This section is dedicated to the errors of modern day “end time” beliefs that are accepted in the church! Once again, we do not claim to have all the answers, nevertheless there are many “end-time” beliefs that have not one Biblical leg to stand on. Prayerfully consider the following points – with your Bible? First, please read the disclaimer. Thank you!
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Disclaimer:I do not adopt any escatological system. I have over the years studied many end-time views and I have come to the conclusion that all views have major problems, therefore I refuse to hold to any view or end-time system. I simply in “child-like faith” receive the words of the scriptures for what they say and mean trusting that the Sovereign God of creation will work ALL THINGS out according to His good pleasure. Whatever may be the result of your opinion regarding these as well as the following thoughts, make no mistake: I believe in all scripture as God’s truth – I believe in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ – I believe in the resurrection of the dead – I believe in a “thousand years” in which martyrs reign with Christ and Satan no longer be able to deceive the nations of the world - I believe in Satan’s final destruction – I believe that “death & hades” will be destroyed - I believe that all saints will reign forever with Christ – I believe in a New Heavens & Earth. I simply hold to the major doctrines of the Christian faith. If you have any question of what I believe go to our Statement of Faith for more clarity.
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CONSIDER #1 No one honestly interprets the book of Revelation literally. Whether if one hold to a Futurist view, a Fulfilled view, a Historical view, or an Idealist view, no one really holds to a literal view that Christ literally looks like a seven-eyed Lamb or that a woman actually has the sun as her clothing and stood on the moon with twelve literal stars for a crown. These are obvious symbols signified by God and received by his servant John (Revelation 1:1). Consider that as one reads Revelation the vision opens up and within the text the interpretation is usually given, so there should be no guess work for it’s meaning.
For example:
(Rev. 1:20 – Stars are “angels” or messengers and Candlesticks are “churches”)
(Rev 4:5 – Lamps are “the seven Spirits of God”)
(Rev 5:8 – Odors are interpreted as “prayers”)
(Rev 11:8 – Jerusalem is “spiritually called” Sodom and Egypt)
(Rev 17:9-15 – Heads are “mountains,” Horns are “kings,” Waters are “people”)
(Rev 17:18 – A woman is interpreted as a “city”)
(Rev 19:8 – Fine linen is called “the righteousness of saints.”)
(Rev 20:14 – Lake of Fire is called “the second death.”)
Even though there is much within the context of the book of Revelation for interpretation, there is much more that is not always explained, but that does not mean that we are left up to our wild imaginations about Cobra helicopters, super-bombs, and South American killer bees. Nor are we left to the idea that it is only a spiritual or mystical meaning. To understand much of the signs, symbols, time texts, and word phrases of Revelation it is assumed that you have read the rest of the Bible and that you are familiar with its language. Yes, Bible language! The words, phrases, and time texts in Revelation are repeated throughout the rest of the Bible in prose and poetry. Therefore, interpreting the Hebraic symbolism is not always a “this-means-that” kind of interpretation, but rather a style in which it is written. John, being a Jew, writes in a Hebraic style and adopts the signs and symbolism from the Old Testament Hebrew prophets as well as other New Testament apostles to convey the awesome vision of Revelation. In other words, these so-called mysteries of Revelation have already been interpreted for us in other books of the Bible – we just have to find them! We have to search, dig, ask, seek, and knock. Much easier said than done. But when it comes down to it, it can only be done by prayer and fasting, and as the Lord reveals or unveils Himself to us in the Revelation the result is “child-like faith.” In other words, you start having an idea of what is going on, even though you don’t understand all the minor details or exactly how it fits together. Just like a child, you believe what your Father says and that is good enough. ’That has been the result of my experience and many others. An abandonment of end-time systems, and a obsession of seeking God our Father and Jesus Christ our Elder brother, even in the book of Revelation!
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