Jen is absolutely right on this. No doubt about it.
How so LastSeven? I don't see anywhere in Scripture that says we are to read the bible this way. There are other threads where I've tried time and again to get Jen to explain why the numbers are multiplied like that, and not 2 other sets of numbers at random.
EG: Daniel has some pretty interesting number schemes in Daniel chapter 9. Why aren't these just multiplied out by 1000 because 'a day with the Lord is like a thousand years..."? Why? Oh, because then the numbers wouldn't make the return of the Lord imminent enough.
But on the other hand, how imminent is Jen's maths really? Don't we have a few hundred years to go? Ok, if that's the case, then surely many people will think there's no urgency and we can go back to sleep for a bit. My family and friends that have not accepted the Lord, well, I can take my time. Because he can't
really return suddenly in judgement tonight, that would break Jen's timetable for him.
Me? I think I'll stick with the bible's
clearer statements which warn
to be on guard because he'll return like a thief, and that no one knows the day or hour.
Indeed, if history has a 7000 year clear bible timeline, why on earth didn't Paul point this out in clear language to the Thessalonians (2 Thess 2) who were worried that the Lord had
already returned, and that some had missed it? Paul could have just explained "No, there's 3000 years to go!" Ummm, there's a reason Paul didn't. it's not in the bible. Jen is forcing his 7000 year plan onto the text by multiplying 2 verses together that have no business being together.
Or consider 1 Thess 5. Why did Paul write to them that
dates and times are not important, and urge them to be prepared for the Lord's return at any moment because he will return like a thief in the night?
Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2 for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3 While people are saying, Peace and safety, destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 89 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10
The answer is obvious. We are not to know when, so that the church remains faithfully and urgently on task. We don't want to be found doing the wrong thing, like the
10 Virgins who were unprepared for the Bridegrooms return.
Indeed, if I were to sum up the whole teaching of Revelation especially in the light of Jesus teaching and the rest of the NT epistles it would be this.
"Stay faithful Christian, even when bad things happen in this world, because one awesome Day the Lord will return and bring Judgement and Salvation and a New Heaven and New Earth. Stay faithful, because it is worth it! Stay faithful, because
you will not know when, and it could be tonight."
That's it. It's that simple. Now there are all sorts of Old Testament images and ideas that John nails to this message and reinterprets to us in the light of the gospel message, but that's it.
And Jens message directly contradicts this whole New Testament on
being prepared. For if he is right, I might take a holiday. We've got time, so there's no urgency.