A couple of things to comment on here. Yes we have the lesson of the Trinity but we also have infinite examples of each member of the Trinity carrying out different roles independently. We do not see the word, "God or Father" used interchangeably with "Jesus, Christ, or Son of Man" or with the "Holy Spirit." In other words, when Christ was crucified, we do not see any of the writers of the Gospel switch between Christ and God. None of them put the Father on the Cross and none put the Holy Spirit on the Cross. Each member of the Trinity is called out by name when they are mentioned and they are never interchanged although we are frequently reminded that they collectively are all ONE GOD. That said, you can not transpose the word "GOD" in 1 Thes 4:14 into "JESUS." These are two separate events. Both the Lamb and God the Father are mentioned separately throughout Rev 20-22.
Rev 20:4-6 would seem to be saying that Christ rules only with the Tribulation Saints (those beheaded) and that the rest of the dead do not live again until the 1,000 years are over. If that's the case, then you have Christ returning with a select group while everyone else remains in heaven. The idea of a select group i.e., the martyred of the GT, sorta has a similar connotation to an
ELECT group, does it not? It is the
ELECT gathered by Christ.
I see significant differences in descriptions between the Return of Christ and the Return of God. Out of necessity, both return to earth certainly by the time of the new earth because both are said to be dwelling with us in the new city on the new earth. So both Father and Son are returning. The question I have is do they return together or at different times? The evidence suggests that the Father returns before the Son which contradicts everything all of us have been taught and believe. However, if you align scripture as I did a few posts back it does appear to support this notion. It also supports the oft repeated phrase, "Sit at my right hand until I have made your enemies your footstool." This phrase appears 6 times in the Bible so it must have importance and it must be a concrete fact.
Psalm 110:1
The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”
Matthew 22:44
‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”’?
Hebrews 1:13
But to which of the angels has He ever said: “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool”?
I have always taken this to mean that God will pour out His wrath before Christ is to return. I still do but let's look at the original psalm by David in full context because it is then referenced 5 times later.
110 The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”
[SUP]2 [/SUP]The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion.
Rule in the midst of Your enemies!
[SUP]3 [/SUP]Your people shall be volunteers
In the day of Your power;
In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning,
You have the dew of Your youth.
[SUP]4 [/SUP]The Lord has sworn
And will not relent,
“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”
[SUP]5 [/SUP]The Lord is at Your right hand;
He shall execute kings in the day of His wrath.
[SUP]6 [/SUP]He shall judge among the nations,
He shall fill the places with dead bodies,
He shall execute the heads of many countries.
[SUP]7 [/SUP]He shall drink of the brook by the wayside;
Therefore He shall lift up the head.
In 2 Thes 1 Paul introduces the concept of a "rest" being given to those suffering when Christ is revealed in heaven. The "rest" the persecuted receive is with "us" (meaning Paul and others). Where are they resting?
