rjprince said:
Pre-mil, post, and a- are opposing postitions (perhaps pre-mil more than post and a). All three cannot be right. All three could be wrong, but all three cannot be right. Not if Scripture means any thing at all!
Two other positions tha should be 'factored in' this mix of the three positions you have named, are what are known as "historic millenialism" and "preterism".
Personally, I would be considered Pre-mill, I guess, but prefer to merely "call it as I see it'. For me, from my limited study, that comes out in a pre-millenial fashion.
I would say that I understand more (or at least I think I do), about Revelation than I do about most other books of Scripture. And although I am very interested in Bible prophecy, that is not the overridiong reason for this. I have had a singular privilege to go through the entire book of Revelation under five different pastors. I had a three hour Bible college course on Daniel/Revelation. And I was privileged?? to get to be a "graduate intern assistant", under the same Prof. in the same course, after receiving my B.A. degree, while working toward a Th.B., which I incidentally never finished, mostly because of experiences I had during this internship. Interns were required to prepare teaching lessons, just as if we were to teach the course, and some of my POVs conflicted with some of those of the Professor, who also happened to be the President of the school. And both he and I, as well as the other intern (who has since gome home to the Lord from cancer, a few years ago, at around the age of 55), took a pre-tribulational, pre-millenial stance. But as he did not agree with me on some of the details, he frankly, was not willing to allow me to teach the course in his absence (standard practice in the school, and I did teach in my other interned course), and had guest speakers, whom he could 'control', so that his POVs would not be contradicted. He also gave me a 'manufactiured grade', which was quite a bit lower than I thought I deserved. After one semester of that, which I considered less than honorable, I decided not to continue in that pursuit, lacking only a few hours to the Th.B. degree. I am saying this, not to brag in any way, but to tell you where I am coming from.
Back to Revelation: The book of the Revelation is the only book in Scripture that promsies a specific blessing to read, hear, and keep its words.
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, 2 who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. (Rev. 1: 1-3 - NKJV)
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show unto his servants, even the things which must shortly come to pass: and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John;
2 who bare witness of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, even of all things that he saw.
3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written therein: for the time is at hand. (Rev. 1:1-3 - ASV)
I happened to have pastors who used four different versions, at times (the ASV, KJV, NIV, and NKJV), and I also used the ASV, KJV, NKJV, and a New Scofield 1967) when going through it. But all the versions promise the same blessings.
To me, that is the first key -to read, to hear, and to keep. The more one reads [and studies (II TIm. 2:15)];hears it preached; and keeps it, the more one will understand it. Make sense so far, after the above 'rabbit trail', of my own experiences?? It is a revealing, from the Lord Jesus Christ, himself, unto John. And one has to "get into it".
Again, this is the first key, IMO.
The second key, IMO, is found in Rev. 1:1b.
And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John,
That is the word "
signified". The book of Revelation is full of "signs", hence loaded with symbolism. One, after following the above, will come to more and more understand which is symbolism, and what the symbols are. Remember this. "'Inspiration' is 90% 'perspiration'."
Third and final basic key, IMO, is found in Rev. 1:19-20.
19 Write[
i] the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after this. 20 The mystery of the seven stars which you saw in My right hand, and the seven golden lampstands: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw[
j] are the seven churches. (Rev. 1:19-20 - NKJV)
There is a difference between the three 'phases' given in v. 19 of past "
the things which you have seen" (IMO the vision of Ch. 1);"
the things which are" (IMO, the seven churches and what they "
signify"); and "
the things which will take place after this" or 'meta tauta', in the Greek language (IMO, the things beginning with Ch. 4:1, and following.) This phrase of "meta tauta" (or 'after this') occurs several times in the subsequent chaptters, as well, and I believe that this is a progression of the chronology of the book, as it proceeds along. There are some parenthetical passages which do not advance the chronology, but they should become more and more obvious, in this light. I believe one has already spoken to this.
Finally, don't get too hung up on the date. Although I believe Revelation was written circa 95 AD, that is not that important to the book, again, IMO, whether it is, say, 95 , 85, or 75.
There you have my three keys. Hope some of this helps. Keep at it. :thumbs:
Ed
) We are in the later part of chapter 19. I believe that when you go verse by verse you can not help but see the chronology set forth by God. It reveals itself what is figurative language and literal and where it can be seen as a mixture. I try to always give the various ways people interpret the scriptures so they can decide for themselves what they will believe regarding passages and the whole.
