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Must we then go back to the old doctrine of Papias, Irenaeus, Tertullian: and interpret the Millennium literally?

 We have already said that, although many in the early Church accepted the belief in the Millennium as a part of orthodoxy, many did not. The historian Eusebius almost contemptuously dismisses Papias’ report. ‘I suppose he got those ideas’, he says, ‘through a misunderstanding of the apostolic records, not perceiving that the things said by them were said mystically in figures. For he seems to have been of very limited understanding’ William Barclay, Revelation of John, vol. 2, The New Daily Study Bible (Louisville, KY; London: Westminster John Knox Press, 2004), 213–214. And Papias, of whom we are now speaking, confesses that he received the words of the apostles from those that followed them, but says that he was himself a hearer of Aristion and the presbyter John. At least he mentions them frequently by name, and gives their traditions in his writings. These things, we hope, have not been uselessly adduced by us. But it is fitting to subjoin to the words of Papias which have bee...
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Blessed and Holy are Those who Share in the First Resurrection

 I saw thrones, and sitting on those thrones were the ones who had been given the right to judge. I also saw the souls of the people who had their heads cut off because they had told about Jesus and preached God’s message. They were the same ones who had not worshiped the beast or the idol, and they had refused to let its mark be put on their hands or foreheads. They will come to life and rule with Christ for a thousand years. These people are the first to be raised to life, and they are especially blessed and holy. The second death has no power over them. They will be priests for God and Christ and will rule with them for a thousand years. No other dead people were raised to life until a thousand years later. Rev. 20:4–6 CEB John now interprets and summarizes what he has just seen: This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign ...
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Lest I Come (Maranatha) and smite the Land with a curse (anathema)

 “See, I will send the prophet Elijah (1Ki 17:1; Mt. 11:14; 16:14) to you before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction .” Mal. 4:5–6   See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you So there's this reference throughout the New Testament about this day .  now this day of revelation of Christ, we're going to see that phrase in Luke's gospel and we're going to see it in Matthew's Gospel too, and it's synonymous with what Jesus told the disciples there in Matt. 16:27–28. It's the Son of Man, coming in the glory of his Father and with his angels to render vengeance unto everyone. now with that in mind,  that day we know is the day of the Lord , because we know from reading Malachi, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord.   If John the Baptist is ...
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I am Sending the Promise of my Father Upon You

In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and teach until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.   After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem but to wait there for the promise of the Father . “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” Acts 1:1–5 Holy Spirit baptism was poured out once upon the apostles . Jesus promised the apostles that the Spirit of Truth, which the world cannot receive, John 14:17 / Luke 24:46-48, would ‘guide them into all truth’.   It was declared at first through the Lord, and it was confirmed for us by those who heard him , while God added his testimony b...
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