Some eschatological thoughts

I'm not a pre-trib, mid-trib, post-trib, pre-millennial, post-millennial type of Christian. However, I do believe in the return of Christ to this Earth, just as he promised. Here is some of my eschatology - it's not my own, I'm not trying to claim that it is - nor am I trying to say that I have it all figured out. Let God do that. He is the one with answers. I know that I am to trust in him and know that he is control. I do my work, he does his. Jesus is Lord and that is good enough for me!!
I believe that 1. the 1000 year reign is a figurative sum of years. Just to think about this for a moment - so say you make it to that point. If Satan is released AGAIN after he is bound up, that would mean that theoretically, you could make it through everything and then be seduced by Satan and end up in hell. Also, if Christ is in control then, this would mean that he gives up at least some control. I have real problems with this. Rev. 20:1-3 is then talking about a time PRIOR to the final judgment. Read all of Rev. 20 in context and you see that in order for Satan to wage war, he has to have troops. These troops would be trib survivors? They are "as numerous as the sands of the sea?" When you do some quick math, and assuming even current figures- that could mean millions of troops? From where? If we are to read Revelation as a history book, that is chronologically speaking, remember that when Christ returns in Rev. 19, the antichrist's army is wiped out. The only way to fit then Rev. 20 in is to assume that while Christ is reigning on Earth, people still are married and having babies. These babies then grow up and eventually, through the course of time have many who reject Christ and join Satan's army? That just doesn't seem to make any sense.
2. the rapture still isn't mentioned in the Bible. That's a problem. I know that it is popular but it is a recent phenomenon, only gaining popularity in the 19th century due to the works of Darby and the advent of the Schofield Reference Bible. See, what the rapture doctrine really teaches is a "parachute" type of mentality. Let's get out of here - jump off this plane before it crashes and grab my chute!! Are we so anxious to be rid of this gift of life?
3. there are not 2 prophesied return events but 1. If there is a rapture where we are caught up in the clouds with Christ that is one return event. Then when he returns, we have two. Scripturally, that doesn't fit. 4. It is a major league problem to try to put a modern exegetical spin on Revelation. Revelation is apocalyptic literature. It must then be treated as such and read as such. This means that it is not a history book to be taken the nth degree literally, a la Left Behind. It tells the story of deliverance and God's victory. Yes, I do believe that Jesus will return, literally here on Earth. However, I'm not counting on it being in my lifetime. I do seek to live every day as if he might return, but my faith is not built upon that. Every generation - EVERY generation has felt that they were the final generation. Read some of Paul's writings, it is very clear that he believed that Christ's return was imminent back then. Yet, it wasn't Why? Because God is patient.
II Peter 3:9 says that "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance." God is merciful in delaying his judgment - that is sure to come, so that many more will hear the Gospel and receive Jesus. My best advice is to stop looking for signs - remember, Jesus said that a wicked and adulterous generation looks for signs. Live as if Jesus may return at any moment BUT don't live like Jesus MUST return at any moment. Revelation is a synopsis of the entire Biblical story, it is a history book with portions that are obviously set in the future. It was not intended to be a history book or a guidebook. God has never given us exact dates - he transcends time! Remember, Jesus came to earth 400 years after the last OT book was written. We must be wary when we attempt to put the infinite into a finite time table that suits our purposes. I will never say that I have it all figured out. I will rely upon God to fill in the details of history as he sees fit. But one thing I do know is that we are really trying to make his plan fit into our charts and seminars and books if we try to make everything fit the human mindset.