Excellent summary, Hitch! I think that efforts to be absolutely literal in Bible interpretation has led alot of folks to the strange doctrinal positions and scenarios that we find in today's "Christian" books and broadcast media. Two physical resurrections being one of them (which necessitates a whole 'nother subset of speculative assumptions in order to make it fit).

It's puzzling that folks who urge us to always take Scripture literally fail to do so themselves when it comes to portions such as those you cite above.

Is Christ not even now seated at the Father's right hand? Are we not even now "seated with Him in heavenly places?" Are we not even now "more than conquerors," overcoming the enemy by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony?" If any of that is literally true, then talk of some future "millennium" as though Christ is not even now Lord and even now reigning through His Church and even now regenerating those who are dead in sin and even now giving them eternal life, etc.!

They accuse us of "spiritualizing" Scripture when we interpret Revelation, Daniel, and other prophetic portions of the Bible - yet they "spiritualize" the ones that speak of the present resurrection and reign of Christ.

Thanks for your very provocative summary!

-R