You are correct to say that I am outlining the SDA understanding of Dan 7. I believe that is the best explanation of the chapter.
Based on the info above I understand that you are in full agreement with the following quote taken from our bible commentary on
Rev. 13:5-7, pg. 818: "The specifications of
Rev. 13:5-7 clearly identify the power symbolized by the beast with that represented by the little horn of the fourth beast of
Dan. 7".
agreed.
Bob, now that I clearly understand what you believe in regard to Dan. 7, and the first beast of Rev., 13. I would like for you to consider my understanding of the first beast of Rev. 13., since we both as Adventist agree that the little horn of Dan 7, is the papacy, which waged war against the saints and defeated then during the 1260 years of the dark ages. (538-1798)
In the two posts following this I will share the primary details of the battle between Jesus and Satin in Rev. 12:1-6, followed by Rev. 12:7-14:5, which is overlooked by most. In order to understand these prophecies correctly we must understand each event in their proper sequence. I believe I have shared with you in a previous post what makes the apocalyptic prophecies of Dan., and Rev., unique, in that each one has a beginning and ending point in time and that each event within that prophecy is given by God in its chronological order. You did not think favorably on this, so in the this post and the next two I would like too demonstrate just how important this "natural law" that God built into apocalyptic prophecy is in order to understand God's intended meaning.
This “natural law” can be observed in all fulfilled prophecies to date, thus it has to be true of unfulfilled prophecies as well. Most students today as well as former expositors of centuries past were not aware of this law until God, according to His timing made it know in the mid 1980’s.
For that reason most students of apocalyptic prophecy think that all the prophecies are divided by chapter divisions, some yes, but not all. In the original transcripts there were no chapter, verse, or sentence delineation. It was first added in the KJ for reference purposes. Certainly a huge blessing. But keep in mind these translators were not inspired, nor did they understand this, “natural law”. Of course they were very careful and did the best they could with the knowledge they had at that time. But truth in all fields of study is progressive, and those who are willing to move with it remain on the cutting edge while those who don’t are left in darkness.
With this said, then how does one distinguish between the different prophecies. I will demonstrate this “natural law” as we consider (Re. 12:1-6 and 12:7-14:5). First consider (Rev. 12:1-6), note the events, vss. 1&2 describe a woman (God’s church) about to give birth to Christ. Vss. 3&4 describe a red dragon/satin stands before the woman to devour the child. V5 the Child/Christ returns to heaven. Vs 6, the woman fled into the wilderness a place prepared by God, for 1260 days, which must be translated as literal years (538-1798) as the Jubilee cycles are still in operation.
With this prophecy it actually does start at the beginning of the chapter, but not all do. So beginning with (Rev. 12:1-6) note that as each event is listed they are moving forward in chronological order. However, in vss. 7-9 this event describes the war in heaven in which Satin and his angles are cast to the earth. Certainly this event has stoped the forward progression which was evident in vss 1-6, but rather is going back in time and speaking of an earlier event. It is here at vs 12:7 that a new prophecy begins with many events listed in their chronological order moving through chapter 13, to Rev. 14:5. Again each event within this prophecy is moving forward in time until again we reach the event in 14:6 which begins the three angles messages. We know that the three angles messages are given before the 144,000 are presented to Jesus in heaven as the first fruits of the tribulation harvest, so another prophecy begins here and continues to (Rev. 15:6) Note here in these last two prophecies that neither started or ended with chapter delineation.
Too, one can confirm this “natural law” by observing the chronological order given in Dan, 2:29-45; 7:1-12; 8:1-12; and 9:20-27. These are just four of seventeen prophecies found in Dan., and Rev. Once this “natural law” is understood students of apocalyptic prophecy can better understand a private interpretation (those not conforming to "natural laws") and those based on valid, "natural laws."
Bob please consider not responding to these specific post until you consider the other two which I will post in the next couple of days or so. Ask the Holy Spirit for a humble spirit and discernment during this time, let what I share sink in before you respond, I think in this way our correspondence on these specific post would be less confusing. Thank you.
