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Question/Comment: I
have had the opportunity to read the few lessons you have posted.
I notice that you make reference to Daniel and his prophecy of the "70
weeks of Daniel" and the supposed rapture of the church. I have
tried for many years to see the rapture in the book of Revelation
and the scripture that Jesus is coming back to earth and will reign
for 1000 years. I cannot find scriptural proof of either the rapture
or for Jesus returning to earth to set up His kingdom. I have written
about the "70 weeks of Daniel" and have published my opposition
to 1000 year reign on earth. When Jesus comes the second time, it
is to bring an end to this world as we know it and to usher in a
period of judgment, and then heaven or hell. I cannot find where
Jesus will ever again set foot on this earth to reign. When He comes
all the dead will be raised not just the faithful dead. All will
stand for judgment and receive their rewards - heaven or hell. I
would like your comments.
Bible Answer: It
is wonderful that you want to explore another viewpoint about the
future as taught in the book of Revelation. One of the marks of an
unteachable spirit is the unwillingness to ask the question, "Have
I been wrong?" May we encourage you to read several studies
before you read the response below. The first study will provide
a better understanding of the future earthly 1,000 year kingdom.
The study is entitled, "Which
Kingdom?" The second study is about the rapture and it is
entitled "The Church
is Missing." The first study is the most important one.
Numbers. Next
we want to see what the book of Revelation says about the 1,000 year kingdom.
Probably the most significant passage in Revelation is found in Revelation 20:1-4.
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And
I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key of
the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold
of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan,
and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the
abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he should
not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years
were completed; after these things he must be released for
a short time. And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them,
and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those
who had been beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus and
because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped
the beast or his image, and had not received the mark upon
their forehead and upon their hand; and they came to life
and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. (NASB) Rev.
20:1-4 |
Here
we read that Satan will be bound in an abyss for 1,000 years. Now
the question we need to ask is, "Are the 1,000 years real years or
are they symbolic?" The answer is actually found in the book of Revelation
itself. For example, the book is full of numbers. It has referred
to 7 churches, 7 angels, 7 lampstands, 7 stars (Rev. 1), 4 creatures
before the throne, 24 elders (Rev. 4), 144,000 witnesses (12,000
from each tribe in Rev. 7), 7 seals, 7 trumpets, 7 bowls, and a 200,000
man army (Rev. 9). During the 7 seals we can read about 1/3 of the
sea, 1/3 of the ships, 1/3 of the waters, and 1/3 of the sun and
moon and stars being struck (Rev. 8:7-13). In Revelation 11 we read
about 2 witnesses, 3.5 days, and 42 months, and 1,260 days.
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