Okay, here goes.
In my studies on other views, I've seen that many do indeed accept the thought that there will be people on the earth during the Millenial reign of Jesus Christ. If you've read the "Left Behind" series, you've seen that line of thought portraid with some differences from the JW thinking. It would be reasonable to think that during that period, one could see Isaiah's prophecy literally fufilled.
One thing to keep in mind about commentators, such as Crossan, who teach that many Bible books where written many years later and by persons other than the known authors are not believers. They view the Bible as merely the product of men who were not under any divine inspiration and only reflect the circumstances of the times in which they alledge these later authors wrote. Such doubt limits their view to the earthly, the materialistic, and makes their speculations of little or no value to believers. So one would want to excersize care about accepting their so-called expertise on spiritual things.
By the way, please don't take that last statement to disparage the non-believers here. It is just my personal opinion as one who is still a believer (in the exostence of God), even though I am now unplugged from the collective. As the German name I have chosen for my identity implies, I am re-examining what I believe in regards to what God's word says. I respect the rights of others in that respect, even if their experiences lead them down the road of disbelief.
Christian love to all
Forscher
