The First Resurrection

[5thKingdom]

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While Saints understood the Truth about Satan being "bound" during the Great Commission - it was never God's Plan
for NT Saints to understand Satan's "Little Season"... except that it occurs immediately after Satan's 1000 year "binding".
Eschatology remained undeveloped (we were unable to harmonize ALL Scripture) because many of the most important
passages remained "sealed" until the "time-of-the-end". NT Saints could only "see" Biblical Truth about Satan's "binding" because we (already) had the Biblically correct understanding of the "First Resurrection" being the spiritual "resurrection"
of our SOULS (not our bodies) as we are "born again" into the Kingdom of Heaven... where we "live and reign with Christ"
throughout the entire (3rd) Christian Kingdom.


Rev 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 [first] 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. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.
This is the FIRST RESSURRECTION.


The Biblical context of Daniel's Four Kingdoms requires that the "binding" of Satan represent the entire "Church Age"
because immediately after that period Satan is "loosened" to first "overcome" and then "kill" the last Saints on earth in
Daniel's 4th Kingdom. Within the context of FOUR earthly Kingdoms, with Satan's "Little Season" being the 4th Beast,
the (previous) "1000 year" period, when Satan is "bound", must represent the Great Commission of the "Church Age",
as the Testimony of the Two Witnesses "spoils" Satan's "house"... because the Saints "seek and save" all the lost sheep.
Again, it was unfortunate Saints did not understand the context of Daniel's Four Beasts during the NT Kingdom.


Likewise, understanding the context of the "First Resurrection" also requires the "binding" represent the Church Age.
However, this Biblical Truth could be known WITHOUT understanding of the context of Daniel's four Kingdoms.
By understanding "what" event represented the "First Resurrection", Saints could also determine "when" it occurred.
And understanding "when" the "First Resurrection" happens... ONLY provides Biblical Validation for "amillennialism".
In other words, understanding Satan's "binding" represents the entire "Church Age" harmonizes with ALL Scriptures...
even the "unsealed" mysteries of Daniel's Four Kingdoms - although Saints did not realize that Truth until much later.


While both "Pre-Millenialism" and "Post-Millenialism" became popular in (after 1800), these teachings are based on
an incorrect understanding of the "First Resurrection"... both doctrines demonstrate a profound lack of understanding
about the spiritual nature of Daniel's Kingdoms (containing souls - but not bodies) and the two stages in the process
of our Redemption. Both positions incorrectly assume the "First Resurrection" occurs at "the end" of the NT Kingdom.


The "First Resurrection" does not occur at "the end" of Daniel's 3rd Beast - it occurs whenever a Saint is "born again".
And the "born again/resurrected" Saints "live and reign with Christ" during the NT Kingdom... possessing "dominion"
to "seal" all who Christ came to "seek and save" while the "strong man" (Satan) is "bound" in the Great Commission.
This Redemption begins as Saints (our souls) are "born again" during a process the Bible calls the "First Resurrection".
This Redemption is finished at the 7th Trumpet, as the Saints (our bodies) are "changed" into glorified spiritual bodies
during the Second Resurrection.


For all the Elect, the First Resurrection of Regeneration gives life to our ("dead") souls.
The Second Resurrection completes the Redemptive Process, as it gives life to our dead bodies.


Eph 2:1 And you hath He quickened, who WERE DEAD in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past
ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the Prince of the Power of the air, the Spirit
that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times
past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children
of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, 5 Even
WHEN WE WERE DEAD in sins, hath quickened us [He resurrected us from death, when we are "born again"] together WITH CHRIST, (by grace ye are saved 6 And hath RAISED US UP together, [ He resurrected us]in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His Grace
in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by Grace are ye saved through Faith; and that not
of yourselves: it is the Gift of God; 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.



Saints understood that, until our Regeneration, they were completely "dead" in their sins - both in their Body and Soul.
Saints also understood the "First Resurrection" occurs when (the souls of) Saints are "translated" out of Satan's Kingdom
as we are "born again" into the Kingdom of Heaven. For a long time Saints understood that AFTER the "First Resurrection"
of Regeneration, we then "living and reigning with Christ" during the entire New Testament Kingdom. We understood this
Truth since Christ would not leave us until the "end of the Age" [Matthew 28:20], since Christ Rules the Christian Kingdom
as long as Satan remained "bound" in the Pit and the Holy Spirit is not removed from the Kingdom [2Thes 2:7], and since
the "Testimony of the Two Witnesses" (the Great Commission) is finished BEFORE Satan "overcomes" the Witnesses.
To this day, the correct understanding of Regeneration is still taught in many Reformed Protestant Churches.


Rev 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 [they "lived and reigned with Christ" v4] a Thousand years.
7 And when the Thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison.


Previous Saints must be excused for not understanding the Truth about Daniel's Kingdoms, and for not understanding
the historical fulfillment of "Daniel's Abomination" as these "mysteries" remained "sealed" until the "time-of-the-end".
And previous Saints must also be excused for not understanding historical fulfillment of (future) 4th Kingdom events.
However, NT Saints could have (and should have) understood the Biblical nature and timing of the "First Resurrection".
And, in fact, historically, many of the Reformed Protestant Churches did understand this Biblical doctrine correctly.



Understanding "what" event is represented by the "First Resurrection", Saints would then know "when" it occurred.
Uunderstanding "when" the "First Resurrection" occurs ONLY provides Biblical Validation for teaching "amillennialism",
since all lost sheep are "born again" (resurrected) during the Church Age - the "1000 years" the Strong Man is "bound".


Since the beginning of the NT Kingdom, there have always been Saints that understood the Biblical nature of the
"First Resurrection"... representing the resurrection of "born again" Believers, occurring throughout the Church Age
as the Great Commission accomplishes God's Purpose of "seeking and saving" all lost sheep. In fact, it's BECAUSE
we understood the nature and purpose of the "First Resurrection" that we could never harmonize our Eschatology.


Because we understood the "First Resurrection" of Regeneration occurs as we are "born again" to "live and reign"
with the Lord throughout the Church Age, we were never able to harmonize passages about Satan's "Little Season".
Within the Two Kingdom Construct of traditional Eschatology, there's NO WAY to ever harmonize Scriptures about
NT Saints "living and reigning with Christ" while, at the same time, they are also "overcome" and "killed" by Satan.
There's NO WAY to harmonize Scriptures about Saints "living and reigning with Christ" until "the end of the age"
while, during that same time, "their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the Great City". But, there is total harmony
of Scripture in the context of Daniel's Four Kingdoms - with Satan's "Little Season" (the 4th Beast, and Rev. Beast)
was not just some part/portion (the ending) of the NT Kingdom... but, instead, was a separate and distinct Kingdom.


Within the Two Kingdom Construct of traditional Eschatology, there's NO WAY to ever harmonize passages about
NT Saints "living and reigning with Christ" during the Church Age, until "the end of the age", at the same time
Satan (through his False Prophet) is shown as "standing in the Holy Place". There's NO WAY to harmonize passages
of Satan (through his False Prophet) "sitting in the Temple of God, showing himself as God" while, at the same time
the "born again" Saints are "living and reigning with Christ" during the Church Age. You cannot harmonize Satan
and Christ Ruling at the SAME TIME. And THAT's the reason traditional Eschatology never harmonized ALL Scripture about Satan's "Little Season". Of course, this is exactly as the Lord foretold to the earliest of His disciples
... as it was never God's plan for NT Saints to understand either "the end" of their (3rd) Kingdom of Heaven...
or "the end" of the World (occurring after Daniel's 4th Beast).


Acts 1:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but
wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, ye have heard of Me. 5 For John truly baptized with water;
but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 6 When they therefore were come together,
they asked of Him, saying, Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the Kingdom of Israel? 7 And He said
unto them, It is not for you to know the Times or the Seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power.
8 But ye shall receive POWER, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me
both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.


There's NO WAY to harmonize FOUR separate and distinct Kingdoms on earth within our Two Kingdom Construct,
and THAT's why traditional Eschatology could never be harmonized - until God "unsealed" Daniel's "mysteries".
Note: When we say "harmonized" we mean with ALL SCRIPTURE. In order to claim Truth, we must first be able
to show harmony with any/all related passages - and Daniel's 4th Beast is shown from many different perspectives.


It was never God's Plan for Jewish Saints to understand "the end" of their (2nd) Kingdom, or "the end" of the world...
so also, it was never God's Plan for NT Saints to understand "the end" of our (3rd) Kingdom... or the existence of
another separate and distinct (4th) Kingdom after the Great Commission was finished. The Truth is, it was never
possible to harmonize ALL SCRIPTURE until after God "unsealed" Daniel's prophecies at the "time-of-the-end".
And that's the reason why traditional Eschatology never harmonized 4 Kingdoms within a Two Kingdom Construct.


To consider it possible to understand Eschatological doctrines before the Great Commission was finished,
is to completely and intentionally DENY the Biblical Truth and the historical reality recorded in Daniel 12:8-10.
Unfortunately, traditional Eschatology was guaranteed to be incorrect until God "unsealed" Daniel's prophecies.

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[Bible2]

5thKingdom said in post 1:

Eschatology remained undeveloped (we were unable to harmonize ALL Scripture) because many of the most important passages remained "sealed" until the "time-of-the-end".

Note that the "time, times, and an half" in Daniel 12:7 is referred to in Revelation 12:14. And Revelation is an unsealed book (Revelation 22:10). So the meaning of the "time, times, and an half" in Daniel 12:7 was unsealed by the time that Revelation was written in the 1st century AD. Therefore, "the time of the end" in Daniel 12:4,9 must be "the end" in the same sense as in Hebrews 9:26 (see also 1 Corinthians 10:11b), which shows that (in one sense) "the end" of the world had already begun at the time of Jesus' first coming and his crucifixion for our sins.

So Daniel 12:4b can be referring to many Christians, at anytime after Jesus' first coming and the writing of Revelation, going to and fro, going back and forth, between the still-unfulfilled parts of Revelation and Daniel, and these Christians increasing their knowledge of what is going to happen in our future by seeing how much these 2 books complement each other (cf. Isaiah 28:9-10; 1 Corinthians 2:13).

Also, Daniel 12:6,8 doesn't (as is sometimes claimed) contradict that the time of the end in Daniel 12:4,9 can begin before the "time, times, and an half" in Daniel 12:7 and all the other "wonders" and "things" referred to in Daniel 12:6,8 have ended. For the "time, times, and an half" in Daniel 12:7 refers only to the specific time period of 3.5 literal years which would later be shown from 4 different angles in Revelation chapters 11 to 14 (Revelation 11:2b-3, Revelation 12:6,14, Revelation 13:5,7, Revelation 14:9-13), the detailed events of which have never been fulfilled. And Daniel 12:6 refers to the specific "wonders" which Daniel had just been told about in Daniel 11:2 to 12:3, which also include detailed events which haven't been fulfilled (Daniel 11:31 to 12:3), including the church's physical resurrection into immortality (Daniel 12:2-3) at the time of the Antichrist's defeat (Daniel 11:45 to 12:3, Revelation 19:20 to 20:6), while Daniel 12:4,9 refers to a more general "time of the end" which began in the 1st century AD (Hebrews 9:26; 1 Corinthians 10:11b).

5thKingdom said in post 1:

. . . the Biblically correct understanding of the "First Resurrection" being the spiritual "resurrection" . . .

Note that while there is the figurative resurrection of initial salvation (e.g. Ephesians 2:5-6), the 1st resurrection in Revelation 20:4-6 will be literal in the sense of physical (cf. Romans 8:23). For Revelation 20:5 says "But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished", meaning that the 1st resurrection will be the same, physical type of resurrection as will occur sometime after the 1,000 years (Revelation 20:7-15). For not every dead person is going to be figuratively resurrected in the sense of becoming saved (Revelation 20:15), and Revelation 20:5 means that the rest of the dead (i.e. all the non-church dead of all times) will be resurrected in the same manner that the church will be resurrected in Revelation 20:4-6, but the rest of the dead won't be resurrected until sometime after the 1,000 years.

Also, the 1st resurrection in Revelation 20:4-6 will be physical because it won't occur until Jesus' 2nd coming (Revelation 19:7 to 20:6), and the resurrection of the church which will occur at Jesus' 2nd coming will be a physical resurrection, just like Jesus' physical resurrection on the 3rd day after his death (Luke 24:39,46; 1 Corinthians 15:21-23,52-58, Philippians 3:20-21, Romans 8:23-25; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).

5thKingdom said in post 1:

The Biblical context of Daniel's Four Kingdoms requires that the "binding" of Satan represent the entire "Church Age" . . .

Note that there is no such thing as the church age, for the church will continue in the world throughout all ages (Ephesians 3:21, John 17:15). For just as the church will continue in the world throughout the future tribulation of Revelation chapters 6 to 18 and Matthew 24 (Matthew 24:9-13, Revelation 13:7-10, Revelation 14:12-13, Revelation 20:4-6), and then throughout the subsequent millennium (Revelation 20:4-6, Revelation 5:10, Revelation 2:26-29), so the church will then continue forever on the new earth (Revelation 21:1 to 22:5).

 

[Bible2]

5thKingdom said in post 1:

Within the context of FOUR earthly Kingdoms, with Satan's "Little Season" being the 4th Beast, the (previous) "1000 year" period, when Satan is "bound", must represent the Great Commission . . .

Note that there are at least 8 scriptural reasons to read the 1,000 years of Revelation 20:2-6 as not beginning until after Jesus' (never fulfilled) 2nd coming in Revelation 19:7-21.

First, this is in accord with how the rest of Revelation chapters 6 to 22 are in chronological order, insofar as the future tribulation of Revelation chapters 6 to 18 will begin with the events of the 2nd through 6th seals, occurring in the order shown in Revelation 6:3-14. After the events of the 6th seal, Revelation 7 will occur. Then the 7th seal will be unsealed and out of it will come the tribulation's 7 trumpets (Revelation 8:1-6). Then the events of the first 6 trumpets in Revelation 8:7 to Revelation 9:21 will occur in the order shown there. Then Revelation 10 will occur. Then the literal 3.5 years of the Antichrist's worldwide reign will occur, which time period is shown from 4 different angles in Revelation chapters 11 to 14 (Revelation 11:2b-3, Revelation 12:6,14, Revelation 13:5,7, Revelation 14:9-13).

Then the 7th trumpet will sound, announcing the legal end of the Antichrist's reign (Revelation 11:15). Out of the 7th trumpet's heavenly-temple opening will come the 7 plagues of the 7 vials (Revelation 11:19, Revelation 15:5 to 16:1), the tribulation's final stage. Then the events of the 7 vials will occur in the order shown in Revelation 16. Jesus will return right after the 7th vial (Revelation 16:17,19, Revelation 19:2-21), and he will marry the church at that time (Revelation 19:7). Then he will defeat the world's armies (Revelation 19:11 to 20:3) and reign on the earth with the physically resurrected church for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:4-6, Revelation 5:10, Revelation 2:26-29; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53). Then the events of Revelation 20:7 to Revelation 22:5 will occur in the order shown there.

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Second, the 1,000 years in Revelation 20:2-6 is when Satan will be literally bound with a chain, and cast into and locked within the literal bottomless pit, while currently he is walking about freely on the earth seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). So the 1,000 years can't have started yet. But their beginning after Jesus' 2nd coming makes perfect sense (Revelation 19:7 to 20:6).

Third, during the 1,000 years, Satan won't be able to deceive the world (Revelation 20:3), while currently he is able to deceive the world (2 Corinthians 4:4; 2 Corinthians 11:3,14,15; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10, Revelation 12:9, Revelation 13:14, Revelation 19:20, Revelation 20:10). So the 1,000 years can't have started yet.

Fourth, the defeat of Satan in Revelation 20:1-3 is in chronological accord with the immediately preceding defeat of the Antichrist (the individual man aspect of the beast), and the False Prophet, and the world's armies, at Jesus' 2nd coming (Revelation 19:19-21). Indeed, there is no chapter break between Revelation 19 and Revelation 20 in the original Greek manuscripts, so that Revelation 19:19 to 20:3 can be taken together as a unit, showing how every power of evil will be defeated at Jesus' 2nd coming.

Fifth, reading Revelation 20:4-6 as Jesus and the bodily resurrected church reigning first on the present (not the new) earth after his 2nd coming (Revelation 19:7 to 20:6) matches Jesus reigning first on the present (not the new) earth after his 2nd coming in Zechariah 14:3-21. For Zechariah 14:8-21 can't be referring to the new earth, because it refers to a temple building in Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:20-21), while there will be no temple building in New Jerusalem on the new earth (Revelation 21:22). Also, Zechariah 14:8-21 can't be referring to the new earth because it refers to surviving, unsaved people from the present earth being forced to come up to worship the returned Jesus in Jerusalem during the millennium (Zechariah 14:16-19), while by the time of the new earth, all the unsaved people from the present earth will have already been cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15 to 21:8).

Sixth, reading the 1st resurrection in Revelation 20:4-6 as the physical resurrection of the church at Jesus' 2nd coming (Revelation 19:7 to 20:6) matches other verses which show that the physical resurrection of the church will occur at the 2nd coming (1 Corinthians 15:21-23,51-54; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-16).

Seventh, reading the 1st resurrection in Revelation 20:4-6 as the physical resurrection of the church at Jesus' 2nd coming is in line with Revelation 20:5, which must refer in its entirety to only physical resurrection. For not every dead person is going to be figuratively resurrected in the sense of becoming saved (Revelation 20:15). And Revelation 20:5 means that the rest of the dead (i.e. all the non-church dead of all times) will be resurrected in the same manner that the church will be resurrected in Revelation 20:4-6, but the rest of the dead won't be resurrected until sometime after the 1,000 years.

Eighth, reading the 1st resurrection in Revelation 20:4-6 as the physical resurrection of the church at Jesus' 2nd coming is in line with Revelation 20:4, which shows that the people in the 1st resurrection will include those in the church who will have been beheaded by the Antichrist (the individual-man aspect of the beast) for not worshipping him or his image, or receiving his mark on their hand or forehead. This refers back to the details of Revelation 13:4-18, which have never been fulfilled. So the 1st resurrection can't have happened yet. But its occurring at Jesus' 2nd coming, when he will defeat the Antichrist, makes perfect sense (Revelation 19:20 to 20:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-9).

 

[Bible2]

5thKingdom said in post 1:

Again, it was unfortunate Saints did not understand the context of Daniel's Four Beasts during the NT Kingdom.

In Daniel 7, the first 3 beasts (Daniel 7:3-6) represent the ancient empires of Babylon (lion), Medo-Persia (bear), and Greece (leopard). The 4th beast, or 4th "king"/"kingdom" (Daniel 7:17,23), represents the ancient Roman empire. The 10 horns/kings which come out of it (Daniel 7:7,24) could represent 10 major kingdoms/nations today which came out the former territory of the Roman empire, which consisted not only of Western Europe, but also the Middle East and North Africa. These 10 nations could be Germany, the U.K., France, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Egypt, Iraq, Algeria, and Syria. The 10 part-iron/part-clay toes of Daniel 2:42 could represent the same thing as the 10 horns of Daniel 7:7. The Europeans could be the iron, and the Arabs and Turks could be the clay. In Daniel 2:43, the inability of the iron to mix with the clay could represent how, for example, there are many Turks living in Germany, but they remain separated in ghettoes within German cities. Similarly, there are many Arab Algerians living in France, but they remain separated in ghettoes within French cities.

But despite this social separation, which could endure indefinitely, the people of Western Europe on the one hand and the people of the Middle East and North Africa on the other could still one day put aside their political separation and become united into one federation. For Daniel 2:42 refers to the 10 as a singular "kingdom". The person who brings this about could be the Antichrist. The arising of the "little" horn (Daniel 7:8, Daniel 8:9), which is "diverse" from the 10 major nations (Daniel 7:24), could mean that the Antichrist will arise from a little country.

And the little horn arising from "among" the 10 major nations (Daniel 7:8) could mean that the Antichrist's country's territory used to be part of the Roman empire. And before that, it was part of one of the 4 Diadochian Greek kingdoms which succeeded the Greek empire of Alexander the Great (Daniel 8:8-9,21-25). The territory of these 4 kingdoms stretched from Greece over to Iran, and down into Egypt. So the Antichrist could come from the Middle East. He could be an Arab who will come from the little country of Lebanon, from the modern city of Tyre (Ezekiel 28:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:4).

The Antichrist could start out by claiming to be a Baathist. After becoming the leader of Lebanon, he could peacefully gain control of a Baathist federation of 3 of the 10 major nations (Daniel 7:24): Egypt, "toward the south" of Lebanon (Daniel 8:9), and Iraq and Syria, "toward the east" of Lebanon (Daniel 8:9). This federation could also include the minor nation of a United Palestine, i.e. a defeated Israel, "the pleasant land" (Daniel 8:9).

This Baathist federation could be put together in the future by an Iraqi Baathist General who could completely defeat and occupy Israel and Egypt with a huge Iraqi Army (Daniel 11:15-17; in verse 17 the original Hebrew word translated as "daughter" is "bath"), but who could then mysteriously disappear (Daniel 11:19) shortly before the Antichrist arises on the world stage (Daniel 11:21-45). Years later, when the Antichrist gains control of all 10 of the major nations, he could appoint kings over them (Revelation 17:12) who will defer to him (Revelation 17:13), like when Napoleon gained control of different nations, he appointed kings over them who would defer to him.

5thKingdom said in post 1:

. . . the "strong man" (Satan) is "bound" in the Great Commission.

In Matthew 12:25-29, the "strong man" isn't Satan himself, but refers to "strong man" individual demons/unclean spirits which possess individual people. Compare the strength of the individual demon in the individual man in Acts 19:13-16, who had the strength to overpower 7 men. Satan himself remains unbound, walking about freely on the earth (1 Peter 5:8). He won't be bound and locked down in the bottomless pit, by an angel, until Jesus' (never fulfilled) 2nd coming (Revelation 19:7 to 20:3).

Similarly, John 12:31b means that because of what Jesus did at his first coming (Hebrews 2:14), Satan "shall", in our future, first be cast out of heaven permanently after losing a mid-tribulation war in heaven (Revelation 12:7-17). Then, later, at Jesus' 2nd coming (Revelation 19:7 to 20:3), Satan will be bound and cast down beneath the earth's surface, locked within the literal bottomless pit, for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:2-3). Then, after the 1,000 years and the subsequent defeat of the Gog/Magog rebellion (Revelation 20:7-9), Satan will be cast into the lake of fire to remain there forever (Revelation 20:10). The lake of fire will be outside New Jerusalem (Revelation 22:15, Revelation 21:8) on the new earth (Revelation 21:1-8).

Similarly, in Colossians 2:15, the original Greek word (apekduomai: G0554) translated as "spoiled" doesn't mean that Satan has been "disarmed", or "bound". For he still employs weapons (Ephesians 6:16), and he is still walking about freely on the earth seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).

Colossians 2:15, like the similar Hebrews 2:14-15 and 1 John 3:8b, makes no reference to the "binding" of Satan with a chain and his being "shut up", i.e. enclosed within, the literal bottomless pit by an angel (Revelation 20:1-3). For this won't occur until Jesus' never-fulfilled 2nd coming (Revelation 19:7 to 20:3).

In Hebrews 2:14, the original Greek word (katargeo: G2673) translated as "destroy" can simply mean "to make of none effect" (Romans 4:14b). Hebrews 2:14 means that Jesus' death made Satan's power of none effect spiritually over obedient Christians. Similarly, in 1 John 3:8, the original Greek word (luo: G3089) translated as "destroy" can simply mean "to break" (Ephesians 2:14). 1 John 3:8 means that Jesus came to break Satan's workings from having any spiritual effect over obedient Christians.

Colossians 2:15, Hebrews 2:14-15, and 1 John 3:8b don't contradict that Satan can still wield his power physically over even obedient Christians, even to the point of killing them (Revelation 2:10, Revelation 12:9,17, Revelation 13:4-10, Revelation 14:12-13, Revelation 20:4-6). Similarly, Colossians 2:15, Hebrews 2:14-15 and 1 John 3:8b don't contradict that Satan can still wield his deceiving spiritual power over both disobedient Christians and non-Christians (2 Corinthians 4:4; 2 Corinthians 11:3,14,15; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10, Revelation 12:9, Revelation 13:14, Revelation 19:20, Revelation 20:10), whereas during the future millennium, Satan won't be able to deceive anyone (Revelation 20:3).

5thKingdom said in post 1:

There's NO WAY to harmonize Scriptures about Saints "living and reigning with Christ" until "the end of the age" while, during that same time, "their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the Great City".

Those are 2 different times (the millennium, and one point during the preceding tribulation, respectively).

Also, in the never-fulfilled Revelation 11:3-12, the 2 witnesses could be literally Moses and Elijah. For the 2 men seen "standing before the God of the earth" (Revelation 11:4) at the transfiguration were Moses and Elijah (Matthew 17:3). And in Revelation 11:4, the 2 "olive trees" refer back to the 2 men who were already standing by the Lord by the time of the prophet Zechariah (Zechariah 4:11,14), which was subsequent to the times of Moses and Elijah.

Moses and Elijah could come down from heaven in their mortal bodies at the midpoint of the future tribulation of Revelation chapters 6 to 18 and Matthew 24, just as they came down at the transfiguration. Also, the plagues which the 2 witnesses will cause (Revelation 11:6,5) will match plagues which Moses and Elijah caused in Old Testament times (James 5:17, Exodus 7:20; 2 Kings 1:10-14).

Elijah never died, but was taken physically into heaven (2 Kings 2:11b). And Michael the archangel retrieved Moses' dead body from Satan (Jude 1:9). Michael could have then taken Moses' recently-dead body into heaven, where it could have been resuscitated by God back to mortal life, like, for example, how Lazarus' recently-dead body was resuscitated by God back to mortal life (John 12:1). This would explain how both Moses and Elijah could appear alive at the transfiguration (Matthew 17:3).

The 2 witnesses will prophesy and bring plagues on the world during the future, literal 3.5 years (Revelation 11:2b,3,6) of the Antichrist's worldwide reign (Revelation 13:5,7, Revelation 12:6,14), which will be in the latter half of the future tribulation of Revelation chapters 6 to 18 and Matthew 24. That is why the Antichrist's reign will legally end (Revelation 11:15) right after the time of the 2 witnesses on the earth will end (Revelation 11:12-15). The plagues which they will bring (Revelation 11:6) will be part of the tribulation's 2nd woe/6th trumpet (Revelation 11:14, Revelation 9:12-13). They will be taken up to heaven before the tribulation's 7th trumpet sounds (Revelation 11:12,15).

They may not be witnesses in the sense of evangelizing the world (Acts 1:8). For the original Greek word (martus: G3144) translated as "witnesses" (Revelation 11:3) can also refer to those who witness against people and bring punishment against them (Acts 7:58). The reason that there will be 2 witnesses (Revelation 11:3) who will bring plagues to torment the unrepentant world (Revelation 11:6,10b) would be because 2 witnesses are required to bring judgment against people (1 Timothy 5:19). At the same time, the 2 "witnesses" could be called that because both of them will be martyred (Revelation 11:7-9). For the same original Greek word translated as "witnesses" (Revelation 11:3) can refer to "martyrs" (Revelation 17:6).

 

[5thKingdom]

Note that the "time, times, and an half" in Daniel 12:7 is referred to in Revelation 12:14. And Revelation is an unsealed book (Revelation 22:10). So the meaning of the "time, times, and an half" in Daniel 12:7 was unsealed by the time that Revelation was written in the 1st century AD.

------------------

Bible2... the "times, times and half" are shown in MANY different passages
and you cannot even PRETEND to understand WHAT if represents of WHEN
it occurs unless/until you harmonize ALL SCRIPTURES related to the period.

Bottom Line: The "1000 year binding" of Satan represents the entire
(3rd) New Testament kingdom... and the "1260 days" represents
the same (3rd) New Testament Kingdom... and Daniel's 3rd Beast
represents the entire New Testament Kingdom. Before we can pretend
to understand the New Testament Kingdom - we must FIRST harmonize
all these passages.... and many more. We can never assume to have
found Biblical Truth when we have CONTRADICTIONS in our "gospel".


Rev 11:3 And I will give power [spiritual "dominion"]
unto My two witnesses [True Believers in the Christian Kingdom] and they shall prophecy [testify about the Great Commission] a thousand two hundred and threescore days
[the entire duration of the New Testament Kingdom] clothed in sackcloth. 4 These are the two olive trees,
and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.


Rev 12:5 And she brought forth a man child [the Lord Jesus Christ], who was to rule all nations
with a rod of iron: and [after the Cross] her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne.
6 And the woman [the Bride of Christ] fled [from the 2nd Jewish Kingdom] into the wilderness
where she hath a place prepared by God [the 3rd Christian Kingdom], that they should feed her there
a thousand two hundred and threescore days. [the duration of the 3rd New Testament Kingdom]


---------------

However, the 3.5 "times" of Revelation 12:14 is the entire Great Tribulation.
This 3.5 "times" is also shown as 3.5 "days" and it is shown as the entire
Revelations Beast and as the entire Daniel's 4th Kingdom. It is shown as
the reign of the "Little Horn" and it is shown as the life experiences of the
10 Virgins/Horns/Kings/Toes.

Again, before you can pretend to have found Biblical Truth you must FIRST
harmonize ALL related Scriptures - and you have not done that...
your eschatology contradicts MANY passages.


Rev 12:13 And when the dragon [Satan] saw that he was cast unto the earth, he persecuted the woman [Bride of Christ]
which brought forth the man child. 14 And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she
might fly [from the 3rd Kingdom] into the wilderness, into her place, [the 4th Kingdom of Heaven]
where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent.


Rev 11:7 And when they [the Two Witnesses] shall have finished their testimony [of the Great Commission],
the beast that ascendeth out of the Bottomless Pit [Daniel's 4th Beast] shall make war against them,
and shall overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city,
which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9 And they of the people
and kindreds and tongues and nations [people in the New Testament Kingdom] shall see their dead bodies
three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.


Rev 11:11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood
upon their feet, and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 12 And they heard a great voice
from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud
and their enemies beheld them.


Rev 11:2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.


Dan_7:25 And he [Little Horn] shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High [Ten Virgins/Horns/Kings/Toes], and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time.


----------

Bottom Line: You cannot pretend to have found Biblical Truth
until you have harmonized ALL SCRIPTURES related to the EVENT
in question... and your current eschatology CONTRADICTS many passages.

.

 

[5thKingdom]

Note that there are at least 8 scriptural reasons to read the 1,000 years of Revelation 20:2-6 as not beginning until after Jesus' (never fulfilled) 2nd coming in Revelation 19:7-21.

First.. you clearly do not understand WHEN the "First Resurrection" occurs.
If you don't understand WHEN that EVENT occurs then you cannot possibly
harmonize Satan's "Little Season" which follows that "binding".

Secondly... Again (in your 8 reasons) you demonstrate that you do not
understand what you are talking about because you take passages showing
different PERSPECTIVES of the same historical EVENT and you then conflate
these passages to show DIFFERENT EVENTS.

Thirdly... no matter of imagination on your part will help you UNTIL you FIRST
ensure that your theory harmonizes with the CONTEXT of Daniel's 4 Beasts
and the CONTEXT of the EVENTS associated with the 10 Virgins/horns/kings.

You can design all kinds of elaborate schemes conflating the same event
into different events but your fantasy is PROVEN unbiblical in an instant
because they CONTRADICT the context of Daniel's Four Kingdoms and
the events associated with the 10 Virgins.

When the Bible is crystal clear that the (5th) Eternal Kingdom replaces
the (4th) Great Tribulation Kingdom.... you are just pretending when you
try to place other "kingdoms" between the 4th and 5th Kingdoms.

Buddy... your eschatology cannot harmonize with the most BASIC
of context - Daniel's Beasts and the Ten Virgins/horns/kings/toes.
Until you can work within the CONTEXT of the Bible you will continue
to conflate the same event into different events.

It's as simple as that.
If you do NOT have harmony (and you do not) then you have two choices:
(a) You can abandon whatever does not harmonize and submit to the Bible or
(b) You can continue to pretend that the MESS you currently have is somehow
Biblical - even though it contradicts many passages.

The choice is yours.

.

 

[5thKingdom]

In Daniel 7, the first 3 beasts (Daniel 7:3-6) represent the ancient empires of Babylon (lion), Medo-Persia (bear), and Greece (leopard). The 4th beast, or 4th "king"/"kingdom" (Daniel 7:17,23), represents the ancient Roman empire.

----------------------------

OK.... then show me HOW to harmonize Daniel 7:11-12.
When EXACTLY were the PEOPLE of the "ancient Roman empire"
"given to the Burning Flame" or "cast alive" into the "Lake-of-Fire".
If you MUST run-away and intentionally discount or ignore this SCRIPTURE,
then obviously you are not serious about God's Word.


You see... you can pretend that Daniel's 4th Beast represents the PEOPLE
living in the Roman Empire but that fantasy cannot harmonize with the Bible.
There is NO WAY to ever harmonize physical/political kingdoms with the FACT
that the PEOPLE in Daniel's 4th Beast are cast into "HELL" long before
(a "Season and Time" before) the PEOPLE in Daniel's 3rd Beast.


On the other hand... my eschatology harmonizes perfectly within the context
of Daniel's 4 Kingdoms - with the 4th Beast representing the LAST PEOPLE
on earth (the 10 Virgins/horns/kings/Toes). You cannot find ONE PASSAGE
in the Bible that I cannot harmonize into Daniel's 4 Beasts and the Ten Virgins,
I invite you to try.


Buddy... what you should do is go to Matthew 25 and TRY to harmonize
your eschatology into the EVENTS experienced by the 10 Virgins/horns/kings.
You will find that you cannot harmonize you eschatology with those passages
EITHER... there are MANY passages that you cannot harmonize because
your eschatology is not Biblical.

.

 

[Bible2]

5thKingdom said in post 5:

The "1000 year binding" of Satan represents the entire (3rd) New Testament kingdom... and the "1260 days" represents the same (3rd) New Testament Kingdom...

Regarding the 42 months, 1,260 days, and "a time, and times, and half a time", they are all the same time period in the prophecies of Revelation 13:5, Revelation 11:2-3, Revelation 12:6,14, Daniel 7:25, and Daniel 12:7. They will be 1,260 literal days, just as, for example, the 3 days in the fulfilled prophecies of Luke 9:22 and Luke 18:33 were literal days, and the 3 days in the fulfilled prophecies of Genesis 40:13 and Genesis 40:19 were literal days, and the 70 years in the fulfilled prophecy of Jeremiah 25:11-12 (Daniel 9:2) were literal years (Zechariah 7:5).

The literal 1,260-day time period will be the time of the Antichrist's Luciferian/Satanic worldwide reign of terror (Revelation 13:4-18, Revelation 12:9), which time period is shown from 4 different angles in Revelation chapters 11 to 14 (Revelation 11:2b-3, Revelation 12:6,14, Revelation 13:5,7, Revelation 14:9-13). The myriad details of these chapters have never been fulfilled, not even during a past time period of 1,260 years, as historicism mistakenly claims. But these details must be fulfilled (Revelation 1:1). So they will be fulfilled in our future, after the also-never-fulfilled details of Revelation chapters 6 to 10 are fulfilled in our future.

5thKingdom said in post 5:

Rev 12:5 And she brought forth a man child [the Lord Jesus Christ] . . .

Note that in Revelation 12:5, the "man child" isn't Jesus, for Revelation 12:5 isn't about past things, but is part of the "things which must be hereafter" (Revelation 4:1b). Revelation chapters 11-14 show from 4 different angles what will happen right before the start and during the future, literal 3.5 years of the Antichrist's worldwide reign (Revelation 11:2b-3, Revelation 12:6,14, Revelation 13:5-8, Revelation 14:9-13), which will be in the latter half of the future tribulation of Revelation chapters 6 to 18 and Matthew 24.

Regarding Revelation 12:5 saying "who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron": Along with Jesus (Revelation 19:15, Psalms 2:9), the whole obedient church will rule the nations with a rod of iron (Revelation 2:26-29) on the earth (Revelation 5:10) during the future millennium (Revelation 20:4-6). Before the millennium, during the tribulation, at its midpoint, the 144,000 male-virgins part of the church will be caught up physically to the throne of God in heaven (Revelation 14:1,4,5, Textus Receptus) as the "man child" (Revelation 12:5-6), and as the firstfruits of the church (Revelation 14:4), in the sense of its best part (cf. Numbers 18:12).

 

[Bible2]

5thKingdom said in post 5:

6 And the woman [the Bride of Christ] . . .

The woman in Revelation 12 indeed represents the church -- which is the bride of Christ (Ephesians 5:30-32; 2 Corinthians 11:2), and which is also Israel (Romans 11:1,17,24, Ephesians 2:12,19, Galatians 3:29, Revelation 21:9,12; 1 Peter 2:9-10). For, as the church, she is clothed with the sun (Revelation 12:1) of righteousness (Malachi 4:2) through her faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22), just as later we see the church clothed with righteousness (Revelation 19:8). And the moon under her feet (Revelation 12:1) represents Satan under her feet (Romans 16:20) as she overcomes him spiritually by her faith in Jesus (Revelation 12:11). And the crown of 12 stars on her head (Revelation 12:1) represents the 12 apostles (of Matthew 10:2-4, Acts 1:16-26), who have been placed over the church (1 Corinthians 12:28).

Her giving birth to the "man child", and his being caught up to the throne of God (Revelation 12:5) immediately before she flees into the wilderness for a literal 3.5 years (Revelation 12:6), represents the future, mid-tribulation catching up of the 144,000 male-virgins part of the church in their mortal bodies to the throne of God in heaven (Revelation 14:1,4,5, Textus Receptus), like how Enoch and Elijah were caught up in their mortal bodies to heaven (Hebrews 11:5; 2 Kings 2:11).

Her fleeing into and remaining in a protected wilderness place for a literal 3.5 years (Revelation 12:6,14) represents those in the church who will flee into and remain in divinely-protected wilderness places during the Antichrist's future, literal 3.5-year worldwide reign (Revelation 13:5-18), which will be in the latter half of the future tribulation of Revelation chapters 6 to 18 and Matthew 24.

The remnant of her seed (Revelation 12:17) represents those in the church during that time who won't flee into wilderness places, but will remain in the cities, and will be persecuted in every nation, imprisoned, and beheaded by the Antichrist (Revelation 13:7-10, Revelation 14:12-13, Revelation 20:4-6, Matthew 24:9-13).

Also, Genesis 37:9-10 isn't (as is sometimes claimed) being referred to in Revelation 12:1. For in Revelation 12:1, the church/Israel isn't clothed with the man Jacob (Genesis 37:9-10), but with the sun of righteousness (Malachi 4:2), through her faith in Jesus Christ (Romans 3:22), just as later we see the church/Israel clothed with righteousness (Revelation 19:8, cf. also Revelation 21:2,9,12). Also, the church/Israel doesn't have the woman Rachel under her feet (Genesis 37:9-10), but Satan (Romans 16:20), as the church/Israel overcomes him spiritually by her faith in Jesus (Revelation 12:11). And the church/Israel doesn't have Jacob's 12 sons placed over her (Genesis 37:9-10), but the 12 apostles (1 Corinthians 12:28, Matthew 10:2, Acts 1:26), each one of whom will rule over one of her 12 tribes (Matthew 19:28, Luke 22:30).

 

[Bible2]

5thKingdom said in post 6:

. . . the events associated with the 10 Virgins.

The 10-virgins parable (Matthew 25:1-13) shows that the marriage of the church to Jesus won't occur until his 2nd coming (Matthew 25:10), which Jesus had just finished saying won't occur until "immediately after the tribulation" (Matthew 24:29-31), just like Revelation 19:7 shows that the marriage won't occur until after the (never fulfilled) tribulation, shown in Revelation chapters 6 to 18. The parable's extra oil (Matthew 25:4,9b) could represent the continued good works of believers, by which they will be able to pass the judgment of the church by Jesus (Matthew 25:19-30, Romans 2:6-8) and enter the marriage of the church to Jesus at his 2nd coming (Matthew 25:10, Revelation 19:7-21).

The marriage supper (Revelation 19:9) won't have yet begun by the time of Revelation 19, which won't begin until after the future tribulation of Revelation chapters 6 to 18 and Matthew 24 (cf. Matthew 24:29-31; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-8). For regarding the church, the marriage supper will be a literal feast in the earthly Jerusalem after the resurrection and marriage of the church at Jesus' 2nd coming (Isaiah 25:6-9; 1 Corinthians 15:54, Revelation 19:7 to 20:6; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-16; 1 Corinthians 15:21-23,51-54). While the church will enjoy a feast "of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined" (Isaiah 25:6), the birds will feast on the corpses of the world's armies defeated by Jesus' at his 2nd coming (Revelation 19:17-21).

Also, regarding the 10-virgins parable, in Matthew 25:6 "midnight" could represent mid-tribulation, when the abomination of desolation (possibly a standing, android image of the Antichrist) could be set up in the holy place (the inner sanctum) of a 3rd Jewish temple in Jerusalem (Matthew 24:15, Daniel 11:31). So when it says "at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh" (Matthew 25:6), this could mean that at the mid-tribulation point when the abomination of desolation is set up, the church will be given the knowledge of the date (as in the year, month, and day) of Jesus' 2nd coming. This date could be the 1,335th day after the abomination of desolation is set up (Daniel 12:11-12, cf. Revelation 16:15).

--

5thKingdom said in post 7:

OK.... then show me HOW to harmonize Daniel 7:11-12.

The preceding context, Daniel 7:10b, could refer to the judgment of only the church at Jesus' 2nd coming (Psalms 50:3-5, cf. Mark 13:27; 2 Corinthians 5:10, Matthew 25:19-30, Luke 12:45-48), which judgment will occur, along with the marriage of the church (Revelation 19:7), shortly before Jesus defeats the Antichrist, the individual-man aspect of the beast, by casting him into the lake of fire (Daniel 7:11b, Revelation 19:20).

So Daniel 7:11a could refer to the Antichrist, the voice of the horn, shortly before his destruction in Daniel 7:11b and Revelation 19:20, speaking great blasphemies against YHWH God (cf. Revelation 13:6, Daniel 11:36) to try to build up the morale of the world's armies, which will have gathered together in an attempt to fight YHWH (Revelation 19:19, Revelation 16:14).

Daniel 7:11b refers to the Antichrist, the individual-man aspect of the beast, being cast into the lake of fire at Jesus' 2nd coming (Revelation 19:20). In Daniel 7, the Antichrist is considered to be part of the 4th beast (Daniel 7:23-25).

Daniel 7:12 doesn't require that the prior beasts didn't have their dominion (their empires) taken away before the Antichrist's destruction in Daniel 7:11b and Revelation 19:20, but can simply mean that they are different from the Antichrist in that they had a (post-empire) existence, in the sense that Babylon, even after its defeat as an empire in the 6th century BC, continued as a thriving city for centuries (and has even been rebuilt in our time), and Medo-Persia continues as Iraq and Iran, and Greece continues as a nation, and Rome continues as Italy. Also, Iraq, Iran, Greece, and Italy could continue to exist as distinct nations (not empires) during the future millennium of Revelation 20:4-6, which won't begin until after the Antichrist's future destruction in Revelation 19:20, at Jesus' (never fulfilled) 2nd coming in Revelation 19:7 to 20:3.

 

[iamlamad]

.
.
While Saints understood the Truth about Satan being "bound" during the Great Commission - it was never God's Plan
for NT Saints to understand Satan's "Little Season"... except that it occurs immediately after Satan's 1000 year "binding".
Eschatology remained undeveloped (we were unable to harmonize ALL Scripture) because many of the most important
passages remained "sealed" until the "time-of-the-end". NT Saints could only "see" Biblical Truth about Satan's "binding" because we (already) had the Biblically correct understanding of the "First Resurrection" being the spiritual "resurrection"
of our SOULS (not our bodies) as we are "born again" into the Kingdom of Heaven... where we "live and reign with Christ"
throughout the entire (3rd) Christian Kingdom.


Rev 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 [first] 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. 5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished.
This is the FIRST RESSURRECTION.


The Biblical context of Daniel's Four Kingdoms requires that the "binding" of Satan represent the entire "Church Age"
because immediately after that period Satan is "loosened" to first "overcome" and then "kill" the last Saints on earth in
Daniel's 4th Kingdom. Within the context of FOUR earthly Kingdoms, with Satan's "Little Season" being the 4th Beast,
the (previous) "1000 year" period, when Satan is "bound", must represent the Great Commission of the "Church Age",
as the Testimony of the Two Witnesses "spoils" Satan's "house"... because the Saints "seek and save" all the lost sheep.
Again, it was unfortunate Saints did not understand the context of Daniel's Four Beasts during the NT Kingdom.


Likewise, understanding the context of the "First Resurrection" also requires the "binding" represent the Church Age.
However, this Biblical Truth could be known WITHOUT understanding of the context of Daniel's four Kingdoms.
By understanding "what" event represented the "First Resurrection", Saints could also determine "when" it occurred.
And understanding "when" the "First Resurrection" happens... ONLY provides Biblical Validation for "amillennialism".
In other words, understanding Satan's "binding" represents the entire "Church Age" harmonizes with ALL Scriptures...
even the "unsealed" mysteries of Daniel's Four Kingdoms - although Saints did not realize that Truth until much later.


While both "Pre-Millenialism" and "Post-Millenialism" became popular in (after 1800), these teachings are based on
an incorrect understanding of the "First Resurrection"... both doctrines demonstrate a profound lack of understanding
about the spiritual nature of Daniel's Kingdoms (containing souls - but not bodies) and the two stages in the process
of our Redemption. Both positions incorrectly assume the "First Resurrection" occurs at "the end" of the NT Kingdom.


The "First Resurrection" does not occur at "the end" of Daniel's 3rd Beast - it occurs whenever a Saint is "born again".
And the "born again/resurrected" Saints "live and reign with Christ" during the NT Kingdom... possessing "dominion"
to "seal" all who Christ came to "seek and save" while the "strong man" (Satan) is "bound" in the Great Commission.
This Redemption begins as Saints (our souls) are "born again" during a process the Bible calls the "First Resurrection".
This Redemption is finished at the 7th Trumpet, as the Saints (our bodies) are "changed" into glorified spiritual bodies
during the Second Resurrection.


For all the Elect, the First Resurrection of Regeneration gives life to our ("dead") souls.
The Second Resurrection completes the Redemptive Process, as it gives life to our dead bodies.


Eph 2:1 And you hath He quickened, who WERE DEAD in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past
ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the Prince of the Power of the air, the Spirit
that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times
past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children
of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, 5 Even
WHEN WE WERE DEAD in sins, hath quickened us [He resurrected us from death, when we are "born again"] together WITH CHRIST, (by grace ye are saved 6 And hath RAISED US UP together, [ He resurrected us]in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come He might shew the exceeding riches of His Grace
in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by Grace are ye saved through Faith; and that not
of yourselves: it is the Gift of God; 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.



Saints understood that, until our Regeneration, they were completely "dead" in their sins - both in their Body and Soul.
Saints also understood the "First Resurrection" occurs when (the souls of) Saints are "translated" out of Satan's Kingdom
as we are "born again" into the Kingdom of Heaven. For a long time Saints understood that AFTER the "First Resurrection"
of Regeneration, we then "living and reigning with Christ" during the entire New Testament Kingdom. We understood this
Truth since Christ would not leave us until the "end of the Age" [Matthew 28:20], since Christ Rules the Christian Kingdom
as long as Satan remained "bound" in the Pit and the Holy Spirit is not removed from the Kingdom [2Thes 2:7], and since
the "Testimony of the Two Witnesses" (the Great Commission) is finished BEFORE Satan "overcomes" the Witnesses.
To this day, the correct understanding of Regeneration is still taught in many Reformed Protestant Churches.


Rev 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 [they "lived and reigned with Christ" v4] a Thousand years.
7 And when the Thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison.


Previous Saints must be excused for not understanding the Truth about Daniel's Kingdoms, and for not understanding
the historical fulfillment of "Daniel's Abomination" as these "mysteries" remained "sealed" until the "time-of-the-end".
And previous Saints must also be excused for not understanding historical fulfillment of (future) 4th Kingdom events.
However, NT Saints could have (and should have) understood the Biblical nature and timing of the "First Resurrection".
And, in fact, historically, many of the Reformed Protestant Churches did understand this Biblical doctrine correctly.



Understanding "what" event is represented by the "First Resurrection", Saints would then know "when" it occurred.
Uunderstanding "when" the "First Resurrection" occurs ONLY provides Biblical Validation for teaching "amillennialism",
since all lost sheep are "born again" (resurrected) during the Church Age - the "1000 years" the Strong Man is "bound".


Since the beginning of the NT Kingdom, there have always been Saints that understood the Biblical nature of the
"First Resurrection"... representing the resurrection of "born again" Believers, occurring throughout the Church Age
as the Great Commission accomplishes God's Purpose of "seeking and saving" all lost sheep. In fact, it's BECAUSE
we understood the nature and purpose of the "First Resurrection" that we could never harmonize our Eschatology.


Because we understood the "First Resurrection" of Regeneration occurs as we are "born again" to "live and reign"
with the Lord throughout the Church Age, we were never able to harmonize passages about Satan's "Little Season".
Within the Two Kingdom Construct of traditional Eschatology, there's NO WAY to ever harmonize Scriptures about
NT Saints "living and reigning with Christ" while, at the same time, they are also "overcome" and "killed" by Satan.
There's NO WAY to harmonize Scriptures about Saints "living and reigning with Christ" until "the end of the age"
while, during that same time, "their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the Great City". But, there is total harmony
of Scripture in the context of Daniel's Four Kingdoms - with Satan's "Little Season" (the 4th Beast, and Rev. Beast)
was not just some part/portion (the ending) of the NT Kingdom... but, instead, was a separate and distinct Kingdom.


Within the Two Kingdom Construct of traditional Eschatology, there's NO WAY to ever harmonize passages about
NT Saints "living and reigning with Christ" during the Church Age, until "the end of the age", at the same time
Satan (through his False Prophet) is shown as "standing in the Holy Place". There's NO WAY to harmonize passages
of Satan (through his False Prophet) "sitting in the Temple of God, showing himself as God" while, at the same time
the "born again" Saints are "living and reigning with Christ" during the Church Age. You cannot harmonize Satan
and Christ Ruling at the SAME TIME. And THAT's the reason traditional Eschatology never harmonized ALL Scripture about Satan's "Little Season". Of course, this is exactly as the Lord foretold to the earliest of His disciples
... as it was never God's plan for NT Saints to understand either "the end" of their (3rd) Kingdom of Heaven...
or "the end" of the World (occurring after Daniel's 4th Beast).


Acts 1:4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but
wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, ye have heard of Me. 5 For John truly baptized with water;
but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. 6 When they therefore were come together,
they asked of Him, saying, Lord, wilt Thou at this time restore again the Kingdom of Israel? 7 And He said
unto them, It is not for you to know the Times or the Seasons, which the Father hath put in His own power.
8 But ye shall receive POWER, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto Me
both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.


There's NO WAY to harmonize FOUR separate and distinct Kingdoms on earth within our Two Kingdom Construct,
and THAT's why traditional Eschatology could never be harmonized - until God "unsealed" Daniel's "mysteries".
Note: When we say "harmonized" we mean with ALL SCRIPTURE. In order to claim Truth, we must first be able
to show harmony with any/all related passages - and Daniel's 4th Beast is shown from many different perspectives.


It was never God's Plan for Jewish Saints to understand "the end" of their (2nd) Kingdom, or "the end" of the world...
so also, it was never God's Plan for NT Saints to understand "the end" of our (3rd) Kingdom... or the existence of
another separate and distinct (4th) Kingdom after the Great Commission was finished. The Truth is, it was never
possible to harmonize ALL SCRIPTURE until after God "unsealed" Daniel's prophecies at the "time-of-the-end".
And that's the reason why traditional Eschatology never harmonized 4 Kingdoms within a Two Kingdom Construct.


To consider it possible to understand Eschatological doctrines before the Great Commission was finished,
is to completely and intentionally DENY the Biblical Truth and the historical reality recorded in Daniel 12:8-10.
Unfortunately, traditional Eschatology was guaranteed to be incorrect until God "unsealed" Daniel's prophecies.

.
.

READERS BEWARE: this post is mostly nonsense.

 

[iamlamad]

----------------------------

OK.... then show me HOW to harmonize Daniel 7:11-12.
When EXACTLY were the PEOPLE of the "ancient Roman empire"
"given to the Burning Flame" or "cast alive" into the "Lake-of-Fire".
If you MUST run-away and intentionally discount or ignore this SCRIPTURE,
then obviously you are not serious about God's Word.


You see... you can pretend that Daniel's 4th Beast represents the PEOPLE
living in the Roman Empire but that fantasy cannot harmonize with the Bible.
There is NO WAY to ever harmonize physical/political kingdoms with the FACT
that the PEOPLE in Daniel's 4th Beast are cast into "HELL" long before
(a "Season and Time" before) the PEOPLE in Daniel's 3rd Beast.


On the other hand... my eschatology harmonizes perfectly within the context
of Daniel's 4 Kingdoms - with the 4th Beast representing the LAST PEOPLE
on earth (the 10 Virgins/horns/kings/Toes). You cannot find ONE PASSAGE
in the Bible that I cannot harmonize into Daniel's 4 Beasts and the Ten Virgins,
I invite you to try.


Buddy... what you should do is go to Matthew 25 and TRY to harmonize
your eschatology into the EVENTS experienced by the 10 Virgins/horns/kings.
You will find that you cannot harmonize you eschatology with those passages
EITHER... there are MANY passages that you cannot harmonize because
your eschatology is not Biblical.

.

WAKE UP! Understand that Daniel 7:11-12 tells us that ALL FOUR of these beasts will be on the earth when the 70th week takes place. Chapter 7 is a masterpiece of writing. It is written to at first it appears that these four beasts align with the image of chapter 2. I am convinced this is on purpose because these four beasts that are all together at the same time at the end will RESEMBLE those ancient empires. This is telling us that Iraq and Iran will be a part of what takes place soon on earth. Apparently Greece will be a part of this game also. The BEAST (the 4th) will be taken

REv. 19:4 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him

But the kings or leaders of the others will be spared for a period of time.

 

[5thKingdom]

WAKE UP! Understand that Daniel 7:11-12 tells us that ALL FOUR of these beasts will be on the earth when the 70th week takes place. Chapter 7 is a masterpiece of writing. It is written to at first it appears that these four beasts align with the image of chapter 2. I am convinced this is on purpose because these four beasts that are all together at the same time at the end will RESEMBLE those ancient empires. This is telling us that Iraq and Iran will be a part of what takes place soon on earth. Apparently Greece will be a part of this game also. The BEAST (the 4th) will be taken

REv. 19:4 20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him

But the kings or leaders of the others will be spared for a period of time.

No sir... you need to WAKE UP


Daniel 7:11-12 is very clear.... Daniel's 4th Beast is "given to the Burning Flame"
while the previous Kingdoms continue to exist on earth for the period
the Bible NAMES as the "Season and Time".


You want to PRETEND that you know something?????
Then EXPLAIN exactly WHAT is represented by the "Burning Flame".


And, OF COURSE, the (Biblical) answer is the "Lake-of-Fire".
The EVENT shown in Daniel 7:11-12 is the SAME EVENT shown in Rev 19:20.


UNLESS AND UNTIL YOU CAN HARMONIZE THE PEOPLE IN DANIELS 4TH BEAST
BEING "CAST ALIVE" INTO THE "LAKE-OF-FIRE" WHILE THE PREVIOUS BEASTS
CONTINUE ON EARTH FOR A "SEASON AND TIME"......


UNLESS AND UNTIL YOU CAN HARMONIZE THESE SCRIPTURES...
YOU ARE JUST PRETENDING TO UNDERSTAND THE TRUTH.


When your "gospel" includes the BIBLICAL FACT that (the people in) Daniel's 4th Beast
are "cast alive" in the "Lake-of-Fire" while Daniel's 3rd Beast continues on earth....
When your "gospel" can HARMONIZE that BIBLICAL FACT.... then (and only then)
can you actually BEGIN to suggest that you understand Truth.


It's really as simple as that.

.

 

[Straightshot]

Response to the OP:


The first type of resurrection is the resurrection to eternal immortality

The second is the resurrection to the second death of a man's spirit

 

[vinsight4u]

/

 

[parousia70]

The "First Resurrection" was the resurrection of Jesus.

Jesus Christ was the first to rise out of the dead. Jesus was, literally, the "first resurrection." This fact, well attested by the writings of the New Testament, forms the basis for understanding Revelation 20:5-6:
"This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power" (Revelation 20:5-6)

The first resurrection was Jesus Christ:
Revelation 1:5 Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first-born out of the dead
Acts 26:23 Christ should suffer and...be the first that should rise from the dead
Colossians 1:18 He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead
1 Corinthians 15:20 Christ hath risen out of the dead--the first-fruits of those sleeping he became

Jesus Christ was, plainly, the first resurrection. This fact forms the basis of St. John's depiction of the tribulation martyr saints becoming full partakers of the "first resurrection" in Revelation 20--everything Christ received by his death and resurrection is granted to them. Revelation 20:4-6, therefore, depicts the reality of Pauline theology concerning the identity Christ's followers had "in Him." Paul had taught that the saints were to become partakers of Christ's own reign and victory over death. Paul, with his detailed theology of our baptism into the very death and resurrection of Jesus (Rom 6:3-14), taught that the saints had co-resurrection and co-enthronement in the realized resurrection and enthronement of Jesus Christ:

The saints have co-resurrection in Jesus Christ:
Ephesians 1:20 (Christ's resurrection) He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places
Ephesians 2:5-6 (the saints' co-resurrection in Christ) [God] made us alive together with Christ...and raised us up with Him
Colossians 2:12 (the saints' co-resurrection in Christ) ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead
Colossians 3:1 (the saints' co-resurrection in Christ) If ye, then, be risen with Christ, seek those things that are above

The saints have co-enthronement in Jesus Christ:
Ephesians 1:20-22 (Christ's enthronement) He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet
Ephesians 2:6 (the saints' co-enthronement in Jesus Christ) God...raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus
Colossians 3:1 (the saints' co-enthronement in Jesus Christ) Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

The suffering, overcomer saints reign with Him:
Revelation 3:21 (cf. 2:26-27) To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne
2 Timothy 2:11-12 If we be dead with him, we shall live with him; if we suffer, we shall also reign with him
Philippians 3:8-12 I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him...that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death in order that I may attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that

The tribulation saints of Revelation 6:9-11, after being told to rest for a short time that the rest of the shed blood of the appointed martyrs might fill up the fullness of God's wrath (Matt 23:34-36; Rev 18:20,24; 19:2; 16:4-6,19; 17:6; 18:5-6; 1 Thess 2:14-16), were granted the realization of their co-inheritance with Christ--this realization of their hope is depicted in Revelation 20:4-6. St. John shows us the tribulation saints co-raised and co-enthroned with Jesus, realizing the full hope of St. Paul's teaching on the saints' reign and resurrection in the reign and resurrection of Jesus.

In sum, Revelation 20:4-6 is a narrative depiction of the saints' realization of the glorious promise Paul held out for them in his teachings--the saints are depicted as having attained the goal for which they all strove. As Paul taught, their resurrection and reign was "in Christ,"; and their sufferings and martyrdoms were honored by God with the reward of partaking in Christ's own resurrection, enthronement, and reign. They realized the promise of Paul's teaching that the saints were truly to take part in the first resurrection, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Truly, on these the second death has no power (Rev 20:6).

 

[iamlamad]

The "First Resurrection" was the resurrection of Jesus.

Jesus Christ was the first to rise out of the dead. Jesus was, literally, the "first resurrection." This fact, well attested by the writings of the New Testament, forms the basis for understanding Revelation 20:5-6:
"This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power" (Revelation 20:5-6)

The first resurrection was Jesus Christ:
Revelation 1:5 Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first-born out of the dead
Acts 26:23 Christ should suffer and...be the first that should rise from the dead
Colossians 1:18 He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead
1 Corinthians 15:20 Christ hath risen out of the dead--the first-fruits of those sleeping he became

Jesus Christ was, plainly, the first resurrection. This fact forms the basis of St. John's depiction of the tribulation martyr saints becoming full partakers of the "first resurrection" in Revelation 20--everything Christ received by his death and resurrection is granted to them. Revelation 20:4-6, therefore, depicts the reality of Pauline theology concerning the identity Christ's followers had "in Him." Paul had taught that the saints were to become partakers of Christ's own reign and victory over death. Paul, with his detailed theology of our baptism into the very death and resurrection of Jesus (Rom 6:3-14), taught that the saints had co-resurrection and co-enthronement in the realized resurrection and enthronement of Jesus Christ:

The saints have co-resurrection in Jesus Christ:
Ephesians 1:20 (Christ's resurrection) He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places
Ephesians 2:5-6 (the saints' co-resurrection in Christ) [God] made us alive together with Christ...and raised us up with Him
Colossians 2:12 (the saints' co-resurrection in Christ) ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead
Colossians 3:1 (the saints' co-resurrection in Christ) If ye, then, be risen with Christ, seek those things that are above

The saints have co-enthronement in Jesus Christ:
Ephesians 1:20-22 (Christ's enthronement) He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things in subjection under His feet
Ephesians 2:6 (the saints' co-enthronement in Jesus Christ) God...raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus
Colossians 3:1 (the saints' co-enthronement in Jesus Christ) Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

The suffering, overcomer saints reign with Him:
Revelation 3:21 (cf. 2:26-27) To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne
2 Timothy 2:11-12 If we be dead with him, we shall live with him; if we suffer, we shall also reign with him
Philippians 3:8-12 I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him...that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death in order that I may attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that

The tribulation saints of Revelation 6:9-11, after being told to rest for a short time that the rest of the shed blood of the appointed martyrs might fill up the fullness of God's wrath (Matt 23:34-36; Rev 18:20,24; 19:2; 16:4-6,19; 17:6; 18:5-6; 1 Thess 2:14-16), were granted the realization of their co-inheritance with Christ--this realization of their hope is depicted in Revelation 20:4-6. St. John shows us the tribulation saints co-raised and co-enthroned with Jesus, realizing the full hope of St. Paul's teaching on the saints' reign and resurrection in the reign and resurrection of Jesus.

In sum, Revelation 20:4-6 is a narrative depiction of the saints' realization of the glorious promise Paul held out for them in his teachings--the saints are depicted as having attained the goal for which they all strove. As Paul taught, their resurrection and reign was "in Christ,"; and their sufferings and martyrdoms were honored by God with the reward of partaking in Christ's own resurrection, enthronement, and reign. They realized the promise of Paul's teaching that the saints were truly to take part in the first resurrection, the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Truly, on these the second death has no power (Rev 20:6).

This post is like a breath of fresh air - after spending hours in a sulfur factory.