Hi prophecynut,
prophecynut:
Only THE RIGHTEOUS are taken in THE RAPTURE ... Those taken up in THE RAPTURE are ALL RIGHTEOUS and INVOLVES both DEAD (THE RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS DEAD – JIM) and alive saints in Christ ... THE RAPTURE which involves THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD (THE RIGHTEOUS DEAD – JIM) and translation of the living
cannot be at THE RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS DEAD, Scripture does not support it.
Jim:
You seem to be contradicting yourself here, as I’ve tried to show by the uppercase print. First you say that the Rapture involves the resurrection of the righteous dead. Then you say that the Rapture does not occur at the resurrection of the righteous dead.
prophecynut:
You cannot split the body of Christ by having the living translated before the Trib and the righteous dead in Christ resurrected at the first resurrection.
Jim:
I agree that all who belong to Christ, whether dead or living, receive resurrection bodies at the coming of the Lord, as stated in 1 Corinthians 15:22-23 and 50-54 and in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17. However, I see no indication that there will be more than one future coming of the Lord. When He comes back, He comes back; that’s it.
The Bible doesn’t describe Jesus as a yoyo, first leaving (His ascension), then coming back, then leaving, then coming back. It only describes Him leaving (His ascension) and then coming back (the coming of the Lord).
There is no Biblical evidence that “the Son of man coming” in Matthew 24:30 and “His coming” in 1 Corinthians 15:23 and “the coming of the Lord” in 1 Thessalonians 4:15 and “the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ” in 2 Thessalonians 2:1 and “His coming” in 2 Thessalonians 2:8 are not all references to the same event.
prophecynut:
Since Scripture states the Church is kept from the hour of trial (Rev. 3:10) ...
Jim:
Actually, Revelation 3:10 says that it is “the church in Philadelphia” (3:7) which is to be “kept from the hour of trial” (3:10, ASV), which was one of the seven actual Asian churches to whom John sent his Revelation: “John, to the seven churches which are in Asia” (1:4).
All seven messages to the seven churches in Asia can’t be addressed to the entire Church, as the seven messages differ from one another far too much for all of the seven messages to be able to describe all members of the same group (the Church) at any given point in time.
Neither can any one of these seven messages describe the entire Church at any given point in time. These seven messages certainly were not able to describe the entire Church, which included all seven actual first-century churches in Asia to whom the Revelation was literally sent, at the time that John wrote the Revelation.
Think about it. If each of the seven messages described the entire Church at a given point in history, then one of the seven messages would have to be able to describe the entire Church at the time that John wrote the Revelation, which would mean that one of the seven messages would have to be able to describe all seven actual first-century churches in Asia, which would mean that one of the seven messages (the one message that described the entire Church at the time that John wrote the Revelation) would have to be able to encompass all seven messages (that were sent to the seven actual churches in Asia at the time that John wrote the Revelation), which none of the seven messages is able to do, because the seven messages are so different from one another.
So the theory that each of the seven messages describes the entire Church at a different point in history doesn’t work. If none of the seven messages was individually able to describe the entire Church at the time that John wrote the Revelation, then there is no reason to think that any one of the seven messages is individually able to describe the entire Church at any other point in time either.
Jesus’ angel says in Revelation 3:10 (ASV), “Because thou didst keep the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of trial, that [hour] which is to come upon the whole world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” Does the statement “thou didst keep the word of my patience” describe all seven actual first-century churches in Asia to whom John addressed his Revelation? No. Some of those seven actual first-century churches “kept the word of His patience” and some didn’t. The actual first-century church Sardis (3:1-6), which was described as “dead” (3:1), certainly didn’t “keep the word of His patience” back in the first century. In fact, there has never been a point in history in which the ENTIRE Church has fit the description of any one of these seven messages. So the idea that Revelation 3:10 applies to the ENTIRE Church at a given point in history is completely unfounded.
So the most that can be said with certainty is that each of these seven messages applies to the specific first-century church in Asia to which it is specifically addressed.
The word “peirasmou” (of trial) in Revelation 3:10 is used in 1 Corinthians 10:13, where Paul says (ASV), “... [God] will with the temptation (peirasmw) make also the way of escape, that ye may be able to endure it.” Here, Paul says that one escapes a “temptation/trial” by ENDURING it, that is, by experiencing it without succumbing to it.
However, Revelation 3:10 says, “I also will KEEP THEE FROM THE HOUR of trial.” This certainly seems to suggest an avoidance of the stated experience. However, it does not suggest an absence from the planet. In John 12:27, Jesus says, “Father, SAVE ME FROM THIS HOUR. But for this cause came I unto this hour.” Jesus doesn’t appear to be asking to be removed from the planet. He only appears to be asking to be allowed to avoid the experience of that hour to which He had come.
In Revelation 3:10, Jesus’ angel says (ASV), “... I also will keep thee from the hour of trial, that [hour] which is to come upon the whole world, TO TRY THEM THAT DWELL UPON THE EARTH.”
Since Revelation describes believers in Jesus Christ on earth during the reign of the beast, and since a believer in Christ is by definition a member of the Church, regardless of what anyone may say to the contrary, what is it that all who dwell on the earth will experience except those who are believers in Jesus Christ?
(ASV) Matthew 2415 WHEN THEREFORE YE SEE THE ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION, WHICH WAS SPOKEN OF THROUGH DANIEL THE PROPHET, STANDING IN THE HOLY PLACE ... 21 ... THEN SHALL BE GREAT TRIBULATION, SUCH AS HATH NOT BEEN FROM THE BEGINNING OF THE WORLD UNTIL NOW, NO, NOR EVER SHALL BE. 22 And except those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved: but FOR THE ELECT'S SAKE THOSE DAYS SHALL BE SHORTENED. 23 THEN (TOTE, AT THAT TIME) if any man shall say unto YOU, Lo, here is the Christ, or, Here; BELIEVE [IT] NOT. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show GREAT SIGNS AND WONDERS; so as TO LEAD ASTRAY, IF POSSIBLE, EVEN THE ELECT. 25 Behold, I have told you beforehand. 26 If therefore they shall say unto YOU, Behold, he is in the wilderness; GO NOT FORTH: Behold, he is in the inner chambers; BELIEVE [IT] NOT. 27 For as the lightning cometh forth from the east, and IS SEEN even unto the west; SO SHALL BE THE COMING OF THE SON OF MAN. ... 29 ... AFTER THE TRIBULATION of those days the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 and THEN (TOTE, AT THAT TIME) shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and THEN (TOTE, AT THAT TIME) shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and THEY SHALL SEE THE SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS of heaven with power and great glory. 31 AND (KAI, AND) he shall send forth his angels WITH A GREAT SOUND OF A TRUMPET, AND (KAI, AND) THEY SHALL GATHER TOGETHER HIS ELECT from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
2 Thessalonians 2:8 And THEN SHALL BE REVEALED THE LAWLESS ONE, WHOM THE LORD JESUS SHALL SLAY WITH THE BREATH OF HIS MOUTH, AND BRING TO NOUGHT BY THE MANIFESTATION OF HIS COMING; 9 [even he], whose coming is according to the working of Satan WITH ALL POWER AND SIGNS AND LYING WONDERS, 10 and WITH ALL DECEIT OF UNRIGHTEOUSNESS FOR THEM THAT PERISH; BECAUSE THEY RECEIVED NOT THE LOVE OF THE TRUTH, THAT THEY MIGHT BE SAVED. 11 And for this cause GOD SENDETH THEM A WORKING OF ERROR, THAT THEY SHOULD BELIEVE A LIE: 12 that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
(ASV) Revelation 3:10 Because thou didst keep the word of my patience, I ALSO WILL KEEP THEE FROM THE HOUR OF TRIAL, THAT [HOUR] WHICH IS TO COME UPON THE WHOLE WORLD, TO TRY THEM THAT DWELL UPON THE EARTH.
(ASV) Revelation 13:8 And ALL THAT DWELL ON THE EARTH SHALL WORSHIP HIM, [EVERY ONE] WHOSE NAME HATH NOT BEEN WRITTEN FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD IN THE BOOK OF LIFE OF THE LAMB THAT HATH BEEN SLAIN. ... 14 And [the false prophet] DECEIVETH THEM THAT DWELL ON THE EARTH by reason of THE SIGNS which it was given him to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast who hath the stroke of the sword and lived. 15 And it was given [unto him] to give breath to it ... that the image of the beast should ... cause that AS MANY AS SHOULD NOT WORSHIP THE IMAGE OF THE BEAST SHOULD BE KILLED. ... 17:8 ... And THEY THAT DWELL ON THE EARTH SHALL WONDER, [THEY] WHOSE NAME HATH NOT BEEN WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE from the foundation of the world, when they behold the beast, how that he was, and is not, and shall come. ... 20:4 ... and [I saw] the souls of THEM THAT HAD BEEN BEHEADED FOR THE TESTIMONY OF JESUS, AND FOR THE WORD OF GOD, AND SUCH AS WORSHIPPED NOT THE BEAST, NEITHER HIS IMAGE, AND RECEIVED NOT THE MARK UPON THEIR FOREHEAD AND UPON THEIR HAND; and THEY LIVED, AND REIGNED WITH CHRIST A THOUSAND YEARS.
So, despite what I said earlier about Revelation 3:10 not being applicable to the ENTIRE Church, if one is INTENT on believing that Revelation 3:10 applies to the ENTIRE Church as opposed to applying specifically to the first-century church in Philadelphia, it would be possible that the experience that will be experienced by ALL WHO DWELL ON THE EARTH
except those living on earth who believe in Jesus Christ (the Church) will be THE DECEPTION ASSOCIATED WITH THE BEAST, as described by Jesus in Matthew 24 and by Paul in 2 Thessalonians 2 and by John in Revelation 13 and 17, as well as perhaps by John in Revelation 3:10.
prophecynut:
Since Scripture states the Church is ... rescued from God's wrath ...
Paul:
(ASV) Romans 2:5 but after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up for thyself WRATH (ORGE) IN THE DAY OF WRATH (ORGE) AND REVELATION OF THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT OF GOD; 6 who will render TO EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS WORKS: 7 to them that by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and incorruption, eternal life: 8 but unto them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, [shall be] wrath and indignation, 9 tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that worketh evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek; 10 but glory and honor and peace to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek: 11 for there is no respect of persons with God.
(NOTICE THAT THE WRATH IN THIS PASSAGE IS IMPOSED ACCORDING T
NE’S WORKS, WHICH IS CONSISTENT WITH THE JUDGEMENT DESCRIBED IN REVELATION 20:11-15.)
(ASV) Romans 5:9 Much more then, BEING NOW JUSTIFIED BY HIS BLOOD, SHALL WE BE SAVED FROM THE WRATH (ORGE) [OF GOD] THROUGH HIM.
(ASV) 1 Thessalonians 1:10 ... to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, [even] JESUS, WHO DELIVERETH US FROM THE WRATH (ORGE) TO COME.
(ASV) 1 Thessalonians 5:8 But let us, since we are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For GOD APPOINTED US NOT INTO WRATH (ORGE), BUT UNTO THE OBTAINING OF SALVATION THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, 10 who died for us, that, WHETHER WE WAKE (ARE PHYSICALLY ALIVE) OR SLEEP (ARE PHYSICALLY DEAD), we should live together with him.
(NOTICE THAT PAUL APPLIES THE NOT BEING APPOINTED TO WRATH NOT ONLY TO THE LIVING IN CHRIST BUT TO THE DEAD IN CHRIST AS WELL, WHICH PRECLUDES THIS WRATH FROM BEING THE TRIBULATION PERIOD, WHICH EFFECTS ONLY THE LIVING. PAUL IS OBVIOUSLY REFERRING TO THE WRATH OF GOD’S JUDGMENT AS DESCRIBED IN REVELATION 20:11-15.)
(ASV) Revelation 20:6 BLESSED AND HOLY IS HE THAT HATH PART IN THE FIRST RESURRECTION: OVER THESE THE SECOND DEATH HATH NO POWER; but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. ... 11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. 12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and THE DEAD WERE JUDGED OUT OF THE THINGS WHICH WERE WRITTEN IN THE BOOKS, ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS. 13 And the sea gave up the dead that were in it; and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them: and THEY WERE JUDGED EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO THEIR WORKS. 14 And death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. THIS IS THE SECOND DEATH, [EVEN] THE LAKE OF FIRE. 15 AND IF ANY WAS NOT FOUND WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE, HE WAS CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE.
Jim:
I see no reason to think that Paul’s references to “wrath” (orge) in Romans 5:9 and 1 Thessalonians 1:10 are different than his references to “wrath” (orge) in Romans 2:5-11 and 1 Thessalonians 5:8-10, where it’s pretty clear that he is referring to the wrath of God as described in Revelation 20:11-15, that is, the lake of fire, which applies to all people, not just a single generation of people and not just the living.
prophecynut (previous message):
The parables of the weeds and of the net are identical to the parable of the sheep and the goats, Mt. 25. The wheat, good fish and sheep enter the Millennium and the weeds, bad fish and goats are thrown "into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Mt. 13:42,50; 25:41). This judgment occurs on earth at the end of this age with the Second Coming, it has nothing to do with the Rapture of the Church which is composed of only wheat, good fish and sheep. Only the righteous are taken in the Rapture whereas AT THE SECOND COMING THE WICKED ARE TAKEN INTO JUDGMENT AND THE RIGHTEOUS ARE LEFT TO ENTER THE EARTHLY KINGDOM.
prophecynut (subsequent message):
Only THE RIGHTEOUS are taken in THE RAPTURE ... Those taken up in THE RAPTURE are ALL RIGHTEOUS and INVOLVES both DEAD (THE RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS DEAD – JIM) and alive saints in Christ ... THE RAPTURE which involves THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD (THE RIGHTEOUS DEAD – JIM) and translation of the living
cannot be at THE RESURRECTION OF THE RIGHTEOUS DEAD, Scripture does not support it.
Jim:
You seem to be suggesting here that the wheat in Matthew 13 and the sheep in Matthew 25 are non-resurrected people who belong to Christ as opposed to those who participate in the resurrection of the saints at the coming of the Lord.
The Bible:
(ASV) Matthew 13:24 Another parable set he before them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man that sowed good seed in his field: 25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares also among the wheat, and went away. 26 But when the blade sprang up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27 And the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst thou not sow good seed in thy field? whence then hath it tares? 28 And he said unto them, An enemy hath done this. And the servants say unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? 29 But he saith, Nay; lest haply while ye gather up the tares, ye root up the wheat with them. 30 LET BOTH GROW TOGETHER UNTIL THE HARVEST: AND IN THE TIME OF THE HARVEST I WILL SAY TO THE REAPERS, GATHER UP FIRST THE TARES, AND BIND THEM IN BUNDLES TO BURN THEM; BUT GATHER THE WHEAT INTO MY BARN. ... 36 Then he left the multitudes, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Explain unto us the parable of the tares of the field. 37 And he answered and said, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 38 and the field is the world; and THE GOOD SEED, THESE ARE THE SONS OF THE KINGDOM; and THE TARES ARE THE SONS OF THE EVIL [ONE]; 39 and the enemy that sowed them is the devil: and THE HARVEST IS THE END OF THE WORLD; and the reapers are angels. 40 As therefore the tares are gathered up and burned with fire;
SO SHALL IT BE IN THE END OF THE WORLD. 41 THE SON OF MAN SHALL SEND FORTH HIS ANGELS, AND THEY SHALL GATHER OUT OF HIS KINGDOM ALL THINGS THAT CAUSE STUMBLING, AND THEM THAT DO INIQUITY, 42 AND SHALL CAST THEM INTO THE FURNACE OF FIRE:
THERE SHALL BE THE WEEPING AND THE GNASHING OF TEETH. 43
THEN SHALL THE RIGHTEOUS SHINE FORTH AS THE SUN IN THE KINGDOM OF THEIR FATHER. He that hath ears, let him hear. ... 47 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: 48 which, when it was filled, they drew up on the beach; and THEY SAT DOWN, AND GATHERED THE GOOD INTO VESSELS, BUT THE BAD THEY CAST AWAY. 49
SO SHALL IT BE IN THE END OF THE WORLD: THE ANGELS SHALL COME FORTH, AND SEVER THE WICKED FROM AMONG THE RIGHTEOUS, 50
AND SHALL CAST THEM INTO THE FURNACE OF FIRE: THERE SHALL BE THE WEEPING AND THE GNASHING OF TEETH.
(ASV) Matthew 24:43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch THE THIEF WAS COMING, he would have watched, and would not have suffered HIS HOUSE TO BE BROKEN THROUGH. 44 Therefore BE YE ALSO READY; for in an hour that ye think not THE SON OF MAN COMETH. 45 Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath set over his household, to give them their food in due season? 46 Blessed is
THAT SERVANT, WHOM HIS LORD WHEN HE COMETH SHALL FIND SO DOING. 47
VERILY I SAY UNTO YOU, THAT HE WILL SET HIM OVER ALL THAT HE HATH. 48 But if that evil servant shall say in his heart, My lord tarrieth; 49 and shall begin to beat his fellow-servants, and shall eat and drink with the drunken; 50
THE LORD OF THAT SERVANT SHALL COME IN A DAY WHEN HE EXPECTETH NOT, AND IN AN HOUR WHEN HE KNOWETH NOT, 51 b[AND SHALL CUT HIM ASUNDER[/b], AND APPOINT HIS PORTION WITH THE HYPOCRITES:
THERE SHALL BE THE WEEPING AND THE GNASHING OF TEETH.
(ASV) Matthew 25:1 Then shall
THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN be likened unto ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were foolish, and five were wise. ... 6 But at midnight there is a cry, Behold, the bridegroom! Come ye forth to meet him. ... 10 And while [the five foolish] went away to buy, THE BRIDEGROOM CAME; AND THEY THAT WERE READY WENT IN WITH HIM TO THE MARRIAGE FEAST: and THE DOOR WAS SHUT. 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, LORD, LORD, OPEN TO US. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I KNOW YOU NOT. 13 Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour.
(ASV) Matthew 25:14 For [it is] as [when] a man, going into another country, called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods. ... 19 Now after a long time
THE LORD OF THOSE SERVANTS COMETH, and maketh a reckoning with them. 20 And he that received the five talents came and brought other five talents ... 21 His lord said unto him ...
I WILL SET THEE OVER MANY THINGS ... 22 And he also that [received] the two talents came and said ... I have gained other two talents. 23 His lord said unto him ...
I WILL SET THEE OVER MANY THINGS ... 24 And he also that had received the one talent came and said ... 25 ... I was afraid, and went away and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, thou hast thine own. 26 But his lord answered ... 28 Take ye away therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him that hath the ten talents. ... 30 And
CAST YE OUT THE UNPROFITABLE SERVANT INTO THE OUTER DARKNESS: THERE SHALL BE THE WEEPING AND THE GNASHING OF TEETH.
(ASV) Matthew 25:31 But
WHEN THE SON OF MAN SHALL COME IN HIS GLORY, AND ALL THE ANGELS WITH HIM, THEN SHALL HE SIT ON THE THRONE OF HIS GLORY: 32 and before him shall be gathered ALL THE NATIONS: and he shall separate them one from another, as the shepherd separateth the sheep from the goats; 33 and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father,
INHERIT THE KINGDOM PREPARED FOR YOU FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD ... 41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand,
DEPART FROM ME, YE CURSED, INTO THE ETERNAL FIRE WHICH IS PREPARED FOR THE DEVIL AND HIS ANGELS ... 46 And THESE SHALL GO AWAY INTO ETERNAL PUNISHMENT: BUT THE RIGHTEOUS INTO ETERNAL LIFE.
(ASV) 1 Corinthians 15:20 But now hath Christ been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of them that are asleep. ... 22 For as in Adam all die, so also IN CHRIST SHALL ALL BE MADE ALIVE. 23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; then they that are Christ's, AT HIS COMING. ... 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 50 Now this I say, brethren, that
FLESH AND BLOOD CANNOT INHERIT THE KINGDOM OF GOD; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: WE ALL SHALL NOT SLEEP, BUT WE SHALL ALL BE CHANGED, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, AT THE LAST TRUMP: for the trumpet shall sound, and THE DEAD SHALL BE RAISED INCORRUPTIBLE, AND WE SHALL BE CHANGED. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 But when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, THEN SHALL COME TO PASS THE SAYING THAT IS WRITTEN, DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP IN VICTORY.
(ASV) Revelation 2:26 And HE THAT OVERCOMETH, AND HE THAT KEEPETH MY WORKS UNTO THE END,
TO HIM WILL I GIVE AUTHORITY OVER THE NATIONS: 27 and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to shivers; as I also have received of my Father: 28 and I will give him the morning star. 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear WHAT THE SPIRIT SAITH TO THE CHURCHES.
(ASV) Revelation 3:21 HE THAT OVERCOMETH,
I WILL GIVE TO HIM TO SIT DOWN WITH ME IN MY THRONE, as I also overcame, and sat down with my Father in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear WHAT THE SPIRIT SAITH TO THE CHURCHES.
(ASV) Revelation 5:9 And they sing a new song, saying, Worthy art thou to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for
THOU WAS SLAIN, AND DIDST PURCHASE UNTO GOD WITH THY BLOOD [MEN] OF EVERY TRIBE, AND TONGUE, AND PEOPLE, AND NATION, 10 and madest them [to be] unto our God a kingdom and priests; AND
THEY (WILL) REIGN UPON EARTH.
(ASV) Revelation 19:14 And the armies which are in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white [and] pure. 15 And out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp sword, that with it
HE SHOULD SMITE THE NATIONS: AND HE SHALL RULE THEM WITH A ROD OF IRON: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness of the wrath of God, the Almighty.
(ASV) Revelation 20:4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and [I saw] the souls of them that had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus, and for the word of God, and such as worshipped not the beast, neither his image, and received not the mark upon their forehead and upon their hand; and
THEY LIVED, AND REIGNED WITH CHRIST A THOUSAND YEARS. 5 The rest of the dead lived not until the thousand years should be finished.
THIS IS THE FIRST RESURRECTION. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part
IN THE FIRST RESURRECTION: over these the second death hath no power; but
THEY SHALL BE PRIESTS OF GOD AND OF CHRIST, AND SHALL REIGN WITH HIM A THOUSAND YEARS.
Jim:
The people who are given authority to reign (for a thousand years), who are set over many things, are those who participate in the first resurrection. The people over whom they reign are the nations, who are not friendly toward Christ but must be forced submit to Him; He rules them with a rod of iron. Zechariah 14 says that they are punished if they don’t comply. So the non-resurrected people on earth during the Millennium are not the righteous but the unrighteous, They are those who survive out of all of the nations that fought against Christ, as Zechariah 14 says. When Jesus comes back, he sets the good servants over all that He has (the resurrected righteous) and he consigns the wick to weeping and gnashing of teeth. The sheep in Matthew 25 are said to “inherit the kingdom.” Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15 that “flesh and blood does not inherit the kingdom;” only those who are “changed” inherit the kingdom. So the sheep are not non-resurrected people but resurrected/changed people. In all of the parables, Jesus treats the judgment and reward of the righteous and the judgment and punishment of the wicked as if it all occurs on the very day that He comes back. However, a comparison of all of these parables with what is said in Revelation 19:11 – 21:1 shows that they describe the same thing, the only difference being that what is depicted as if it occurs in a 24-hour day in the parables is stated to span 1000 years in Revelation 19:11 – 21:1.
Jim
