THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHIRST -- some highlights to help in understand it -- this is the title of this wonder book. To entitle it otherwise is to substitute what is not written for what is written, a dangerous practice. Why not entitle it as written? Blessings guaranteed are those who read, those who hear and those who take to heart those things written (l:3). It is written to the church, of the church and for the church. Not understanding this concept only leads to confusion and error. Understanding is made easier by parallelism interpretation, the only one I have found that works. : There are 7 parallel episodes each of them ending with the judgment. The number 7 is preeminent throughout. The 7 letters to the churches are written for our learning and example. There are 2 with only commendations. 4 with both commendations and criticisms; 1 is with no commendations, only criticism. Christ called all of them the church, even those with serious problems, sins of which He did not approve. Corporate worship in all of them must have been in compliance with His mandate God is a Spirit and they that worship him MUST worship Him in spirit and in truth, or He would have made necessary corrections. Any spewing or removing lampstands He reserved to Himself; this is divine domain; weak man that I am, I dare not invade. not ours, not preachers, not congregations, not journals, not directories of churches. Against those in error, He did not command, recommend drawing lines; remember the church, He called all of them, in spite of their imperfections. This does not mean neglecting discipline; a congregation disciplining one of its own is at times necessary, the only kind practiced and approved of in the Book. Among other fundamentals of the Revelation taught in the 7 letters is the importance of respecting congregational lines and boundaries. Christ is the lead Rider, not some ruler, ancient or modern, at the opening of the seals, on the white horse,, going forth, conquering and to conquer. He is still riding. He has a sword, but it is never at his side or in His hand; it is always out of His mouth. He will never be a combatant with some antichrist in some carnal skirmish. No rapture taught, not to be anticipated, no such thing in the divine plan of the ages. He will never return to earth to set up a kingdom and reign 1000 years; His kingdom has been here since the Pentecost of Acts 2. The 144,000,, a definite number for the indefinite, are the redeemed of the ages, under the Old and the New Testaments. The two witnesses in chapter 11 are the Book and the Church, nothing else contextually fits. The woman clothed with the sun is the church, the woman in the wilderness. The man-Child is the Christ. Armageddon is a spiritual battle raging now, not a carnal war. The holy city is the church, another aspect, not heaven; from there John saw it coming down. The time periods described as 1,260 days; forty and 2 months; time, times and half a time, all refer to the same, all equal in computation, and are dispensational, coming to an end at the second coming. In both the beginning and ending chapters, we have God the Father, Christ the Son, the Holy Spirit and the Church, and all the way in between, of great interest to any serious student of the Book.. Thanks sincerely for considering these few highlights. Lord willing, I hope and plan sincerely, cautiously, prayerfully, humbly to have my commentary completed by the New Year.
Posted on: Tue, 12 Aug 2014 04:23:24 +0000