This may help people understand why we're saving Israel for last.
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I agree! The way I see it all prophecy points to Jesus Christ. Most Christians seem to read the bible asking themselves "what does this mean to me"? What they should be asking is what did this passage of scripture likely mean to the original audience it was written too? Revelation, for example, was written to 7 churches in Asia that existed in the 1st century. These were real churches, with real people who had real problems. What was John's purpose in addressing Revelation to them? Wasn't it to comfort them? Weren't they under tremendous persecution?
Yes, it was written to the 7 churches, however, Rev. 1:1 tells us that the things written were "signs." The 7 lampstands were "signs" of the 7 churches. Also, the Lord said that the church in Thyatira would remain until He returns (Rev. 2:25). And the church in Sardis (3:3). The church in Philadelphia will be saved out of the hour of trial that will come on the whole inhabited earth(3:10) and that hasn't happened yet. He said to the church in Laodicea, that he who overcomes will sit with Him on His throne. That didn't happen 2,000 years ago. Also, each letter to the 7 churches ends with, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. So, it was not just written to a few churches in Asia. It was written to the whole church.
The 7 churches were, themselves, prophetic signs of the stages of the church through history and their names are prophetic. Ephesus means "desirable." She left her first love, but she was still desirable, Smyrna (from myrrh) signifies suffering and death. This was the time of persecution. Pergamos means marriage (monogamy, polygamy). The church was married to the world at the time of Constantine. Thyatira, means sacrifice of perfume, and is the fully formed Roman Catholic Church. Sardis, means the remainder, restoration, or reformation and includes all Protestantism. Next came Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love--the only approved church. They only need to hold fast what they have. Last is Laodicea, which means "the opinion of the people--the laymen." IOW, they were not led by the Spirit and the word, but by their own opinion.
Thanks for your thoughtful response.
Revelation 1:1 (KJV) - The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
Revelation 1:1 doesn't say anything about "signs". It says "signified". Strong's concordance says that it means "to indicate". God sent an angel to John to signify (indicate) things which "must shortly come to pass". Rev. 1:1 doesn't mention lampstands.
I'm not fond of the Catholic Church however, Revelation does not say that Thyatira is the Catholic Church. In fact the Catholic Church hadn't even come into existence at the time John wrote Revelation. I think you are reading too much into the text.
A good verse by verse commentary on Revelation is David Chilton's book "Days of Vengeance". I ordered 4 copies to give as Christmas presents.
Thank you for the heads up about the book “ Days of Vengeance “ I’ll order .
I don't use KJV, it has too many discrepancies from the original languages. The word "signified," Strong's concordance (using Olive Tree) says "semaino" means, a mark, sign. To give a public sign or signal. John uses the expression in his gospel also. Jn. 2:11 says, "This beginning of [miracles] Jesus did." The word for miracles is "semeiou" and means "sign, mark, token, miracle with a spiritual purpose."
Correct, the Catholic Church had not come into existence yet. Rev. 1:3 says that the things written are prophecies-"Things which are about to take place after these things (v.19)." It was during the time of the Catholic Church that idolatry was brought into the church (2:20). That hadn't happened at the end of the apostolic age.
I don't know anything about the book, Days of Vengeance, but just the title makes me think he misses the point of Revelation. The main point is not vengeance, it's the bringing forth of the Bride of the Lamb whose "wife has made herself ready (Rev. 19:7)." (Cross reference that to Eph. 5:23-31 to see that the church is the wife of Christ-the Lamb). This Bride is the New Jerusalem (Rev. 21:2). And everything about the New Jerusalem is a sign. The Bible consummates with the Spirit and the Bride speaking as one (22:17). Don't you want to know HOW the Bride makes herself ready? For that you need to understand the signs. The Bible interprets them.
The lampstands are not in the first verse, they're in the first chapter (vv. 1:12,20). The lampstands are the churches (Rev. 1:20). The churches are the wife of Christ (Eph. 5:23-31), and the Bride of the Lamb (Rev. 19:7) and the New Jerusalem (rev. 21:2).
First Happy Thanksgiving (assuming you celebrate this day)! We are getting ready to go to my son's house so I'll make this short.
Which Bible translation do you use if I might ask? I'm not in love with the KJV - I realize it has some translation issues (as do most translations).
For difficult passages I will read multiple translations, commentaries & word studies.
I agree with your comments in regards to the point of Revelation - however in order to get to bride of the lamb whose wife has made herself ready there was an element of vengeance (Day of Lord events). David Chilton took his title from: Luke 21:22 - "For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled." There's a connection between Luke 21, Matt 24 & Mark 13 & Revelation.
Let me ask you a question: what brought about the end of the Old Covenant age? What brought an end to the animal sacrifices in the Jewish Temple? When did the sacrifices in the Temple end?