Premillennialism contradicts scripture (1 Corinthians 15:50-54) by having mortal flesh and blood inheriting the kingdom of God when Jesus returns.

[Spiritual Israelite]

Yes, I agree. It's important to note that the criteria for eternal life, as discussed in Matthew 25, differ from the criteria for participating in the rapture. The requirement for the rapture is simply that a person belongs to Christ. In contrast, the criteria for being considered a "sheep" involve how individuals treat Christ's disciples and apostles. Integrating this understanding into our eschatological framework poses a challenge, but we cannot overlook the facts of the matter.

The criteria is not different. You are just not understanding that those who belong to Christ are those whose works reflect their faith in Christ.

And, once again, you are trying to say "the least of these" His brethren refer to His disciples and apostles in general. No, He was only referring to the least of them who follow Him.

Jesus doesn't give a reason for the delay, but if we understand the purpose of the Millennial Period, we can deduce the reason.

The purpose of "the Millennial Period" is to preach the gospel to the world in order to give them the hope of eternal life that the vast majority of the world did not have in Old Testament times to the point where Paul said the Gentiles of those times had "no hope" and were "without God in the world" (Ephesians 2:11-12).

The sheep and goat judgment was preceded by a war between Israel and the rest of the nations.

You believe that the sheep and goat judgment already occurred?

I suspect that when the war is over, loyalties will be in doubt among the survivors. Therefore, the survivors will be evaluated according to a strict criterion, and those who gave comfort and aid to Jesus' followers will live, and the rest will be destroyed.

Now you're saying "will be", so you see it as happening in the future? You are hard to follow. I may have mentioned that before.

You implied that I denied that, and if that is what you think I said, then I miscommunicated.

It happens.

The point is, the kingdom of God DID come with observation. Nicodemus saw the miracles, and he recognized the kingdom of God. Thomas put his hands into the wounds of Jesus. The pilgrims saw and heard the apostles speak in tongues and perform miracles. The apostles witnessed the Gentiles speaking in tongues. The Galatians saw miraculous signs. Paul performed the signs of an apostle. In all these various ways, the kingdom of God came with observation.

You do not understand what Jesus meant by that. It did NOT come with observation in the sense of how an earthly kingdom is established. Instead, came by way of the Holy Spirit dwelling in the hearts of believers which is not something we can observe. But, the actions of people who have been indwelt by the Holy Spirit can be seen, but that's not what Jesus was talking about.

If Jesus was ruling the Earth from heaven, we would witness it.

Like the Pharisees, you think the Messiah should be a dictator who controls everything that goes on throughout the earth. He does not rule that way. God has never ruled that way. He intervenes in the world, as necessary, and nothing happens without His permission, but He doesn't control everything that happens.

 

[CadyandZoe]

The criteria is not different. You are just not understanding that those who belong to Christ are those whose works reflect their faith in Christ.

I'm not speculating here. Jesus clearly states that the criteria for eternal life during the sheep and goat judgment are how a person treated Jesus and His followers. Ask anyone today, and they will say that the criteria for eternal life are belief in the Gospel and trusting Jesus Christ. These are two sets of criteria.

And, once again, you are trying to say "the least of these" His brethren refer to His disciples and apostles in general. No, He was only referring to the least of them who follow Him.

I don't see the distinction you are making.

The purpose of "the Millennial Period" is to preach the gospel to the world in order to give them the hope of eternal life that the vast majority of the world did not have in Old Testament times to the point where Paul said the Gentiles of those times had "no hope" and were "without God in the world" (Ephesians 2:11-12).

Could you tell me how you arrived at your conclusion? I don't see anything in the Bible that defines the Millennial Period that way.

You believe that the sheep and goat judgment already occurred?

No. I was speaking in the past tense as if the events had already taken place. I thought you would follow me.

Now you're saying "will be", so you see it as happening in the future? You are hard to follow. I may have mentioned that before.

You do not understand what Jesus meant by that. It did NOT come with observation in the sense of how an earthly kingdom is established.

Is that what Jesus meant? I don't think so. Remember, he says that the Kingdom was not coming by observation so that someone might say, "Here it is, or There it is." He says that the Kingdom of God is within you. Why did he say that?

Consider the context and the events that led up to his statement. What just happened right before this?

Luke 17:20-22 Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”​

Jesus had just healed ten lepers. The kingdom of God was already approaching with signs to be observed, and yet the Pharisees asked him when the kingdom of God would come. He tells them, "The kingdom of God is in your midst." In other words, it's already here. It isn't a matter of Jesus displaying signs for them to observe. Rather, it's a matter of their willingness to see the signs for what they represent.

 

[Spiritual Israelite]

I'm not speculating here. Jesus clearly states that the criteria for eternal life during the sheep and goat judgment are how a person treated Jesus and His followers. Ask anyone today, and they will say that the criteria for eternal life are belief in the Gospel and trusting Jesus Christ. These are two sets of criteria.

Our works reflect whether or not we believe in the gospel and trust Jesus Christ. Have you never read this...

Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Jesus's sheep are those who believe in the gospel and trust in Him and they show it by their fruits/actions. People are known by their fruits because our actions reflect what we believe. Notice verse 19 above. That describes the goats who do not bring forth the good fruit/works that God has prepared for those who are saved (Eph 2:8-10), showing that they do not belong to Christ and they are then cast into the fire, which is the "everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matthew 25:41).

I don't see the distinction you are making

Of course you don't. You think all His followers are "the least of these" who have no shelter, clothing, food or drink or are sick or in prison?

Could you tell me how you arrived at your conclusion? I don't see anything in the Bible that defines the Millennial Period that way.

Haha. Have you never read any of my arguments in favor of Amillennialism? Do you really not know why I interpret Revelation 20 the way I do? You haven't seen any of the many times I've pointed out that Jesus started reigning after His resurrection?

By the way, there is nothing in the Bible which explicitly defines the Millennial Period the way you understand it, either.

No. I was speaking in the past tense as if the events had already taken place. I thought you would follow me.

You are truly a funny one. As I may have said before, you are hard to follow sometimes.

Is that what Jesus meant?

Obviously, I believe so or I wouldn't have said it.

I don't think so.

What a shocker.

Remember, he says that the Kingdom was not coming by observation so that someone might say, "Here it is, or There it is." He says that the Kingdom of God is within you. Why did he say that?

Because it's spiritual in nature, as I said. How is the kingdom of God within someone? By way of the Holy Spirit who we cannot see.

Consider the context and the events that led up to his statement. What just happened right before this?

Luke 17:20-22 Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”​

Jesus had just healed ten lepers. The kingdom of God was already approaching with signs to be observed, and yet the Pharisees asked him when the kingdom of God would come. He tells them, "The kingdom of God is in your midst." In other words, it's already here. It isn't a matter of Jesus displaying signs for them to observe. Rather, it's a matter of their willingness to see the signs for what they represent.

No idea what you're saying. Agree to disagree.