The Book of Revelation itself provides several interpretations of its images. For example, it states that the “Seven Golden Lampstands” represent seven congregations. Likewise, the “Seven Stars” held by the “one like a Son of Man” symbolize angels or “Seven Messengers.” Pictures of the smoke of “incense” rising to heaven represent the “prayers of the saints.” And so on.
Continue reading “Provided Interpretations”
Through a series of seven beatitudes, Revelation summons believers to faithfulness despite hostility, tribulation, and persecution. The Book of Revelation is not a tool of divination for deciphering future mysteries and events. Instead, it is a summons for God’s people to become vigilant, live righteously, and persevere in testimony during persecution and other trials. Its concern is not when certain events will occur, but how the Assembly of God must “overcome” and thus arrive at the city of “New Jerusalem.”
Continue reading “Call to Action”
The first paragraph of the Book of Revelation presents its purpose, key themes, main characters, how it communicates, and its chronological perspective. The Book’s purpose is to reveal. Its protagonists are God, Jesus, and the “his servants.”It is “THE prophecy,” and its source is God. The contents concern “What things must come to pass,” and this last clause provides the timeframe of these events, namely, “soon”.
Continue reading “A Revelation of Jesus Christ”
Four different times in Revelation, John found himself “in the Spirit” and transported to a new location where he received another vision.
In the fourth chapter of Revelation, John “came to be in the spirit, where he was summoned to heaven to see a vision about the “throne,” the “sealed scroll,” and the “slain Lamb.” Previously, in his first vision, he came to be “in the spirit” and saw a vision of “one like a son of man” standing among the “seven golden lampstands,” that is, the “seven churches of Asia.”
Continue reading “I CAME TO BE IN SPIRIT”
Are Revelation’s visions presented in chronological sequence? If so, how do we explain the many parallel descriptions that link them?
Are Revelation’s visions presented in chronological sequence as they unfold? If we assume that to be the case, things quickly become untenable as key events are repeated in multiple visions. For example, the sixth seal culminated in the final day of wrath accompanied by celestial and terrestrial upheaval, yet the “day of the Lord” and the judgment of the wicked occur also when the seventh trumpet sounds.
Continue reading “LINEAR CHRONOLOGICAL SEQUENCE?”
Insights into Bible Prophecy 