1000 year reign

[Sister Alvear]

if we are reigning now it is sure different than I expect...

Sister Alvear,
At the personal level, we are no longer enslaved to sin, but exercise spritual dominion through the Holy Ghost in our lives. That is major, but unfortunately that is as far as most Christians believe. Thus, their reign is limited ONLY to themselves at a personal victory level.

Beyond that personal level, there is a corporate level of reigning where the entire Church reigns with Christ. I previously gave the example of how the Civil War should be interpreted as ruling with a rod of iron, but unfortunately most Christians don't see it that way. They don't make the connection between their prayers at a corporate level and a happening on earth at a national or global level. Without seeing that connection, or believing it is there, we limit ourselves to personal level victories only. The Church needs to believe the Word and expand our vision to exercise greater dominion in the earth, pulling down all strongholds by faith.

Those are my thoughts for your consideration. God bless.

[Michael The Disciple]

Originally Posted by The teacher

Sister Alvear,
At the personal level, we are no longer enslaved to sin, but exercise spritual dominion through the Holy Ghost in our lives. That is major, but unfortunately that is as far as most Christians believe. Thus, their reign is limited ONLY to themselves at a personal victory level.

Beyond that personal level, there is a corporate level of reigning where the entire Church reigns with Christ. I previously gave the example of how the Civil War should be interpreted as ruling with a rod of iron, but unfortunately most Christians don't see it that way. They don't make the connection between their prayers at a corporate level and a happening on earth at a national or global level. Without seeing that connection, or believing it is there, we limit ourselves to personal level victories only. The Church needs to believe the Word and expand our vision to exercise greater dominion in the earth, pulling down all strongholds by faith.

Those are my thoughts for your consideration. God bless.

Well the Civil War example shows how prayer can change the course of a nation to which we all agree. Yet because one great sin was removed was America right with God? How many in America in the 1800's were baptized in Jesus name and filled with the Spirit?

So yes we can by faith do mighty things. Yet no nation is currently ruled by Christians.

This whole system of things does not interpret itself by JESUS and his life.
He is our pattern for living.

Did he have a place to lay his head? Did everyone recognize his authority? Who did? His own followers did. The demons did. Why did he not just command all demons to leave Israel along with Rome?

BECAUSE IT WAS NOT TIME FOR THAT TO HAPPEN!

Why are we rejected and despised by the world today even tho SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING .......by faith we are seated with Christ?

If it was Gods plan for us to have the RULE OVER NATIONS now why could not Paul OVER RULE satan when he planned to go visit the Thessalonian Church? Instead twice satan stopped him.

Are we more anointed than Paul was?

Let the example of Christ and the Apostles be part of how we interpret their teachings! Did Jesus expect we would have more power over the nations than he had?

Or does Gods will and timing have any place in interpreting his word?

Because the sovereign God has times and seasons.

[Pressing-On]

Revelation 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

What does this mean, "no more sea"? It seems that the two are joined together. Are we looking for two things when it seems to imply that He has made it one and the same. If there is no more sea then it seems to imply no gulf between them.

Rev. 5: 9And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;

10And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

These passages seem to clearly point to Him being worthy to become our salvation, thus making us kings and priests now.

When you read Rev. 21 it doesn't, IMO, seem to continue anything other than reigning with Him in victory.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

What does this mean, "no more sea"? It seems that the two are joined together. Are we looking for two things when it seems to imply that He has made it one and the same. If there is no more sea then it seems to imply no gulf between them.

NO MORE SEA is a very interesting statement.

The last time we read of the sea before this statement it is here:

Rev 20:13 KJV And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

It is mentioned last in association with a new heaven and earth. It could simply mean the old sea was as much gone as the old heaven and earth.

As to the real meaning, there are as many opinions as there are people.

Originally Posted by Michael The Disciple

Well the Civil War example shows how prayer can change the course of a nation to which we all agree. Yet because one great sin was removed was America right with God? How many in America in the 1800's were baptized in Jesus name and filled with the Spirit?

So yes we can by faith do mighty things. Yet no nation is currently ruled by Christians.

Michael,
Thanks for your reply. I certainly agree that all Americans are not right with God, yet that does not negate the fact that Jesus Christ is King of Kings. He is Lord of all whether or not all accept and acknowledge His Lordship. The entire point of ruling with Him now is to see His kingdom progressively expand:

Isa 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

The definitive victory was won at Calvary, the rest of the Church age is a progressive fulfillment of that victory. More and more people are born into the Kingdom and accept the lordship of Jesus Christ in their lives. If people refuse, that doesn't mean Jesus isn't Lord. As already mentioned, He still has enemies during this 1,000 year reign, and our job is to reign with Him and see more souls brought under ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of His Lordship.

We do rule, but as you may recall, Jesus spoke of His Kingdom being a spiritual kingdom.

Did he have a place to lay his head? Did everyone recognize his authority? Who did? His own followers did. The demons did. Why did he not just command all demons to leave Israel along with Rome?

BECAUSE IT WAS NOT TIME FOR THAT TO HAPPEN!

Exactly. All that activity was PRIOR TO his victory at Calvary. Afterward, one of the first things Jesus did was to destroy the old covenant system of worship during the tribulation period. How was that accomplished? It was accomplished by Jesus Christ reigning in heaven and answering the prayers of the Church who were reigning with Him on earth:

Rev 8:3 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne.
Rev 8:4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.
Rev 8:5 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake.

The tribulation was a direct result of Christ and the Church reigning.

Why are we rejected and despised by the world today even tho SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING .......by faith we are seated with Christ?

Because we are still vanquishing Christ's enemies. The war is over, Jesus has won, the rest is simply clean-up.

If it was Gods plan for us to have the RULE OVER NATIONS now why could not Paul OVER RULE satan when he planned to go visit the Thessalonian Church? Instead twice satan stopped him.

Are we more anointed than Paul was?

Let the example of Christ and the Apostles be part of how we interpret their teachings! Did Jesus expect we would have more power over the nations than he had?

Paul lived during one of the most unique periods of time in human history. Jesus is crucified and takes away the sin of the world. The religious leadership is taken away from the Jewish religious leaders and given to the Church. The tribulation demonstrates God's complete destruction of the old system, and validates the Church as the new spiritual leader. Thus, Paul DID participate in the greatest transfer of spiritual authority the world has ever seen. The kingdom was taken from natural Israel (who were in league with the leaders of this world) and was given to the Church. Paul oversaw that complete transfer, and I would classify that as power over the nations -- Jerusalem wound up completely destroyed, and their religious system left in rubble.

Or does Gods will and timing have any place in interpreting his word?

Because the sovereign God has times and seasons.

Yes, NOW IS THE TIME!

God bless.

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by The teacher

Paul lived during one of the most unique periods of time in human history. Jesus is crucified and takes away the sin of the world. The religious leadership is taken away from the Jewish religious leaders and given to the Church. The tribulation demonstrates God's complete destruction of the old system, and validates the Church as the new spiritual leader. Thus, Paul DID participate in the greatest transfer of spiritual authority the world has ever seen. The kingdom was taken from natural Israel (who were in league with the leaders of this world) and was given to the Church. Paul oversaw that complete transfer, and I would classify that as power over the nations -- Jerusalem wound up completely destroyed, and their religious system left in rubble.

Awesome, brother! Truly as God sees it!

[mfblume]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

if we are reigning now it is sure different than I expect...

Sister that is the entire problem with paradigms. Imagine a trinitarian coming into oneness and hearing he will see no one except Jesus in glory! He would say it is sure different than what he expected.

[Michael The Disciple]

So what will the resurrected Saints do? What or who will they reign OVER?

[Sister Alvear]

I see scriptures differently but I do appreciate your words and thoughts. Blessings to you today, my friend...