Your question:

I really appreciate the response - could I ask some questions?

1. The scriptures on the millennial reign indicate that children will continue to be born throughout eternity - therefore there must be some who are in their mortal bodies when we enter the millenium - "of the increase of his government there shall be no end" "the child will play with the asp" and etc. now, if all are translated at the very last day - who are the mortals that will populate the world during the mill.? who do we reign over with Christ ?
Who are those that die during the mill. because of sin? who are those that are destroyed for not going up to Jerusalem? I can get the exact scripture ref. later - I am just writing off the "top of my head" It is my understanding that all saints will be translated at the rapture or translation and some will come to know Him during the trib (Rev. "who are these - they have come out of great trib.) and some of these will endure or be alive when Jesus sets his feet on the Mt. of Olives.

2. Since Jesus promised he was going to prepare us a mansion in his father's house (John 14) how could that be if we don't go with him to that mansion earlier, since when he comes at that time - he will be staying here to set up his kingdom on earth? I can't see us running up to our mansion and then right back down to earth - and of this with him - as he promised - "so shall you ever be with me" Kind of sounds like a trampoline act to me. When will we have time for the judgement seat judgement - so that we will be ready to serve in our awarded positions during the mill.? Will this all happen in one day - i think not. the eastern custom for weddings lasted 7 days - and included the groom taking his bride to his father's house and marriage supper.???

I think the post trib position is fraught with problems - would you agree to just that much? It is good to find someone truly searching for the truth and not totally locked down in their position - at least i didn't think you sounded like you were. I find almost no one able to discuss the issue with any knowledge or openmindedness. I don't think anyone has all the answers yet - i say yet - because if we are really looking and searching - i do believe we will know BEFORE the events - but it hasn't really shaped up
clearly yet, He will let us know when He is ready. But isn't it Jeremiah that says - those that know their Lord will know the times. They will have answers for those who do not kinow.

These are ligitimate questions - I am not trying to trap you - I just cannot reconcile these with the post trib view - yet i see some validity to a mid-trib position - but thereto i have some problems yet. I am truly and sincerely looking for answers.

Bless you and your ministry - i hope you will respond - thanks

 My answer:

I appreciate your searching. We are told that he who seeks God will find him (Proverbs 8:17).

You said: The scriptures on the millennial reign indicate that children will continue to be born throughout eternity

My response: Not so. There will be children born during the millennium, but not throughout eternity. They will be born to mortals not to immortals. Jesus told us that at the resurrection there will not be people marrying or being given into marriage because we will be like the angels in heaven (Matt 22:30).

You said: therefore there must be some who are in their mortal bodies when we enter the millenium - "of the increase of his government there shall be no end" "the child will play with the asp" and etc. now, if all are translated at the very last day - who are the mortals that will populate the world during the mill.? who do we reign over with Christ ?

My response: These mortals will be survivors of Christ's holocaust upon the earth (Isaiah 13:11-12, 24:6-13). He will not entirely decimate the nations although some will be completely annihilated. We will reign over the world's surviving nations for the thousand years.

You said: Who are those that die during the mill. because of sin? who are those that are destroyed for not going up to Jerusalem? I can get the exact scripture ref. later - I am just writing off the "top of my head"

My response: Mortals will die. The nations who do not come to Jerusalem each year to pay tribute to Jesus as king will have their rain withheld and will perish if they do not serve Him (Zechariah 14:16-19).

You said: It is my understanding that all saints will be translated at the rapture or translation and some will come to know Him during the trib (Rev. "who are these - they have come out of great trib.) and some of these will endure or be alive when Jesus sets his feet on the Mt. of Olives.

My response: ALL saints will be resurrected in the first resurrection. There is no more than two resurrections; One for the righteous and one for the wicked (Rev. 20:4-6). The mortals during the thousand years are destined for the second resurrection after Satan incites them to march on Jerusalem(Rev. 20:7-10). There is no rapture and then a second chance package offer by God - no scripture supports this. Believers who are alive on the last day will be resurrected along with the dead in Christ. They will be rescued from the coming wrath, not evacuated ahead of time (1 Thessalonians 1:10). There will be two, one will be taken and the other left. Where the disciples asked Jesus? "Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather." (Luke 17:34-37) The time of the 'taking' will happen on the last day when we are resurrected and the others are subjected to wrath. The timing is after the signs in the sky take place (Sun, Moon and stars) then Jesus will gather us up (Matthew 24:29-31. Mark 13:24-27. Luke 21:25-28. Rev. 6:12-17.) The 'vultures' are in reference to Ezekiel Chapters 38 & 39. Those believers that are slain during the tribulation are seen under the alter. They are not gathered in resurrection, they are gathered in anticipation of the resurrection.

You said: Since Jesus promised he was going to prepare us a mansion in his father's house (John 14) how could that be if we don't go with him to that mansion earlier, since when he comes at that time - he will be staying here to set up his kingdom on earth? I can't see us running up to our mansion and then right back down to earth - and of this with him - as he promised - "so shall you ever be with me" Kind of sounds like a trampoline act to me.

My response: Jesus doesn't say we are going to the mansion, the mansion comes to us. The mansion is the new Jerusalem that will come down from heaven after the thousand year reign (Rev. chapter 21). It is a one-way ride for Jesus, yes He is staying to establish His kingdom. Where does the Bible say we go back up to heaven with Jesus? No where. 1 Thessalonians 4:17 says we will "meet the LORD in the air. And so we will be with the LORD forever." It doesn't say head back up. The Greek word for meet in this verse is apantesis. In antiquity apantesis was the term used when a king or magistrate was approaching a city. The cities dignitaries would go out to meet the king and escort him into the city. The same meaning applies here, the only other places in the Bible where apantesis is used is in Matthew 25:6 and Acts 28:15 and both are illustrative of this meeting and escorting I just explained.

You said: When will we have time for the judgement seat judgement - so that we will be ready to serve in our awarded positions during the mill.? Will this all happen in one day - i think not. the eastern custom for weddings lasted 7 days - and included the groom taking his bride to his father's house and marriage supper.???

My response: The judgment seat will happen after the thousand years when the second resurrection happens, it is those in the second resurrection that will be judged (Rev. 20:11-15). During the thousand years Christ will be enthroned in the temple as King and High Priest (Zechariah 6:13). He will dispense our rewards from His throne at the beginning of His reign. No, probably not in one day, but with a thousand years there is ample time to establish government through appointments. The great wedding feast will be in Jerusalem, on Mount Zion, God's holy mountain (Isaiah 25:6. Matthew 8:11. ).

You said: I think the post trib position is fraught with problems - would you agree to just that much?

My response: Nope. It is completely defensible using scripture alone.

You said: It is good to find someone truly searching for the truth and not totally locked down in their position - at least i didn't think you sounded like you were. I find almost no one able to discuss the issue with any knowledge or openmindedness. I don't think anyone has all the answers yet - i say yet - because if we are really looking and searching - i do believe we will know BEFORE the events - but it hasn't really shaped up
clearly yet, He will let us know when He is ready.

My response: Knowledge comes from the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. 1 Corinthians 2:16 asks this question, "For who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct him?" It then answers the question, "But we have the mind of Christ." I'm afraid to disappoint you, but I am locked down in this position. With God there are no shades of gray, only black and white, darkness or light, good or evil, right or wrong. I believe that people should be open minded but, to borrow from a bumper sticker, not so open minded that their brains fall out! I may appear to be not locked down but I would rather not bash people over the head. People are going to be deceived by false doctrines and miracles because they are looking for the wrong signs in the wrong way. That's not my opinion alone that is Bible fact. I want to reach as many as I can before it is too late. All of the answers are available (Amos 3:7). We just need to be seekers, just as you are doing.
I believe that things are indeed shaping up. To give you an example, a test if you will, Did you know that when Israel exchanges her covenant lands for peace this will start the seven year period. How close can we get and not see it? Many don't. The delusion God said He would send over the earth in the last days is here. Would a pre-trib believer recognize the antichrist if he believes he will be raptured before the antichrist rises to power? There is great danger ahead, we can not try to hedge our bets or play it safe. Jesus came and spoke about just two things and these two are inseparable: The kingdom and salvation. He sent His disciples out with a very simple message, "The kingdom is near." And He taught that salvation comes through the resurrection, "I am the resurrection and the life." You said He would let us know when He is ready. He already has.

You said: But isn't it Jeremiah that says - those that know their Lord will know the times. They will have answers for those who do not kinow.

My response: Actually it was in Daniel 11:32-35.

You said: These are ligitimate questions - I am not trying to trap you - I just cannot reconcile these with the post trib view - yet i see some validity to a mid-trib position - but thereto i have some problems yet. I am truly and sincerely looking for answers.

My response: I'm not worried about being trapped, not because of arrogance, but because if I don't know the answers I can ask God, He always shows me. I discern your sincerity and I thank God for it!

I pray this helps if not let me know.

In the service of LORD Jesus,

Randy