Woohoo. Great scripture learning going on. As soon as I’m on my computer (I’m on my iPad) I’ll send an invitation to the multimillionaire club. Sorry it’s been missed.
I agree, it seems to me that Revelation is kind of a mixed bag. Some of it is simply spiritual, other parts are speaking of the past, while others are prophesying future events that haven't yet happened.
I've been on the futurist side ever since I've known about Revelation, but nowadays it has left a bitter taste in my mouth. There are so many "newspaper futurists" these days, those who try to correlate events in Revelation with things that are happening around us. It seems like these kinds of people always have their noses in the news, rather than the Word of God. Many preachers seem to talk more about current events in their sermons rather than Christ! I cannot blame this problem on the Word of God, but I feel that our interpretation of Revelation has been part of it.
To your question. Both! I believe the correct interpretation is that these letters were made for ancient churches, but we can make a wide variety of applications from that fact. I've been studying the seven churches recently, and it's amazing how many political, spiritual, and cultural facts are in the text. We have spent centuries trying to pick apart the seven letters because we did not live in those ancient times. I'm sure the churches would have understood the small nuances right away! If it was only meant for us, why would Christ mention the Nicolaitans or Antipas the martyr, both of which we know so little about? Are Paul's letters relevant for us today, or were they directed to ancient churches that no longer exist? Well, both! As in the case of the young lady, God uses writings that weren't even directed at us to teach, correct, and exhort us to become more like His Son. It truly is incredible!
I wonder, what is your understanding of the correct view of the book of Revelation? Preterist? Historicist? Idealist? Futurist? None of these? Somewhere in between?
I'm trying to figure it out myself and I'm curious what you all think!
TheMoviegoer Yes, it is very interesting. We covered this in Sunday school a few weeks ago. Bartimaeus was blind and asked Jesus to give him sight, so He did. James and John, on the other hand, were spiritually blind to the reality of suffering before glorification. In the same way He did to Bartimaeus, Christ opened the eyes of His disciples to His suffering and, therefore, their own future experience. Wonderful connections, I wish I knew more!
Here's a hymn that has touched me as I face a big decision in my life,
1 He leadeth me: O blessed thought! O words with heavenly comfort fraught! Whate'er I do, where'er I be, still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.
Refrain: He leadeth me, he leadeth me; by his own hand he leadeth me: his faithful follower I would be, for by his hand he leadeth me.
2 Sometimes mid scenes of deepest gloom, sometimes where Eden's flowers bloom, by waters calm, o'er troubled sea, still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me.
3 Lord, I would clasp thy hand in mine, nor ever murmur nor repine; content, whatever lot I see, since 'tis my God that leadeth me.
4 And when my task on earth is done, when, by thy grace, the victory's won, e'en death's cold wave I will not flee, since God through Jordan leadeth me.
Happy New Year everyone!!! Here's a good hymn that we sang at church this morning,
1 Another year is dawning! Dear Father, let it be, in working or in waiting, another year with thee; another year of leaning upon thy loving breast, another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest.
2 Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace; another year of gladness in the shining of thy face; another year of progress, another year of praise, another year of proving thy presence all the days.
3 Another year of service, of witness for thy love; another year of training for holier work above. Another year is dawning! Dear Father, let it be on earth, or else in heaven, another year for thee.
Merry Christmas everyone! Here's a good hymn to start the day,
1 In this our happy Christmastide The joyful bells are ringing; To praise be all our pow'rs applied, God's grace and mercy singing; In Him by whom the world was made, Now in the lowly manger laid, Rejoice we in the spirit; Thy praise, O Savior, we will sound Unto the earth's remotest bound, That all the world shall hear it.
2 A little Son, the Virgin-born, True God from everlasting To rescue us who were forlorn, His lot with us is casting; It moved His tender heart to see This world of sin and misery In condemnation lying; Therefore He came from realms above Down to our earth, drawn by His love, To sooth our grief and sighing.
3 Our thanks we offer Him today, Although a poor oblation, Alleluia! our joyful lay, Shall sound through ev'ry nation; Now in our camp the Ark we see, Therefore we shout the victory With joyful hearts unfearing; We sing of peace, the peace profound, That hell shall tremble at the sound, Our Christmas anthem hearing.
4 That God has laid His anger by, He by His gift hath shown us; He gives His Son for us to die, In Him He now doth own us; These joyful tidings tell abroad, That Jesus Christ, the Son of God, From sin doth us deliver; Who then should not be glad today When Christ is born, the sinners' stay, Who is of grace the giver?
5 As darkest night must fade and die Before the sun's appearing, So fades my grief away, when I Think on these tidings cheering, That God from all eternity Hath loved the world, and hath on me Bestowed His grace and favor; I'll ne'er forget the angels' strain: Peace--peace on earth, good will to men, To you is born a Savior!
6 Although my joyful Christmas lay Is mingled with my sighing, The cross shall never take away My joy and praise undying; For when the heart is most opprest, The harp of joy is tuned the best, The better strains are ringing, The cross itself, at Jesus' will, Must aid my soul, that I may still In grief His praise be singing.
7 Alleluia! our strife is o'er, Who, then, should pine in sadness? Who now should grieve in anguish sore In these our days of gladness? Thou Church of God, O sing this morn: To us is Christ the Savior born, O joy that none can sever! Alleluia! sing thou my heart, Now Christ is mine, I can depart To be with Him forever.