NOT UNTIL AFTER THE MILLENNIUM

There are many things in the Bible which mean more than one thing.  For instance, Jesus is called "the Lamb of God (who) taketh away the sin of the world" (Jn. 1:29, 36).  He, like the Passover Lamb, shed His blood to prevent the judgment of God falling upon those who place their trust in Him (Ex. 12:1-51; Jn. 1:29, 36; 1 Cor. 5:7; etc.).  Another example is found in comparing the evil working of Antiochus Epiphanes and that of the Beast, the Antichrist (Dan. 9:27; 11:21-35; 12:11; Rev. 13:1-18; etc.).

The use of time can also be used as a picture of something else.  In Daniel 9:24-27, the prophet speaks of "seventy weeks," and yet, it is clear from many other passages of Scripture, that he meant groups of seven years.  It was 483 years (69 weeks of years) from the beginning of his prophecy, until the death of the Messiah.  The last "week" (seven years), is clearly described as being divided in half, with each half being 42 months (Rev. 11:2; 13:5), 1260 days (Rev.11:3; 12:6); and "a time, times, and half (a time)" (three and one half years - Dan. 12:7).

In 2 Peter 3:8, we read, "But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day."  I believe that Creation occurred approximately 6000 years ago.  I believe the Lord is returning very soon to establish His 1000 year Millennial Kingdom on Earth, perhaps as soon as seven years from today (Mt. 24:1-29; Rev. 20:1-7).  If we look at the 7000 years as being the length of time this planet will exist, before there is a new Heaven and new Earth (Rev. 21:1), there are some interesting divisions:  the first 2000 years consisted of a world populated by only Gentiles; the second 2000 years consisted of both Gentiles and Jews; the third 2000 years consists of Gentiles, Judaism, and Christianity.  That there were equal periods of time in which there was no Law, when the Law was in effect, and after the Law was fulfilled by Christ, it seems to me that God has given mankind the three possible options in which he can be entrusted in his relationship with God:  Conscience, the Law, and Grace.  Since all three failed to establish a world in which man loved Him and each other, the seventh 1000 years will be ruled by Jesus, Himself, so that man can realize what God's will looks like when it is lived out.

Unfortunately, fallen man is incapable of being Christ-like while still living in the flesh.  The failure of the Millennium to establish paradise on Earth, proves it!  Paul wrote that in order for us to be what God intended us to be, we need to be changed from being carnal beings, to being spiritual beings, and from being mortal beings, to being immortal beings (1 Cor. 15:42-58)!

Until one sees Jesus, face-to-face, a person will not be what God wants him to be (1 Jn. 3:2)!

Come, Lord Jesus (Rev. 22:20)!