Lifeasweknowit: you also have to understand there are opposing interpretations when it comes to "End Times."(obviously this thread is the perfect example.) I for one see the pre-tribulation "rapture" as bordering on a false doctrine. Therefore, when it comes to such issues I encourage new Christians to stay out of Revelation at the beginning of their walk with the Lord and focus on what Christ requires us to do in the 'here and now.'
Although Major is admittedly grounded much better than I in the scriptures-I do not agree.
Whoaaaa my brother! It is OK not to agree with me.!!! What we are talking about here is not the basics of salvation in any way whatsoever. The study of the End Times has always been very fluid and brings with it different opinions as TIME confirms or rejects certain ideas.
For example, IF Dr. Ironside or Dr. Spurgeon had lived to see the Jews placed in the Promised land on May 14, 1948, do you think that one event would have changed their teaching on the End Times????? IF, IF they were able to see 21 dams built on the Euphrates River which opens the door for Rev. 16 to be fulfilled literally, would that have changed their thinking??????
We all as believers stand on level ground at the foot of the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I am no more "grounded" as a believer than any other believer. We are ALL equal in the eyes of God. We all have ideas, thoughts and we all have been influenced by the teaching of others over our lifetime.
What I am seeing here recently is what I tried to warn us all against doing...........Because I or someone else has a differing thesis or opinion on Bible exergesis concerning the End Times, we must guard against the idea that one is right and the other is wrong.
Rusty and calvin, my good friends have expoused the teaching that we all need to look for Christ in the book of the Revelation. THEY ARE ABSOLUTLY CORRECT.
It is in fact the "Revelation of Jesus Christ".
Here in the Revelation, Jesus Christ is seen in glory. You see Him in charge of everything that takes place. He is in full command. This book is the UN-VEILING of Jesus Christ!!!!!!!!!!
Not only is Jesus the focus of the Revelation, He is the focus of every book of the Bible.
Because we differ on certain things written in the Scripture concerning Escotology does not make one any more grounded or closer to God than someone else.
Romans 14:5 tells us clearly..............
"One man esteemeth one day above another; another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind".
The things I have posted here concerning the End Times do not have to be accepted by anyone. They are MY beliefs and my opinion after having studied Escotology for many years. That does not make me correct and anyone else incorrect. It is just something to think about because the simple fact is that only TIME will confirm what we understand about it.
I have said this before and repeat in again now.......I approach the Book of Revelation with fear and trembling for many reasons, one obviousely being a lack of compentence on my part.
Another reason is a lack of knowledge on everyones part who approaches this book. You see, the Revelation is the last book of the Bible. There are 65 other books that need to be read and understood before we get to the Revelation. We ALL need to have the background of a working knowledge of all the Bible that precedes the Revelation. It is important, no, it is imperitive that you have a feel of the Scriptures as well as having the facts of the Scriptures in your mind.
Now, as I said and so has calvin and Rusty, Jesus is the subject of the book. If you miss that, you miss everything. It is NOT about the beasts, or bowls or trumps or wrath, BUT IT IS ABOUT THE SIN BEARER!!! He, Messiah Jesus is 1st mentioned in Genesis 3:15 as the Seed of the woman.
Now allow me to say that the book of the Revelation is NOT a difficult book. It is of all the 66 books of the Bible the most orderly and there is actually no reason to misunderstand it, When you read it, very quickly you will see that the book divides itself.
I am aware that some have problems with the symbols used. May I give to you one of the keys to understanding this book.
To those who claim that it is all "symbolic" I say that the book is to be taken as LITERAL. When a symbol is used, it will be so stated. Also, it will be more symbolic of reality and the reality will be more real than the symbol for the simple reason that John uses symbols to describe reality.
Let the Book say what it wants to say!
