But shouldn't we interpret the Bible spiritually instead of literally?

[robycop3]

We need to know what we are discussing & I think we are at cross purposes.

There is no disagreement in principle on aspects like symbols, types, metaphors, other figurative language, etc. We agree that the figures are ways of expressing real truths, real concepts. And I'm happy for white horses to safely graze among the sheep in green pastures.

The question as I see it is a matter of interpretation of the OT prophecies, & "literal" or "spiritual" applies primarily to the realm & people in which they are fulfilled. Physical or spiritual, national ethnic Israel or the Church.

@John of Japan & @TCassidy have emphasised the physical to the extent that Jesus cannot leave heaven spiritually as that would mean leaving his body, & the body without the spirit is dead. The hypostatic union would be violated. And that the prophesied Kingdom (Mediatorial Kingdom?) requires the personal, physical presence of Messiah as a human being reigning over Israel in the flesh.

Whether that represents a valid literal interpretation of OT prophecy requires a careful study, grammatical, historical interpretation with a view to establish the extent of the fulfilment by the Babylonian destruction & exile & the return & rebuilding.

I think most would agree that the prophecies go way beyond the literal, physical restoration & rebuilding, & that a Messianic fulfilment is intended.

The question then becomes, is a literal, physical Kingdom prophesied, only commencing after Jesus returns to establish a future millennial Kingdom? Only after the millennium will the dead be raised for final judgment, after which the NH&NE will begin.
or
Is a spiritual Kingdom with King Jesus living spiritually in the hearts & lives with his born again, redeemed people prophesied, operating presently throughout the Gospel age? When Jesus returns, he will raise & judge all the dead & establish the eternal NH&NE.

That discussion may need a new thread.

Well, at least you know Jesus has not yet physically returned. But Jesus said that wherever/whenever 2 or more are gathered in His name, He would be among them, and I believe we all understand that to be "Spiritually".

 

[robycop3]

Born again believers live in the real spiritual realm. Prophecy relates to that invisible realm.
Those who insist on "literal" fulfilment are concerned with the physical, carnal realm.

1 Cor. 3:And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.​

Are YOU a born-again believer? If so, you're still "speaking" to me in this physical world.

And Jesus WILL physically return. That's not carnal thinking; it's what JESUS HIMSELF said.

 

[prophecy70]

A physical kingdom of 1000 years on earth will glorify Christ. It will show that He is worthy, in contrast to every earthly king who has ever existed. It will glorify God because it will prove that only God's Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, can rule perfectly, though all previous kingdoms of earth have failed or will fail. To God be the glory, great things He will do.

Rev 20
7And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

Who is satan deceiving? If 1000 years under a literal rule of Jesus are not enough to convince man. How can the rule be perfect if Satan can deceive that many people after a physical rule of Jesus?

 

[prophecy70]

Whoever somehow convinced you preterism is correct, whether here or elsewhere.

And what a blessing they have been

 

[Squire Robertsson]

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[John of Japan]

Rev 20
7And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

Who is satan deceiving? If 1000 years under a literal rule of Jesus are not enough to convince man. How can the rule be perfect if Satan can deceive that many people after a physical rule of Jesus?

The purpose of the Millennial reign of Christ is not to convince Mankind of anything. What Christ will prove is that Mankind is still rebellious and depraved, even after 1000 years of perfect rule. This glorifies God, because then it becomes obvious that only God can help us, and only Jesus can redeem us.

The rule will be perfect in that we will have a perfect King, and therefore His rule will be perfect. People may rebel in their hearts, but justice will always be perfect, and no one will get away with anything criminal, though they may sin short of criminal activity.

After the tribulation, only the redeemed will enter the Millennium, but even under the perfect rule of Christ, parents will fail, and not win their children to Christ. Those children will rebel, but not be allowed to do so politically. Then, God will allow Satan to deceive people at the veryt end of the Millennium, thus once more glorifying Himself. His power is awesome and compete, and even Satan and billions of rebels cannot assail it. Mankind is depraved and hateful, but God is holy and love. All glory be to God.

That's the dispensational view, and it brings up a challenge I will give to my students in the very first lecture of "Dispensational Theology" in January: Are you living for the glory of God yourself? "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31).

What does amillennialism offer my students spiritually? Does it teach them to glorify God and work for Christ, whose coming is imminent, as premillennialism does?

 

[prophecy70]

The purpose of the Millennial reign of Christ is not to convince Mankind of anything. What Christ will prove is that Mankind is still rebellious and depraved, even after 1000 years of perfect rule. This glorifies God, because then it becomes obvious that only God can help us, and only Jesus can redeem us.

The rule will be perfect in that we will have a perfect King, and therefore His rule will be perfect. People may rebel in their hearts, but justice will always be perfect, and no one will get away with anything criminal, though they may sin short of criminal activity.

After the tribulation, only the redeemed will enter the Millennium, but even under the perfect rule of Christ, parents will fail, and not win their children to Christ. Those children will rebel, but not be allowed to do so politically. Then, God will allow Satan to deceive people at the veryt end of the Millennium, thus once more glorifying Himself. His power is awesome and compete, and even Satan and billions of rebels cannot assail it. Mankind is depraved and hateful, but God is holy and love. All glory be to God.

And where do you get that assessment from?

What does amillennialism offer my students spiritually? Does it teach them to glorify God and work for Christ, whose coming is imminent, as premillennialism does?

What coming is imminent? The second coming? or the "rapture"

Plus I dont understand that, If you hold to a complete view of amillennialism, then you believe Jesus's coming is the day of Judgment, No second chance, unlike your view.

You could also tell them repent or be stuck by lightning as well. Thats a good motivator. It doesn't make it true however.

 

[thatbrian]

White horse = triumphant in battle. Are we done here?

 

[Squire Robertsson]

This thread is closed.

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