What in your estimation is the meaning of the "first resurrection?"
If the above is for those only who will be kings and priests why then are they living/reigning with Christ for a thousand years only and NOT for ever?
Secondly, how can you prove there is such a thing as a millennium reign of Christ in this sin-cursed earth He came to destroy anyways.
Thirdly, where are you going to put the millennium period in God's scheme of things?
To God Be The Glory
Thanks for asking JunChosen.
You asked well thought out and sincere questions.
If the first resurrection is for those only who will be kings and priests why then are they living/reigning with Christ for a thousand years only and NOT for ever?
The saints are kings forever. See
here.
The 1,000 year rule serves a purpose.
Once it has been completed, the Bible says Then
comes the end, when He delivers the kingdom to God the Father, when He puts an end to all rule and all authority and power. For He must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy
that will be destroyed
is death. For “He has put all things under His feet.” But when He says “all things are put under
Him,”
it is evident that He who put all things under Him is excepted. Now when all things are made subject to Him, then the Son Himself will also be subject to Him who put all things under Him, that God may be all in all. 1 Corinthians 15:24-28
So the kingdom will then be in God's hands, and
Christ, and the Saints remain kings under the grand king. It's just as when Christ was the prime authority and the Saints ruled alongside him. Likewise, they now rule alongside God, but there is always the primary king.
At that time, God is that one.
I like this question.. "
how can you prove there is such a thing as a millennium reign of Christ in this sin-cursed earth He came to destroy anyways?"
I like it because this was something I did not know until I studied the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses.
When they showed me from the Bible, the primary message in what Jesus said to teach - the Good News of God's Kingdom (Matthew 24:14) I was sort of "blown away", but thrilled.
They showed me that God's original purpose still stands, and never changed. Genesis 1:28; Isaiah 45:18
I remember the first thing I was shown was that the earth will be transformed into a paradise under God's kingdom.
Psalms 37 quickly became my favorite scripture. In fact Jehovah's Witnesses use this scripture so often, if one forgets it, you know something is wrong with the brain neurons.
Psalms 37:9-11,
29 They connected that with Matthew 5:5, and Matthew 6:10, showing that it's a future promise.
Then the prophecies in Isaiah 11:1-9; Isaiah 65:17-25; Isaiah 33:24; Isaiah 35:5-7; Isaiah 9:6,
7 and Daniel 7:13,
14,
27; Daniel 2:44-45, as well as scriptures in Revelation 21:3-5 ...and many others.
So basically, the earth will be transformed, once the wicked are removed. It will be
a paradise with humans and animals living in peace, and sin and death will be gone forever.
In other words, the earth will be as God purposed it to be.
It is here to stay. Psalms 104:5 God gave it to mankind. Psalms 115:16
It was clear to me who was teaching the truth.
The teaching that all good people go to heaven, and all bad people go to hell is a myth.
Once I understood that God started with a purpose, and will see it through to the end, despite Satan's interference, and God allowing it (Romans 8:18-23), and I understood what that purpose involved, studying the Bible became quite simple, and clear.
It was easy to use scriptures such as Ephesians 1:3-13 and connect them easily.
I was able to have a clear understanding of the resurrection hope of the dead, going back to Abel.
There was no conflict at all between any book in the Bible, but rather, one thread or theme running harmoniously from Genesis to Revelation.
What Jesus said was true.
Luke 24:37 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
Luke 24:44 Then He said to them, “These
are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and
the Prophets and
the Psalms concerning Me.”
So we know that the many prophecies in the Bible relate to Christ and his future kingdom.
Where is the millennium period in God's scheme of things?
The thousand year rule begins ater Armageddon - God's war. That day will be a terrible one.
We can imagine the terror of those who died in the flood, but this day is a great one, in comparison.
Zephaniah 1:14-2:3
The Israelites experience terror both, at the time Babylon laid seige to the city, and destroyed it - taking some survivors captive, and when Rome totally destroyed Jerusalem, in 70 AD.
Josephus describes the terror under the seige, where some killed and ate their children, and vica versa, and how the Romans slaughtered them.
He said about a million died.
Jesus warned of the need to keep on the watch, and not be found sleeping.
Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. Matthew 24:42
He gave signs to watch for, so as to know when the end would be near.
Matthew 24:32-33
32 “Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer
is near.
33 So you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near—at the doors!
We see the signs that the end of Satan's system is nearing its end.
1. Before God's day of wrath begins...
Revelation 7:1-8 God seals the remaining ones of the 144,000. They are subsequently taken to heaven.
2. Satan incites the nations against God Revelation 16:13-14; Revelation 19:19 ... by attacking his people, of course. This occurs during the great tribulation. Matthew 24:21-22
That sparks the war. God cut's short the tribulation in behalf of his people.
3. Once God wipes the earth of the wicked 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9; 1 John 2:17, he turns his attention to Satan and the demons. Revelation 20:1-3
4. Jesus Millenial reign begins. Revelation 20:4-6 The first resurrection has taken place, and these along with Christ begins their role as judges and priests.
What is the meaning of the "first resurrection"?
Revelation 20:4 Then I saw the thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image, and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
The first resurrection is the resurrection of the saints (those who rule with Christ in heaven) only - the firstfruits to God, and the lamb.
Revelation 14:4 They number 144,000. Revelation 14:1
5. Jesus resurrects dead ones, during the hour he refered to at John 5:28. Judgment begins. Revelation 20:12-14
This is judgment day of 1,000 years, where people will be taught from the books of life, and if at the end, their names are not written in the book of life, they receive the second death - everlasting destruction. Revelation 20:15
6. The final test begins, when Satan is loosed for a short time. Revelation 20:7-10
That would be the end of all who oppose God.
7.
Paradise restored on earth. Revelation 21:1-5
God sovereignty his right to rule - is vindicated. 1 Corinthians 15:24-28
God's purpose is accomplished.
NW -
New Post Millenial Version 1:2 - Your kingdom
has come. Your will
be is done on earth as
it is in heaven.
