Comments:
1. Please re-read Matthew 24 carefully. The “rapture” happens on the last day, judgement day, AFTER the tribulation and AFTER the sun and moon are darkened.
2. Jesus Christ is ruling from Jerusalem NOW and has been for close to 2,000 years now.
3. The reference to reigning for a 1,000 years, is representative of the complete period between the resurrection and the second coming.
4. Augustine passed on the faith he received, nothing novel or new.
5. When Jesus returns on judgement, it is the end of the world. Once judgement is over, the earth will be destroyed.
6. Are there any names of people who believe as you do that were hunted down and killed? One hears this mythology every now and then, but no names are ever given.
1) Matthew CH 24 Jesus is answering 3 questions asked by his disciples. It is not about the rapture, it is about the signs that the temple will be destroyed, the end of the age and the sign of his return. All refering to Israel.
2) Jesus is clearly NOT ruling from Jerusalem now, and has not been. The angles who appeared with the disciples on the Mt of Olives said that the same way He went into heaven, he will return to the earth the same way.
3) Re-check what Rev Ch 19:11 through CH20:6 say, then read Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Zechariah and note the places where it says that Jesus will rule the nations here on earth.
4) Augistine change from believing what he was taught at first to not believing in the millenial reign of Jesus here on this earth because of the conduct of some to those who also believed as he did and did not want to be identified with them.
5) Rev CH 19-20 cover this, the end of this world does not happen until after the white throne judgment when God makes a new Heaven and a new Earth
6) Read Foxs book of Marytars
One thing we can agree on, and is more important is this, we both believe that Jesus died on the cross to forgive our sins and He is the only reason we will be admitted into Gods presence. We both love Jesus with all our hearts. Our views on eschatology will not keep us out of heaven and to enjoy eachothers fellowship in our great God and Savior, Jesus.