Repeating themes in Revelation

[canadyjd]

I’d like to discuss the way John uses repeating themes in Revelation.

The following was taught by Dr. Alan Tomlinson, PhD, at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary while I was studying there more than 25 years ago.

I know he intended to publish his research but I’m unsure if he was able before he passed. I believed they named the biblical Greek dept after him. I hope to do him justice with my rendering.

Foundation: The scene in which John himself was of the Bema seat judgement.

This was very common in the Roman Empire and wildly popular events. Governors would hear cases, arguments from counsel and make a decision. At times, visiting dignitaries would hear the case (Paul before Festus and Herod) and occasionally the Emperor would take part (Paul appealed his case directly to the Emperor)

There were two types of cases which had 7 seals. These were death penalty cases and wills.

John was witnessing a combination of the two. Jesus would inherit all things, Christians would inherit eternal life with God, and God’s wrath would be pronounced upon the ungodly that had rejected Him and His Christ.

The seven seals were upon the scroll, most likely wax with an imprint insignia of the person who would open the scroll. And each scroll had a tiny slip at each seal that had a brief summary of what was in that section of the scroll.

Once the 7th seal was opened, the entire scroll could be read and the case laid out before the judge.

More to come

Peace to you

 

[canadyjd]

Remember the scene. John is before the Bema seat as a spectator. As the seals
are opened, the contents are explained to him. These are things that have already occurred and are being presented at trial.

Notice the brief summary.

Seal #1: white horse: The rider is a conqueror going out to conquer

Seal #2: Red horse: the rider takes peace from the earth, given a sword people are killed

Seal #3: Black horse: description of famine (high prices)

Seal #4: Ashen (white) horse: death and hades personified killing 1/4 by the sword

Seal #5: Martyrs: testifying “how long” will God withhold His judgment: Answer: Until the number of their fellow servants that will be killed is complete.

Seal #6: Natural disasters; celestial signs of God’s coming wrath.

Peace to you

 

[canadyjd]

Before the 7th seal is opened, there is what some call an “interlude” before the throne. The 144,000 from the tribes of Israel are mentioned, as well as mentioning the martyred saints again (repeating theme).

Notice the language around the martyred saints and compare to the end of Revelation, no more tears, no more pain etc. a repeating theme.

When the 7th seal is opened, the full scroll can now be read. Notice the repeating themes first found when the seals were opened. Famine, natural disasters, celestial signs of impending wrath, death and destruction.

The scroll is explaining in greater detail what was first mentioned when the seals were opened.

It is not in chronological order. Some of what is described occurred long ago. The Devil and his demons are cast from heaven and bound. The woman gives birth, Israel giving birth to the Messiah. The child (Christians) fleeing into the wildness to avoid persecution.

You see the rise of kingdoms, some specifically had already occurred in John’s time, and two more were to come.

The scroll is being read before the throne. The allegations come forth. Eventually, God’s judgment is given upon all that have rejected Him and His Christ.

I will not pretend to understand it all. I won’t attempt to give names or predictions of who is involved in each account or make predictions.

My goal here is to get you to consider what is happening in Revelation.

John is witnessing the Bema seat judgment of God. It is a courtroom. The accusations are found in the scroll, which is systematically opened and the evidence revealed, explained to John which he writes down, not in chronological order but in repeating themes.

Thank you for considering this possibility.

Peace to you

 

[Charlie24]

Before the 7th seal is opened, there is what some call an “interlude” before the throne. The 144,000 from the tribes of Israel are mentioned, as well as mentioning the martyred saints again (repeating theme).

Notice the language around the martyred saints and compare to the end of Revelation, no more tears, no more pain etc. a repeating theme.

When the 7th seal is opened, the full scroll can now be read. Notice the repeating themes first found when the seals were opened. Famine, natural disasters, celestial signs of impending wrath, death and destruction.

The scroll is explaining in greater detail what was first mentioned when the seals were opened.

It is not in chronological order. Some of what is described occurred long ago. The Devil and his demons are cast from heaven and bound. The woman gives birth, Israel giving birth to the Messiah. The child (Christians) fleeing into the wildness to avoid persecution.

You see the rise of kingdoms, some specifically had already occurred in John’s time, and two more were to come.

The scroll is being read before the throne. The allegations come forth. Eventually, God’s judgment is given upon all that have rejected Him and His Christ.

I will not pretend to understand it all. I won’t attempt to give names or predictions of who is involved in each account or make predictions.

My goal here is to get you to consider what is happening in Revelation.

John is witnessing the Bema seat judgment of God. It is a courtroom. The accusations are found in the scroll, which is systematically opened and the evidence revealed, explained to John which he writes down, not in chronological order but in repeating themes.

Thank you for considering this possibility.

Peace to you

This is the Reformed approach to Revelation and I would think Dr. Tomlinson is a Calvinist by definition.

The view is a different hermeneutics and does not recognize the separation of Israel and the Church.

So the dispensations will totally disagree with this approach.

But if you're addressing the Reformed I'm sure you'll find some agreeing.

 

[Charlie24]

This is the Reformed approach to Revelation and I would think Dr. Tomlinson is a Calvinist by definition.

The view is a different hermeneutics and does not recognize the separation of Israel and the Church.

So the dispensations will totally disagree with this approach.

But if you're addressing the Reformed I'm sure you'll find some agreeing.

Now canadyjd you may or may not be interested in the approach to Revelation from the dispensation veiw.

You may be just addressing the fellow Reformed. But if you want the dispensation view of Revelation, mainly it's approach to Revelation, I can explain that for you.