Featured The INTERPRETATION of The SEVEN VISIONS in SEVEN SECTIONS of The Book of REVELATION

I do not think that is entirely correct. John was a witness to actual events. You have a 1st century human, watching things happen in 2020. How would you describe modern life to send to 7 churches in the 1st century? There are literally events, and then chapters in between to further describe the events in more detail. John used symbolism and sermon alliteration. 7 spirits 7 churches, 7 seals, 7 Trumpets, etc. God worked it all out, John witnesses it. Then John uses many forms of writing to create 7 letters to seven 1st century churches. They were intended to address churches throughout the last 1900 years.

 

That's not what the text says. John was in the spirit and described the visions he saw, just as Christ instructed him to do. In many cases the things he saw were interpreted for him by Jesus.

Rev. 1:19 “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.​

John did not see angels and churches, but rather stars and lampstands with represented angels and churches. John described for us what he saw and in many cases offered direct interpretations. Other times we infer meanings from context.

This is the case with all prophetic visions in Scripture. Josephs dreams depicted future events.

Certainly what John saw depicted actual events that would come to pass in the future. We are blessed when we believe and act on what he revealed.

 

You may be able to ask him directly very soon, then you will know.

 

My understanding is that the book of Revelation was written before AD 70 & concerned the prophesied destruction.

The prophecy of Revelation – with songs.

1. Introduction
I pray that my outline & the songs will help your understanding of this mysterious book.

Where do we begin? Most commentators start with a date in the nineties. Many make it a book of future prophecy for “end times” yet future to us, with a dramatic scenario such as the “Left Behind” books & films.

Others see it as non-specific prophecy to be applied to the present Gospel age. They apply the various prophecies to historical situations such as the Roman persecution & the fall of the Roman Empire; the rise of the RC Church & the Papacy; the rise of Islam; the medieval plagues; modern plagues like AIDS & Covid; world wars, etc.

Let's begin at the beginning! The opening verses make it clear that the book is written for John's immediate readers, suffering persecution for their witness to Jesus Christ. John writes of himself as “your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus.”

I understand Revelation as being written before the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD, and specifically relating to that dreadful event that Jesus prophesied so clearly. There is much study needed, & I can only offer an outline.

Jesus warned his disciples, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have tribulation. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Chapters 2 & 3 are letters to the seven churches of Asia. These letters are written for every reader – including us - to take warning & encouragement to their own situation, & their church's. At the end of his prophecy of the destruction of the temple & Jerusalem, Jesus addresses all of us telling us to live in faithful service, & to watch & pray. (Matthew 24, Mark 13 & Luke 21)

John 16, Revelation 1-3
In the world we've tribulation,
Christ has overcome the world.
He has words for all the churches,
We have ears to hear his words.
Love him first and love each other,
Trust and witness, watch and pray.
Christ is King and Lord and Saviour,
He'll be with us all the way.

Songs are (C) Ian Day
Suitable tunes are 8787D such as Converse & Ode to Joy


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the sooner the better.

 

Either John is a false prophet or he did not witness the 70AD destruction. He missed it, because he was here recording the actual event. If he was recoring the 70AD event, why is there not an historical descrepancy between him and Josephus who actually was at the 70AD event? Surely not all history has been covered up? What is the traditional date of his time on Patmos? Rome kept trying to kill him, but kept failing. It is not news (nor recorded history) that the church was confused about each event. They were not. It was only centuries later that confusion set in. It does not matter when each of the seven churches received their copy of the book of Revelation before or after. The 70AD event could not be added or interpreted as Revelation. No one could edit Revelation. You think they took those words with less interpretation we have today, with so many different versions? The warning not to change Revelation was for that time. It really does not matter in the last 100 years. Revelation will happen just like John recorded it. Of course not many, besides John, seem to think it is happening right now.

 

Well there is the part where 25% of humanity is killed by plague, famine, war, and wild animals. The wild animals has been a booming business during the last 3 months, while humanity stayed at home. This can happen at any day first. Then the church is harvested.

 

Day of the Lord is one thousand years. Where in your findings does it say 2 days of the Lord? This is part of the last Day of the Lord. There have been 1990 years in between. No, Revelation just started in this Day of the Lord. It did not go on in the last 2 days of the Lord. There is no Scripture teaching that.

God does not shorten the last 1000 years. God is doing the Revelation in that last few years of the church age. It is not extended onto the next age. It is the last of the actual church age. But it all happens in the harvest. Not spread out. How would any one understand the actual signs unless they lived them? No one can live 1000 years looking at one sign.

There is no "inner advent". It is called the church age. The church was in charge of 2000 years. Israel was in charge for 1400 years. The Nations were in charge for 2600 years. No one really did it right. Just filthy rags. God still worked though, and many obeyed and trusted God despite sinful Nations, Israel, or the church.

 

You may understand my words. You do not know where I am coming from. It is more than understanding. It is even more than knowing all you know. Hopefully you can know, understand, and accept the one point that needs to be known. If not, then such knowledge was not necessary.

 

Nope. Not possible. Preterists have no choice but to believe this, but it's just not true.

 

2. John's vision of heaven

In Revelation 4, John is caught up in the spirit to heaven, & sees the glory of God in impenetrable light. He sees extraordinary living creatures & elders surrounding the throne.

He records the songs of praise they sing, as living creatures & elders alternate in their praises of the glorious creator God.

In chapter 5 he sees a sealed scroll in the hand of God. A scroll that no-one can open – except the Lion of Judah, the slain Lamb of God, the ascended Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Revelation 4-5
Holy, holy, holy Lord God,
Praise the Lord of heaven and earth.
Jesus, Lion, stands in triumph,
Jesus, Lamb, the sacrifice.
Blessing, honour, glory, power
To the Father and the Son;
Now sealed scrolls will all be opened;
Now God's plans will be made known.
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In chapter 6 the seals are opened by the Lamb, and John sees him on a white horse. The Lion and the Lamb are victorious. The Greek word for victory – Nike - is used for both Lion & Lamb.

The prophet Zechariah sees horsemen & chariots as God's agents going through the world. Now John sees them with the order to take peace from the land. God graciously helps unbelievers to work together for peace & cooperation. Many live in a society where we have no fear of violence.

But when man's hatred casts off God's restraining power, violence & war follow. The Jews who rejected & crucified their Messiah, Jesus, rejected the Gospel of forgiveness preached by his Apostles.

When the fifth seal is opened, he sees the martyrs who have suffered at the hands of those who rejected the Gospel of salvation. They are waiting patiently for God to avenge them.

God is in no hurry for vengeance – he waits forty years, keeping the Gospel open for the rebel sinners to repent. Acts records that many thousands did repent & turn to Christ. But, judgement was coming.

 

That is all well and good applying a spiritual application. The problem is we are living in the end, and the actual seals are being opened. Are we ready to leave, with a full harvest, or just our sin?