Hi Gena,
I understand your confusion, I think we all have ideas that we learned in the church, on this matter,
and it is difficult to purge our minds and just believe the scripture on this.
There are a few things I think I understand. You were saying...
Are we sure there is a literal 1,000 year reign? If only the elect have risen to reign tht would mean that out of several billion people alive on the earth, none were the elect. Since the elect have to die before they can resurrect.
I do not believe there will be billions of people on earth when Christ returns. That was indicated in Ray's Towers article. There will be a great slaughter before His return.
This scripture is talking about Christ's return.
Mark 13:20 And if the Lord had not cut short the days, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom he chose, he shortened the days.
And as for the 1000 years, it is
not literal. It means it will take what ever amount of time it takes, from a day to a thousand years or more.
2Peter 3:8 But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The elect do
not have to die, if they are alive at His appearing.
1Co 15:51 Behold! I tell you a mystery.
WE shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
1Co 15:52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and
we shall be changed.
Concerning the Great White Throne Judgment, you have to look carefully at the scripture on this,
and still it is not real clear to me now.
Luk 13:28 There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you will see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and yourselves being thrust out.
Luk 13:29 And they will come from the east and the west, and from the north and the south, and will recline in the kingdom of God.
Luk 13:30 And behold, there are last ones which will be first, and there are first ones which will be last.
I think those who are weeping and gnashing teeth, are those after being cast into the Lake of fire and are still in judgment, this is their going throught the second death.
Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and the unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, will have their part in the Lake burning with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.
So I would think the second death is those that came up in the GWT, were cast into the Lake of fire, and are then being purged and must die to self (second death).
There will be those who have been judged and are then in the kingdom ahead of others, I think that is what is being indicated in Luke 13:30 "...last ones which will be first, and there are first ones which will be last."
So it seems like people will be brought into the kingdom as soon as they are totally purged and spiritually ready, then they will be saved and enter the kingdom, as Luke 13:29 says they will be coming from all direction and as they are made ready, to then be changed to spirit and brought to enter the kingdom.
Well that's just what it seems like to me right now.
mercy, peace, and love
Kat