Outer Darkness?

[A little brother]

Originally Posted by Evangelical

1 Cor 15:52 and 1 Thess 4:16 indicate that all believers in Christ will rise when Christ returns. Which would contradict Rev 20:4-6 if understood to mean that only the overcomers are resurrected in the first resurrection.

My understanding is that when Christ returns, all believers receive immortal bodies which are capable of existing for 1000 years.

Rev 20 that you quoted refers to the portion of these resurrected believers, the overcomers, who enjoy the reward of the kingdom.

I see agreement rather than contradiction in those verses. Paul could have been referring only to those who join Christ's reign for 1000 years.

1 Thes 4:16 talks about the "dead in Christ". Firstly, I doubt whether we can say the "unfaithful believers" died in Christ. I think many of them die in the world instead. Then,

1 Thes 4:17 Then we who are living, who are left remaining, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and thus we will be always with the Lord.

So those who resurrected and meet the Lord in the air will not be separated from the Lord anymore, no casting out.

For 1 Cor 15, if you continue to read until 15:58...

1 Cor 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

If the "we" and "all" in 15:51 means two groups of people ("overcomers" and "unfaithful believers"), it doesn't quite make sense Paul concluded with 15:58 asking the brothers to be steadfast becaue it would make no difference.

Rev 20 shows clearly there are only two resurrections - those who resurrect to reign with Christ for 1,000 years and "the rest" after 1,000 years.

So I believe there is no such thing as 1000 years of punishment or chastening in outer darkness for unfaithful believers.