Is the "Last Day" symbolic or is the "1000 Years" symbolic?

[Rella]

Quote from: The thread's question

Re: Is the "Last Day" symbolic or is the "1000 Years" symbolic?

The thousand years without question!

Quote from: 3 Resurrections  Reply #25 on: Sat Jan 01, 2022 - 10:47:20

It is not a question of the millennium and the last day being EITHER symbolic or NOT being symbolic.  As many other texts in scripture...it is BOTH symbolic AND literal at the same time.  Just as the literal number of 12 apostles became the symbolic foundation of the New Jerusalem, which is also composed of literal, living bodies of believers, and is also symbolic of the holy city of God's presence among mankind.

The literal time period of a thousand years for the millennium is quite simple to pin down when we compare Revelation with itself.  According to Revelation 20:3 and 7, we know that Satan was supposed to be loosed on earth from his restricting chain FOR ONLY A "LITTLE SEASON" when the millennium period had "expired" or was "finished".  This is a specific point on the calendar when the millennium came to an end - not a vague, indeterminate state of things in this world with no precise ending or beginning.

Compare this loosing of Satan in Revelation 20:3 and 7 to what John wrote elsewhere about Satan's loosing on earth.  He claimed in Revelation 12:12 that Satan had already come down to the earth with great anger, knowing that his "SHORT TIME" of operating in this world would not last for long.  If John said that Satan was ALREADY loosed into the world for that same "SHORT TIME", (the "LITTLE SEASON" at the millennium's end), then this tells us that the millennium was already over and done with by the time John was writing Revelation.

The millennium came to an end when Satan was cast out of heaven with his angels in Revelation 12.  This was accomplished when Christ ascended to heaven on the morning after His resurrection.  Because all the legal requirements for the saints' justification had been met by Christ's actions on our behalf, the "accuser of the brethren" didn't have a leg to stand on in heaven's court anymore.  After that point, Satan and his angels were banned from heaven's realm for all time; cast down to earth for Satan's last, desperate attempt to persecute the saints during his "short time" of being loosed on earth.  This "short time" or "little season" lasted from the year AD 33 until AD 66 when he and his angels finally became imprisoned in the city of Jerusalem, as Isaiah 24:21-23 had foretold.  God used that location of the city of Jerusalem for the destruction of Satan and his angels, along with every unclean spirit passing out of the land at that point, as Zechariah 13:2 had foretold would happen along with the destruction of AD 70 besieged Jerusalem.   

The symbolism behind this very literal thousand-years millennium was the entire period of a physical temple worship system in Israel, which began ever since Solomon had laid the foundation stone of the Temple back in 968/967 BC.  It served its purpose for the time being, and helped to bring the knowledge of the God of Israel into repute among the nations, thus limiting Satan's deception.  But once Christ at His resurrection became the True Foundation Stone of the True Temple NOT made with hands, the period of this physical temple worship system had truly "finished" and "expired".[/size] 

Later.....RB

Okay, RB.

Are we to understand that you , yourself also agree with 3R in that the 1000 years ( as it is called in the bible) of Satan being bound happened from 967/968 BC to 33 AD.?

At the moment that is my only question for it appears as if you do agree with those dates because you quoted him and let it drop saying later.

[RB]

Okay, RB.

Are we to understand that you , yourself also agree with 3R in that the 1000 years ( as it is called in the bible) of Satan being bound happened from 967/968 BC to 33 AD.?

Not even close to what he believes~Satan was running wild in the OT days, with only a very, very small remnant within Israel who did not follow the beast!

Stay tune~I'm just getting starting.

Btw, I'm sure what you read in my post above that would even cause you to believe what you are asking. 

[Rella]

Not even close to what he believes~Satan was running wild in the OT days, with only a very, very small remnant within Israel who did not follow the beast!

Stay tune~I'm just getting starting.
 
Btw, I'm sure what you read in my post above that would even cause you to believe what you are asking. 

I was certain you did not believe his beliefs, but I read you quoting him where it started out

The thousand years without question!

Quote from: 3 Resurrections  Reply #25 on: Sat Jan 01, 2022 - 10:47:20

and then that long reply of his you quoted followed by no comment just  " Later.....RB"

I just wanted definitive confirmation that you are not subscribing to what you quoted of his.

It is difficult enough when people read the same word or the same sentence or even the same scripture and see something
different then what you do..... so thanks for clarifying

[RB]

I was certain you did not believe his beliefs, but I read you quoting him where it started out

All one has to do is go back to the very first reply in this thread which was made by me, and they can see clearly what I believe concerning the 1000 years.

The bodily resurrection of both the just and unjust takes place on the last day.

The 1000 years are symbolic of a period of time beginning at the start of NT church age at the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and will continue until the last day of this world as we now know it.

Then I went into details concerning Revelation 20:3~showing how we must start out right understanding Revelation 20 if we expect to end up with the truth of Revelation 20.....  especially the first nine scriptures.

So, the 1000 years are symbolic and the last day means just what the word last means....LAST. When the scriptures speaks of the last trump, then we understand there will be no more to follow.

1st Corinthians 15:51,52~"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

The last DAY in Revelation is when the seventh trumpets, bowls, and vials begin~ALL depicted the LAST DAY.

I just might go back and refresh my memory of what has been said so far before moving on~I think it would be wise to do so.

[Rella]

I just might go back and refresh my memory of what has been said so far before moving on~I think it would be wise to do so.

A complicated subject deserves fresh readings.

But you say...

So, the 1000 years are symbolic

While we wait....

Can we conclude your beliefs are such that there was not  nor will be ever a literal 1000 year period of Satan being bound?

Can we conclude your beliefs are such that there was not nor ever will be a literal 1000 period of Jesus reigning over earth
while Satan is bound?

[RB]

Can we conclude your beliefs are such that there was not  nor will be ever a literal 1000 year period of Satan being bound?

In a few words ....Yes~Satan has been free to go to and fro throughout this world since the creation of man, up and until the death of Christ~that's so easy proven by the world at large and even among Israel as a whole was deceived and served other gods.

Gentiles:

Ephesians 2:11,12~"Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

Many more we could provide.

Jews: Their whole history proves that only a small remnant truly believed and followed God. There are thousands of scriptures that would prove this truth. The whole northern Kingdoms served Baal and many other gods of the nations around them and some even did worst than other nations!

Ezekiel 5:6~"And she hath changed my judgments into wickedness more than the nations, and my statutes more than the countries that are round about her: for they have refused my judgments and my statutes, they have not walked in them."

You should know the history of Israel~not very good, even to their great sin of rejecting and killing the Lord of Glory!

No bounding of Satan from creation until Christ!

Satan was bound at the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ~the white horse of Revelation 6:1,2 represents the VICTORY and SUCCESS the gospel had at the beginning of the books of Acts as the first Church left Jerusalem and went northeast up into the Gentiles nations converting thousands of thousand Gentiles and forming churches throughout the Roman Empire.

That's from whence comes the NT church epistles. Satan had to be bound so that the gospel could have its success God preordained it should have.  Be sure Satan and evil spirits were here, just they were RESTAINED or bound meaning the same thing.

During this time Christ IS reigning IN HEAVEN at God's right hand, called David's throne by the scriptures.

Acts 2:28-36~"Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ."

One more witness:

1st Corinthians 15:22-26~"For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death."

Christ is reigning NOW and will until the second coming and the resurrection of the dead, which are ONE and the SAME event.

Can we conclude your beliefs are such that there was not nor ever will be a literal 1000 period of Jesus reigning over earth while Satan is bound?

Absolutely.

We shall cover this very shorty in more details.

[3 Resurrections]

RB,

You are confusing the innate ability of mankind to perform wickedly with Satan instigating those actions.  Satan does not need to be released for mankind to deceive itself - whether Jew or Gentile back in Solomon's days.  That is one of the lessons we can learn from Satan being bound from AD 968 967 BC until the ascension in AD 33. 

You claim that Satan was bound due to Christ's crucifixion, but it is the opposite.  He was RELEASED from his chain at that point.  This is why we have verses such as Peter warning the believers in those days that their adversary the Devil was then "walking about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" in 1 Peter 5:8.  That is NOT a chained-up Satan being described there. 

A loosed Satan is why we have the text about the saints putting on the whole armor of God at that point in Ephesians 6:11-18, so that they could withstand the attacks of Satan.  That is NOT a chained-up Satan in that text.

A loosed Satan is why we have verses such as 2 Timothy 2:26, with the saints being encouraged to recover themselves out of the snare of the Devil, who were being taken captive by him "at his will".  That is NOT a chained-up Satan in that text. 

You would have us believe that the millennium will continue until the last day of this world as we know it.  That is pure contradiction to your own beliefs, since you say that at the last day, history for mankind is over completely.  So how can the millennium end at the last day, when scripture tells us very plainly that Satan is afterward released for a "little season" when the millennium is "expired" and "finished"?   

[4WD]

The Binding of Satan

The first three verses of Revelation 20 describes an event that surely sends a thrill through every Christian's heart; the binding of Satan.  The text says,

   1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2He laid hold of the dragon, that serpent of old, who is the Devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; 3and he cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal on him, so that he should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished. But after these things he must be released for a little while.

My Strong conviction is that Jesus bound the devil when he came the first time.  Many find it extremely difficult to accept this idea, mainly because they hear the words "binding of Satan" and formulate their own idea of what this must mean before they examine the Biblical data.  If Satan is bound, they think, then there should not be any sin or even temptation on the earth.  But sin obviously was not eliminated by Christ's first coming and is still abundant on the earth today.  Would one not have to be blind to think that Satan is bound in times like these?

The key to understanding the binding of Satan is to pay close attention to what the Bible actually says about it, not only in Rev 20:1-3 but elsewhere in the NT as well.  Regarding the latter we begin with the way Scripture describes the purpose of Christ's first coming.  Among other things, it is specifically taught that Jesus came to deal with the devil.  1 John 3:8 says,  "The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil."  Among Satan's works are falsehood and death (John 8:44; Heb 2:14), but Jesus came "to testify to the truth" (John 18:37; see John 8:31-47).  He has already "abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (2 Tim 1:10).

Jesus came not only to destroy Satan's works but to "destroy" Satan himself.  Hebrews 2:14 clearly states that Jesus came the first time "so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death – that is, the devil"  The word rendered "destroy" by the NIV (katargeo) does not necessarily mean "to annihilate, to abolish  completely."  Obviously Jesus did not do this to Satan at his first coming.  But the word also can mean "to set aside, to make ineffective, to nullify, to render powerless."  This is the better understanding here, as in the NASB: Christ come to "render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil."

Either way this is very strong language.  John says Jesus came specifically to destroy the devil's works;  Hebrews says he came to render the devil powerless.  We must ask, if this is why Jesus came, did he actually accomplish these things or did he fail?  Surely it would be blasphemous to say the latter.  Therefore we conclude that Jesus destroyed Satan's works and rendered him powerless from "the binding of Satan" in Rev 20:1-3).  If anything, the language of 1 John and Hebrews is even stronger than that of Revelation 20.

What about the expression, "the binding of Satan"?  Does this specific language appear elsewhere in Scripture"  The answer is yes.  In Matt 12:29 (and Mark 3:27) it is used to describe what Jesus was doing during his first advent.  Throughout Jesus earthly ministry he was already limiting Satan's power, especially through his many victorious encounters with demonic spirits who had taken over people's bodies.  By casting out demons Jesus was demonstrating his power over Satan's kingdom; he was winding the chains around the devil's neck.

Jesus made this very claim in connection with an exorcism recorded in Matt 12:22-30 (see Mark 3:22-27; Luke 11:14-23).  Here Jesus explains that in casting out demons he is not working with Satan but against him.  He uses the illustration of a strong man who is holding people captive in his house, and a stronger man who attacks and overpowers the captor and sets the captives free (Luke 11:21-22).  As he explains in Matt 12:29, "or how can anyone enter the strong man's house and carry of his property, unless he first binds the strong man?  And then he will plunder his house."  By casting out demons Jesus was already in the process of binding the devil (the "strong man") during his earthly ministry.

Jesus also gave his disciples the authority to cast our demons (Matt 10:1).  In Luke 10:1-20 he sent out 70 evangelists with similar authority.  When they returned, they joyfully reported, "Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name" (Luke 10:17).  Jesus replied, "I was watching Satan fall from heaven like lightning" (Luke 10:18).  Satan's "fall from heaven" here is not his prehistoric, initial sin; it refers to the defeat he was experiencing through Christ's power at the hands of the disciples at that very time.  This is the same event described symbolically in Rev 12:7-9,

And there was war in heaven, Michael and his angels waging war with the dragon.  The dragon and his angels waged war, and they were not strong enough, and there was no longer a place found for them in heaven.  And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

Again this is not Satan's initial sin, but his defeat at the hands of the Messiah at the latter's first coming (Rev 12:1-6).

The death blow against Satan was struck in the death and resurrection of Jesus (see Gen 3:15; John 12:31-33; Col 2:15).  On the eve of his crucifixion Jesus announced his imminent mortal combat with the devil (John 14:30).  Through his own death he rendered Satan powerless (Heb 2:14), and through his resurrection the victory was complete.  The risen victor declares, "I am the first and the last, the living One, and I was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of death and of Hades " (Rev 1:17-18).  The keys here are the same as "the key of the abyss" in Rev 20:1.  A key is symbolic of power and authority.  Through his death and resurrection Jesus gained power over the abyss – realm of death, Satan's proper domain; and with that power he both locks Satan himself in the abyss and rescues those who have been held captive there (Heb 2:15).  Revelation 20:1-3 thus symbolically represents Christ's present control over Satan and his works, and the consequent limitation of his power.

Some will still be skeptical that "the binding of Satan" has been a reality since Christ's first coming.  Again this is because they have created their own idea of what this should entail, i.e., the earth should be a perfect place, free from sin and filled with righteousness, peace, and prosperity.  But this is not how things have been.  So how can this be the millennium?  How can we accept the idea that Satan is bound now?  We can do this if we do not jump to unwarranted conclusions about the results of Satan's binding.  Does the Bible actually say that this binding will result in a paradise-like world?  No.  In fact, Rev 20:3 states very specifically that the single purpose of Satan's binding is "so that he would not deceive the nations any longer."

The question is whether this was actually a result of Christ's first coming, and the answer is yes.  Satan's main activity is deception.  John 8:44 says, 'he is a liar and the father of lies."  Revelation 12:9 describes him, prior to his defeat at Christ's first coming, as the one "who deceives the whole world,"  He is the source of lies, false teachings, false religions, and all idolatry.  With the exception of Israel, prior to Christ's first coming the entire world – all nations as nations – was totally engulfed in Satan's lies, languishing in darkness (see Rom 1:18-32).  But what happened when Christ came?  He accomplished the works of redemption, thus defeating the devil and his hosts.  The gospel  --  the good news about the saving power of Christ  --  is the gospel truth that dispels Satan's lies and brings light and life to all the world (2 Tim 1:10),

This is exactly how the risen Jesus described Paul's mission to the Gentiles, i.e., to the nations: "to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me" (Acts 26:18).  this tells us that prior to the preaching of the gospel, the nations were in darkness; they were the domain of Satan.  But as the gospel has been preached "to all the nations" in obedience to the Great Commission (Luke 24:47; see Matt 28:18-20, Mark 16:15), multitudes "from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues" (rev 7:9) have been delivered from captivity to the devil.  In terms of Rev  20:1-3, the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the chain that binds Satan, so that is not able to deceive the nations any longer.

This does not mean that Satan is doing nothing today.  He still roams about, like a roaring lion, seeking to devour us (1 Pet 5:8).  But Christ has established a safety zone, as it were, a place where Satan has no power.  It is the church, which is the realm over which Christ reigns in his millennial kingship, a haven from the forces of death (Matt 16:18), and "the pillar and support of the truth" (1 Tim 3:15).  Anyone who accepts the truth of the gospel and surrenders to the Lordship of Christ is rescued from captivity to Satan and set free to live beyond the reach of his lying mouth and slashing claws.

The results of Christ's initial binding of Satan are bestowed on individuals.  When one makes his choice to follow Christ instead of Satan, the almighty power of Jesus Christ binds the devil in reference to that person's life.  Jesus has already bound the strong man as such; when we preach the gospel and convert individuals, we are in effect plundering the strong man's house and carrying off his property (Matt 12:29).  Because this has already been done on a worldwide basis, with practically every nation being exposed to Christ's liberating power to some degree, it can no longer be said that Satan is deceiving the Nations.  Therefor

[Rella]

 

[RB]

RB,

You are confusing the innate ability of mankind to perform wickedly with Satan instigating those actions. 

I just lost a long post! So, I'll come back soon and see if I can redo this again~I need to kick myself for not saving it.

[RB]

RB,

You are confusing the innate ability of mankind to perform wickedly with Satan instigating those actions. 

No sir, that's incorrect. I know very well since sin entered into the world through Adam, the man took on the image of Satan by being taken captive by him and man became the servant of sin under their new master, the devil himself.

God's words said:

Genesis 6:3,5~And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years..................And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."

When God's word said:

for that he also is flesh

It means that he is corrupt and is not subject to the law of God and neither indeed can be. You know the scripture I'm referencing from Romans 8.

The truth is: men are little devils, (by nature all are children of wrath, seen by their wicked work, and only God's election of grace saves of some from condemnation) knowing this, sinners can do even more so wickedly when God allows Satan to use his power to instigate the sin that dwells within them.

Ephesians 2:2,3~"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: 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."

Yes, I understand fully that men of the flesh serve the desires of their wicked flesh and mind~(after all, Satan is not omnipresent and cannot be every where at once, he comes and go to and fro throughout this world, even the other evils spirits are much less powerful so all cannot be blamed on the devil, man is a devil by nature as far as doing wickedness, it comes naturally to him...it IS who he is by nature!) yet that does not mean that the spirit of the air does not also work in them to put those wicked sins into motion~both are true~just like the Spirit of God works in God's elect to bring forth godliness, yet it is the power of the new man within us that was created after Jesus' image that performs those godly deeds that God is well please in.

Satan does not need to be released for mankind to deceive itself - whether Jew or Gentile back in Solomon's days.

Agree, yet it increases greatly when he is released without any restrain put upon him by God.

Psalms 76:10~"Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee: the remainder of wrath shalt thou restrain."

The key is God restraining Satan from using all of his power.

Job 1:12~"And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD."

Satan is a little god with not that much power and can only use what he has with permission from the God who is above all...so much above all.

You claim that Satan was bound due to Christ's crucifixion, but it is the opposite.  He was RELEASED from his chain at that point.

I'm coming back later to address this since it may take more space than I need to do here.

[3 Resurrections]

RB, you and I are in unity that the natural mind of man operates out of the corruption of that fallen nature.  Satan may have been the one to jump-start this evil by his tempting of the originally-sinless couple, but since then, mankind in its fallen state does not require the presence of Satan for evil to be performed in this world.   We are also in agreement that God allowed Satan to roam earth and heaven without restraint for a certain period of ages back in the OT days.   And yes, this did magnify the level of natural evil that mankind was capable of performing.

I believe we are also in agreement that during the days of Christ's earthly ministry, that His actions and those of His disciples in casting out devils was proof that Satan's "goods" were being spoiled at that time; a sign of Satan's condition of "the strong man" being bound.   

Where we differ is the point on the calendar when the chain of restraining Satan's deception was put on him, and when it was taken off.  You would have us believe that the millennial binding of Satan continues until the end of the world as we know it.  This cannot possibly be true.  Revelation 20:3 and 7 tells us that when the millennium has "expired" and is "finished", that Satan is then released for a "little season" of time, to freely deceive the nations once more.  So, the millennium cannot possibly extend to the very end of fallen man's history in this world.

Your theory has no answer for the comparison between the two texts I am highlighting - that of Revelation 12:12 and Revelation 20:3 and 7, which combine to prove that the millennium had already expired before Revelation was written, and that the "little season" and "short time" of Satan's renewed deception of the nations had already begun back then.   

[RB]

RB, you and I are in unity that the natural mind of man operates out of the corruption of that fallen nature.

That is a given since Satan is not omnipresent, and neither are other evil spirits~they must come and go and CONSIDER what to do next~unlike God, who knows the end from the beginning and knows every single thought and detail in between, even every hair on every pigs belly that has ever walked this earth and that's not even touching his greatness. 

Job 1:8~"And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?"

So, we know Satan is very limited in knowledge and knowing all~and certainly not omnipresent, in our flesh we all are little devils in the sense abominable evil dwell there~every honest soul should and does know this, it is much worst than most even imagine and wants to confess.

Satan may have been the one to jump-start this evil by his tempting of the originally-sinless couple,

Adam and Eve were created upright without sin in their members, that came through Eve being deceived and Adam following his wife~at that point, their eyes were opened and they became the servants of SIN and the father of sin, Satan himself~they took on his image, and in a sense became little devils and at enmity against God Almighty.

You and I know, that enmity is much worse than being an enemy~enmity means you are at constant war against each other and hate each other to a point that there is no comparison on earth like it~not even the Hatfield–McCoy feud~which I personal were friends of some of their family members from both sides~even worshipped with one of them~one of the Hatfield descendants and knew well one of the McCoy girls descendants and still very close friends with her. 

So, no jumpstart............ deception~and then ownership took place they became the devil's servant.

We are also in agreement that God allowed Satan to roam earth and heaven without restraint for a certain period of ages back in the OT days. 

The whole time from creation until Christ~yet a certain amount of restraining was used from time to time, we know that by the fact God had always had his seven thousand reserved who refuse to bow before Baal and other false God~that's a given form such scriptures as we quoted yesterday from Psalms 76:10, etc.  

I believe we are also in agreement that during the days of Christ's earthly ministry, that His actions and those of His disciples in casting out devils was proof that Satan's "goods" were being spoiled at that time; a sign of Satan's condition of "the strong man" being bound.

Base on what I just said, so, yes. 

Where we differ is the point on the calendar when the chain of restraining Satan's deception was put on him, and when it was taken off.

As far as building the Gentiles churches of THE WORLD~

Matthew 28:19~"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

This requires a restraining of Satan that we shall cover soon.

You would have us believe that the millennial binding of Satan continues until the end of the world as we know it.  This cannot possibly be true.  Revelation 20:3 and 7 tells us that when the millennium has "expired" and is "finished", that Satan is then released for a "little season" of time, to freely deceive the nations once more.  So, the millennium cannot possibly extend to the very end of fallen man's history in this world.

Your theory has no answer for the comparison between the two texts I am highlighting - that of Revelation 12:12 and Revelation 20:3 and 7, which combine to prove that the millennium had already expired before Revelation was written, and that the "little season" and "short time" of Satan's renewed deception of the nations had already begun back then.   

We shall see as we come to these scriptures. I'm not even finished answering your first post to me~give me the time I want to address each and every point an leave no stone uncovered~Rella is going to eat a lot of  before this is over.

[RB]

3 Resurrections~I'm going to give you some scriptures along the way in this discussion for you to consider to prove that Satan and other evil spirits were not destroyed in 70 A.D. as the preterist believe. Here's the first one:

Matthew 13:24-30~"Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn."

We need not to labor very long concerning the meaning of this parable for our Lord explains this parable for us, in detail, every single phrase that was used by him... consider:

Matthew 13:36-43~"Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear."

3 Resurrections~the devil is here until the end of the world sowing his children among the wheat and both will be here together until then along with the devil. He works through his children until the harvest which is the end of this present world as we know it. There is more even within Matthew 13 to prove your doctrine has some serious holes in it. 

My question to you is: do you have ears to hear this parable?

[Rella]

. I'm not even finished answering your first post to me~give me the time I want to address each and every point an leave no stone uncovered~Rella is going to eat a lot of  before this is over.

Keeping my mouth full  helps me keep my mouth shut when I get the urge to pipe in....  .

At the same time gives me further study  on both sides of your presentations 

I promise to try and restrain myself.

[3 Resurrections]

RB,  you aren't a farmer apparently.  Sowing in a wheat field is NOT done during the entire growing season.  It is done at the beginning.  Satan did his sowing of the wicked at the beginning in the Garden of Eden.  The results grew up from there.

The harvest Jesus spoke of in this parable is not the "end of the WORLD" (oikoumene).  It's "the consummation of the AGE" (aionos), even in the NKJV.  "So shall it be at the end of THIS AGE".   You really are crippled by not considering the original languages that the KJV translators had in front of them.  God expects you to know at least SOME of the original languages.   Even the KJV has a smattering of words and phrases in the original languages.  This relic of the Greenville church false doctrine has stuck to you like glue, unfortunately.  They had no use for the original languages either, which explains how a lot of their corrupt teaching grew up. 

The "end of THIS AGE" meant the end of the age Christ was presently in at the time.  Satan's "little season" of being loosed on earth lasted until the end of THAT AGE, and no longer, as we have other scripture that tells us when God got rid of the entire Satanic realm.  God did this to display to humanity that, even without the presence of Satan and his devils in this world anymore, that humanity is just as creative (even more so) than the Devil ever was at rebellion against its Maker.   It's humiliating, but true.

[Rella]

Your theory has no answer for the comparison between the two texts I am highlighting - that of Revelation 12:12 and Revelation 20:3 and 7, which combine to prove that the millennium had already expired before Revelation was written, and that the "little season" and "short time" of Satan's renewed deception of the nations had already begun back then.   

However... gotta ask.

Sorry, RB... I need an answer to this and while I am sure you will get around to it perhaps 3Rs will enlighten both of us.

Hi3Rs,

You have been trying to impress on us that Rev 12:12, Rev 20: 3 and Rev 20:7 are "proof" to you that Satan has been already bound and then released.... the latest of which time could have been the temple destruction of 70AD. ... but without going to reread all the replies I think you suggested 66 AD (?).

This is the text from those verses: (All NASB 95)

Rev 12:12

12 "For this reason, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time."

Rev 20:3

3 and he threw him into the abyss, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time.

Rev 20:7

7 When the thousand years are completed, Satan will be released from his prison,

This does seem to be somewhat clear, but you are avoiding 3 scriptures that are sandwiched in between Rev 20 : 3 and 7.
Namely 4 thru 6

4 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 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.

5 The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed. This is the first resurrection.

6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.

Verse 5 here definitively states that the "rest" of the dead would come to life once the 1000 years were complete, (after Satan's release,) so are you contending all who died from Adam onward, who did not reign with Jesus for the 1000 years,  came back to life when Jesus was resurrected and ascended to God around 33AD when you contend that Satan was released?

Verse 6 here definitely states that the first resurrectedees will (future tense) reign with Jesus for those 1000 years.

We have already previously established that Jesus' reign was or will be while Satan was or will be bound. Your verse 7 , as the continuation of 1 thru 7 confirms that. And verse 5 "The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were completed" shows this happening once Satan is released.

Again... apologies for jumping in at this time..... but did want to get these thoughts on record.

[3 Resurrections]

Hey Rella,

If I have not brought up Revelation 20:4-6 in this post yet, it isn't that I'm ignoring it.  I have written copious amounts about these particular verses and the "First resurrection" on many another post. 

The thrones that were mentioned in Revelation 20:4, with judgment given to those sitting on those thrones, were the 12 thrones that the 12 apostles were promised to sit upon when Christ had risen in the regeneration, and sat on the throne of His glory (Matthew 19:28 - "And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.") 

Peter on the day of Pentecost announced that this was already an established throne which Christ had been seated upon (Acts 2:29-36 - "Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.  For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thy foes thy footstool.  Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.")

Those "thrones of judgment" given to the 12 apostles gave them the responsibility to pass on Christ's doctrine to the early church; to establish these doctrines, and to pass judgment on various matters of church practices, since the apostles along with Christ the chief cornerstone provided the 12 foundations of the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:14 - "And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.")

Those "souls" which were portrayed in Revelation 20:4-5 were the "remnant (loipoi) of the dead" which came to life again when the thousand years was finished.  This event of the "remnant of the dead" coming to life again was called "the First Resurrection".  This was the 144,000 First-fruits - the Matthew 27:52-53 saints raised on the same day as "Christ the First-fruits".  Those 144,000 resurrected Jewish saints shared the very same title with Christ because they shared the very same "First Resurrection" event in AD 33 - when the millennium had just "expired". 

Those "souls" in Revelation 20:4 during their natural lifetime on earth had each shared a part in living and reigning with Christ at some point during those thousand years when Satan was bound.  Some had been martyred for their faithfulness, like the prophets Queen Jezebel murdered.  Others had merely died naturally after a lifetime of faithfulness to God's word, like Daniel.  During the years when the Sea Beast had existed (ever since Nebuchadnezzar's first attack on Jerusalem) some had refused to worship that Sea Beast, like Daniel's three friends; like those martyred by Antiochus Epiphanes for remaining faithful to the laws of Moses in those days, earning them a place in Hebrews' "Hall of Faith".    Each in their turn shared a part in the benefits of a period of time when Satan's deception of the nations was bound.

But remember, simply because Satan's deception was bound during those thousand years did not mean that the nations could not deceive themselves.   That was one of the purposes for this millennial binding of Satan; to show us that humanity was fully capable of deceiving itself, without any outside influence of Satan doing this deceiving.

[RB]

 3R's....Have some appointments early this morning so I'll answer your post later..RB

I stay up and watch Georgia beat big bad Alabama Crimson Tide last night and got a late start for today.

[4WD]

3 Resurrections,

The problem you are having with the two passages, Revelations 12:12 and 20:3, is that you are treating the Book of Revelation as events as happening in the chronological sequence in which they appear in the book.  I truly believe that the correct approach to the structure of the Book of Revelation is one referred to as the cyclical or recapitulation view.

That view says that the contents of the book (after the introduction in chs. 1–3) form a series of parallel descriptions relevant to the whole of Christian history and the end time. This view has several important characteristics. First, it denies the assumption of the historical and futurist views, i.e., that chapters 4–22 are a single chronological series of events happening in an unbroken sequence. This means that the events of chapter 9, e.g., may or may not follow sequentially upon those of chapter 8; it means that the events of chapter 20, e.g., may or may not follow sequentially upon those of chapter 19. This means that we cannot assume that just because something is described in chapter 19 or in chapter 20, near the end of the book, that it must necessarily occur at the end of history. Instead of this chronological approach, the cyclical view says that Revelation 4–22 is divided into several sections that are parallel descriptions of church history and the end time.

Second, each of these parallel units is relevant to the entire sweep of church history from the first coming of Christ to his second coming. This does not mean that each unit necessarily covers the entire scope of Christian history. Each has its own perspective, its own focus, its own purpose. One may focus on the entire church age; another may concentrate upon the last days. One may describe events from the perspective of the church, another from the perspective of its enemies.

Third, each segment basically raises the same question, namely, "Who's in charge here?" In its symbolic reference to some aspect of Christian history, each unit of Revelation highlights the conflict between good and evil, specifically between Satan and his forces on the one hand, and God and his people on the other hand. The strength of the powers of evil and their enmity toward the church are emphasized, as is the reality of Christian suffering and tribulation. Thus, Revelation is addressed especially to Christians who find themselves to be the objects of persecution, and who ask with pious sincerity, "Who's in charge here? God, are you in control?"

Fourth and most significantly, each of the parallel segments in Revelation ends with the resounding note of victory! Christ is pictured as triumphing over Satan and his forces, bringing all his enemies to righteous judgment, and delivering his saints while sharing his victory with them. Like a symphony that develops a single strain or repeats the same musical refrain over and over yet in different ways, so does Revelation echo and reecho this single theme, this one main point several times in different ways: Christ is King!

I can go into more detail if you wish, detailing the five cyclical passages in the book.  But I doubt that you will accept even what I have presented here.  However, it clearly rebuts your contention that Revelation 12:12 and 20:3 combine to prove that the millennium had already expired before Revelation was written.

Briefly, chapter 12 starts a new cycle, and clearly begins with the birth of Christ (12:1-6). The conflict between Christ and the devil is prominent here. The spiritual warfare in 12:7-10 is a picture of the battle between Christ and Satan that occurred at Christ's first coming, and Satan's decisive defeat accomplished through Christ's death and resurrection.

This leads to the final segment (chs. 20–22), which begins with a symbolic description of a consequence of Christ's first coming: the binding of Satan. This marks the beginning of the church age, which is in fact the era of Christ's millennial kingdom.

Thus both 12:12 and 20:3 mark the beginning, not the end, of the Millennium.  The Millennium is now.  It began with the birth of Christ, His first coming, and will end with His second coming.

[Jaime]

Good to see you back 4WD!

[4WD]

Thank you and Alan for all your efforts to make that happen.

[Alan]

Thank you and Alan for all your efforts to make that happen.

Place isn't the same without you.

[3 Resurrections]

4WD, you are going to great lengths to construct a strawman.  I'm in agreement that there is a recapitulation pattern going on in Revelation.  I was posting in agreement with this point on Dr. Kenneth Gentry's site many years ago.  Also, have you not read before where RB and I expressed agreement with each other on this very point here on this forum?  Perhaps you missed it.

This established pattern of recapitulation in Revelation does NOT contradict the comparison that I am making between these two texts, Revelation 12:12 and Revelation 20:3 and 7.  In fact, it proves it.   In Revelation 12:12, John is directly speaking to his readers about a current state of affairs in the world; warning them in their days of the dangers of a then-presently-released Satan who only had a "short time" left to operate in the world.  This is a plain speech of warning that even a child in those days could understand.   

This language describing Satan's release for a "short time" is brought up once more in Revelation 20:3 and 7 when it tells us that Satan is released from his millennial chain for that "short time" at the end of those thousand years.   This is an example of recapitulation in Revelation.  Same subject of Satan's "short time" of release.  Brought up for a second time. 


The "church age" is NOT the millennial age.  The millennial age of a literal thousand years ENDED with the introduction of the new covenant with the church in AD 33.  The millennium was merely a foreshadowing of the "church age", which was a vast improvement to the literal thousand-year age of a physical Temple worship system.  That physical Temple worship system was supposed to give way for the superior spiritual Temple not made with hands, built upon Christ the "chief cornerstone" who was rejected by the physical Temple builders of that generation. 

[4WD]

The first resurrection, as RB has stated, is the spiritual resurrection of regeneration described in John 5:24-25 and elsewhere. The second resurrection, also spiritual, is the resurrection of the spiritual body described in 1 Corinthians 16.  The binding of Satan is as I described in reply #77.  At the end of the "Millennium" Satan is to be released; how long that release will be, we are not told. But we know that he will eventually be cast into the "lake of fire and sulfur", and then comes the Judgment before the Great White Throne. Following that we read of The New Heaven and the New Earth, the New Jerusalem, the River of Life.

[3 Resurrections]

The "First resurrection" is the first resurrection event in chronology on the timeline, according to 1 Corinthians 15:23.  Christ was the First-fruits.  Then AFTERWARD the next resurrection event would take place at Christ's coming.  That makes this "First resurrection" more than just a spiritual regeneration every time someone comes to faith in Christ.   You and RB are in error on this.

Because the millennium ENDED with the First resurrection event, when the remnant of the dead came to life again, according to Revelation 20:5.  That "remnant of the dead" was the Matthew 27:52-53 Jewish saints who came to life again on the same day of Christ's resurrection.   THEY along with Christ composed the "First resurrection", which came when the millennium was "finished" and had "expired".     

[RB]

Place isn't the same without you.

No, it is not. Glad to see our friend back.  Jarrod was a big help as well~we have a great company of moderators.

[4WD]

The "First resurrection" is the first resurrection event in chronology on the timeline, according to 1 Corinthians 15:23.  Christ was the First-fruits.  Then AFTERWARD the next resurrection event would take place at Christ's coming.  That makes this "First resurrection" more than just a spiritual regeneration every time someone comes to faith in Christ.   You and RB are in error on this.

Because the millennium ENDED with the First resurrection event, when the remnant of the dead came to life again, according to Revelation 20:5.  That "remnant of the dead" was the Matthew 27:52-53 Jewish saints who came to life again on the same day of Christ's resurrection.   THEY along with Christ composed the "First resurrection", which came when the millennium was "finished" and had "expired".   

Nah!

[RB]

The "First resurrection" is the first resurrection event in chronology on the timeline, according to 1 Corinthians 15:23.  Christ was the First-fruits.  Then AFTERWARD the next resurrection event would take place at Christ's coming.  That makes this "First resurrection" more than just a spiritual regeneration every time someone comes to faith in Christ.   You and RB are in error on this.

Not so fast as Lee Corso would say. The scriptures said:

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.

The first resurrection biblical speaking and as the Holy Ghost teaches as far as those that the second death has no power over is clearly a spiritual resurrection that takes place when one is born again.

We shall soon consider Revelation 20:6 in-depth, the Lord willing.

That "remnant of the dead" was the Matthew 27:52-53 Jewish saints who came to life again on the same day of Christ's resurrection. 

3 Reusrrections~legally every saint, past, then present, and future saints were resurrected when God brought from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ~we were members of his elect body from eternity.

Ephesians 2:5-7~"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus."

So, your three phases of Resurrection have left out the main one! The others ones (being born again, our bodily resurrection on the last day) are the results of this one! The first resurrection at the new birth and our faith and obedience to the word of God is evidence that the second death has no power over that person.

That "remnant of the dead" was the Matthew 27:52-53 Jewish saints who came to life again on the same day of Christ's resurrection.   THEY along with Christ composed the "First resurrection"

We shall see as we work through this subject, I would say you will be disappointed, but I'm sure you believe otherwise on your newly founded doctrine. So, you limit the first resurrection to Jewish believers only~let us see as we continue. I first need to finish your first post which I plan of doing before moving on.

[RB]

A loosed Satan is why we have the text about the saints putting on the whole armor of God at that point in Ephesians 6:11-18, so that they could withstand the attacks of Satan.  That is NOT a chained-up Satan in that text.

Let me go back and finish the post I originally started with you so no one can accuse me of skipping anything of what they may consider very important to their position.

So are you saying that even such scriptures as:

Ephesians 6:10-18~"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;"

Is not for us today? Notice, Paul did not say that you may be able to stand against the wiles of THE FLESH, where you desire to LIMIT this warfare, but he clearly said we should put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Our sinful flesh and the devil are not one and the same as some Sadducees would have us to believe~Mountain Retreat forum being one of them! 

The biblical truth is: Satan has been loose since the beginning of creation and was bound~(not to make him INACTIVE, but to restrain him) at the beginning of the NT church age, from Pentecost until the little season at the end of the world called the time of Jacob's trouble~that is: spiritual Jacob, the very elect within the professing body of Christ.

But you say, Satan and all evil spirits were destroyed in 70 A.D. which makes such scriptures according to your doctrine useless for us today! Actually, you make almost all of the word of God useless to be honest.

A loosed Satan is why we have verses such as 2 Timothy 2:26, with the saints being encouraged to recover themselves out of the snare of the Devil, who were being taken captive by him "at his will".  That is NOT a chained-up Satan in that text.

I could just as easily say and more so say to you, that such scriptures does not equate to a destroyed Satan and other evil spirit, now does it?

Again Satan being bounded does not mean he is not active, of course, he has since the Garden of Eden tempting our first parents~ it just means that his power is LIMITED until a little season toward the end of this world as we know it.

You would have us believe that the millennium will continue until the last day of this world as we know it.  That is pure contradiction to your own beliefs, since you say that at the last day, history for mankind is over completely.  So how can the millennium end at the last day, when scripture tells us very plainly that Satan is afterward released for a "little season" when the millennium is "expired" and "finished"?

The scriptures you are referencing are:

Revelation 20:7-9~"And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them."

The time expired to be would be the coming to the end of completion of the NT church per such scriptures as:

2nd Peter 3:9,10~"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up."

3 Resurrections~once all come to repentance, then God will come, it does not have to be on the same day, for with God one day is as a thousand years, knowing God uses time FOR US not for him, he just said when the church age (the thousand years) is expired, then Satan will be loose for a little season, a little season as WE KNOW TIME. Bottom line~when Satan is loose, and we see the evidence of this (deception and many false prophets) then we as believers should know we are IN that little season~what we do not know exactly when it started or when it will end.

Personally, I believe it started around 1800 and is nearer its end. I base this on the many false sects (Mormonism, Jehovah's Witnesses, SDA, Pentecostalism, etc) that have arisen in this world since then and all the false bibles that started at the same time

[3 Resurrections]

RB, you are totally ignoring the text of Revelation 12:12 in which John announced that Satan was PRESENTLY LOOSED for his designated period of a "SHORT TIME".  Why is this so difficult for you?  Why is this so difficult for anybody?  Satan's "little season" did not last from the first century until the end of the world as we know it sometime in our future.  That theory goes contrary to every sense of what a "little season" is by scripture's own definitions.

God defined what a LONG SEASON was back in Joshua 24:7, compared with Deuteronomy 8:2.  A "LONG SEASON" lasted a total of 40 years of wilderness wanderings for the Israelites.  So if a "LONG SEASON" is 40 years, then a "LITTLE SEASON" for Satan to be loosed from his chain cannot possibly last as long as that 40 years.  If John said that Satan's "short time" had already begun back in those days, then from the time that Revelation was written, LESS than 40 years would go by before Satan was destroyed, as God predicted He would "slay the Dragon that is in the sea". 

You have a strange idea of fulfilled scripture becoming "useless".  Is Christ's fulfilled crucifixion "useless" because it has already occurred?  Is the inauguration of the New Covenant "useless" because it was launched long ago back in AD 33?  Is Joel 2:28-31's prophecy about the Spirit being poured out on all flesh in those first-century days "useless" because that period has expired by now?  If Christ fulfilled the scripture promise to destroy Satan already, does that make reading about His victory over Satan's entire realm "useless"?  It should be FAITH-CONFIRMING to read about Christ fulfilling His promises, just as He declared He would do, and in the exact time He promised to perform those actions.

We no longer need the "whole armor of God" to defend against a non-existent Satan, who was destroyed long ago.  That Ephesians 6 text was a warning for THAT generation to give heed to.  Satan was indeed operating in full deceptive mode, in great wrath making war on the saints during that "little season" in John's days. The "whole armor of God" was an absolute necessity for those times.  But not anymore.  We have our hands full with HUMANITY"S own deception of itself to do battle with since then.  This is hardly a "limited" battle, since it emerges from our own hearts as well as everybody else's heart. 

As for the definition of the "First Resurrection" and its "expiration", you have always been off base and will probably never change.  You have no concept of what the "First-fruits" means, or what the "First-born" status entailed for Christ as compared to the rest of the 144,000 Jewish "First-fruits" raised from the dead that same day as Christ arose.  You have no concept of what the "Second Death" is, as defined by scripture itself.  We have gone over all these points before, and neither of us is altering our position. 

[4WD]

We have gone over all these points before, and neither of us is altering our position.

Yes you have and you are wrong, horribly wrong, and RB is correct; for the most part at least.

[3 Resurrections]

4WD, From what I remember of previous conversations with you, your position is totally against a bodily resurrection for the believers, am I right?  This is one of the key foundational doctrines that Hebrews 6:1-2 said was just basic beginner's instruction in the faith .  If you can't even get this basic doctrine right, why should I give credence to anything else you might build on top of that?

It does absolutely nothing for your case simply to say, "you are horribly wrong".  This is your mere opinion, and worth no more and no less than anyone else's opinion.   I figure you are close enough to glory when you will be perfected in knowledge, and probably sooner than I will be.  In the meantime, you'll pardon me if I trust the scriptures in front of me rather than opinions expressed by those who can't figure out the bodily resurrection...yet.   

[RB]

RB, you are totally ignoring the text of Revelation 12:12 in which John announced that Satan was PRESENTLY LOOSED for his designated period of a "SHORT TIME". 

Give me time, I haven't gotten to that scriptures yet, but will. I just got up from a nap  and will leave shortly, I might get back in time to say more today, but it might have to wait until tomorrow the Lord willing to give us another day to see and speak.

You should know me by now that I will never purposely refuse to address any scripture placed before to address. I want the truth as much as the next man~I believe the same for others here since I cannot see the hearts of anyone, so charity demands me to give them the benefit of any doubt I may have.

Btw, you said:

Satan's "little season" did not last from the first century until the end of the world as we know it sometime in our future.  That theory goes contrary to every sense of what a "little season" is by scripture's own definitions.

No one has said Satan's "little" season has lasted

from the first century until the end of the world as we know it sometime in our future

That is the time of God restraining him so the Gentiles could hear the gospel and receive Jesus Christ.

Toward the end of God visiting the Gentiles, when they like Israel of old turn from hearing the word of God, then God will lose Satan and his false ministers upon them for a period of time called in the scriptures a "short time/little season".

Later....RB

[4WD]

4WD, From what I remember of previous conversations with you, your position is totally against a bodily resurrection for the believers, am I right?  This is one of the key foundational doctrines that Hebrews 6:1-2 said was just basic beginner's instruction in the faith .

I can provide scriptures that could be said to support a physical bodily resurrection, but Hebrews 6:1-2 surely is not one of them. I should add here that I do distinguish, as I believe the scriptures do, between a raising of the dead and the resurrection to eternal life. I'll not bother here to pursue that.