What can we know?
Daniel searched the prophets to understand when the Babylonian captivity would end. Jacob wrestled all night long to get his blessing. True, Daniel was an old man before he found the right verse. (Daniel 9:2) and I doubt that Jacob was wrestling with a mere man. (Genesis 32:24-26) Being blessed with understanding requires effort and humility. The seeker must confess their need and leave bias at the door. The door that opened when they knocked.
Many things in Scripture are hard to understand. When there is more than one opinion we tend to believe the one most of our friends and associates say is true. When the subject is a prophet’s dreams, visions or words there are lots of opinions. This is where the asking happens, and faith that the answer will be truth. I hope that many of readers follow along as Scripture describes two different events, Or does it? The Millennial Kingdom, and the New Heavens and New Earth.
Apostle John
“Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of [a]their testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” (Revelation 20:4
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.” (Revelation 21:1 NASB)
John seems to be describing 2 different events
Apostle Peter
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, in which the heavens will pass away with a roar and the elements will be destroyed with intense heat, and the earth and its works will be burned up.
Since all these things are to be destroyed in this way, what sort of people ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be destroyed by burning, and the elements will melt with intense heat! But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:10-13 NASB)
Peter is describing the Lord coming like a thief (That’s a familiar image!) ushering in the new heavens and new earth. Wait! what happened to the thousand year reign? Does Jesus return, and then leave, and then return again? I hope you stay with me asking and searching the Scriptures. We can spend a life time leaning in one direction or another. Wouldn’t you rather stand straight, confident in the truth?
To be continued
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His Family Table 