In the KJV, NASU, CJB, NIV, et al., Rev 5:10 reads “we SHALL reign on the
earth”. If we are supposed to reign over the earth now, how is it that we
are persecuted (II Tim 3:12) and despised (Jn 15:19) and the offscouring of
the earth (I Cor 4:13)? Mt 5:5 also says, “Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the
meek: for they SHALL inherit the earth.” Our inheritance is therefore something that is yet reserved for the future. The text says, “Knowing that of the Lord ye SHALL receive the reward of the inheritance” (Col 3:24). Right now we are in a transition period. Christ is raised, and some aspects of the kingdom are already in effect (e.g. Col 1:13), but the full inheritance is still for the future. It is as Paul said, “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable” (I Cor 15:19), and “Henceforth there is laid up for
me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give
me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his
appearing” (II Tim 4:8).
Rick asked:
>Then it says Rev 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the
>first resurrection: over these the second death hath no power; but they
>shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a
>thousand years. ASV Could this not be that we who are baptized into
>Christ the second death which is [eternal] has no power over us.
Rev 20:6 can only be true of mortal Christians if it is impossible to fall
from grace. Since it is possible for a child of God to so sin as to be
eternally lost, I cannot see any way that Rev 20:6 can be talking about
mortal Christians. Also since Christ is in heaven, the ones who are
participants in the first resurrection have to be in heaven too since they
are with Christ (Rev 20:4). Also since these ones who are resurrected are
with Christ and reign with Him for only 1000 years, what happens to the
those who become Christians after the 1000 years are over? Why do they not
reign with Christ? I don’t see any way to make it work. I believe the
first resurrection is speaking of the resurrection in Mt 27:52-53. I
believe those who rose in Mt 27:52 are the ones who are the first
resurrection. They did not die again, but they are the ones who were
captives of the Devil in Hades who rose from the prison of Hades, ascended
with Christ, and entered heaven along with Him as is described in Eph 4:8.
I believe the 1000 year reign is over and that Satan has been loosed. I
believe that a Man of Sin will appear as II Thes 2 speaks of. I do not
believe there will be a future 1000 year reign. When Christ comes, He burns
the earth and starts over (II Thes 1:7-9, II Pet 3:10-12). Christians will
reign with Him on the earth for ever (Rev 22:5, Ezek 37:24-25).
