Sparrow, let me give this a shot. You personally probably know most or all of this, and more besides. This is an attempt at a general summary. This is what I THINK. Then if anyone sees themselves as fitting into one camp or another, or believe there's some sorts of mixture(s) in between, then maybe they'll chime in for refutation or clarification - but bottom line, EDIFICATION.
Generally, attempting to lump things into the fewest # of categories;
I think most believe that we will all die a physical death, with the exception of believers that are alive when Jesus literally returns (changed in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trump, etc). Some believe that's before a 1,000 year "millinial" reign, some after, some no specific 1,000 year period at all. Those that are alive when Jesus literally returns will be given immortality without death. The rest will have to resurrected at some point to be given immortality. There are many bones of contention about when's, why's, and wherefor's about details - what different groups of people will be doing when, i.e., when's the judgment, are people in heaven and hell, some sort of paradise/holding place, then brought back for judgment, then onto a thousand year period, THEN eternity, etc. They see the evil, things getting worse, and believe Jesus will come back to fix it. I'll suggest this is generally group 1.
Then I believe there is a group that GENERALLY believes Jesus may or not literally return (some, such as the Eby article, that He's constantly "returning") but either way, that there will be a group/generation of people who will not die a physical death; and this is not contingent on the literal presence of Jesus. They believe there are people who will be "overcomers", that they have done things in this life (enabled by God?) that qualify them AND/OR that they are chosen to be Manifest Sons of God. That there will be some specific period of time when God moves in such a way, through people on the earth, that things won't be "scrapped" and then restored, but just restored. Some believe that has already begun to occur. That things are turning around, and we're about to see things start getting better and better until......? (I'm not sure what folks in this group believe they'll be doing exactly, where they'll be exactly, if they'll always just live on a renewed earth and that's New Jerusalem; if they'll ever actually be in God or Jesus' direct presence. I'm just not sure about that).
So, speaking in large generalities;
Group 1. Things wax worse and worse until Jesus returns, judges, and fixes it. He will use "saints", but that it will really be Jesus and God directly/literally involved - present, perhaps able to be seen with our glorified, immortal eyes and senses. Some of this group believe in a rapture, most believe in a literal heaven off this earth.
Group 2. Things will start to improve, and then especially be turned around and restored by God working THROUGH the Manifest Sons of God...Jesus won't be literally present, He'll be working through a select company of believers to restore things until ______?_______ happens.
Sparrow, I think the questions you, I, and others have asked are basically coming out of "group 2". And I don't have all the answers to that. But I think that's a sort of overview.
I want to be open to God showing me new things, as long as it's really God doing it, and as long as it fits rightly divided scripture - not strictly private interpretation. So though I'm personally open to new understandings, I do proceed with caution, and want to try to make sure things either clearly line up with scripture, or at the very least, don't directly contradict a good, comprehensive, accurately translated, properly divided, Spirit-revealed scripture search.
DISCLAIMER - This is too big a subject matter to try to narrow everyone's views down exactly (reference 30,000+ denominations). This is an attempt at some sort of summary with details, which may hopefully lead to further productive discussion and edification. I WOULD SUGGEST THIS IS NOTHING TO ARGUE OVER, OR ESPECIALLY TO DIVIDE OVER. Let's just learn from each other, be open to God's leading, search the scriptures, pray for God's guidance - and seek unity of faith in the Lord Jesus, and to live peaceably with each other - IN HONOR, PREFERRING ONE ANOTHER as Paul said.
The Bereans "received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so" (Acts 17:10-11).
***Either "camp" can believe Jesus is the Son of God, crucified and risen for our sins and life, the Savior of each, and the Savior of the world. That's where our unity of the faith can anchor. The cross of Jesus, and His empty tomb.
