Gino (5 Jun 2022)
"RE: Mike P: 05.29.22: with the Lord"


That article   And So Shall We Ever Be With The Lord   did not seem to be directed to those who disagreed with the author's teaching.
But rather, it seem more directed to those who already thought the same way.
Taking a common word like, "with", using some scriptures to support a particular usage, could support a wide variety of meanings.
I heard a message once about the word, "of", to show a certain teaching, but there are many other various usages, where the word, "of", is used.
An example could be made of the 1828 Noah Webster's dictionary, where there are 15 different uses of the word, "with", listed.

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However, the section of the article dealing with "heavenly", mentioned a number of good things.
The scriptures do make it clear that there is a certain heavenly aspect of the Christian calling and walk with Christ.
But are not many of those references indicating that the heavenly aspect is because that is where Jesus is?

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

(Yes, the spiritual blessings are in heavenly places, but they are in Christ, because he is there.)

Ephesians 2:6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:

(Yes, in heavenly places, but it is in Christ, because he is there.)

Colossians 3:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
  2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
  3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

(We are to set our affections on things above, not because it is our destined home, but because that is where Jesus is.
And if we are to stay in heaven during the thousand year kingdom, while Jesus is reigning on the earth,
would we not then need to set our affections on things on earth, because that is where Jesus will be?)

Philippians 3:20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:

(Our conversation is in heaven, because Jesus is there.)
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If we are to be with the Lord, physically, for only seven years after the blessed hope, before the thousand year kingdom,
And since during that seven years, there will be the marriage supper of the Lamb,
Will Jesus leave his bride?
Will he leave his bride in heaven, while he returns to the earth to reign for a thousand years?

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The point about the throne, where the author mentioned, "one or two thrones", is a very strange point.
Why say one or two, as that is very confusing?
If one, then say one, otherwise say two, but certainly not one "or" two.
The scripture he quoted only mentioned one throne, not two, i.e, not two thrones for two Gods.
But the same one throne of the Father and Son.

Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.

(line 21 makes it clear that Jesus is set down in the same throne with the Father, not in a separate throne off towards the right)

Revelation 4:2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.

("a" throne, not two thrones for two Gods, but one throne for one God)

Revelation 22:1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.

(In the new Jerusalem, the one throne is called, "the throne of God and of the Lamb" - again, the Father and Son)

Revelation 22:3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:

(Again, the one throne is called, "the throne of God and of the Lamb" - the Father and Son.
Which is also shown clearer in the previous chapter:)

Revelation 21:5 And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.

(In line 5, "he that sat upon the throne", is the one speaking.)

Revelation 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

(In line 6 it sounds like the Son speaking, the Alpha and Omega.
Also, similar to John 4 and John 7, the Son is the one who offers that special water.)

Revelation 21:7 He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

(Yet in line 7, "he shall be my son", sounds like the Father speaking.
How could both lines 6 and 7 be true, with only a single throne mentioned in line 5?
Because it is, "the throne of God and of the Lamb")

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