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To: nmh; TomSmedley; Dr. Eckleburg
So ya think we're under the 1000 year reign of Christ NOW?

Yeah, it's just peachy out there ... .

Well, based on the Scripture and not my personal "feelings", the answer is "yes".

Those who have a "peachy" view of the millennium are certainly not getting that from the Bible.

Reading Rev. 20 carefully one finds that there are but two conditions for the "thousand years"; 1) Satan is bound from deceiving the nations, and 2) the saints are reigning with Christ.

I would content that both of those conditions are presently true. Satan is bound (cf. Matt. 12:28,29), and the saints are reigning (1 Cor. 15:25; Eph. 2:6).

If Satan were not bound the gospel would still be confined to a small group of people physically situated in the Middle East, and not going out into all the world with great success over the last 2000 years. Even Paul had the confidence in his world day to proclaim the success of the gospel advance. "which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth;" (Col. 1:5,6) Paul and the other NT writters certainly had a success-oriented view of Christ's reign and the advance of His kingdom.

The problem most people get into is they read too much of their own biases into their version of the millennium. For example, note that Rev. 20 does not say that Christ is reigning physically on the earth during this period of time. Lots of folks just assume He is on the earth, and that things are just "peachy".

If you immerse yourself in the doom-and-gloom theology of most pop prophecy preachers today you will miss the positive view the Scripture paints for the future of all the earth.

94 posted on 07/25/2006 5:56:56 AM PDT by topcat54
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To: topcat54
If you immerse yourself in the doom-and-gloom theology of most pop prophecy preachers today you will miss the positive view the Scripture paints for the future of all the earth.

People, including those with a doctrinal commitment to the failure of the gospel and the global triumph of evil, have reasons for what they believe. An unbelieving psychologist who befriended and studied a number of apocalyptic folks over the course of several years found a common denominator -- great and unresolved emotional pain. Projecting the pain and turmoil within against an imaginary screen of global dimensions is a technique for putting the pain "out there" so that Someone Else can deal with it "real soon now."

The severe emotional backlash against the gospel of God's hopeful kingdom indicates that we are not dealing with a mere intellectual disagreement. The apocalyptics have a personal vested interest in the defeat of God's Kingdom, as it validates/excuses the defeat in their own lives.

Rush Limbaugh refuses to talk with "conspiracy theorists." They are losers, who are looking for "someone else" -- some omnipotent band of conspirators -- to blame for their own mediocrity.

I have my reasons, too, for my beliefs. A God who loved me enough to give His Son for my redemption loved me too much to let me off the hook. Too much to let me wallow in cynical mediocrity. This God opened my eyes to see His Word with fresh eyes -- and my life, family, and vocaction were all transformed by a fresh infusion of hope, grace, and stamina. Ultimately, the best "arguement" we can offer the apocalyptics is prayer for their enlightenment. Although men do love to hide in darkness, and in dark visions ... we have to call upon the more power love of God.

96 posted on 07/25/2006 6:10:43 AM PDT by TomSmedley (Calvinist, optimist, home schooling dad, exuberant husband, technical writer)
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