>>Other than the fact that the Jews were driven out of Jerusalem in 70 AD, what changed in the world to demonstrate that a righteous God had instituted a Kingdom and sent Jesus Christ to reign over it? Nothing. It was 326 AD before a Roman emperor (Constantine) even accepted Christianity as a valid faith.<<
The way I interpret the scripture, the thousand-year reign began after the destruction of Jerusalem. A thousand in the scripture is not one thousand, but a large number, in this case, a long time.
From the signs I have seen, Satan has been released from his prison and is currently deceiving the world:
“And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth” — Rev 20:7-8 KJV
Mr. Kalamata
To be clear: you’re saying Satan was under lock and chain from 70 AD to 1070 AD….and that all was good on earth during that time?
So you're claiming that 70 AD was when Jesus returned but 1,000 years doesn't really mean 1,000 years?
Then all the rest of your interpretations are up for grabs as well, then aren't they?
Kalamata, I agree with your point of view in general, perhaps not in every specific detail but I do think we are in the “little season” at the end of the millenial kingdom and that Christ’s reign has been spiritual; then at some near-future time, the visible second coming will take place and we’ll be into the eternal righteous kingdom of God.
I believe what has caused a general uncertainty as to times of prophecy is that various signs and timetables are given for both “end times” and the first set were not followed by a visible return (only the spiritual reign) so while some agree with you and me, others (perhaps a majority) are watching for the first end time that leads into the millenial kingdom.
Jesus will sort this out for us and either way things will improve, whichever of the two events is really just ahead, as it seems obvious that “an end time” is approaching given the signs apparent to all.
But the preterist viewpoint just seems devoid of hope for the world, and I refuse to believe this is the eternal fate of humanity, to be living like wild animals in a lawless satanic dystopia. We were told to expect a new earth and I believe it is this earth, purified, so that the standards of heaven (if indeed that exists now somewhere else) can be met here as well. As was always intended for the faithful.