Yes, I agree that the 1000 years is to denote a long period of time. But, I disagree that before Christ there was only Israel because Jacob didn't become Israel until Genesis 32 and his descendants known as such thereafter. What about all those before?
Good questions.
Hi Prim,
Cocoa upon closer scrutiny we do find that both Ruth and Rahab were either under the spiritual influence of Israel by God because both were in the geographical sphere of ancient Israel or a hop skip and jump from its boarder when they committed their lives to the God. Rahab the prostitute lived in what would become Israel at the time of the jewish conquest of the land. The city of Jericho of where she did comfort Joshua’s spies for a number of days and than give her elegance to their God
. As to Ruth she lived in the kingdom of Moab bordering Ancient Israel upon where much hardship had fallen with the loss of many husbands. Where her mother in law Naomi also lived. Naomi decides to return to Judah she decides to release her daughters in law back to their own culture. Ruth refuses in reply . Saying wither thou goest me goest too. Your people be my people. Your God be my God. And so Ruth returns to Judah with Naomi. A interesting note to think upon is that Rahab was the mother of Boaz who later married Ruth. Both who play a role in the genealogy of Jesus 
You than ask what about Jacob who didn’t become Israel until Genesis chapter 32. What of the generations before that you ask . I would say to that. But what of the promises given by God to Abraham such as the Abrahamic covenant given long before Jacob was named Israel and long before Israel becoming a actual kingdom and long before the Sinaitic covenant. Cocoa Seems to me that the Israel of God was forever on Gods mind long before it became a reality as seen way back in the Abrahamic covenant of Genesis chapter 12 & 13 
. Wishing you all the happy seasons festivities that now await. Cocoa may God continue to Bless you. Yours PrimMarilyn yes me does think upon that too. Sometimes the lamb can be a Divine title such as ( behold the lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world ) But often it is used symbolically and sometimes in a literal type sense also . Such As in Exodus 12:29-30 when comparing it with 1st Corinthians 5: 7 with Christ being our pass over lamb in overcoming the venom of death and sin. So you say does every meaning have to be figurative when it comes to a thousand years. I’ve given you my thoughts on that you obviously disagree. That ok you have that right
. As to numerology in the Bible. It certainly be there to some degree. Ok you say 7 be the number of completion including the 7000 yrs to me it’s mere hearsay : ) Many have waddled off into Jewish mysticism upon seeking out the many methods of numerology. It’s not really my cup of tea. Marilyn Wishing you blessed happy festivities ahead . 
yours PrimHi Prim,Marilyn yes me does think upon that too. Sometimes the lamb can be a Divine title such as ( behold the lamb of God which takes away the sin of the world ) But often it is used symbolically and sometimes in a literal type sense also . Such As in Exodus 12:29-30 when comparing it with 1st Corinthians 5: 7 with Christ being our pass over lamb in overcoming the venom of death and sin. So you say does every meaning have to be figurative when it comes to a thousand years. I’ve given you my thoughts on that you obviously disagree. That ok you have that right View attachment 11950. As to numerology in the Bible. It certainly be there to some degree. Ok you say 7 be the number of completion including the 7000 yrs to me it’s mere hearsay : ) Many have waddled off into Jewish mysticism upon seeking out the many methods of numerology. It’s not really my cup of tea. Marilyn Wishing you blessed happy festivities ahead .
