Thanks Myrtle Trees, for your input. I like that you notice that numbers, like other words in the Bible (that are not numbers), have a parable or representational meaning rather than a surface meaning. The Bible is written this way. In Psalm 78:2, we read that God opens his mouth in a parable. The way that God opens his mouth is the Bible. It is written in parable form. We read in Mark 34 that without a parable God does not speak unto them. In other words, when he speaks in the Bible it is in parable form, with representational words.
I also like that you notice that 1 Thes 4:17 mentions that we meet the Lord in the air. The air is a parable word in the Bible. It's meaning is heaven. We see this in the parable of the kingdom of heaven (Mat 13:31-32) in which the birds of the air lodge in branches. The birds are pictures of true believers and the term air is used to describe that they are of heaven.
When it comes to the notion of Millennial Reign, however, most people are not looking at 1 Thes 4:17 to get that theory. The Millennial Reign idea comes mostly from Revelation chapter 20. In that chapter an angel comes down from heaven and binds Satan. That angel (meaning messenger) is Jesus. He is the one who has the ability to bind Satan. This was accomplished when Jesus came to earth and died on the cross and rose again giving the Holy Spirit to create a new bunch of born again persons. That is why Chapter 20 says that there is a seal placed on Satan. The seal is the Holy Spirit. As long as the Holy Spirit is there he cannot deceive true believers from believing on Christ unto salvation. We find that when Christ comes to earth he binds Satan for a thousand years. While the thousand years mentioned is a parable word with a representational meaning, it seems that the verse is describing that time period following Christ's coming to the earth to go to the cross to give the Holy Spirit. Again, the Holy Spirit is what binds Satan so that he cannot deceive true believers. We also see thrones mentioned in Rev 20. This is because once a person is born again they are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ruling and reigning with him. They are reigning spiritually, not like you imagine an earthly monarch sitting on a throne giving out self-serving orders. Rather, even if they are of little consequence in the flesh, they are ruling in spiritual places. We find that those who take part in Christ's resurrection are blessed and holy and the second death has no power, meaning they have been given eternal life.
Ok I've had time to study over what you said on Revelation, chapter 20, and have added my comments:
Rev 20:1-21:1
Revelation 20
20:1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand.
(1) You said:
. In that chapter an angel comes down from heaven and binds Satan. That angel (meaning messenger) is Jesus. He is the one who has the ability to bind Satan. This was accomplished when Jesus came to earth and died on the cross and rose again giving the Holy Spirit to create a new bunch of born again persons
(2) I agree, you seem correct on that!
2 And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years,
(1) You said:
He is the one who has the ability to bind Satan. This was accomplished when Jesus came to earth and died on the cross and rose again giving the Holy Spirit to create a new bunch of born again persons
(2) My comment: I think you're right on that!
3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season.
(2) My comment: His being loosed for a season, must refer to the battle of Armageddon (Revelation 20: 7-8)
(1) You said: That is why Chapter 20 says that there is a seal placed on Satan. The seal is the Holy Spirit. As long as the Holy( Spirit is there he cannot deceive true believers from believing on Christ unto salvation. We find that when Christ comes to earth he binds Satan for a thousand years
And you also said: it seems that the verse is describing that time period following Christ's coming to the earth to go to the cross to give the Holy Spirit
(2) My comment: Yes, I think you're right and have thought the same before - in that Satan isn't allowed to do any more than God allows him during that period. And in that his goals against humanity are greatly prevented through God's intervention, in that period.
4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.
(1) You said: . We also see thrones mentioned in Rev 20. This is because once a person is born again they are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus, ruling and reigning with him. They are reigning spiritually, not like you imagine an earthly monarch sitting on a throne giving out self-serving orders
(2) My comment: I agree, the scriptures portray God's people as ruling over others. And that they are God - the King's children, and therefore of the nobility of God's kingdom.
1 Cor 6:2-3
2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
KJV
5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.
6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
(2) My comment: I see the 2nd death, as referring to eternal hell.
7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison,
8 And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.
9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them.
(2) my comment: They will gather to fight against Jerusalem
10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
13 And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
KJV