70AD-ONGOING REIGNING was to begin AFTER the Lord's Return
Jesus Christ personally gave the Revelation to John. Here’s some things Jesus said in Revelation, written around 63AD:
RED = PRESENT tense, at the time of writing of that verse of Scripture.
BLUE = FUTURE tense, future to the time of writing of that verse, i.e., when the Lord comes in 70AD.
The dead in Christ.
Rev 2:26-27 ~written around 63AD
26 And he who OVERCOMES (PRESENT), and KEEPS (PRESENT) My works until the end, to him I WILL (FUTURE) GIVE POWER (REIGN) OVER THE NATIONS —
27 'He shall rule them with a rod of iron;
They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter's vessels'* —
as I also HAVE RECEIVED (PAST PERFECT tense) from My Father;
NKJV
Remember, Revelation was a predictive vision given around 63AD foreseeing "things that were shortly to come to pass," i.e. coming to pass AFTER the writing of Revelation, (Rev 1:1 and Rev 4:1). Below here is the visionary vignette foreseeing the death, resurrection & rapture of “The Two Witnesses” followed by Heaven’s announcement that “the kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ ! ” All of this was foreseen by John in the vision given him by Jesus Christ around 63AD. The announcement comes after the Beast that ascends our of the Bottomless Pit, after the Two Witnesses minister, die, are resurrected & raptured, which all come after the writing of Revelation which comes decades after the earthly ministry of Jesus. It is interesting how the Word of God, Jesus Christ, is so careful to detail via John how one event was to occur, THEN another, AFTER WHICH still another future event: Jesus definitely wants to communicate a sequence of predicted events that He enables John to foresee. And He wants us to understand.
Rev 11:7-17 ~written around 63AD
7 WHEN THEY FINISH THEIR TESTIMONY, the beast that ascends out of the bottomless pit WILL (FUTURE) make war against them, overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies WILL (FUTURE) lie in the street of the great city which spiritually IS (PRESENT) called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord WAS (PAST) crucified. 9 Then those from the peoples, tribes, tongues, and nations WILL (FUTURE) see their dead bodies three-and-a-half days, and not allow their dead bodies to be put into graves. 10 And those who dwell on the earth WILL (FUTURE) rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth.
11 Now AFTER the three-and-a-half days [just described above] the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. 13 In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe is past. Behold, the third woe IS COMING (FUTURE) quickly.
15 THEN the seventh angel sounded [the Last Trumpet]: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying,"The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and HE SHALL REIGN (FUTURE) forever and ever!" 16 And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: "We give You thanks, O Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was and who is to come, because You have taken Your great power and reigned. NKJV
1 Cor 15:51-53 ~written around 53AD
Behold, I TELL (PRESENT) you a mystery; we SHALL (FUTURE) not all sleep, but we SHALL (FUTURE) all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, AT THE LAST TRUMPET; FOR THE TRUMPET WILL SOUND, and the dead WILL (FUTURE) be raised imperishable, and we SHALL (FUTURE) be changed.
NASB
Behold, I TELL (PRESENT) you a mystery; we SHALL (FUTURE) not all sleep, but we SHALL (FUTURE) all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, AT THE LAST TRUMPET; FOR THE TRUMPET WILL SOUND, and the dead WILL (FUTURE) be raised imperishable, and we SHALL (FUTURE) be changed.
NASB
RED = PRESENT or PAST tense, what they HAD ALREADY BEFORE the Lord’s 70AD Return.
BLUE = FUTURE tense, what they WILL HAVE AT the Lord’s 70AD Return.
The dead in Christ.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ~ written around 51AD.
We do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who ARE (PRESENT) ASLEEP, that you may not grieve, as do the rest who have no hope. 14 For if we BELIEVE (PRESENT TO 51AD) that Jesus died and rose again, even so God WILL BRING WITH HIM (FUTURE TO 51AD) those who HAVE FALLEN ASLEEP (BEFORE 51AD) in Jesus. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, and remain until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself WILL DESCEND (FUTURE TO 51AD) from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ WILL RISE FIRST (FUTURE TO 51AD). 17 THEN we who are alive and remain WILL BE (FUTURE TENSE) caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we WILL (FUTURE TO 51AD) always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words. NASB
You do not get a kingdom without a king, and you do not reign with Christ before Christ Returns with His Kingdom to reign: 70AD.
Please note below how Paul wrote explicitly against the error that Christians were already "reigning" prior to Christ's Return with His Kingdom and power.
RED = PRESENT tense, at the time of writing of that verse of Scripture.
BLUE = FUTURE tense, future to the time of writing of that verse, i.e., when the Lord comes in 70AD.
1 Corinthians 4:1-21 ~ written around 53AD
4 Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court.* In fact, I do not even judge myself. 4 For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge [reign as a king] nothing before the time, UNTIL THE LORD COMES, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God.
6 Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes, that you may learn in us not to think beyond what is written, that none of you may be puffed up on behalf of one against the other. 7 For who makes you differ from another? And what do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did indeed receive it, why do you boast as if you had not received it?
8 You are already full! You are already rich! You have reigned as kings without us [sarcasm] — and indeed I COULD WISH YOU DID REIGN (PRESENT SUBJUCTIVE TENSE), that WE ALSO MIGHT REIGN WITH YOU! (PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE TENSE)9 For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. 10 We are fools for Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are distinguished, but we are dishonored! 11 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. 12 And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.
14 I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. 15 For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. 16 Therefore I urge you, imitate me.17 For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church.
18 NOW some ARE puffed up, as though I were not coming to you. 19 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. 20 For the kingdom of Godisnot in word but in power. 21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness? NKJV
Here are some more things Jesus Christ, the Word of God, communicated through His Apostle Paul:
1 Corinthians 6:1-4 ~ written around 53AD
Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? 2 Do you not know that THE SAINTS WILL JUDGE (REIGN OVER) THE WORLD? And if THE WORLD WILL BE JUDGED (REIGNED OVER) BY YOU, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life?
NKJV
RED = PRESENT tense, at the time of writing of that verse of Scripture.
BLUE = FUTURE tense, future to the time of writing of that verse, i.e., when the Lord comes in 70AD.
2 Timothy 2:8-20 ~ written around 62AD
8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. 10 For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. 11 It is a trustworthy statement:
For if we DIED (PAST – before 62AD) with Him, we SHALL (FUTURE) also LIVE with Him;
12 If we ENDURE (PRESENT – at 62AD), we SHALL (FUTURE) also REIGN with Him;
If we deny Him, He also will deny us;
13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself.
14 Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless, and leads to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth. 16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and thus they upset the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of the Lord abstain from wickedness." 2 NASB
Romans 8:8-25 ~ written around 57AD
9 However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. 10 And if Christ IS (PRESENT to 57AD) in you, though the body IS dead because of sin, yet the spirit IS alive because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead DWELLS (PRESENT to 57AD) in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead WILL (FUTURE) ALSO GIVE LIFE TO YOUR MORTAL BODIES through His Spirit who indwells you.
12 So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh — 13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you ARE (PRESENT to 57AD) putting to death the deeds of the body, you WILL LIVE (FUTURE to 57AD).14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. 15 For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!" 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we SUFFER (PRESENT to 57AD) with Him in order that we MAY ALSO BE GLORIFIED (CONDITIONAL FUTURE SUBJUNCTIVE TENSE) with Him.
18 For I consider that the sufferings OF THIS PRESENT TIME ARE (PRESENT to 57AD) not worthy to be compared with the glory that IS TO BE (FUTURE TENSE) revealed to us.19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. 23 And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, WAITING EAGERLY FOR OUR ADOPTION AS SONS, HE REDEMPTION OF OUR BODY.24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it. NASB
RED = PRESENT tense, at the time of writing of that verse of Scripture.
BLUE = FUTURE tense, future to the time of writing of that verse, i.e., when the Lord comes in 70AD.
1 Thessalonians 2:19-20 ~ written around 51AD
19 For who is our HOPE (LOOKING TO FUTURE) or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the PRESENCE of our Lord Jesus AT HIS COMING? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
1 Thessalonians 5:9-11 ~ written around 51AD
9 For God has not DESTINED (POINTING TO FUTURE) us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,10 who DIED (PAST) for us, that whether we ARE (PRESENT) awake or asleep, we MAY LIVE (FUTURE CONDITIONAL TENSE) together with Him.11 Therefore ENCOURAGE (PRESENT IMPERATIVE) one another, and BUILD UP (PRESENT IMPERATIVE) one another, just as you also ARE (PRESENT) doing. NASB
2 Corinthians 13:4-5 ~ written around 54AD
4 For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also ARE WEAK (PRESENT to 54AD) in Him, yet we SHALL LIVE (FUTURE) with Him because of the power of God directed toward you. 5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! NASB
2 Kings 6:16-18
16 So he answered,"Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, "Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 18 So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the Lord, and said, "Strike this people, I pray, with blindness." And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. NKJV
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