Hi thanks for the reply
It makes perfect sense. You write clearly "great blessing". And I do not mind that we have a different understanding I lean more toward Amil (the language of parables) and its variety. For several reasons and especially with the last book needing all the books to find the hidden understanding or the poetic tongue of Gods prophecy. It is filled with metaphors (hidden Manna) right from the beginning And even revealing what kind of hermeneutics are inspired and signified the key that unlocks the parables. .
The opening verse introduces us to the kind of understanding used throughout the book. Many it seems bypass that instruction.
Revelation 1 King James Version (KJV) The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
I am familiar with the idea you offered (applying it literally at first, and where it fails on that front, look into the allegorical to try and see the literal parallel, and if that fails...pray and seek the Spirit of the Lord as is instructed in 1 John 2:27.) But do not find that instruction in the Bible .
Rather what I find is without parables the poetic tongue of God Christ spoke not. . purposely hiding the unseen gospel understanding and revealing it to His disciples as he does today
It was part of reasoning of the church I first heard the gospel and was empowered to believe God not seen But again several things like the church disappearing for a literal thousand year along with others like the idea that God works differently in times and seasons or dispensation had me wondering? And not that I finally understand
And not so much lukewarm people like a thief in the night. But like Noah who knew he was coming so he could watch believers a referred as watchers or watch men in that way. But he still came like a thief in the night. Noah walked by faith it was a surprise when the flood did come.
I used to listen to Hank Hanegraaf, but became less inclined to follow his reasonings when he expounded upon eschatology. When he talked about the imagery portraits Daniel painted for us, coupled with Revelation, Ezekiel, Zechariah, Matthew, Mark and Luke, he leaned toward the creation of discontinuities that surfaced more questions than answers. His system of thought almost seemed to create two different tribulation periods rather than one period known as "the day of the Lord."
But, that's water under the bridge. The blessed hope of which Paul wrote to the Thessalonians about is what I look forward to as well. You see, when I take it all more literally, That which is unseen becomes more visible. The things hidden were made that way only for those who had not eyes to see. The Lord opens the eyes of His people, but only when they ask. When a true follower of Christ asks, they are no longer wearing blinders as Hank would demand the rest of us are blinded by. He stumbles about with pokadot glasses that partially blind him, all the time thinking the rest of us have as much, or more, blind spots than he.
I consistently point to 1 John 2:27. Garee, the Spirit will not teach two different of the Lord's people two different and opposing things. Only those who embrace a "different spirit" will be led away into falsehoods. The one thing I say to you is that we
must agree if we are attuned to the same Spirit. If not, then one or both of us is deceived, and hearing from the wrong spirit. This idea that we all don't really have to agree is a serious flaw in modern and post-modern thought that has become far too commonplace. It's a horrible and tragic failure for us all to strive even more for seeking the depths of our souls, and seeking the Lord to let His glorious light will those darkest places in ourselves, and much of the time He will illuminate pride that blocks so many from hearing from His Spirit.
Being wrong is nothing new to me. I've been taken out to the woodshed many times, and if I'm wrong about all this, then I welcome the Lord's correction and rebuke, but spiritual sounding jargon doesn't impress me. What impresses me is hearing a brother who admits that the Lord is always right, and at all costs to us. We are all liars, but God is true.
So, let's not settle for second best, but seek the purity of all doctrine and belief. Only then are we all truly unified in Christ Jesus through His Spirit. Amen?
I will not do verbal beating up of others who don't subscribe to what the Spirit says to us. Paul instructed us to not strive with others. If others do not yet arrive where they need to be, then we must be patient and let the Lord do His work. I welcome His correction, rebuke, and outright being taken to the woodshed...again. I thank the Lord that He cares enough to do just that when it's needed.
MM