[xzins]

Yes fair. The Revelation 20 passage is about a 1000 year reign on earth. It is the fulfillment of prophecy. It's really up to you to prove it isn't for: Justin Martyr wrote in "Dialogue with Trypho" Chap 80, "But I and others, who are right-minded Christians on all points, are assured that there will be a resurrection of the dead, and a thousand years in Jerusalem, which will then be built, adorned, and enlarged, [as] the prophets Ezekiel and Isaiah and others declare." Chap 81 (cont'd) "For Isaiah spake thus concerning this space of a 1000 years....wolves and lambs feed together....not hurt or maltreat each other on the holy mountain....

Justin continues: "We have perceived, moreover, that the expression, 'The day of the Lord is as a 1000 years,' is connected with this subject...

Justin continues: "And further, there was a certain man with us, whose name was John, one of the apostles of Christ, who prophesied, by a revelation that was made to him, that those who believed in our Christ would dwell a thousand years in Jerusalem; and that THEREAFTER the general, and, in short, the eternal resurrection and judgement of all men would likewise take place." (The Ante-Nicene Fathers, Dialogue with Trypho, p. 239-240)

Justin Martyr lived from 110-165 AD. He was a Gentile born in Samaria, near Jacob's well. As such his older Christian brothers and sisters would have been among the first and second generation of those who had learned directly from the Apostles.

This 1000 year reign on earth was entrenched in his mind as fulfilling the prophecies of both Isaiah and John the Revelator.

Why should I believe you and not him...when he lived in the location and nearly the time of the Apostles?

[Jean Chauvin]

I asked you for Scripture. Not what Justin Martyr said. I looked, but I couldn't find the work by Martyr you cited in the Bible.

"Justin continues: "And further, there was a certain man with us, whose name was John, one of the apostles of Christ, who prophesied, by a revelation that was made to him, that those who believed in our Christ would dwell a thousand years in Jerusalem; and that THEREAFTER the general, and, in short, the eternal resurrection and judgement of all men would likewise take place."

Could you give me the Scripture where John declares that those who believed in our Christ specifically 'would dwell a thousand years in Jerusalem'. I can't find that citation.

Furthermore, Martyr claims that John 'prophecied' that 'Thereafter' a general and eternal resurrection and judgement of all men would likewise take place.

Can you cite the scriptures that declare that this even takes place after believers 'would dwell a thousand years in Jerusalem'. This is especially important, as I have quoted you several passages by the very same Apostle John which speak of a singular day of resurrection and judgement. I think if you could show me the scriptures which specifically declare what Martyr states that the issue would be clarified.

"Justin Martyr lived from 110-165 AD. He was a Gentile born in Samaria, near Jacob's well. As such his older Christian brothers and sisters would have been among the first and second generation of those who had learned directly from the Apostles...Why should I believe you and not him...when he lived in the location and nearly the time of the Apostles?"

I looked again, x, and I didn't see any books by Martyr in the Bible (this line of thinking sounds eerily familiar ;) ). Therefore, what ~he~ happened to say is not really relevant -regardless of when he lived and who he knew. Now, this line of thinking might be important to a Roman Catholic, but it has no bearing on a Protestant. Since His works are ~not~ inspired, he ~could~ have been wrong.

Now, if you can show me from Scripture where I can find reference specifically to this 1000 year reign, I will take a look.

Jean