Well what do you know?
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You are representing one view of eschatology and in the scope of the history of Christianity, it's the minority report. It's called Dispensational Premillennialism. Other than a few interpretations of early Fathers who tended to write on the Gnostic side of things, it's a recent creation of the 17th and 18th century. For most of Christian church history the idea of a great tribulation and a subsequent rapture and literal 1000 year reign of Christ on earth has not been held. On the contrary, the predominant view has been of an ever increases sanctification of the earth and reign of Christ from heaven over all things preempting his physical return . Despite the contemporary setbacks, or historical setbacks for that matter, Christianity remains mostly free throughout the world. There are literally Christians in every country on earth. God's Word has been translated into most languages. Most Christians experience enough freedom to practice the necessities of Christianity. In the greater scope of history, Christianity has progressively done better, not worse.
I would warn against relying purely on your own personal interpretation of God's Word. Prophesy (that includes all of God's Word) is not of private interpretation (2 Pet 1:20). God spoke through the Holy Spirit to his people (or his Church). The Church receives God's Word and through a sanctifying process the meaning and interpretation is to be adopted. If any person could simply read their Bible, invent a novel way of understanding something, and promote their new understanding among the Church.... well we call those people heretics. More learned men than you or I have spent their lives under the scrutiny of the Church at large writing and commenting on well established doctrine and theology.
Premillennialism has some establishment among the early Fathers and though its influence was mostly inconsequential in the past 2000 years we have seen it re-emerge in the past few hundred years. I don't think it comes to the level of heresy, but it is historically on the fringe of Christian orthodoxy. I recommend you at least become familiar (if you aren't already) with postmillennialism. Try starting with Augustine who regarded the millennium as a present spiritual reign by Christ in the earth. Everything before Revelation 20 is regarding the tribulations experienced in the sacking of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. This is backed up by Jesus who describes this in Matthew 24 stating that all this would come to pass within the current generation. In Revelation 20 you have a description of Satan being loosed from his currently bound state... but he and his false prophet are quickly put down and defeated. The battle is over in an instant by God's hand. We are reigning with Christ now. This is the millennial period.
God Bless.
We are supposed to take our interpretations, argue with each other and then conclude by breaking bread. Perspectives need to be shared, heard, challenged, and most importantly respected. No, we aren't always going to agree. But agreement isn't the point. If it was, we'd have all manner of irrefutable proof, thus rendering the purpose of faith meaningless.
I can get behind that thought process. Christ is the way the truth and the life. Nobody can get to the father accept through Him. That's what really matters I think. Blessings from God apon you fren
Yes and ultimately the decision for salvation is between Him and every individual person. We are "commanded" to love others as unconditionally as we can as He loves us in a similar, greater capacity. Judgement is for the Lord. I am free from such bondage.
Blessings and protections to you.