Pastor Jim McClarty claims that the number 1000 is used in a figurative way only when it’s being compared with a smaller number. This is exactly what we have in Revelation 20. Gary shows that the 1000 years is being compared to “a short time” (20:3). But the real comparison is found earlier in Revelation. The key is found in Rev. 20:4. Can you spot what’s being compared? This is Part 3 of a three-part series.
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Gary is a graduate of Western Michigan University (1973) and earned his M.Div. at Reformed Theological Seminary in 1979. Author of countless essays, news articles, and more than 27 book titles, he also hosts The Gary DeMar Show, and History Unwrapped—both broadcasted and podcasted. Gary has lived in the Atlanta area since 1979 with his wife, Carol. They have two married sons and are enjoying being grandparents to their grandsons, Calvin and Paul. Gary and Carol are members of Midway Presbyterian Church (PCA).
Friends, Clearly not every statement of Holy Scripture can be taken literally or at "face value"; for example, when Christ said, "I AM the door", He wasn't meaning or saying that He is a wooden plank with a doorknob in the middle. Such phrases must be taken symbolically/figuratively. Most of Scipture, are literal in an ethical and ontological/epistemological sense, and thus, the Ten Commandments are literal; it's only a variation among some translations whether one of the commandments should be read as "Thou shalt not kill", or as "You shall not murder". Which makes a difference in meaning and application. Somewhat of a difference. In Erie PA Scott R. Harrington
The 1000 reign is not literal ! I know its prob one of the worst thing to do when posting important info.like this with out stating a source, but i cant find it in my notes so im doing this by memory: In rabbinical writings the messianic reign was to believed to be temporary (1000 years) If we follow this to its conclusion this was inserted into The Book of Revelation by a Jewish source, how this happen im not sure but we know the book of rev had many flaws that it just barely became canonized.When i find my source ill post it.GB and keep up the good work!
So, if we have a book like The Revelation that has some truth that we find inconvenient, we can just postulate that it just barely made it into the cannon for whatever reason, and then, we can accept it or reject it as we like??? What other books in the cannon are we to do this with? You're on pretty slippery ground when you begin this kind of criticism. Rejecting the literal or normal usage and understanding of words is bad enough, but getting out the penknife is much worse.
Exactly! great explanation. Thanks so much. and 'the little while longer' they must wait was referring to 70AD when Jesus would come in judgment on apostate Israel. Then these same saints would be joined with other saints and rule for a long time (represented by the 1000 yrs symbolic time period).