Replies

Sure it does (Christ physically being here), for Christians and non-Christians. Christian faith will be much stronger than it is now. Non-Christians will know for sure whom the Lord is. There won't be a question.

To what end will this achieve? IF Christ were to return tomorrow for 1,000 years, would non-Christians be saved?

As far as Christians, I believe our Lord chastised Thomas because he had to physically see and touch our Lord Jesus. Blessed are those who do not see-yet believe.

Well yes, but there's the millennium first. Christians are to reign with Christ on earth: Rev...

I wouldn't make too much out of Revelation. I have yet to find anyone who can give me a coherent view on the book. There are all sorts of interpretations. You could read Rev 5:10 (Rev 5:10 "You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.") as meaning believers. After all I already posted that we have been transferred into His kingdom.

As far as reigning with Him for a thousand years, Rev 1:6 already states that He "...made us kings and priests to God and His Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.". We are already His priests. He is the High Priest.

I can't argue, nor am I'm trying to argue, Revelation. I just don't think the book is as clear cut as many purport it to be.

I would agree that it's not our permanent home. But the millennium seems to be a transition period.

With all due respect, why? What precisely are we transitioning to? This sounds much like the Catholic doctrine of purgatory-God's holding tank while we become better people.

Our Lord Jesus turned to the thief on the cross and said, "Today you will be with me in Paradise." I believe that happens to every believer, we are transported from this life to the next. When Christ returns, that will be that. The end. Unbelievers will go to judgment while believers have been judged already through Christ.

To what end will this achieve? IF Christ were to return tomorrow for 1,000 years, would non-Christians be saved? As far as Christians, I believe our Lord chastised Thomas because he had to physically see and touch our Lord Jesus. Blessed are those who do not see-yet believe.

Hi Harley...I suspect we have different doctrinal beliefs on these issues. Of course only Christians will be saved, but I believe the millennium is a time period when the whole earth can finally see the truth of Christ without the interference of Satan, who is bound at the beginning of the millennium. Of course details are scant in the bible about what exactly occurs, but there are indications. For example, I would consider this a millennial prophecy:

Isa 41:14 Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
Isa 41:15 Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.
Isa 41:16 Thou shalt fan them, and the wind shall carry them away, and the whirlwind shall scatter them: and thou shalt rejoice in the LORD, and shalt glory in the Holy One of Israel.
Isa 41:17 When the poor and needy seek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the LORD will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them.
Isa 41:18 I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst of the valleys: I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water.
Isa 41:19 I will plant in the wilderness the cedar, the shittah tree, and the myrtle, and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together:
Isa 41:20 That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together, that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it.

I can't argue, nor am I'm trying to argue, Revelation. I just don't think the book is as clear cut as many purport it to be.

I would agree that it CAN be difficult to understand. But it's not meant to be that way.

Rev 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

Revelation was written so that God's servants would be informed about future events. We can know it if we approach our study with prayer and God's Holy spirit.

With all due respect, why? What precisely are we transitioning to? This sounds much like the Catholic doctrine of purgatory-God's holding tank while we become better people.

I believe it's a transition or a learning period for God's people. I believe that it will be used by God to teach us how to create, how to build, how to use the faith and power God will give his children...

Isa 41:15 Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat them small, and shalt make the hills as chaff.

I think there are many more scriptures that indicate a specific time period before Christians are resurrected to glory than not. If the totality of scripture indicates otherwise than one would need to re-examine the thief on the cross to see where it might be being misinterpreted. I will grant though that to a Christian, the time perceived between death and seeing Christ will be instantaneous. When I die I know that the next blink of my eye will behold Christ.