sure. All I'm attempting to do is try and agree with the texts, not make nonsense out of them like you are trying to do in Ezekiel 38-39. God is the speaker in those 2 chapters. And that He is telling us that the house of Israel meant, He is hiding His face from them until He executes His judgment on Gog and his multitude. Then once He does that He will no longer be hiding His face from them.

Clearly, this judgment on Gog and his multitude is yet to happen. And that those currently occupying that region fit to a T who God would still be hiding His face from. And that nothing in Ezekiel 38 nor 39 can be involving Revelation 20:7-9, since it would be absurd to place 7 years of weapon burning and 7 months of cleansing the land, after satan's little season but prior to the GWTJ. It obviously can't fit there. Yet, it has to fit somewhere, and it has to fit after God executes His judgment on Gog and his multitude. Otherwise, we have to assume God is a liar since He said there would be an aftermath involving 7 years and involving 7 months, if there is no such aftermath. Maybe you are ok with making God out to be a liar. But I'm not ok with doing it.

 

[TribulationSigns]

Maybe the feasting birds are literal,

Maybe? Based on what Scripture.

But one reason they could be literal is that they would obviously aid in cleansing the land of all the corpses littered throughout.

Cleansing the land? Revelation 19 said this? Or is it your speculation (again)?

But you probably don't even believe there will be dead bodies everywhere or anywhere. That it's meaning something spiritual instead.

Spiritually yes.

BTW, I'm not intimidated in the least by you continuing to insist I lack spiritual discernment.

What I said is true about you.

I'm not losing sleep over your opinion, that's for sure.

That’s exactly what the Pharisees and scribes thought about Christ’s words. They weren’t losing sleep either — until truth exposed them.

Indifference to correction is not a badge of confidence; it is often a symptom of pride.

When someone brushes off biblical warning with sarcasm, it says more about their heart than my opinion ever could.

Truth doesn’t need you to lose sleep over it — but one day, you will have to answer to it.

All I'm attempting to do is try and agree with the texts, not make nonsense out of them like you are trying to do in Ezekiel 38-39. God is the speaker in those 2 chapters. And that He is telling us that the house of Israel meant, He is hiding His face from them until He executes His judgment on Gog and his multitude. Then once He does that He will no longer be hiding His face from them.

Do you even know exactly what is the mountain of Israel is?

Clearly, this judgment on Gog and his multitude is yet to happen.

No. Gog and Magog in Revelation 20 does not describe modern geopolitical nations marching with tanks and missiles. The text itself tells you when it happens — “when the thousand years are expired… Satan shall be loosed out of his prison” (Revelation 20:7).

This is a spiritual assault.

When Satan is released, he goes out “to deceive the nations” (v.8). In biblical language, “nations” represents the unbelieving world — those outside the covenant. He marshals deception, not artillery. He gathers the forces of false prophets and false christs (Matthew 24:24), infiltrating and surrounding “the camp of the saints” and “the beloved city.”

That is covenant language for God’s congregation — not Washington, Moscow, or Jerusalem with border lines.

The battlefield is spiritual. The weapon is deception. The target is the Church.

And notice — there is no drawn-out military campaign. No seven-year war. No global tank invasion. “Fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them” (Revelation 20:9). Immediate divine judgment.

Gog and Magog represents the final, concentrated rebellion of deceived humanity under Satan’s influence — expressed through false prophets and false christs — against God’s people.

If you read it as modern geopolitics, you miss the spiritual structure of the text.

Revelation is unveiling spiritual realities behind earthly appearances. If we interpret it carnally, we will misidentify both the enemy and the battlefield.

And that those currently occupying that region fit to a T who God would still be hiding His face from. And that nothing in Ezekiel 38 nor 39 can be involving Revelation 20:7-9, since it would be absurd to place 7 years of weapon burning and 7 months of cleansing the land, after satan's little season but prior to the GWTJ. It obviously can't fit there. Yet, it has to fit somewhere, and it has to fit after God executes His judgment on Gog and his multitude. Otherwise, we have to assume God is a liar since He said there would be an aftermath involving 7 years and involving 7 months, if there is no such aftermath. Maybe you are ok with making God out to be a liar. But I'm not ok with doing it.

Look, you are locked into a strictly literal framework. Every time you see “seven months” or “seven years,” you immediately assume it must be a wooden, calendar-based period with no symbolic or spiritual weight.

But in prophetic Scripture—especially in apocalyptic literature—numbers carry theological meaning. Seven consistently represents completeness or fullness (Genesis 2:2–3; Leviticus 26; Revelation throughout). To ignore that pattern and insist on a flat literalism is not careful interpretation; it is selective literalism.

You are reading prophetic symbolism as if it were a newspaper timeline.

At this point, continuing the discussion is unproductive. If someone approaches Revelation with a rigid literal narrative and refuses to consider the spiritual structure of prophetic language, there is no common ground for meaningful study.

 

[Douggg]

For the record I like @TribulationSigns approach - he is investing the time to present the issues and hopefully he will show Douggg how to unlock the symbol.

Birds like vultures eat carrion, decaying flesh of dead bodies. There is no symbolism there.

 

[soberxp]

Could it be a real scene but not in our world, God made it by his almighty,as our dreams which is feeling real.

 

[Hiddenthings]

At this point, continuing the discussion is unproductive. If someone approaches Revelation with a rigid literal narrative and refuses to consider the spiritual structure of prophetic language, there is no common ground for meaningful study.

Every believer must start with the truth of Rev 1:1

"Signified it"

It was NOT sent in plain form, but in an enigmatical or sign form. To ‘signify’ is to represent by sign or symbol. That this is what is meant by the use of the verb ‘signify’ in this case is shown conclusively by what John saw and heard. He saw certain things which he describes, and concerning these he is repeatedly informed that the mystery or meaning of what he saw was this or that.

The same method of imparting knowledge was delivered to the prophets Hos. 12:10.

Hosea 12:10 “I spoke to the prophets; it was I who multiplied visions, and through the prophets gave parables"

Symbolic language that depicts literal events cannot be understood without first identifying the symbols being used.

Incorrect start will lead you to a false dead end.

 

[Hiddenthings]

Birds like vultures eat carrion, decaying flesh of dead bodies. There is no symbolism there.

What context are you referring to?

 

[TribulationSigns]

Birds like vultures eat carrion, decaying flesh of dead bodies. There is no symbolism there.

(Chuckle).

Did you actually search the Scriptures, or are you reacting to your own assumption? Revelation 18:2 does not stand alone. God already defined what these “unclean and hateful birds” represent.

First, Revelation 1:1 tells you the book was signified — given in signs and symbols. If you start literal, you’ve already missed the foundation.

Second, compare Scripture with Scripture.

Jeremiah 5:26–27
“For among my people are found wicked men… As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit.”

Notice that — a cage full of birds equals wicked men full of deceit. God already used that imagery.


Matthew 13:4, 19:

“Then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown…”

The birds devouring the seed are agents of Satan removing truth from hearts.

Isaiah 13:21 (Babylon context):

“But wild beasts… and their houses shall be full of doleful creatures…”

Prophetic language describing spiritual desolation — not a zoo report.

Revelation 18:2 parallels:

• habitation of devils
• hold of every foul spirit
• cage of every unclean and hateful bird

The birds are grouped with devils and foul spirits. God is talking about HIS PEOPLE with spirit of the devils and foul spirits. The false prophets and christs who are supposed to represent God but are agents of the devil! That is not random. It is interpretive. Scripture is defining Scripture.

So no — God is not giving a wildlife documentary about literal birds nesting in ruins. He is describing Babylon as a spiritual system filled with corrupt spirits and unclean messengers — false prophets, deceivers, and those who devour truth.

If someone still insists on literal pigeons flying around ancient rubble, that is not faithfulness to the text. That is refusing to let Scripture interpret itself.

The real issue is whether you are willing to let the Bible define its own symbols instead of forcing a surface-level reading onto apocalyptic prophecy.

Revelation 19:17-18
(17) And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls (G3732) that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;
(18) That ye may eat the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great.

Revelation 18:2
(2) And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird (G3732).

Strong’s G3732 (orneon) simply means “bird.” It does not specifically mean “vultures.” To force that meaning into the text is to read into Scripture what is not there so it fit your false literal interpretations...and charts.

But more importantly, Revelation is a book filled with signs and symbols (Revelation 1:1). When the verse speaks of Babylon becoming a cage of every unclean and hateful bird, it is describing spiritual corruption — not a literal aviary. Throughout Scripture, birds are often used symbolically. In Matthew 13:4, 19, the birds represent agents of the wicked one who devour the seed of truth. In Revelation 18:2, the unclean birds parallel “devils” and “foul spirits” in the same verse. The language itself demands a spiritual understanding. This is how the New Testament congregation has fallen into apostasy and desolation BY THESE BIRDS as a judgment of God for unfaithfulness.

If you insists on a purely literal reading, you miss the prophetic pattern and reduce apocalyptic imagery to wildlife terminology. That is NOT careful exegesis — it is blindness to symbolism. Scripture interprets Scripture, and the context makes clear this is about spiritual desolation, not zoology.

Selah!

 

[TribulationSigns]

For the record I like @TribulationSigns approach - he is investing the time to present the issues and hopefully he will show Douggg how to unlock the symbol.

"And a cage of every unclean and hateful bird"

Context:
Meaning:
Application:

See? Douggg doesn’t have the courage to actually deal with the text. Instead of explaining the context, the meaning, and the application, he jumps straight to assumption: “Well, the birds must be vultures because vultures eat dead bodies.”

That’s not exegesis — that’s speculation.

In Revelation 18:2, God defines Babylon as the habitation of devils, the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. The imagery is layered and spiritual. To reduce it to scavenger birds picking at corpses completely ignores the prophetic framework and the way Scripture uses symbolic language.

If Douggg is going to make the claim, then he must prove it from the text. Show where the strong's number, G3732 is restricted to "vultures." Show how literal wildlife fits the parallel structure of devils and foul spirits. Explain the context instead of borrowing a dictionary gloss and calling it interpretation.

Otherwise, it’s just surface-level reasoning dressed up as confidence.

Sigh!

 

[Douggg]

What context are you referring to?

The birds in....

Ezekiel 39:4
Ezekiel 39:17
Revelation 19:17

 

[Hiddenthings]

The birds in....

Ezekiel 39:4
Ezekiel 39:17
Revelation 19:17

So to be clear, you believe these references only concern literal birds?

 

[Hiddenthings]

@Douggg @TribulationSigns

Ezekiel 39:17 - The Call to All Nations: A Divine Proclamation

Throughout Scripture, symbols are often used to convey profound truths about nations and their roles in God’s plan. In Daniel 4:12, we read of a “tree visible to all, whose height reached to the heavens, and the sight of it to the ends of all the earth.” This tree, seen by all people, serves as a symbol not merely of a single kingdom but of God’s dominion and His interaction with the nations. Similarly, Jeremiah 12:9 highlights that even when nations rise and fall, God’s perspective remains steadfast: “Mine heritage is unto me as a lion in the forest; it crieth out against me: therefore I hate it.” Here, the nation is depicted as a living entity with consequences that extend to all around it.

Revelation 18 also provides you the interpretation with unmistakable clarity.

Rev 18:2: "And a cage of every unclean and hateful bird" The Greek term translated as “cage” is the same word elsewhere rendered “hold.” Babylon the Great is depicted as lying in ruins, abandoned except for creatures that thrive amid decay and destruction. I believe these “unclean birds” symbolically represent her priests (not dogmatic!).

Rev 18:3: "For all nations have drunk of the wine (doctrine) of the wrath of her fornication" Compare Jeremiah 51:7 and Revelation 18:2. The word “wrath” comes from the Greek thumos, which conveys an intense, agitated emotional state that can erupt in anger. This fury among the nations has been stirred both by the political and spiritual machinations of Rome and by the influence of its teachings.

If verse 2 has no connection to verse 3, then there is no contextual link between them (impossible).
However, if verse 2 is related to verse 3, then the context is the Babylonian system and its agents, those who have led the nations astray, making them “drunk” on false teachings and corrupt influences.

It is the phrase which is in verse 2 before the hateful bird which nails this symbol!

Rev 18:2 "And the hold of every foul spirit" As per 1 John 4:1-2 “foul spirits” symbolize the false doctrines of Holy Catholic Rome (and her daughters), which are destined to be exposed and discredited at Christ’s return.

The “hateful birds” are associated with the “foul spirits” (false teachings) and the nations being “drunk on her wine” (also symbolic of corrupt teachings). Thus, it is not literal fornication that the nations and kings have engaged in with her, but the political and spiritual intimacy she has practiced with them throughout history. This is the focus of God and Christ, and it is this corruption that will be judged and exposed at Christ’s return.

Your "hateful birds" are hedge about with false teaching in verse 2,3,4 & 5.

On a personal note, I’m not dogmatic about these representing the priests, but I am certain you are familiar with the Old Testament judgments on priests? Those who were supposed to carry knowledge of God on their lips, yet instead led the people into deception.

The takeaway is each verse / section must be considered before applying an interpretation.

Keep in mind this reply is merely highlighting the symbol of creatures and how God uses the symbol to warn his people.

 

[TribulationSigns]

@Douggg @TribulationSigns

Rev 18:2 "And the hold of every foul spirit" As per 1 John 4:1-2 “foul spirits” symbolize the false doctrines of Holy Catholic Rome (and her daughters), which are destined to be exposed and discredited at Christ’s return.

The Roman Catholic Church is not Babylon the Great described in Revelation 17 and 18. She was never a faithful representative of God’s kingdom to begin with, which immediately disqualifies her from being the apostate “Mother of Harlots” that Scripture portrays.

Babylon in Revelation represents God’s own faithful Church after a period of spiritual apostasy. This occurs only after God has completed the sealing of all His elect, testified to by the ministry of the Two Witnesses (Revelation 11:3–12). At that point, the Church spiritually “becomes” Babylon—falling into apostasy, desolation, and idolatry, where the false prophets and christs rule with the beast.

This spiritual fall happens during the little season when Satan is released from the bottomless pit to work through false prophets and false christs (Revelation 11:7-8, Revelation 9:1-6, Revelation 20:7-10, Revelation 17:16-18), immediately preceding the Second Coming of Christ. It is at this juncture that Babylon the Great emerges—not as a historic institution like the RCC, but as a symbol of apostate Christianity in the little season.

 

[Hiddenthings]

The Roman Catholic Church is not Babylon the Great described in Revelation 17 and 18. She was never a faithful representative of God’s kingdom to begin with, which immediately disqualifies her from being the apostate “Mother of Harlots” that Scripture portrays.

Babylon in Revelation represents God’s own faithful Church after a period of spiritual apostasy. This occurs only after God has completed the sealing of all His elect, testified to by the ministry of the Two Witnesses (Revelation 11:3–12). At that point, the Church spiritually “becomes” Babylon—falling into apostasy, desolation, and idolatry, where the false prophets and christs rule with the beast.

This spiritual fall happens during the little season when Satan is released from the bottomless pit to work through false prophets and false christs (Revelation 11:7-8, Revelation 9:1-6, Revelation 20:7-10, Revelation 17:16-18), immediately preceding the Second Coming of Christ. It is at this juncture that Babylon the Great emerges—not as a historic institution like the RCC, but as a symbol of apostate Christianity in the little season.

You have quite a few inaccuracies here, which as I mentioned in an earlier post, does not come as a surprise to me. I note the lack of supporting evidence in your opening paragraph.

A misunderstanding of Revelation 17 & 18 will instantly cause you to misinterpret Revelation 11:3-12



Because you do not interpret the Apocalypse in the same way you interpret Daniel’s prophecies, which are likewise continuous and historical, you lack a framework for understanding God’s judgments beyond the “things which must shortly come to pass.” When we begin to examine the details, you will likely fall behind, having missed the crucial links and references to Daniel 2 and 7 in Revelation 1, where Christ provides the key to unlock its mysteries.

I also assume you hold to fallen-angel theology, which represents another significant weakness in your understanding. You and I both know that you cannot produce any biblical evidence for such a being, nor can you identify it with any certainty, because it does not exist in the form you claim.

As a side note, forum members for over twelve months have been unable to demonstrate the existence of a fallen angel, commonly referred to by various names and titles, none of which can be substantiated by Scripture.

I suspect the advice you’ve given to Douggg may prove useful if you attempt to defend the unprovable.

Thanks for sharing though!

 

[Douggg]

So to be clear, you believe these references only concern literal birds?

Yes.

 

[Zao is life]

Verse 5 cannot apply to those who died before Christ’s coming,

I agree 100%.

But ..

for vast multitudes of them will never rise from the grave (Ps. 49:19–20; 88:5; Isa. 26:14; Eph. 2:12). Yet the passage teaches that a specific class will rise from the dead at the conclusion of Christ’s thousand-year reign.

I don't believe that's biblically correct. Psalm 49:19-20 cannot be taken away from:

- Daniel 12:2;
- Acts 24:15;
- Jesus's own words and what they state (not merely imply) in John 5:26-29 (specifically verse 29);
- Matthew 25:31-33, 41 & 46.

In light of what Jesus taught us, Psalm 49:19 is referring to the second death which comes at the time of the resurrection of the just and the unjust.

Jesus is the Son of man and the last Adam. The resurrection of man and all the descendants of man take place in Him - not only the resurrection of those who have His Spirit in them giving them eternal life.

Psalm 88 is talking about Jesus, and is a prophecy.

Isaiah 26:14 is a song of praise to God by the Judahites:

13 O Lord our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name.
14 They are dead, they shall not live; they are deceased, they shall not rise: therefore hast thou visited and destroyed them, and made all their memory to perish.

It concludes with this:

19 Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead.

Revelation 20
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.

John 5
28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice,
29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

IMO you have taken away from what all the above scriptures are saying just to insert (add) the meaning you have inserted into Psalm 49:19-20 and the other scriptures you list. It's not allowing scripture to interpret scripture.

Nor can it refer to the responsible wicked, since they will rise together with the righteous to judgment at Christ’s coming (Dan. 12:2; Matt. 13:49–50; 26:64; Luke 12:8–9; 13:24–30; Rom. 2:6–12, 16). The “dead” mentioned in this verse must therefore relate to those who die after Christ’s return, during his millennial reign. Death will still occur throughout the Millennium (Isa. 65:20; Ezek. 44:22).

That's not true at all. There is only one Day of judgment of the righteous and unrighteous mentioned by Jesus and by Paul and by Peter, and by the prophets.

The righteous are considered righteous only by our faith in the LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS - Jesus Christ the righteous one. We have none of our own righteousness to stand on, on the Day of Judgment. The reason the others will be judged by their works according to what is written in the books is because their names were not found written in THE LAMB'S book of life - the life of the Lamb (Spirit of God) having been GIVEN to them IN CHRIST (1 John 5:11-12).

There is no righteousness of our own that we will have to stand on in the Day of Christ that could separate us from "the irresponsible wicked" you are implying by the words "responsible wicked". The only separation of just from unjust is:

IN CHRIST, or
NOT in Christ.

The redeemed are described as “firstfruits” (James 1:18), indicating that they constitute only a portion of the complete harvest. The remainder will be gathered during Christ’s reign on the earth.

First Fruits is a religious offering of the first agricultural produce of the harvest. In classical Greek, Roman, and Hebrew religions, the first fruits were given to priests as an offering to deity.

There is only one harvest, and it takes place at the time of the return of Christ. There are too many scriptures talking about this fact to list.

The force of the statement, then, appears to be that there will be no further admission to immortality until “the thousand years are finished.” The “rest of the dead,” therefore, refers to those who die during the Millennium.

Except:

1. There is no scripture that talks about another Day of Christ or Day of Judgment following the one that will take place at the time of the return of Christ. The opposite is the case - all over scripture - (some of which is records of statements made by Jesus Himself).

2. There is no scripture that talks about another day in which the dead will be raised following the one that takes place when Christ returns. The opposite is the case - all over scripture - (some of which is the record of statements made by Jesus Himself).

3. There is no scripture that talks about mortals dying during any thousand years following the return of Christ, or at any point after the one and only harvest that will take place when Christ returns. The opposite is the case - all over scripture - (some of which is records of statements made by Jesus Himself).

4. There is no scripture that talks about Satan being bound at any time before the return of Christ. The opposite is the case - all over scripture - (some of which is records of statements made by apostles, and some by Jesus Himself).

5. There is no scripture that talks about anyone being beheaded who did not worship a a beast that had ascended from the bottomless pit, or his image, or receive his mark or the number of his name on their right hands or on their foreheads, at any time before the days leading up to the return of Christ.. The opposite is the case in the Revelation.

6. There is no scripture that talks about anyone being alive again in the first resurrection after having been beheaded as in 5 above, other than Revelation 20:5-6.

7. There is enough in scripture that shows the New Heavens and New Earth as beginning at the same time as the return of Christ, when He makes all tings new.

= There is no thousand years before the return of Christ, and there is nothing to be made new following the thousand years - it was already made new by Christ when He returned, at the time of the regeneration of all things, at the time of the resurrection of the dead - of the just and the unjust - at the time of the (only) Day of Judgment.

If there is a thousand years, then it's the first thousand years of the new heavens and new earth.

@Zao is life

You need to look at verse 4 for context

"And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years” is equivalent to saying that they lived again (verse 5). The Greek reads, “and they lived, and they reigned with the Anointed One,” implying a resurrection to eternal life, followed by a period of reigning with Christ throughout the millennium (Rev 5:9–10).

I agree 100%.

But there is just as much that we can look at for context that shows the New Heavens and New Earth as beginning at the same time as the thousand years - which will never be understood by anyone who believes that

(a) Immortals who died in Christ who were resurrected from the dead can be tempted by Satan just as Adam was before he rebelled against the Word of God; and

(b) God is not able to destroy both body and soul of anything He created by fire coming down from God out of heaven and devouring them, just because the created human is immortal.

We need to look at the first three chapters and the last three chapters of biblical scripture for context - specifically at the third chapter and the first 10 verses of the third-last chapter.