Posted: 5/22/2011 8:00:45 PM EDT
| In a recent Bible study, we discussed how the major books of the Bible that dealt with apocalyptic scenerios (Daniel, Ezekiel, Revelation, etc) were written as a form of hope for people that were being persecuted at that particular time (Jews, then later Christians). Let's assume for a second that Revelation is not written as a moment by moment account of the end of time, but rather a letter to presecuted Christians throughout the Roman Empire encouraging them to remain faithful and strong until the presecution ended. If this is the case, what do we really know from Scripture about the final Judgement? I know the details given by Jesus describing what the end times will look like, how the sheep will be separated from the goats, but what other details are there? Is there honestly any clear indication of what will be going on? |
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Quoted:
Let's assume for a second that Revelation is not written as a moment by moment account of the end of time, but rather a letter to presecuted Christians throughout the Roman Empire encouraging them to remain faithful and strong until the presecution ended. If this is the case, what do we really know from Scripture about the final Judgement? I know the details given by Jesus describing what the end times will look like, how the sheep will be separated from the goats, but what other details are there? Is there honestly any clear indication of what will be going on? Prophecy is a sign for believers (1 Cor 14:22). It is to be understood by believers. If your religious leadership doesn't understand, then what does that mean? The first 3 verses of the Apocalypse make it very clear the prophecies would be coming to pass shortly after the book was written. The logical conclusion is that the events described in the apocalypse started happening right then. Furthermore, based on what God's past performance during silent periods, he did not leave his people to wander around in the dark for extended periods. The two major silent periods were covered by prophecy, the 400 years of the Egyptian captivity was covered by Genesis 15:13, and the period between the OT and the NT was covered by at least two major prophecies (Daniel's 70 weeks and Daniel 11). We can therefore conclude based on God's previous silent periods that the apocalypse will provide insight to the believer as to what events will be taking place during the silent period since Jesus left. |