I don't concern myself with or focus my time on doctrines that are not immediately important or pertinent. "Lord... I do not concern myself with great matters, with things too profound for me" (Ps. 131:1).

One of these doctrines is eschatology and all things regarding the second coming. Before Jesus ascended, His disciples asked Him if He was going to restore Israel at that time. He replied, "It is not for you to know the times and dates the Father has set by His own authority." Shortly after, when He ascended to Heaven and the disciples stood looking after Him, two angels suddenly appeared and said to the disciples, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven." Or in contemporary language, "Why are you focused on what is to come? Go and focus on the business of what already is." (Acts 1:4-12.)

While there is a place for 'secondary doctrines', there should be no focus or over-focus on them. People who focus on doctrines of eschatology and things surrounding them are peering into the sky, watching for signs, the rapture, and the second coming. But Jesus would tell them what the angels told the disciples many years ago-- that they should not be looking into (concerning themselves with) those things as those things will work themselves out in time, but that they should be focused on the work at hand and obedience regarding that: "Wait in the city until you have been endued by power from on high." Etc.

An era is coming when Jesus will reign, yes. There are times of refreshing, renewal, revival, reformation, and restoration on the horizon as well. "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began" (Acts 3:19-21). Those times and eras aren't to be a focus at this time, however.

Hidden (veiled, disguised) as the smallest creature in the lowest place, a symbol of weakness and obscurity, it actually symbolizes might, power, strength, and victory:

ValleyAnt = Valiant.

David, When I read Paul's exhortation to "rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks," I can fully appreciate the value of studying biblical prophesy. Not all views of prophesy are optimistic. Some really could knock the wind out of a persons zeal.

On the other hand, friends like you and others who have looked more carefully at the whole of scripture, and have a clear view of our exalted Lord, already reigning over His realm, are a breath of fresh air.

I find it sad that all the confusion and debate over the promises and prophecies of the bible have caused many to avoid any discussion altogether. If all I could see was what the devil is doing and not have my eyes open to our Lord enthroned, I would be most miserable.

Somewhere out there is a new era or dispensation. Good people can disagree about the when. An era in which "He must reign." Interestingly, this precedes - not follows - the last enemy which is death.

Therefore, I will keep praying and hoping that his will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.

For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be abolished is death. For HE HAS PUT ALL THINGS IN SUBJECTION UNDER HIS FEET. 

But when He says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is evident that He is excepted who put all things in subjection to Him. When all things are subjected to Him, then the Son Himself also will be subjected to the One who subjected all things to Him, so that God may be all in all.