Questions regarding Jesus’ return
I'm considering changing religions and in researching yours. I read through "This We Believe" in regard to Jesus' return. You state some believable things in this section, however, you never quote the Book of Revelation. #4 and #5 in this section seem to be contradictory to each other. Can you please just help me to understand your thoughts on what you believe when it comes to Jesus return? I'm trying to make the best decision in which church to go to. Also, what is Paul's blessed hope? In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, I Cor. 15: 51-52. Many state that is regarding the rapture as well. Regarding the 1,000 year time period, why don't you believe in an actual 1,000 years? I take it as literal, but would like to hear your explanation as to why you don't believe in this. I know in the Bible it says a thousand years are like a day and a day is like a thousand years, but I'm not sure if that's supposed to be applied here.
We believe from the Bible that when Jesus visibly returns to this world, the bodies of those who died will be raised and reunited with their souls (John 5:28-29). The Lord will judge all people on the basis of faith or unbelief (Mark 16:16). Because only God can see what is in a person’s heart, Scripture speaks of judgment on the basis of how saving faith and unbelief showed themselves in daily living (Matthew 25:31-46; Revelation 20:11-15). The judgment that took place at the time of a person’s death (Hebrews 9:27) will be made public, as will the judgment of those who are alive at the time of Jesus’ visible return.
From judgment day on, believers will spend eternity in God’s presence with both body and soul. Their bodies will be glorified and freed from every weakness caused by sin (1 Corinthians 15:35-57; Philippians 3:21). From judgment day on, unbelievers will spend eternity in hell with both body and soul (Matthew 25:41).
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 does not refer to a rapture of any kind. (1 Thessalonians 4:17 speaks of what will happen on the last day.) The verses explain how God will transform and glorify the bodies of Christians who are alive on the earth when Jesus returns visibly (just as he will do for those Christians who have died).
Numbers in Revelation are symbolic (cf. the 144,000 in chapters 7 and 14). The 1,000-year time period of chapter 20 means anything but 1,000 years. We understand that to be the New Testament time period. Jesus made it very clear that his is not an earthly kingdom (John 18:36).
The 2 Peter 3:8 reference of “a thousand years” and “a day” simply describes how God is unaffected by earthly time. He is eternal and is not bound by time as people are.
If you would like to read more about these topics, I can recommend End Times: Jesus is Coming Soon. It is available through Northwestern Publishing House. Also, do speak to one of our pastors for more thorough responses to your questions. God bless you.