(Download PDF Chart For Better Image)
"After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight" [After three days, on the "fourth day" (at the WTJ)], He will raise the remaing dead, both saved & sinner: Rev 20:11-15]. Hosea 6:2
If I have heard one overriding statement coming from the church and the body of Christ it has been this: that no one can know much if anything at all pertaining to the seventh millennium or the ages to come, and that's just plain wrong! Furthermore, the way this thought is brought about is truly amazing. What I have seen happen over and over again is that some brother, sister, or preacher gets up and misquotes 1-Corinthians 2:9 by taking it out of context.
"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1-Corinthians 2:9
It should be obvious to anyone who reads that verse that it is talking about the seventh millennium and beyond. However, that verse is also meant to be read in conjunction with the verse that follows it, and yet it rarely is! So here is how it is misquoted; they don't go on to 1-Corinthians 2:10 which finishes the thought.
"But God HATH REVEALED THEM UNTO US by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God." 1- Corinthians 2:10
This means you got to go "deep" sometimes to see these things; they just don't plop up into the boat for you. Furthermore, the deeper you go, the more pressure you will experience. Pressure from brethren who probably are not going to see what you see, especially if they're the ones still in the boat called tradition saying "We cannot know these things." Nevertheless, once this mind-set or bewitching is removed, one will begin to see many of the things that God has placed in His Word pertaining to not only the next dispensation, but all things "deep": the "hidden manna" portion of the Word. I personally believe God placed these hidden revelations in His Word as an encouragement, and to confirm His Word to those who must "endure unto the end".
"Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world [G165: age] are come." 1-Corinthians 10:11
Realm validation:
MT ZION:
This is the highest realm in Christ that is afforded to mankind; it's for those who obtained onto the fulness of Christ as Eph 4:13 says. It is described in the Strong's as the "capital" (H6726: a permanent capital; a mountain of Jerusalem: - Zion) of New Jerusalem; the highest place in GOD, and is likened to gold (incoruptable). It is called the throne of GOD and is the place from which Yeshua the Christ shall establish His rulership once it replaces what is presently called "the Holy of holies."
"A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies." Psalms 110:1-2
"And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law [H8451: precepts or statutes], and the word [H1697: counsel] of the LORD from Jerusalem." Isaiah 2:3
"The LORD also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the LORD will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more." Joel 3:16-17
NEW JERUSALEM:
This realm of relationship will be the habitation of all the saints who ever or will ever be redeemed. This is the place the "camp of the saints about" brethren will enter into as they receive their "change"; they do not enter "MT Zion." These separations are caused more as a result of works; works done in faith by the Spirit and the first fruits principle. One of the many places the Bible reveals this seventh millennium two-fold delegation of Kingdom authority, is plainly shown to us through type in Luke 19 below.
"And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. Then came the first, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds. And he said unto him, Well, thou good servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten ["ten": the Law/statues] cities. And the second came, saying, Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds. And he said likewise to him, Be thou also over five [five: ministry/counsel] cities." Luke 19:15-19
Apparently the only difference between these saints and those in the MT Zion realm of relationship is that the MT Zion saints are considered "firstfruits." Meaning they were "fully redeemed," having overcome all things and been made "perfect"/complete (G5056) in Him, before their deaths. However, these brethren who come from the the "woman in the wilderness" group, were not quite ready when their midnight hour came upon them. They did not have the reserve of "oil" (the Holy Spirit incorporating/changing the soul) that they should have, but they were close! They were gaining sanctification (see chart) but they were not found to be fully in Christ at their appointed times. These are those who died or will die only having what Daniel 11 calls "understanding" vs. "knowing" their GOD."
"And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God [meaning intimately] shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand [more in the realm of head knowledge] among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed." Daniel 11:32-35
This realm is presently called the "holy place" or "the sanctuary," and is likened to silver. It will also be allowed of God to be "trodden under foot" during the great Tribulation: Daniel 8:13-14. Collectively both the MT Zion and New Jerusalem/Holy City brethren will administrate a two-fold type of government during the thousand year reign, as shown in places like Isaiah 2:3 above, and in type in Haggai 2 below.
"And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts. The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts." Haggai 2:7-9
CAMP OF THE SAINTS:
This is the place afforded for what I call the mystery brethren; those who will not have to ever physically die as mentioned in 1-Corinathins 15:51. These brethren are those Daniel 12:12 says will be blessed if they make it to the end of Armageddon, or "1,335-days" from the start of the great tribulation period. This is the place of the new born saint and the "un-blinded" natural Jew who receives salvation during the great tribulation. This will also include any who will accept the LORD during the seventh millennium. We also know by Revelation 20:9 that this realm or level of the seventh millennial church (0-30 folders), remains right up until the end of the next thousand years. I believe this church level is also referred to in the scriptures as "my people," and (natural) "Israel," which as you study the Bible is shown to represent the corporate house of GOD. This will replace what is now called the outer court level of Christian experience and relationship.
"And seven months shall the house of Israel be burying of them, that they may cleanse the land. Yea, all the people of the land shall bury them; and it shall be to them a renown the day that I shall be glorified, saith the Lord GOD." Ezekiel 39:12-13
"The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib: but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider." Isaiah 1:3
"In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance." Isaiah 19:23-25
"And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them." Revelation 20:7-9
THE PASSANGERS:
The term "Gentile" is replaced in the seventh millennium with the terms "passenger" and "strangers." These people are usually described as a servant class type of people who will still be in need of salvation. These will be those who are allowed to enter the next thousand years alive, having escaped the judgment that their nations as a whole will have received. I believe these people are kept from that destruction because their hearts were in, or came into a place of repentance as the great tribulation continued to unfold around them. Yet like "Cornelius," they still will need to accept "Yeshua" as the only means for their salvation. GOD will always remain a good GOD brethren. However, these "passengers" will be appointed to a position under the proclaimed household of GOD. I believe they will still have to pay a price (judgment) that properly reflects their position in the earthly Kingdom of GOD, just like the Hivites experienced in Joshua 9 when they tried to escape the judgment that was to come upon them. The following verses give us an example of this servitude level as we read of the aftermath and cleanup from Armageddon.
"And they shall sever out men of continual employment, passing through the land to bury with the passengers those that remain upon the face of the earth, to cleanse it: after the end of seven months shall they search. And the passengers that pass through the land, when any seeth a man's bone, then shall he set up a sign by it, till the buriers have buried it in the valley of Hamongog." Ezekiel 39:14-15
Even though these people may not have lived what the world would have called a sinful life, it's obvious they cared nothing about true salvation until death came knocking at their door. Therefore, the dispensation of the Fullness will provide a chance for them to "repent" from the old life by receiving of the new life through "the blood of Yeshua the Christ." So once again the Bible clearly shows that these passengers will be able to progress into the next level of GOD's Kingdom (the camp of the saints about) if they so desire during the seventh millennium. There are numerous passages in the Bible that describe this place of habitation, but I am only able to show a small sampling here.
"For the LORD will have mercy on Jacob, and will yet choose Israel [after their eyes are opened again and they repent], and set them in their own land: and the strangers shall be joined with them, and they shall cleave to the house of Jacob. And the people shall take them, and bring them to their place: and the house of Israel shall possess them in the land of the LORD for servants and handmaids: and they shall take them captives, whose captives they were; and they shall rule over their oppressors. And it shall come to pass in the day that the LORD shall give thee rest from thy sorrow, and from thy fear, and from the hard bondage wherein thou wast made to serve." Isaiah 14:1-3
As I have stated many times in my writings, there is always a "natural," a "spiritual," and a "fullness" aspect to any prophesy. Natural Israel has indeed come out from under the bondage of ancient Babylon, but spiritual Babylon (including that which dwells in the heart of the natural Jew) has yet to be brought down in the world. Furthermore, no one can proclaim that natural Israel has ever been totally free from the sorrow and fear that her enemies have always and continue to inflect upon its people. Additionally, the context of Isaiah 14 describes events that will take place at the start of the thousand year reign; these are not prior historical events.
PARADISE (Pre & Post Resurrection):
Paradise is the abode of the faithful dead. It was also called "Abraham's bosom" before Jesus resurrected. Here I am using the term "faithful" to describe any of the Old Testament saints who at least believed a Messiah would come someday, but not necessarily that they were actual "overcomers" although some were. Those who were actually "faithful onto the death" are spoken of in Matthew 27 below.
"And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; And the graves were opened; and many [but not all the] bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many." Matthew 27:51-53
If you remember when Jesus was talking with Mary Magdalene in John 20:17, He said He had not yet "ascended to His Father"; this would have been three days after His death. We also know that the Bible says that during those three days He (Jesus) went down, not up! Thus we must conclude that "Paradise" was in a lower earthly realm pre-resurrection. Keep in mind the repentant thief was told by Jesus the day he died that he (the thief) would be with Jesus that day in Paradise, which was still at that time "in the lower parts of the earth."
"And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise." Luke 23:42-43
"For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." Matthew 12:40
"Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high [three days later], he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?" Ephesians 4:8-9
As for the place or the realm of post-resurrection Paradise, Paul tells us in 2-Corinthians below that it must have been relocated after Jesus ascended. This new realm of Paradise now said to be in the "third Heaven," must still be in a place of segregation.
"I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter." 2- Corinthians 12:2-4
This segregation is ascertained because we just read in Matthew 27 above how that only some of the saints were given the power to resurrect, which tells me they became part of that "great cloud of [faithful] witnesses." Others we are told must wait to resurrect if they did not qualify by the standards given in Revelation 20:4-5. Therefore, the way was opened by the blood of Yeshua so that those in the household of God who had waited for their salvation to come, could be moved out of the lower parts of the earth and relocated to the third Heaven, and yet it's stilled called Paradise.
THE SEA:
One of the places the "sea" has it's symbology established is in Isaiah 17 below. If we follow the creational progression found in Genesis 1, we see that it goes from "an earth that was void and without form," to "darkness upon the deep," to "the Spirit moving upon the waters," to "light that exposes the darkness," to "a firmament" (which is the "heaven" spoken of in verse 1), to "seas," to "earth," and so on. This is how we know GOD progressed from the Spirit to the natural with this process, and this is why everything in the natural must first have a spiritual reality attached to it. That principle is biblically established in many places throughout the Word, like when GOD told Moses in Exodus 25:9 to build the Tabernacle according to the "pattern" He would show him, which same pattern must have first resided in the spiritual realm we call Heaven. However, because GOD has limited our knowledge of most things in the spirit realm after the fall, we must focus our study on the types given for the spiritual realm. Therefore I believe we can establish that the type which is most often used in the Bible to represent "the seas" is that which speaks of the nations and peoples that dwell therein: the sea of humanity, etc.
"Woe to the multitude of many people, which make a noise like the noise of the seas; and to the rushing of nations, that make a rushing like the rushing of mighty waters!" Isaiah 17:12
Now let us use this same knowledge to establish the place that is called "the sea" in Revelation 20. Contextually this cannot be a natural body of water called a sea, or even the nations of people who will be walking the earth at the end of the thousand year reign. This place is a realm of the dead, not the living. Therefore, those who still walk the earth must be ruled out as being included as part of this type. Furthermore, if we say these are those who "went down with the ship"; those who drowned and died in the oceans of the world, we would have to exclude the sinners that died on land and were buried as being included in this very last judgment of the sinners. No, this realm called "the sea," is nothing more than a symbolic way to include all the dead people that ever lived from all the nations of the earth that died without receiving salvation. Again, the knowledge of these different realms/types directly relates to the study of the different resurrections, so you may need to include that study too if you are having a hard time understanding this place called the sea. There is also some revelation given in Genesis 1 where it says "the seas" (the waters) were created before the earth or the man was ever formed, and yet that which became the man was brought forth from this "sea" or "waters" realm. To put this as plainly as I can, man's soul and spirit was first created and contained within this place called the seas/waters before his flesh was ever formed. I personally believe the story of creation shows us that GOD created the essence of all things "in the beginning," and yet some of those things had/have yet to manifest. This would include people that are still to be born.
"Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations." Jeremiah 1:5
To continue to reveal this place of the departed sinner, which same place angels good and bad have tread, let us look at some pertinent biblical references. You will notice below in Matthew 12 that it is speaking of a living person who gained some sort of carnally derived deliverance from an "unclean spirit," which according to the "Strong's" Greek definition equates more to an disembodied oppressive human soul, than the spirit of a fallen angel or prince, as does Daniel 10:13 and Ephesians 6:12.
"When the unclean spirit [G4154: the human soul] is gone out of a man [not the man's soul, but an familuar invading/posessing spirit (soul) that is related through blood], he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he saith, I will return into my house [speaking of household/family/bloodline] from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty [no Holy Spirit], swept [he "kicked the habit"], and garnished [and "truned over a new leaf"]. Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation." Matthew 12:43-45
This passage in Matthew 12 was meant more to show what will happen to people that try to fight their demons, literally, without the help or power of the Holy Spirit. Oh it may look good on the outside for a while, maybe even years, but usually we see many of those who struggle with such things as tobacco, alcohol, food, sex, you name it, usually end up worse in the end after they gave up and then fell back into the same old habit they once had escaped. Think about brethren, if someone's soul leaves their body they are dead. The only thing that wicked spirit (which Strong says is soul) would find to inhabit in Matthew 12:43-45, would be a corpse. Nevertheless, we can still learn some insight pertaining to the spiritual realm(s).
"And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a certain man, which had devils [G1140-42: demons (wicked human souls)] long time, and ware no clothes, neither abode in any house, but in the tombs. When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not. (For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil [G1142: demon] into the wilderness.) And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? And he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him. And they besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep." Luke 8:27-31
For one thing, Luke 8 tells us not all spirits (human or otherwise) go straight into Hell upon their demise. I have heard this type of spirit referred to as a "familiar spirit" because it/they prefer to or must stay within the bloodline from which they came out of. This is a whole other teaching in itself, but to quickly understand how this works, all you have to do is to look at the susceptibility that certain families and nationalities have to certain spirits; what the world would call vices. The Irish are known to drink, fight, and forgive at the drop of a hat. Whereas Germans are given to meticulous detail, control, and find it very hard to ever forgive someone, and these time-proven stereotypes (familiar spirits) can be applied to most any family, race, or nationally. However, these are spirits (disembodied wicked souls) or what the Bible can also refer to as demons, and whether you believe it or not, the Bible tells us some of them are still allowed to walk around here and oppress and possess us if we open the door to them through willfully committing sin. Although I also believe there are times when other spirits (fallen angels) are allowed into our realm to oppress, possess, and attack us, which are from a higher realm of wickedness.
"And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it." Job 1:7
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:11-12
DEATH & HELL:
To start with, I believe the "Death" that is mentioned throughout Revelation is primarily the spirit of a fallen angel; a prince of darkness that has authority to bring about the physical death of people. I also believe this spirit's manifestation is responsible for what 1-Corinthians 15:55 calls "death's sting." Thus, those who feel the sting are those who were separated from their bodies by the actual spirit of Death (Rev 6:8 below) and consequently will be those who must be released by this same prince of "Death" at the time of the White Throne Judgment.
"And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in THEM: and they were judged every man according to their works. And [the spirit of] death and [the place called] hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death." Revelation 20:13-14
"Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them." Psalms 55:15
"And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto THEM over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth." Revelation 6:8
"Death & Hell" are usually shown in the Word as bedfellows. Still, I believe Hell is the present place/realm/abode of the wicked rebellious dead. Those who are so evil, whether fallen angels or wicked humans, had to be bound the moment they died or in the case of angels, once they defied the direct order of the LORD. And yet the Bible tells us a persons soul can also "walk in dry places" after death as shown in Matthew 12:43-45 above.
FOURTH DAY RESURRECTION:
This will not be another manifested realm or place in the seventh millennium, it will be more the result of GOD'S provision/judgment upon a certain class of believers. That is those Christians who had to wait the thousand years ("...but the rest of the dead lived not again till the thousand years were expired") to resurrect. They will be those brethren who remained or came to the place called Paradise after Jesus resurrected. The "thief on the cross" is a perfect example of this type of believer. This thief only had time to repent and receive salvation before Jesus took him into Paradise that day. And keep in mind, Jesus went down that day; He did not "ascend" to His Father until three days later. So that thief had no time to get "sanctified" because as any true believer knows, sanctification usually takes a lifetime to complete; there are no short cuts. The story of Lazarus in John 11 (see link) is one of the best examples in type of this "fourth day" resurrection situation. Even though these brethren are shown to come forth out of the grave still "bound hand and foot," GOD will release them and wipe away all their tears at that time.
I will not pretend to understand what life in the eighth millennium will be like, or if immortal believers will ever have the chance to improve their place in the Kingdom of GOD (in think not); the Bible says very little both directly and indirectly. Just the same, there is the principle of "rewards" to factor in here and I do not believe the Bible teaches "ultimate reconciliation," which is what it would be if eventually everyone ends up in the same place with the same rewards.
LAKE OF FIRE:
This has been described by some as the permanent Hell; the final end for sinners and fallen angels once GOD'S master plan has run its course. Why GOD waits seven thousand years for this place to be permanently established is anyone's guess, but it probably has to do with creational timing more than anything. Meaning after everyone has had their chance to live their lives throughout all the millenniums, that only then would GOD bring forth His White Throne Judgment and the corresponding eternal judgment that is due. You will also learn the only place the term "the Lake of Fire" is used is in the Bible is in the book of Revelation. However, there are other references in the Bible that shows this place of eternal torment as in Matthew 18 below. And again, GOD is good enough to show us who will receive this "reward."
"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." Revelation 21:8
"Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire." Matthew 18:8