End Time Events & The Last Days

Introduction

Amillenialism, Postmillenialism, Premillenialism, pre-trib, post-trib. Why are there so many views on the last days? Why do some people vehemently argue for the pre-trib rapture while others vehemently argue against it - in favor of a last day rapture? One reason may have to do with the method of Bible interpretation being used. If we use ONLY the scripture to interpret scripture, we will most likely get a very different interpretation than if we use external literature, especially if we go to the writings of secular historians. Many believers may not realize or agree with the following statement... but: We should not even discuss bible interpretations if we do no have a common hermeneutic (method of Bible interpretation) with the person we are trying to discuss things with. Because what you are attempting to do is equivalent to teaching someone how to draw conclusions about a certain novel they just read when they don't even agree with you about the meaning of all the words contained in the novel, nor do they agree with you as to where to look to find the correct meanings. With that said, I can at least begin to present ideas about end time events in a manner that will give people a simple and accurate method of validating the conclusions... compare scripture with scripture, ensuring that any conclusion drawn, is not at odds with any other verses in the Bible.

What happens on the Last Day?

We see from the following passages in the gospel of John, that those who are saved will be resurrected on the Last Day:

John 6:39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 11:24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.

Those who reject Christ (who die lost) will be judged on the last day:

John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.

If we are resurrected on the Last Day, how can we say that there is a literal thousand year millenial reign of Christ after this resurrection? Where does this idea come from? It is a popular idea with many professing Christians, but is it biblical? The idea comes from these verses in the book of Revelation:

Revelation 20:2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
Revelation 20:3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
Revelation 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 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.
Revelation 20:5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
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.
Revelation 20:7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,

Is the word"'thousand" being used literally or to simply designate a very long time? On occasion, the Old Testament uses the word 'thousand' to indicate a very long period of time:

Deuteronomy 7:9 Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
1 Chronicles 16:15 Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations;
Psalms 105:8 He hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.

Let us look at Revelation 20:6 again:

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.

Notice that it speaks of a first resurrection. What is this first resurrection and does it mean that there is a second resurrection? Is the first resurrection, the point of regeneration of a soul - the point at which a person becomes spiritually alive?...

Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

[TO BE CONTINUED]