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The
bible can be interpreted in one of three or a combination of
three ways: LITERAL, SYMBOLIC, and/or SPIRITUAL. If the
interpretation tends to contradict another passage(s) of
scripture, it should be disregarded.
To
establish a doctrine, principle, or belief based upon one
scripture or passage is highly dangerous. Example are the
doctrines of snake handling, once saved / always saved, and
baptism in the titles father, son and Holy Ghost.
The
difference between "tribulation" and
"wrath" needs to be clearly understood.
TRIBULATION is that which Satan sends against the church.
WRATH is that which God sends against the world. A new
meaning of tribulation is the retaliation of this world for
the lack of God's blessings.
One
has no right to assume anything else but that the SEALS,
TRUMPETS, and VIALS are in natural order.
THE
REVELATION
(Written
94 A.D.)
Revelation
Chapter 1
Verse
3 give us all a great promise in that if we would just read
this book God would bless us. This blessing does not come by
understanding, though I believe this will bless, but by
taking the time and energy to read.
Throughout
the study of Revelation, you will find the term WHICH IS,
WHICH WAS. AND WHICH IS TO COME. This term gives strong
indication that the Lord has not raptured His church.
This term seems to be a key to show that the Lord's coming
appears to be still in the future tense.
Verse
19 is one of the KEY VERSES to understanding how this book
unfolds. John was instructed to write in the 3 tenses as God
ordained. He was to write the things which:
1.
THOU HAST SEEN (PAST TENSE). This is the
vision that John had just seen (The Revelation of Jesus
Christ).
2.
THE THINGS WHICH ARE (PRESENT TENSE). This is
the churches of Asia.
3.
THE THINGS WHICH SHALL BE HEREAFTER (FUTURE TENSE).
Notice that in verse 20 the 7 stars (pastors of the
churches) and the 7 candlesticks (churches) ARE. This
means that these churches are in the present tense, not in
the future as most teach them to be. This is further
verified in verse 11 where God instructs John to only write
one book and send it to all seven churches which ARE
in Asia.
Revelation
Chapters 2 & 3
These chapters are addressed to the angels (pastors) of the
seven churches that existed in Asia at the time of John's
writing. Notice again that John did not write to these in
the future tense but in the present tense. There is no hint
in these writings that these 7 churches represent 7
successive periods of church history, but, rather,
conditions of church situations at large. The fact that only
one book (same book) was sent to all 7 churches further
proves that all the churches received the same instructions
and each church was made as example for the other
churches (Rev. 1:11).
Some
of the problems in teaching this "modern day"
philosophy of 7 church periods are as follows:
1.
All of the churches are Gentile churches. This automatically
leaves out the best church God ever had; that is, the 1st
Church of Pentecost, headed by the chosen apostles and men
like the Apostle Paul (all Jews).
2.
The first church period (Ephesus) begins about 20 years
after the Day of Pentecost. That period in church history
was the time of tremendous growth. It was the time that the
entire New Testament was written and all the ministries of
the great apostles was carried on. And, yet, John says the
Church of Ephesus was a backslidden church.
3.
The fifth church period (Sardis) was during the time of
reformation according to church history, and, yet, John says
that Sardis was a dead church.
4.
The sixth church period (Philadelphia) was the church period
between "Reformation" and the great outpouring of
the Holy Ghost in the beginning of the 20th century. This,
again, is preposterous because the Philadelphia church was
the best church John wrote to.
5.
The seventh church period (Laodicea) is the period in church
history of today (end-time church) where there is, and is to
be, a great outpouring of God's spirit. And, yet again, the
Laodicean church was lukewarm and probably the worst church
John wrote to.
I
believe the true message about the writings to the 7
churches are that we need to examine them in order to
see the church situation and conditions of that day, and
compare them with the similarities of today, and understand
that their solution is the same solution for toady. These
situations of church are as follows:
1.
CHURCH OF EPHESUS - A church of false pride; they had
lost the original meaning and love that had been theirs in
the beginning.
2.
CHURCH IN SMYRNA - A church that had tribulation and
poverty, but was rich in God.
3.
CHURCH IN PERGAMOS - A church "dipped and
dyed" Jesus name, but had became very liberal in their
standard of holiness.
4.
CHURCH IN THYATIRA - A working, giving and loving
church, but had a "charismatic spirit and divided
congregation.
5.
CHURCH IN SARDIS - This church was very complacent. The only
important thing was just coming to church. The spirit of
revival and evangelism had slipped away.
6.
CHURCH IN PHILADELPHIA - The church in the church,
rapture ready, tried and tested, faithful to the end.
7.
CHURCH OF THE LAODICEANS - The church that probably
had the greatest calling, potential and resources, but they
had a "tumed-in" spirit. Their pastor had lost
control of the church and the new government was "the
rule of the people".
Those
that embrace the teachings of the seven successive church
periods seems to have to, and do, teach the DECLINE OF
THE CHURCH before the rapture. There are those who have,
in order to teach the rapture taking place at Rev. 4:1 tell
us that God is going to rapture the "last day"
church (Laodicean) and this church will be lukewarm,
faithless, and CHRISTLESS. I don't see how any
"spirit-filled" saint would entertain such a
concept. This teaching is an insult to every generation of
the church age. If the early church had to endure what they
endured to be saved. God is not going to allow this type
church to rapture with them. I don't think I want to go with
them either.
Revelations
Chapters 4 & 5
The "modem day" interpretation tells us that the
rapture takes place at Rev. 4:1-2. Without serious
consideration and proper study, one might draw this
conclusion; for this passage would indicate a possibility
that the church did rapture. However, when one begins to
seriously study these chapters, it becomes evident almost
immediately that this is not the point of rapture, nor is
there even a small indications of rapture.
John has just concluded that portion of his vision, that is
with the past and present, and which was an earthly vision.
Now he sees a door open in heaven. Rev. 5:6-8 tells
us that there was four beast, four and twenty elders, the
Lamb, and the "prayers of the saints". Notice
there is no mention of the "saints or the church".
Now, it seems to me that if this is the "rapture of the
church", the church surely should be mentioned. Another
problem I see is that we are to rapture to the "mid-way
air", not directly to heaven. It also is worthy to note
that the voice John heard was the first voice, and
this voice did not sound a trumpet, but, rather, sounded
like a trumpet "talking
with me". John never tells us that the church is caught
up at this time; he merely informs us that he (John) was
translated, and that is only in the spirit. This book was
written for the comfort and direction of the church to be
able to face the tribulation of that day or the day of the
coming of our Lord. If the church is gone, there would be no
use or purpose for the rest of the book.
If
the rapture takes place at the beginning of chapter four,
the following passages of scripture are out of context:
1.
Rev. 4:8 tells us that the four beast are still worshipping
Him, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which
was, which is, and is to come.
2.
Rev. 6:9-10 speaks of the 5th seal being opened. There is an
altar of the slain saints. And they cried with a loud voice,
saying, How long, 0 Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge
and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth. If we
have raptured, there is no need for an altar, nor will we be
spending our time asking Him for vengeance, but, rather, we
will be worshipping and praising Him.
3.
Rev. 5:8, John see the prayers of the saints. After rapture
there will be no more need for prayer.
The 4th chapter describes the four beast that were round
about the throne, full of eyes before and behind. One was
like as a lion, the second like a calf, the third had a face
as a man, the fourth like a flying eagle. There are all
kinds of interpretations and ideas of what these truly mean.
I am sure that they are symbolic. They could possibly
represent an angelic host, but it seems more reasonable to
me that they represent the entire fullness of the Genesis
creation in all its various powers. We have read and
understand the meanings of the "four winds of
heaven", and the "four corners of the earth".
These four creatures also represent the four groups of the
animate powers of creation. Thus we see the ceasing of the
groans of creation spoken in Romans chapter 8 and now all of
God's creation is a creation of praise when it becomes
heavenly, or when sin no longer can touch it.
This chapter also describes 24 elders that fall down before
Him that sat on the throne and worship Him that liveth
forever and ever. Most scholars of Revelation would probably
agree that these represent the 12 tribes of Israel of the
old testament and the 12 apostles of the new testament. Rev.21:12-14
tells us that the 12 gates to the heavenly city, new
Jerusalem, were named after the 12 tribes of the children of
Israel, and the wall of the city had 12 foundations which
were named after the 12 apostles of the Lamb. Notice again
that there is no Gentile representation in all this
heavenly group which should make you wonder about this
Gentile raptured church. Rev. 5:11 give us another account
of this heavenly vision. It tells us that he saw the beasts,
elders and more than 100,000,000 angels, but where is the
church? The contrast of this scene is in the 19th chapter of
Revelation where the marriage of the Lamb is described. Here
we find the beasts, the elders (v.4), but also much people
(v.1). The reason for the difference is that in Rev. chapter
19 the rapture has already taken place, and, therefore, we
find the church represented in the host.
What is so important in this passage is that John sees Him
that sat on the throne holding a book in His right hand
written within and on the backside, sealed with seven
seals. John hears the declaration that there is no man
in heaven nor in earth or under the earth able to open the
book or loose the seals. Then came forth the Lion of the
tribe of Juda, the Root of David. BEHOLD THE LAMB
having 7 horns and 7 eyes which are the seven Spirits
of God sent forth into all the earth. Again, why send the 7
Spirits of God in all the earth if the church is raptured,
and why loose the seals and reveal the mystery of the book
after rapture? The truth is the prophecy of this book
belongs to the spirit filled saints of God — the
church.
The argument has been made that the word "church"
is not mentioned after the 3rd chapter of Revelation, thus
the church must have raptured. To take such a flimsy concept
is to insult the integrity of the Holy Ghost church. To make
such a statement is to say that there is a difference
between God's saints and God's church. The word
"saints" appears on numerous occasions after the
3rd chapter of Revelation. One who would make such a
distinction should read Daniel chapter 7. V. 18 tells us the
"saints" of the most high shall take the kingdom
and possess it forever. V.21 says that the beast will make
war with the saints and prevail against them (this could not
be spiritual), until the ancient of days comes (rapture) and
judgment is given to the saints of the most high (v.22).
V.25 tell us that the beast shall wear out the
"saints" for a period of time, times and a divided
of times (3 1/2 years). V. 27 promises us that the kingdom
under the whole heaven shall be given to the people of the
saints of the most high. CONCLUSION: IF THERE IS A
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CHURCH AND THE SAINTS, I WANT TO BE A
PART OF THE SAINTS. |