Why are animal sacrifices done in the Millennial Temple

[Vicky gould]

Scripture tells us that the Millennial Temple will once again have animal sacrifices. Your thoughts

 

[Dave L]

Scripture tells us that the Millennial Temple will once again have animal sacrifices. Your thoughts

The millennium is a doctrine created by the Pharisees. Jesus refuted it many times teaching the spiritual nature of the kingdom in the gospels.

A literal, earthly 1000 year reign of Christ was not taught by Jesus, Paul, or the apostles; rather, this was the teaching of the Pharisees! Consider John 18:36a; Millenium doctrine built on one verse, Matthew 18:16b; Psalm 50:10, Deuteronomy 7:9. The reign of Christ and binding of Satan have occurred, and continue! Consider Matthew 12:28,29; Hebrews 2:14; Colossians 2:15; Jude 6

Jim Gordon. Historical Interpretation of Prophetic Scripture.

The reign of peace, lasting one thousand years, which will precede the Last Judgment and the future life. The concept has assumed especial importance in the Christian Church, where it is termed also "chiliasm," designating the dominion of Jesus with the glorified and risen saints over the world for a thousand years. Chiliasm or the idea of the millennium is, nevertheless, older than the Christian Church; for the belief in a period of one thousand years at the end of time as a preliminary to the resurrection of the dead was held in Parseeism. This concept is expressed in Jewish literature in Enoch, xiii., xci. 12-17; in the apocalypse of the ten weeks, in Apoc. Baruch, xl. 3 ("And his dominion shall last forever, until the world doomed to destruction shall perish"); and in II Esdras vii. 28-29. Neither here nor in later Jewish literature is the duration of this Messianic reign fixed. It is clear, however, that the rule of the Messiah was considered as an interregnum, from the fact that in many passages, such as Pes. 68a, Ber. 34b, Sanh. 91b and 99a, Shab. 63a, 113b, and 141b, a distinction is made between

and

, although it must be noted that some regarded the Messianic rule as the period of the fulfilment of the prophecies, while others saw in it the time of the subjugation of the nations.

MILLENNIUM - JewishEncyclopedia.com

 

[Vicky gould]

The millennium is a doctrine created by the Pharisees. Jesus refuted it many times teaching the spiritual nature of the kingdom in the gospels.

A literal, earthly 1000 year reign of Christ was not taught by Jesus, Paul, or the apostles; rather, this was the teaching of the Pharisees! Consider John 18:36a; Millenium doctrine built on one verse, Matthew 18:16b; Psalm 50:10, Deuteronomy 7:9. The reign of Christ and binding of Satan have occurred, and continue! Consider Matthew 12:28,29; Hebrews 2:14; Colossians 2:15; Jude 6

Jim Gordon. Historical Interpretation of Prophetic Scripture.

The reign of peace, lasting one thousand years, which will precede the Last Judgment and the future life. The concept has assumed especial importance in the Christian Church, where it is termed also "chiliasm," designating the dominion of Jesus with the glorified and risen saints over the world for a thousand years. Chiliasm or the idea of the millennium is, nevertheless, older than the Christian Church; for the belief in a period of one thousand years at the end of time as a preliminary to the resurrection of the dead was held in Parseeism. This concept is expressed in Jewish literature in Enoch, xiii., xci. 12-17; in the apocalypse of the ten weeks, in Apoc. Baruch, xl. 3 ("And his dominion shall last forever, until the world doomed to destruction shall perish"); and in II Esdras vii. 28-29. Neither here nor in later Jewish literature is the duration of this Messianic reign fixed. It is clear, however, that the rule of the Messiah was considered as an interregnum, from the fact that in many passages, such as Pes. 68a, Ber. 34b, Sanh. 91b and 99a, Shab. 63a, 113b, and 141b, a distinction is made between

and

, although it must be noted that some regarded the Messianic rule as the period of the fulfilment of the prophecies, while others saw in it the time of the subjugation of the nations.

MILLENNIUM - JewishEncyclopedia.com

Revelation 20:6 - Blessed and holy [is] he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Revelation 20:4 - And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and [I saw] the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received [his] mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

I guess when did this 1,000 year reign with Christ happen if it has already been fulfilled or is this wrong? I believe John was not only an apostle but the disciple Jesus loved.

 

[Tolworth John]

Scripture tells us that the Millennial Temple will once again have animal sacrifices. Your thoughts

Does it. Where?

Jesus died Once for ALL. So those who would reinstate animal sacrifices are either worshipping false gods or seeking to some how earn there salvation.

Even the OT proclaimedin hosea6'For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings."

 

[Vicky gould]

Does it. Where?

Jesus died Once for ALL. So those who would reinstate animal sacrifices are either worshipping false gods or seeking to some how earn there salvation.

Even the OT proclaimedin hosea6'For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings."

Ez. 43- 46 seems to make this pretty clear.

 

[Dave-W]

Does it. Where?

Jesus died Once for ALL. So those who would reinstate animal sacrifices are either worshipping false gods or seeking to some how earn there salvation.

Even the OT proclaimedin hosea6'For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings."

Not so. That belief is based on the opinion that ALL animal sacrifices were for sin offerings. NOT SO at all.

But consider this: at least 2 decades AFTER the death and resurrection of our Lord, Paul and other Jewish believers still took part in Temple services including animal sacrifices. In Acts 18.18 Paul had cut his hair because of "the Vow." That would have been a Nazirite vow (which involved the hair); and could only be ended by animal sacrifices. (see Num 6 for details) In Acts 21 he finished that vow and paid for 4 other believers from the Jerusalem congregation to do the same thing.

 

[Dave L]

Revelation 20:6 - Blessed and holy [is] he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Revelation 20:4 - And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and [I saw] the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received [his] mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

I guess when did this 1,000 year reign with Christ happen if it has already been fulfilled or is this wrong? I believe John was not only an apostle but the disciple Jesus loved.

Here's what it means;

The angel = Greek for messenger

the chain = the message (gospel); The gospel sent to the whole world.

the 1000 years = Satan bound from deceiving the elect. The saints rule over him. the 1000 years end = Satan loosed.

Note the 1000 years are not the kingdom. It is still here when the 1000 years end. Satan attacks the kingdom when they end and he is loosed.

Satan loosed = the Post Christian era (we now live in = immanent return of Christ) the gospel message falls on deaf ears, the world assails the Church from all quarters ushering in the end.

“Jesus said, “This voice has not come for my benefit but for yours. Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be driven out.” (John 12:30–31)

 

[Dave-W]

The millennium is a doctrine created by the Pharisees. Jesus refuted it many times teaching the spiritual nature of the kingdom in the gospels.

Actually, in Judaism, the Messianic Kingdom has no set time limits. The belief is taken from various passages in Isaiah.

The thousand years (millennium) time frame comes from the NT, book of Revelation.

So no - the Millennium is NOT a Pharisaic teaching.

 

[Dave L]

Actually, in Judaism, the Messianic Kingdom has no set time limits. The belief is taken from various passages in Isaiah.

The thousand years (millennium) time frame comes from the NT, book of Revelation.

So no - the Millennium is NOT a Pharisaic teaching.

Jesus refuted any idea of a physical millennial kingdom. He taught the Kingdom is spiritual only. But only the born again can see it.

 

[Andrewn]

But consider this: at least 2 decades AFTER the death and resurrection of our Lord, Paul and other Jewish believers still took part in Temple services including animal sacrifices. In Acts 18.18 Paul had cut his hair because of "the Vow." That would have been a Nazirite vow (which involved the hair); and could only be ended by animal sacrifices. (see Num 6 for details) In Acts 21 he finished that vow and paid for 4 other believers from the Jerusalem congregation to do the same thing.

Why did Paul do that?

 

[Dave-W]

Jesus refuted any idea of a physical millennial kingdom. He taught the Kingdom is spiritual only. But only the born again can see it.

Sadly you misunderstand our Lord's words.

 

[Dave-W]

Why did Paul do that?

Because Christianity was not a separate religion from Judaism - and never should have developed into one.

 

[bèlla]

There are multiple offerings mentioned in Leviticus with clear details on their purpose and performance.

 

[bèlla]

Because Christianity was not a separate religion from Judaism - and never should have developed into one.

This. It’s one thing to read a book and another to see it unfold before your eyes. ;-)

 

[Sanoy]

Ezekiel was a sign prophet. He built models and performed actions to show what God was going to do. I think this temple is no different. Notice how the living water is shallow in Jerusalem but deepest in Gentile nations. There are all sorts of oddities in the description that teach a message against the Jewish heirarchy. And most importantly Jeus isn't described, He's certainly not the Prince here. So I think we should look at it like another of Ezekiel models against Jerusalem rather than a description of the new Jerusalem.

This podcast goes into great detail about these oddities.
Part 1
Part 2

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Scripture tells us that the Millennial Temple will once again have animal sacrifices. Your thoughts

Hello Vicky. Depends on ones view of the "Millennial".
Jesus finished it for the Jews/Hebrew Israelites on the Cross and in 70AD

The millennium is a doctrine created by the Pharisees. Jesus refuted it many times teaching the spiritual nature of the kingdom in the gospels.

A literal, earthly 1000 year reign of Christ was not taught by Jesus, Paul, or the apostles; rather, this was the teaching of the Pharisees! Consider John 18:36a; Millenium doctrine built on one verse, Matthew 18:16b; Psalm 50:10, Deuteronomy 7:9. The reign of Christ and binding of Satan have occurred, and continue! Consider Matthew 12:28,29; Hebrews 2:14; Colossians 2:15; Jude 6
MILLENNIUM - JewishEncyclopedia.com

Great post!

Here is what God says to the Jews about any future AoC:

Jer 3:16
“Then it shall come to pass, when you are multiplied and increased in the land in those days,” says the LORD, “that they will say no more, ‘The ark of the covenant of the LORD.'
It shall not come to mind, nor shall they remember it, nor shall they visit it, nor shall it be made anymore.
Heb 9:4
which had the golden censer and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that had the manna, Aaron's rod that budded, and the tablets of the covenant;
Rev 11:19
Then the Sanctuary of God was opened in heaven, and the ark of His covenant was seen in His Sanctuar. And there were lightnings, noises, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail.
===============================
There are 2 major sacrifices mentioned in the Bible

The sacrifice of our Lord Jesus...the Passover Lamb

And the sacrifice of those that had Jesus sacrificed.

Some verses and remember, it is also Jesus and the Father speaking:

Isaiah 1:11
“To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me? ” Says the LORD.
“I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams And the fat of fed cattle. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, Or of lambs or goats.

Jer 46:10 -
For this is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, A day of vengeance, That He may avenge Himself on His adversaries. The sword shall devour; It shall be satiated and made drunk with their blood;
For the Lord GOD of hosts has a sacrifice In the north country by the River Euphrates.

Rev 9:14 saying to the sixth messenger who had the trumpet, 'Loose the four messengers who are bound at the great river Euphrates;'
Rev 16:12 And the sixth messenger did pour out his vial upon the great river, the Euphrates, and dried up was its water, that the way of the kings who are from the rising of the sun may be made ready;

Zephaniah 1:7
Be silent in the presence of my Lord Yahweh; For the day of Yahweh is at hand, For Yahweh has prepared a sacrifice; He has invited His guests. 8 “And it shall be in the day of Yahweh's sacrifice, I will punish the princes and the king’s children, and all such as are clothed with foreign apparel.
Hosea 8:13 For the sacrifices of My offerings they sacrifice flesh and eat it, But the LORD does not accept them. Now He will remember their iniquity and punish their sins.They shall return to Egypt.

Ezekiel 39:17 " And thou son of adam, thus He says my Lord Yahweh, say thou! to bird of every wing, and to all of beast of the field: 'be assembled ye! and come ye! togethe ye from round about on Sacrifice of Me which I Sacrificing for ye, a great Sacrifice great on Mountains of Israel, and ye eat flesh and ye drink blood. 18 Flesh of mighty-ones ye shall eat, and blood of princes of the Land ye shall drink.....
===================================

"DAYS OF VENGEANCE" Isaiah 61:2 and Luke 21:22 Revelation

Isaiah 61:2
To proclaim the year of the good pleasure of Yahweh,
And the day of vengeance<5359> of our 'Elohiym, To comfort all mourners.

Luke 4:
17 the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. Unrolling it, He found the place where it was written:
21 and He began by saying,
“Today this Scripture is fulfilled<4137> in your hearing.”

Luke 21:
22 That days of vengeance<1557> these are, of the to be fulfilled<4130> all the having been written
23 “But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!
For there will be great Distress in the land and Wrath<3709> upon this people.

1 Thessalonians 2:15
who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted<1559> us,
and they do not please God and are contrary to all men,

Hebrews 9:26 Since it was binding Him many-times to be suffering from according-casting of world, now yet once upon together-finish/sun-teleia <4930> of the Ages into putting-away of Sin,
thru the Sacrifice/qusiaV <2378> of Him, He has been manifested.

Revelation 19:
2 “For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her fornication;
and He has avenged <1556> on her the blood of His servants shed by her.”
17 And I perceived one messenger standing in the sun, and he cries-out in great voice, saying to all the birds, the ones flying in mid-heaven, "hither! be ye being gathered! into the Supper of the Great God. 18 That Ye may be eating fleshes [Zeph 1:7/Ezekiel 39:19]
===========================
Have you ever read Josephus' account of the Jewish Wars?

Visual Timeline of the Roman-Jewish War ARTchive @ PreteristArchive.com, The Internet's Only Balanced Look at Preterist Eschatology and Preterism

"..probably the greatest single slaughter in ancient history."
ROMAN SIEGE AND SACK OF JERUSALEM

The Destruction of Jerusalem - George Peter Holford, 1805AD
Proof that Matthew 24 was fully fulfilled in 70 AD!
Also see: Rapture refuted

History records few events more generally interesting than the destruction of Jerusalem, and the subversion of the Jewish state, by the arms of the Romans. -- Their intimate connexion with the dissolution of the Levitical economy, and the establishment of Christianity in the world ; the striking verification which they afford of so many of the prophecies, both of the Old and New Testament, and the powerful arguments of the divine authority of the Scriptures which are thence derived.............................

Before their final demolition, however, Titus took, a. survey of the city and its fortifications ; and, while contemplating their impregnable strength, could not help ascribing his success to the peculiar interposition of the ALMIGHTY HIMSELF. "Had not God himself (exclaimed he) aided out operations, and driven the Jews from their fortresses, it would have been absolutely impossible to have taken them ; for what could men, and the force of engines, have done against such towers as these ?" After this he commanded that the city should be commanded razed to its foundations,...........
Titus now gave orders that those Jews only who resisted should be slain ; but the soldiers, equally void of pity and remorse, slew even the sick and the aged.
The robbers and seditious were all punished with death : the tallest and most beautiful youths, together with several of the Jewish nobles were reserved by Titus to grace his triumphal entry into Rome. After this selection, all above the age of seventeen were sent in chains into Egypt, to be employed there as slaves, or distributed throughout the empire to be sacrificed as gladiators in the amphitheatres ; whilst those who were under this age, were exposed to sale............

Of the Jews destroyed during the siege, Josephus reckons not less than ONE MILLION AND ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND,
to which must be added, above TWO-HUNDRED AND THIRTY-SEVEN THOUSAND who perished in other places, and innumerable multitudes who were swept away by famine, and pestilence, and of which no calculation could be made. Not less than two thousand laid violent hands upon themselves. Of the captives the whole was about NINETY-SEVEN THOUSAND. Of the Two great leaders of the Jews, who had both been made prisoners, John was doomed to a dungeon for life ; while Simon, together with John, in triumph at Rome was scourged, and put to death as a malefactor.

 

[Dave L]

Sadly you misunderstand our Lord's words.

Please consider the spiritual nature of the Kingdom:

“And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2) (KJV 1900)

“And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” (Matthew 11:12) (KJV 1900)

“Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.” (Matthew 16:28) (KJV 1900)

“Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.” (1 Corinthians 15:50)

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) (KJV 1900)

“Jesus answered, “I tell you the solemn truth, unless a person is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)

“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.” (John 18:36) (KJV 1900)

“And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:” (Luke 17:20) (KJV 1900)

“Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21) (KJV 1900)

“But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has already overtaken you.” (Luke 11:20)

“because we are not looking at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen. For what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal.” (2 Corinthians 4:18)

“Now when the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus performed, they began to say to one another, “This is certainly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Then Jesus, because he knew they were going to come and seize him by force to make him king, withdrew again up the mountainside alone.” (John 6:14–15)

“He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son he loves,” (Colossians 1:13)

“When Jesus saw that he answered intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And no one dared to question Him any longer.” (Mark 12:34) (HCSB)

“for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17) (HCSB)

“I, John, your brother and fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” Revelation 1:9 (NASB95)

 

[LittleLambofJesus]

Ezekiel was a sign prophet. He built models and performed actions to show what God was going to do. I think this temple is no different. Notice how the living water is shallow in Jerusalem but deepest in Gentile nations. There are all sorts of oddities in the description that teach a message against the Jewish heirarchy. And most importantly Jeus isn't described, He's certainly not the Prince here. So I think we should look at it like another of Ezekiel models against Jerusalem rather than a description of the new Jerusalem.

This podcast goes into great detail about these oddities.
Part 1
Part 2

Ezekiel and the covenantle Book of Revelation go together like white on rice.......

Allusions in Revelation from Old Testament

I find this person's view concerning the "allusions" found in the book of Revelation that are found in the Old Testament/Covenant rather fascinating.
Would anyone like to put down verses from Revelation and the verses from the OT/OC that are "alluded" to? I think that would be enjoyable and edifying. Thanks

THE SYMBOLISM IN BOOK OF REVELATION

One man studied and found 348 allusions (not illusions, Light) in Revelation from the Old Testament. You see the similarity in wording and the context mirrored in Revelation and the particular Old Testament story, and immediately can recognize the reference source!
That's IF you know the bible well enough to even notice that.

95 of the 348 plain references used in Revelation as taken from the Old Testament are repeated in Revelation.
That makes about 250 Old Testament passages are cited. How many chapters are in Revelation? 22. That makes about TEN OLD TESTAMENT REFERENCES FOR EVERY CHAPTER!
==================================================
Here are some of the ones I have come up with. Please feel free to add or comment on them.

Allusions in Revelation from Old Testament
Books in Daniel Daniel 7:9 and 11:10.
Allusions in Revelation from Old Testament
Cried and joy Temple/City: Ezra 3:12,13 and Reve 18:18, 19:4
Allusions in Revelation from Old Testament
Ear to hear: Isaiah 6:9,10 and Matt 13:15, Reve 2,3,13
Allusions in Revelation from Old Testament
Holy Holy Holy Isaiah 6:6 and Revelation 4:8
Allusions in Revelation from Old Testament
Jericho, Priest and Trumpets: Joshua 6:4, Hebrews 11:30, Matt 24:31, Reve 8:6
Allusions in Revelation from Old Testament
Lift hands to heaven and swore..: Daniel 2:7 and Reve 10:5
Allusions in Revelation from Old Testament
Light Revelation to Israel and Nations: Isaiah 9:2, Luke 2:32, Reve 1:1
Allusions in Revelation from Old Testament
Moses and Elijah, fire falling, as is also seen in Revelation.
Allusions in Revelation from Old Testament
Moses and Elijah
Allusions in Revelation from Old Testament
Mountain of fire cast into Sea
Allusions in Revelation from Old Testament
Pierced: Zech 12:10 and Reve 1:7
Allusions in Revelation from Old Testament
Sacrifice/Supper of God: Ezek 39:17 and Reve 19:17
Allusions in Revelation from Old Testament
Sanctuary/Tabernacle filled with smoke
Allusions in Revelation from Old Testament
Allusions in Revelation from Old Testament
Silence/Hush: Zech 1:7, 2:13 and Reve 8:1
Allusions in Revelation from Old Testament
Sodom and Egypt: Matt 2:15, Reve 11:8
Allusions in Revelation from Old Testament
Song of Moses: Exodus 15:1 and Revelation 15:3
Allusions in Revelation from Old Testament
Spirit lifting, taking Ezekiel and John
Allusions in Revelation from Old Testament
Stars 7
Allusions in Revelation from Old Testament
Tree of Life and Garden: Genesis 3:24 and Reve 2:7
Allusions in Revelation from Old Testament
Whip.........Nahum 3:2, John 2:15,

EZEKIEL AND REVELATION PARALLEL

1. THRONE VISION - (Rev 4./Ezek 1).
2. THE BOOK (Rev 5/Ezek 2-3)
3. THE PLAGUES (Rev 6:1-8/Ezek 5).
4. Slain Beneath the Altar (Rev. 6:9-11/Ezek. 6)
5. WRATH OF GOD (Rev 6:12-17/Ezek 7).
6. SEAL ON SAINTS' FOREHEADS (Rev 7/Ezek 9)
7. COALS FROM ALTAR (Rev. 8/Ezek 10).
8. NO MORE DELAY (Rev. 10:1-7/Ezek 12).
9. EATING THE BOOK (Rev 10:8-11/Ezek. 2)
11. MEASURING THE TEMPLE (Rev. 11:1-2/Ezek. 40-43)
11. JERUSALEM AND SODOM (Rev. 11:8/Ezek 16)
12. CUP OF WRATH (Rev. 14/Ezek. 23).
13. VINE OF THE LAND (Rev. 14:18-20/Ezek 15)
14. GREAT HARLOT (Rev 17-18/Ezek. 16, 23).
15. LAMENT OVER THE CITY (Rev. 18/Ezek 27)
16. SCAVENGER'S FEAST (Rev. 19/Ezek 39)
17. FIRST RESURRECTION (Rev 20:4-6/Ezek 37).
18 BATTLE WITH GOG AND MAGOG (Rev. 20:7-9/Ezek 38-39)
19. NEW JERUSALEM (Rev 21/Ezek 40-48)
20. RIVER OF LIFE (Rev 22/Ezek 47)

PATTERN OF OLD TESTAMENT HISTORY IN LETTERS TO SEVEN CHURCHES

And the seven churches and their letters show a parallel to the entire Old Testament period. So we see how the Old was a shadow of the New.

EPHESUS

This is the GARDEN PICTURE.

Jesus is in the midst of the candlesticks as in the Garden trees. And The angel is commended for guarding the church against error, as Adam was to guard or keep the Garden. But the angel left his first love, as Adam had fallen. And the candlestick would be removed, as Adam was removed from the Garden, if they did not repent. And the Garden remains open to theovercomer, as Jesus tells the overcomers that they may eat of the fruit of life.

SMYRNA

This is the period following the Garden when the Patriarchs lived. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph up to Moses.

Isaac and Joseph both experienced a sort of death come to life again. Isaac was resurrected in a sense from the altar, since Abraham fully intended to slay him and have God resurrect him to fulfill the promise of having seed from Isaac. Josephwas left as dead, in Jacob's mind, when the boys sold him, and he "arose" to rule in Egypt. Smyrna's church was poor yet rich, like the "fathers' who lived as strangers in the land. They would be imprisoned as Joseph was. And in Moses' day Aaron wore a crown of life as high priest. And the tribulation paralleled the plagues in Egypt they endured.

PERGAMOS

Wilderness journey from Egypt.

The wilderness is likened to an abode of devils, just as Pergamos' believers were where satan's seat was. During the Exodus, Balaam and Balak were resisting, just as is mentioned to this church. The angel of the Lord stood ready to smite Balaam with a sword. Balaam was slain with the sword by Phinehas the priest in Numbers 31. The enemies of this church would be smitten with the sword of God's mouth. And the overcomers are the ones who go into the most holy place to eat the hidden manna from the ark inside there!!

THYATIRA

This corresponds to the age after the exodus when Israel had a monarchy and brings in David's kingdom.

Jesus calls himself Son of God, as is parallel in David (Read Psalm 2:7, and many more Psalms, where David speaks of himself in foreshadow of Son of God). The church tolerated Jezebel, a wicked queen in the time of the monarchs of Israel. 3.5 years of tribulation occurred in her day due to backsliding, and this is parallel, of course, with the 3.5 years mentioned throughout Revelation. Then it ends with ruling with a rod of iron, which is a Psalm of David (2:9).

SARDIS

End of the monarchy in Israel.

The people of God were defeated and taken captive into Babylon. Church thinks its alive but really dead. A few people are faithful. Like a remnant that would come out of Babylon.

PHILADELPHIA

Return from Exile in Babylon with Ezra and Nehemiah.

They rebuilt the temple, which is noted in this letter to this church. But there is a synagogue of satan. False Jews fought Ezra and Nehemiah in Ezra 4 and Neh. 4, 6 and 13. An hour of testing would come paralleled by Antiochus Epiphanes who came after the old testament period as prophesied in Dan 8 and 11, witnessed by the historical, but uninspired, book called Maccabees. New Jerusalem was the reward of the overcomers... a new temple!

LAODICAEA

Last Days from time of Jesus when Pharisees and scribes ruled. They bragged of self-sufficiency. They were naked and poor! Jesus said they bwoulde spewed out, just as God would devastate Jerusalem 40 years after killing Jesus. They must repent and sup with Jesus, as in the communion supper of bread and wine. They would rule with Jesus on his throne, as indicated by the entire church age.

In the letter to the church at Ephesus, which did exist in the days John wrote the book of Revelation, Jesus tells this specific church:
quote: Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.

 

[ICONO'CLAST]

Revelation 20:6 - Blessed and holy [is] he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.

Revelation 20:4 - And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and [I saw] the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received [his] mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

I guess when did this 1,000 year reign with Christ happen if it has already been fulfilled or is this wrong? I believe John was not only an apostle but the disciple Jesus loved.

Where does the passage say anything about an earthly reign? It does not mention it being on earth.

 

[com7fy8]

Ez. 43- 46 seems to make this pretty clear.

It says "the Levites" are in on this. And the Levitical priesthood has ended. Jesus is our High Priest. So, clearly this can not be a New Testament thing . . . I would say.

However > it does say there will be a time when Jesus Christ's people will rule the nations with a rod of iron. So, this would mean there will be people under us; we ourselves will not be ruled by the rod of iron.

So . . . may be . . . for all I know . . . we will have Levitical people under our rod of iron. But we would not be making the sacrifices, in such a case.

Plus, the temple in Revelation is nothing like the one that was on this earth, but which was destroyed. It will be supernatural, in the New Jerusalem which comes down from heaven.

But, then, the Millennial Kingdom indeed is not God's kingdom, but has us ruling with a rod of iron, I am considering; there is no telling what more we have to learn. We are ruling, not subjects. But then comes the new heaven and the new earth with the Temple described at the end of Revelation . . . after the Millennial time, I would say.