Hi Gena,
I would like to try to respond to your questions.
This is what I have come to understand.
when the elect are reigning with Christ what body are we in??
1Co 15:52 in a moment, in a glance of an eye, at the last trumpet. For a trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall all be changed.
1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1Jo 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be. But we know that when He shall be revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.
These scripture tell me "when He shall be revealed," at His return, "we (children of God) shall all be changed," "we shall be like Him," He is now a glorious Spirit being. capable of changing into a physical form.
Luke 24:36 Now as they said these things, Jesus Himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, "Peace to you."
Luke 24:39 Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see I have."
Luke 24:42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish and some honeycomb.
Luke 24:43 And He took it and ate in their presence.
He proved to them that He was totally physical by eating the food.... the elect will be "like Him" and I believe this is one way they will be like Him to rule those in the world.
I guess I never thought about it, but all the people on Earth are living life as usual, correct?? How are we judging and ruling with a rod of iron??
We have these scripture about when Christ returns to reign with a rod of iron.
Rev 12:5 And she bore a son, a male, who is going to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her child was caught up to God and to His throne.
Rev 5:10 And You made us kings and priests to our God, and we will reign over the earth.
Rev 2:26 And he who overcomes and keeps My works to the end, to him I will give power over the nations.
Rev 2:27 And he will rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of a potter they will be broken to pieces, even as I received from My Father.
So it is my understanding, that the elect will be on earth, will have power over the nations.
Jer 3:15 And I will give you shepherds according to My heart, who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.
Jer 3:17 At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of Jehovah; and all nations shall be gathered to it, to the name of Jehovah, to Jerusalem. Nor shall they walk any more after the stubbornness of their evil heart.
Jer 3:19 But I said, How shall I put you among the sons, and give you a pleasant land,
a beautiful inheritance among the hosts of nations? And I said, You shall call Me, My Father, and shall not turn away from Me.
Hab 2:14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of Jehovah, as the waters cover the sea.
These scripture really seems like it is talking about the 1000 year reign of Christ with the elect. I believe the elect will actually govern the nations and guide them into the knowledge of the truth. Since the elect will also be spirit they can go to them as need be. It seems like the nations will be forced, at first anyway, to obey the rule of Christ.
Then when all the physical get devoured from fire on high, where are we then.
Rev 20:9 And they went up over the breadth of the earth and circled around the camp of the saints, and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of Heaven and devoured them.
Looking at 2 Peter as well, showing the "fire" devouring and causing all the elements to melt.
2Pe 3:12 looking for and rushing the coming of the Day of God, on account of which the heavens, being on fire, will melt away, and the elements will melt, burning with heat?"
But as I look at this, v.10 "the day of the Lord," so this is all symbolic of what will happen at that time.
The "fire" is the working of God's Spirit to cleanse and purge the world of sin, it is not literal 'burning' up everything, this is symbolic. The great white throne is the judgment of the world when Christ reigns.
And another thing I am rethinking, those raised to life at the GWT, or they raised as spirit? In Rev. 20:12 it does not say they are spirit, in Eze 37 the valley full of bones, seems to be speaking of the GWT, but it seems to indicate being brought back to physical life.
v.6 And I will lay sinews on you, and will bring up flesh on you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live. And you shall know that I am Jehovah.
I have been reminded that we should look closely at what the scripture actually says,
because those false teaching we have learned are so ingrained in our understanding.
Hope this is helpful, and makes some sense
mercy, peace, and love
Kat