Jonaitis
Soli Deo Gloria
- Jan 4, 2019
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Your point that the seven churches couldn't grasp my interpretation is only valid if we assume that the early Christians were meant to grasp it. Many time prophecy are given but are not understood until it is fulfilled, or the warning signs that preclude the fulfillment of the prophecy is happening. To say that our interpretation of what Revelation says has to be done in the context of the first century christians contradicts your point about some of revelation is for the future generation. We can't pick and choose, rather we should interpret as the scriptures reveal; at the same time lining up our interpretation with Jesus and his testimony (which is the spirit of prophecy Revelation 19:10).
"The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place." - Revelation 1:1
This opening shows that this revelation was to be shown to his servants, i.e. the seven churches of Asia Minor (v. 11), that were to take place soon in their time. It would take some gymnastics to fit this to two millennia later with this phrase. Historically, many things happened to the early church that are described in this book during the first-century. Arthur Pink notes that in Revelation 6 we see an apparent parallel of the seven seals with the words of Jesus found in Matthew 24. In Revelation 11:1-3 we are possibly seeing the rebellion that happened from the Jews in 66 AD, the response of Nero afterward, with destruction of the Second Temple that happened in 70 AD, when Vespasian's son, Titus, besieged and destroyed Jerusalem with it. There are many other things that can be compared to the accounts written of that time.
It has an application to all churches, but it in no doubt had original recipient who could grasp these symbols and prophetical statements.
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