The date was June 1975, I remember sitting near the Communist Czechoslovakian border training for the inevitable conflict with The Warsaw Pact. I recall sitting in a cracker box ambulance while providing medical support for the 2nd Armored Division. Between the blast of tank firings, I was reading a book I purchased entitled 'The Late Great Planet Earth' by Hal Lindsey. Within the content of the book was descriptions of events that surrounded the coming of Christ and the final War of Armageddon. I was amazed by the apparent parallel of current events and the prophesies within the Bible. Hal Lindsey had reported that the 'covenant' people Israel were the key figures or components impacting the unfolding of the end of the world and the coming of Christ.
Lindsey suggested that genetically/racial Israel, and it's geographical/national location were central in determining the chronological events of Christ return. He alluded to the prophecies mentioned in Ezekiel 38-39 as proof that Russia, East Germany, Poland, Bulgaria, would attack Israel and be destroyed by Christ supernatural intervention. In addition Lindsey suggested that China would cross the Euphrates river and assemble with the ten headed beast (EEU) and would make war resulting in the blood of the combatants reaching as high as the bridal of a horse. This is the alleged 'War of Armageddon' that would usher in the return of Christ (Rev.18). Hal Lindsey presented a premise that God was committed to Israel based upon a nationalistic or genealogical relationship. In addition he purported that the rapture was dependent upon the imminent events outlined in his book.
These predictions wrapped around scripture were ripe for fertile imaginations. All of the alleged players were in place. We observed the seemingly miraculous interventions during Israel's Yom Kimper War, and the 'Six Day War' where Israel had defeated superior Arab forces. We saw the unification of the European Economic Community, the introduction of the Euro dollar, the rise of the Chinese military signaling the impending doom. I was enthralled by the apparent fulfillment of Bible prophecy in my generation. Lindsey taught that these events made clear the 'rapture' or the catching away of the church was imminent.
Many pastors around the world proclaimed with evangelistic fervor that Jesus Christ was soon to come, and the body of Christ would soon be raptured away. Pointing to the one world government, the rumors of war, famine, pestilence, earthquakes, the trumpet was loudly sounding. I taught most of all that Hal Lindsey espoused, largely because I didn't test it, or rightly divide the Word.
Recently in the 21st Century, we have observed a revival of interest in 'end time' topics. Most notable is the 'Left Behind' series popularized by Tim LaHaye. LaHaye mirrored the main theological positions of Lindsey and presented them in a fictional 'made for television' format. The core positions of LaHaye are that of pre-millennialism and geographical and genealogical covenants. The Left Behind Series has become the most popular Christian themed series in history. Just as The Late Great Planet Earth, this series has shaped the conscience and expectation of our generation. The events in scripture that explain the end of the world has been a topic of excitement, intrigue and controversy for years. Many books have been written and there have been many opinions presented concerning the 'end time.'
After several years of study and careful consideration of the scriptures, I think that it's important to present BARC's position on the topic entitled Eschatology; meaning eschatos, (last, logos, ordered statement). The general term describes the doctrine of last things. So as we journey in our study of last things, let's chart our course.
We'll explore the dimensions of :
1. Prophecy.
2.Bible Chronology
3.Exegetical Eschatology
4.Literal Principle
5.Metaphoric Principle
6.Grammatical Principle
7.Historical Principle
8. Typology Principle
9.Scriptural Synergy
With these principles as our guide, we will loom towards the topics of the 'Mark of the Beast,' The 144,000, The Rapture, The Anti-Christ, Israel in Prophecy, and Christ Second Coming' with balance, gravity and biblical precision. Many popular views concerning the end of the world and end time events will be explored and analyzed. One of them is capsulated in the 'Olivet Discourse' spoken by Jesus Christ in (Matthew 24).Here the disciples asked Jesus to share with them the truth of when he would come and what would be the sign of His coming and the destruction of Jerusalem. Within this chapter lies many keys to proper understanding of Bible prophecy. In verse 1& 2 Jesus describes what will happen to Jerusalem's temple. In verse 3 when they arrive on The Mount of Olives, they ask "what is the sign of thy coming, and the 'end of the age?' Studying the terms 'end of the age' and 'sign of thy coming' are decisive to examine in light of scripture.
Why is this decisive? Before we explain the terms, let's glimpse what can happen when we don't study scripture in light of scripture. Hal Lindsey while interpreting Revelation 9, explains that the locust with gold crowns on their head with women's hair, were elaborate Apache/Cobra attack helicopters with pilots wearing high tech helmets (gold crowns) and hair like women meant (whirling propellers). So according to Lindsey, God showed The Apostle John Apocalyptic visions of attack helicopters twenty one centuries in advance.
How can we test the interpretation to determine if Lindsey's conclusion is correct?
We must utilize the laws of Hermeneutics (Art and science of interpretation) to rightly interpret and read the Bible for all it's worth. Some terms that must be considered and understood are similes, hyperbole, allegory, and metaphors. If we use allegory when the text demands a literal view we are ripe for error. R. C. Sproul said, "To interpret the Bible literally is to interpret it as literature. "Meaning we should interpret it as any other form of communication; in it's most obvious and natural sense. If an author intended to allegorize or 'symbolize' a term and we took it literally, we would do violence to the authors intentions. A case in point would be in (Revelation 12), when John describes Satan as a 'dragon' and if we 'literally' took him to mean Satan was a fire breathing flying reptile.
So it is the task of the Bible teacher to consider carefully the laws of hermeneutics when interpreting the sacred scriptures. Hermeneutics involves all the principles listed above, we will look at them carefully in our effort to present 'Exegetical Eschatology.' The term exegetical is derived from the word exegesis which simply means to 'lead out'. The Bible teacher must bring out of the scriptures what the author intended to say or teach. Keeping with that principle, we at BARC will lead, or bring out what the inspired writers of scripture intended concerning eschatology.
Exegetical Eschatology is a term popularized by the President of the Christian Research Institute Hank Hanegraaff. We at BARC stand firm on the exigency of eschatology being committed to exegesis.
Let's now return to (Matthew 24) and the Olivet Discourse. Many contemporary Bible teachers have interpreted Matthew 24 as Jesus Christ defining the literal events that will happen in the distant future when the world ends. The consistent modern view is that it is speaking of the 21st century. When I say 21st century I am not suggesting that it is specifically the 21st century, since there has been confusion and teaching that the events were speaking about the 3rd, 5th, 13th, 17th, 19th, 20th centuries etc.
Well let's look at the hermeneutical concept of the Historical Principle and the understanding of metaphoric language to lead or bring out what Jesus was saying to his audience. Remember everything in scripture is spoken FOR the benefit of ALL but is not spoken TO ALL. When Jesus explained what would occur at the end of the age, He was speaking of the Jewish spiritual and social era or age. The Greek word for age is aion , if the disciples were asking for a sign for the end of the world they would have used kosmos. Jesus knew what they were asking, because he had just pronounced judgment and destruction of their sacred temple and city Jerusalem. When you examine verse 14, Christ told the audience present before Him that they will see the abomination of desolation spoken by Daniel stand in the Holy Place (Jerusalem/Temple).
Jesus goes on to explain in verse 29 that the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give her light, stars will fall and heavenly bodies will be shaken. For the Bible teachers who point to Matthew 24 as speaking of some distant future event that will occur in the 21st century, we at BARC must mention two vital things, In verse 34-35 Jesus qualifies ALL of His statements about wars, earthquakes, His coming in clouds, false Christ, great tribulation, pestilences and persecution occurring BEFORE THAT GENERATION PASSED AWAY!
So what are we to believe? Tim LaHaye, Hal Lindsey and a host of other prophetic teachers, that suggest Jesus is speaking about the 21st century or Christ when He says to His audience, the generation I'm speaking to and living then, will not pass away until all of these things I've mentioned in verse 4-35 come to pass?
The term 'this generation' occurs fourteen times in the Gospels, and always implies Jesus contemporaries. In (Matthew 11:16) Jesus ask to what can I compare this generation... also see (Matthew 12:41-45). Hank Hanegraaff affirms, "Just as it is grammatically implausible for Jesus to have meant anything other than the generation to whom He was speaking in this context, so too it is grammatically impossible for him to have been referencing anything other than the generation present at his delivery of the Olivet Discourse- as "this" means "this" not "that" here, so "this" means "this" and not "that" there." Finally on the certainty of "this generation" meaning current generation, listen to Jesus while announcing his seven woes preceding the Olivet Discourse warned the Pharisees and teachers of the law of the judgment for rejecting the Messiah. In (Matthew 23:36) he said all this will come on "this generation."
Those like BARC who hold to much of Revelation as having already occurred are labeled 'Preterist.' This is meant to insinuate that we believe that ALL of Revelation is speaking of past events. We espouse that many passages are past, (Revelation 3, Revelation 12, Revelation 13) are a few examples but the most significant such as Christ return, a future judgment, reign of Christ, resurrection of godly and ungodly, and eternal gathering are yet to be fulfilled. Being termed a preterist is unfair and invalid. It's similar to classifying peoples as 'liberals' because they respect and adjudicate liberty and rights of individuals. If you believe that much of what's written in Revelation has already occurred then you are classified as a preterist. Is that fair or true? We don't believe it is, so what we must do is embrace truth, and not be influenced by novice interpretations and traditions of men.
Many prophetic teachers who make millions of dollars with sensational predictions claim that (Matthew 24) can't be anything other than a futuristic depiction, since verse 30 states 'The Son of Man will be coming on clouds.' They infer it is a clear reference to the future "rapture" which certainly had not yet occurred. The second aspect of Jesus Olivet Discourse is the concept of "Christ coming." Two thirds of Revelations 404 verses allude to or reference Old Testament passages. We at BARC find that throughout Christ ministry he more often than not referenced an Old Testament passage when he taught or fulfilled a prophecy. This is consistent with his teaching in verse thirty. Any student of scripture would have easily seen that when Christ said "you shall see the Son of man coming on clouds with glory and power" was a reference to (Ezekiel 30:3, Joel 2:1-2, Isaiah 19:1, Daniel 7:13). In these passages 'coming on, in or with clouds' meant "with judgment and power."
Since all other references to 'coming on clouds' meant judgment, why would anyone think "the Son of Man coming on clouds" means anything other than Christ announcing judgment on Jerusalem to the generation he was addressing. When Christ mentioned that along with his coming judgment of Jerusalem, those who witnessed the destruction of Jerusalem would also witness his vindication and exaltation as Israel's rightful King. It is also true that with the destruction of the city and temple, would come an end of the old covenant sacrifices that pointed forward to the ultimate sacrificial Lamb in whom the symbols would be fully and completely satisfied. Common sense should be sufficient to demonstrate to the "unbiased" that redefining "coming" to mean "second coming" and "end of the age" to mean " end of the world" is injudicious.
Bible scholar N. T. Wright explained: "The disciples came to Jerusalem expecting Jesus to be enthroned as rightful king. This would necessarily involve Jesus taking over the authority which the Temple symbolized. They were now confronted with the startling news that this taking over authority would mean the demolition, literal and metaphorical of the Temple, whose demise Jesus had in fact predicted, and which he had already symbolically overthrown in his dramatic action in the Temple itself. The disciples now "hear" his prophetic announcement of the destruction of the Temple as the announcement of, also of his own coming-not floating around on a misty cloud, of course but of his "coming" to Jerusalem as the vindicated, rightful king." When Jesus said this generation will not pass away until all of these things come to pass, the disciples did not think he was speaking about events that will happen in the 21st century.
DESTRUCTION OF JERUSALEM
When Jesus was addressing his contemporaries he said in (Matthew 24:15-21), When you see the Abomination of Desolation standing in the holy place spoken by the prophet Daniel. Daniel prophesied in (Daniel 11:31-32) that, "His armed forces will rise up and to desecrate the Temple fortress and abolish the daily sacrifices." Then they will set up the abomination that causes desolation.......In 167 BC Daniels prophecy became an unforgettable reality when Syrian leader Antiochus Epiphanes took Jerusalem by force. He abolished Temple sacrifice, and erected an abominable alter to Zeus, and outlawed Sabbath observance. Therefore when Jesus referenced the desolation spoken by Daniel, everyone in the audience knew precisely what he was talking about. The annual Hanukkah celebration ensured they would ever remember the Syrian antichrist who desecrated the Temple fortress, the pigs blood splattered on the alter, and the name of the Greek god Zeus in the Holy of Holies. Had God not intervened through the agency of Judas Maccabaeus, the epicenter of their theological and sociological identity would have been destroyed, not just desecrated.
In the Olivet Discourse, Jesus took the Jewish nightmare and expanded it to cosmic proportions. What Jesus declared desolate was decimated by Roman infidels. They destroyed the Temple fortress and ended daily sacrifices. The blood that flowed was not from pigs, but from corpses of unbelieving Pharisees. The Holy of Holies was not defiled, but destroyed by pillaging soldiers. There was no Judas Maccabees to intervene, within a generation the city and Temple was destroyed. True was the words of Jesus when He said in (Matthew 24:2); not one stone will be left on another. When the Jews saw the armies of Rome surrounding Jerusalem they remembered what Jesus said and fled to the surrounding mountains (Luke 21:20-21). The Jews who failed to heed Jesus warning were slaughtered. Some one million fell by the sword, a myriad of others were taken prisoner. Jesus told the Jews in Jerusalem in (Luke 19:43-44); "The days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment against you and encircle you and hem you in on every side. They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another because you didn't recognize the time of God's "coming to you."
One thing should be crystal clear, Christ was speaking to a 1st century audience and by using the pronoun you, and when he says " The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give her light; the stars will fall (Matthew 24:29; Mark 13:24-25; Luke 21:25) fiery images of Old Testament prophets should flash before our eyes. Consider the images used by Isaiah when pronouncing judgment against Babylon in 593 B.C. See, the day of the Lord is coming -a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger- to make the land desolate and destroy sinners within it. The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give her light. ( Isaiah 13:9-10). Surely no one supposes that the stars went into a super nova in the days of Isaiah. Rather, as Isaiah used sun, star, and moon as judgment metaphors against Babylon, so our Lord used them as judgment images against Jerusalem.
Wisdom insist that we interpret the New Testament with the accompanying "background music of the Old Testament." When we do that we won't commit eisegesis, meaning inserting what the author DID NOT originally intend. Tim LaHaye, Lindsey and a host of other teachers have not considered the common practice of interpreting scripture by scripture. As we further construct the events surrounding Jerusalem's destruction we must introduce historical truths about the "Beast" spoken of in 2 Thess 2; Revelation 13. Modern teachers like Lindsey and LaHaye insist that the Beast is a 21st century person who will be used by Satan to usher in the 'One World Government' and the 'War of Armageddon.' But is it possible that just as they have erred concerning the end of the world and coming of Christ, could they have misidentified the biblical person of the Beast?
I recall while in the military, many teachers would teach that Ronald Eugene Reagan was the Beast since his name equaled six letters each (666). Others taught that Russian prime minister Mikhal Gorbechav was the beast because he had a dark birth mark on his forehead. For twenty centuries there has been speculation, conjecture and ignorance concerning the identity of the Beast. Many thought that Alexander the Great, Napoleon, Stalin, Hitler was the Beast. There have been Hollywood films released such as the 'Omen" that sensationalized the myth that there is a human being that will have literal numbers 666 on their head. Many teachers taught me that the mark of the Beast will be given during a seven year 'Great Tribulation' period and that it will allow you to purchase goods and services.
Many still teach that little chips will be placed under our skin and that translates to receiving the 'mark'. Others have suggested that we will be forced to take a bar code on our head or hand. Let's look at what scripture says, and how the Beast was used to destroy Jerusalem and persecute the infant church. The Book of Revelation opens with very important comments. John wrote, " The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants-things that must shortly take place... Many who read Revelation approach it as if it was a record of events that are far in the future, but the events would shortly occur.
The destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple is solidly placed in the year 70 A.D. during the reign of Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus- better known for his number than his name. Just like their 1st century counterparts 21st century believers can be absolutely certain that 666 is the number of Nero's name and that Nero is the beast that ravaged the bride in a historical milieu that includes 3 1/2 years of persecution, a year when the Roman Empire almost became extinct.
SIX HUNDRED SIXTY SIX
Hank Hanegraaff states;"First, John identifies the Beast as six of seven kings and identifies the number of his name. He informs his readers that the seven headed Beast represents both kingdoms and kings of that kingdom. He further makes clear that with wisdom and insight his 1st century readers can calculate the number of the beast, for it is mans number. Obviously no amount of wisdom would have enabled Johns 1st century audience to calculate the number of a 21st century beast."
Gemartria, 'the practice of transforming names into numbers', was common in antiquity. The first ten letters of the alphabet corresponded to the numbers 1 through 10; the eleventh letter represented 20, the twelfth letter 30, and so on until you reach 100. The twentieth letter was 200, and each new letter an additional 100. Roman historian Suetonius identifies Nero by a numerical designation equal to a nefarious deed. This numerical equality is encapsulated in the phrase "A calculation new, Nero his mother he slew." In Greek the numerical value of the letters in Nero's name (Nepwv) totaled 1,005, as did the numerical value of the letters in the rest of the phrase. This clever cryptogram circulated during Nero's reign and reflected the widespread knowledge that Nero had indeed killed his mother Agrippina.
Another example of the use of gemartria is seen in (Matthew 1:17) when Matthew retraces the lineage of Jesus. He concludes his genealogical account by explaining that there were fourteen generations from Abraham to David, and fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to Christ. Skeptics have long accused Matthew of being in error and an amateur in mathematics. To the contrary, Matthew being a tax collector/accountant displayed mathematical genius in abridging the genealogies. He skillfully employed gemartria to organize the genealogy of Jesus into three groups of fourteen, the equivalent of the three Hebrew letters in King David's name. Thus the genealogies simultaneously highlight the most significant names in the lineage of Jesus and artistically emphasize our Lords identity as the long-awaited Messiah who would sit on the throne of David forever.
This is the same type of precision and genius displayed by John's use of the triple 6. F. W. Farrar conveys how the early readers of Revelation perceived the mysterious 666. The very look of it was awful, it was the number of toil and imperfection, incompleteness-one short of seven
As we mentioned previously, Nero's name in a Greek isopsephism totaled 1,005. However, transliterated from the Greek- NEpwv Kaioap - into Hebrew: nun, resh, waw, nun, quph, ayin, resh the sum total of Nero Caesar equals exactly 666.
Proceeding right to left nun=50; resh =200; waw =6; nun=50; quph =100; ayin =60; resh=200.
The total of 666. This is clearly the identification of the Beast that John recorded in Revelation.
At this juncture, most who have been taught by their pastors, or read "The Left Behind" series will scoff at the concept that the 'Beast' is an historical figure. There is no documentation that the Beast is a 21st century figure, and when the Bible and viable truth of history is presented, many resist it because its not their orientation. We at BARC only present facts and scripture as our basis. Look at these further facts.
Revelation records the first all-out assault of the Beast against the Bride, lasting approximately 3 1/2 years. Prior to AD 64, the church was persecuted by the woman who rides the beast (apostate Israel), but shortly after the Great Fire of Rome, the beast unleashed its full Satanic fury against a infant, fledgling Christian church. Nero the Beast used the fire as a the catalyst for his first state assault against the emerging Christian church. Historian Tacitus reports, Nero fastened the guilt and inflicted the most exquisite tortures on a class of hated for their abominations called Christians by the populace.
In November A.D.64 the persecution began in earnest. Dr Paul Maier, professor of ancient history at Western Michigan University, provides gut-wrenching color commentary in a documentary novel titled The Flames of Rome, Vast numbers of Christians were arrested, convicted, and sentenced to death. Tacitas records, "Covered with the skins of beast, they were torn by dogs and perished, or were nailed to crosses, or were doomed in flames and burnt to serve as nightly illuminations, when daylight had expired.
Nero offered his gardens for the spectacle, and was exhibiting as a show in the circus, while he mingled with the people in the dress of a charioteer. Nero was so perverse that according to Apollonius of Tyana, Nero was a beast more evil than any encountered in the wild. Of beast it can't be said that they ate their own mother, but Nero gorged himself on this diet. Nero so prostituted his own chastity that after defiling every part of his body, he devised a game in which he covered himself with the skin of wild animals and was let loose from a cage and attacked the private parts of men and women bound to stakes. Nero castrated a young boy named Sporus, and then married him in pomp and pageantry. Nero committed every perversion. He demanded to be called 'God Almighty' and made it law that he be 'worshipped'. This is the beast that Christ spoke of. This is the Beast, son of perdition that Paul wrote of in (2 Thess 2:1-2).
John wrote in Revelation 13, a beast was coming out of the sea, John reveals in (Revelation 17:9-10) that the historical location of the looming apocalypse as the domain of the first century Roman empire-not a ten nation confederation known as the EEU. Rome is well known as a city on seven hills=Capitoline, Palatine, Esquiline, Aventine, Caelian, Vininal, and Quirinal. Thus it is clear John had the ancient Roman Empire in mind.
Likewise the seven kings are the seven Roman Caesars. The first five Julius, Augustus, Tiberius, Caligula, Claudius had fallen, Nero was on the throne and Galba the seventh had not come. But when he did come, he only remained on the throne for seven months. John referred to him as reigning "a little while."
Nero was the very personification of evil. The malevolent state massacre of Christians he instituted continued unabated for some 3 1/2 years. In the end, Peter and Paul themselves were persecuted and put to death at the hand of the beast Nero. This was the only epoch in human history where the beast could assail the foundation of the church in which Christ was the cornerstone. Only with Nero's death, June 9, AD 68 did the carnage against the Bride finally cease. Not only is there a direct correlation between Nero and the number 666, but with (Revelation 13:5-7) when it says that the Beast was given forty two months to make war against the saints" This is the exact time period Nero wrecked havoc on the Bride.
It is no mere coincidence that within a year of Nero's suicide, the Roman Empire suffered a near fatal wound. In a moment an Empire that had resided in the Julio-Claudian line of Roman Caesars for a century disappeared from the face of the earth. History records, AD 69 would yield four different emperors. Galba, Otho, Vitellius, and Vespasian.
Nero's death not only brought an end to the Dynasty, but the near extinction of imperial Rome. Civil war raged, four emperors perished by the sword, cities in it's riches plains were swallowed up. Rome was wasted by conflagrations. Rome's oldest temple consumed, sacred rites profaned, it's shores polluted with bloody deeds. To friend and foe alike it appeared that the Roman Empire had suffered a mortal wound. Emperor Vespasian resurrected the the empire and ushered in the Flavian dynasty that would rule Rome until AD 96. while Revelation stamps the 3 1/2 year tribulation, it encompasses the year that will forever stand in infamy, With the resurrection of the Roman beast, Vespasian and his son Titus once again set their sights on Jerusalem.
By spring AD 70, Titus had besieged the city. By summertime he had surrounded it with a wall, relegating the Jews within to either starvation or surrender. Jewish historian Josephus describes the horror that took place in Jerusalem. "Those who had failed to flee to Pella "prowled around like mad dogs, gnawing at anything, belts, shoes, and even the leather from shields." The account of Mary of Bethezuba, "Maddened by hunger, she took her baby in her bosom and and declared, "why should I preserve you for famine and war, come be my food!" with that, she killed her son roasted his body, ate half of it and hid the rest for later. How profound were the words of Jesus when he said " How dreadful will it be in those days for those who are pregnant and are nursing mothers" (Matthew 24:19).
We drive our cars and place on our bumpers the 'Sign of the fish.' Why? It speaks of the time in history when persecution was so great that Christians had to secretly write the symbol of the fish, alluding to when Christ told Peter "I'll make you fishers of men" (Mt 4:18). They wrote it on the ground, on the wall, and stood near it to secretly signal to others that they were Christians.
Believers were called the 'Sect of the Nazarenes', and considered a 'cult' in Antioch. There has never been a worst time of trouble, persecution, and tribulation as that period. The catacombs, the coliseum massacres are epic testimony to this truth. Instead of glorifying God and acknowledging the zeal, tenacity, and loyalty of our first century counterparts, we diminish God's victory through them and perpetuate that we have the battle(3 1/2 year of trouble) yet to come.
Let's continue our look at history.
By August the altar of the Temple was littered with heaps of rotting corpses, and streams of blood flowed from the steps of the sanctuary. On August 30th the unthinkable occurred. The very day on which the former temple had been destroyed by the King of Babylon, the second temple was set ablaze. Just as John had prophesied, "In one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her" (Revelation 18:8). While the temple was in flames, the victors stole everything and slaughtered all who were caught. No pity was shown to age or rank, old men or children, the laity or priest-all were massacred."
By September 26, all Jerusalem was in flames. The total number of prisoners during the war was 97,000 and number killed was 1,100,000. So great was the destruction of Jerusalem that there was nothing left that indicated life ever existed there. As the starved, shackled survivors gazed at the smoldering ruins of the city and temple. I'm certain many remembered the words of Christ when he said " O Jerusalem Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those who sent you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. Look, your house is left to you desolate."( Matthew 23:37-38)
As Christ words still hung in the air, Jesus turned His back on the place that had housed the shekinah glory of the Almighty. The disciples seeing the enormity of Christ statement began to recall the glory of the Temple and city. Jesus responded, "Do you not see all these things? I tell you truth, not one stone here will be left on another, every one will be thrown down (Matthew 24:1-2). Many futurist when attempting to place the 3 1/2 year tribulation period in the 21st century, state that when John wrote about the events in Revelation 18. Jerusalem had already been destroyed and John couldn't have been referring to a beast named Nero.
La Haye places the date of John recording the book of Revelation at AD 95. He arrived at that date solely on an single ambiguous sentence in the writings of Irenaeus . The sentence can be translated as "John's apocalyptic vision was seen toward the end of Domitian's reign. LaHaye and other teachers don't notice the absence of credibility of Irenaeus, for he also wrote that Jesus was forty five to fifty years old when He was crucified. Irenaeus recorded many truths, but when his writings contradict biblical truth it must be resisted.
Consider the following, what if you were currently sitting down in Manhattan and you were reading a newly released book about terrorism in NYC? As you read from cover to cover you read about the attempt to bomb Ft. Dix. The failed attempt to blow up the fuel at Kennedy airport, even the bombings in 1994 at the World Trade Center. But the author didn't mention 9/11???? How could you write about this topic and overlook the most cataclysmic event in NYC history. This is the absurdity for Revelation to be written after AD 70, and John a Jewish Christian, who saw Peter and Paul murdered and knowing the epicenter of all Jewish culture and history destroyed, and NEVER MENTION IT!
Dr. Norman Geisler writes,"...here's the problem for those who say the New Testament was written after AD 70-there's no mention of the fulfillment of Jesus prophecy of Jerusalem in any New Testament documents. This means that most if not all, of the documents must have been written prior to AD 70. If that was not a reasonable position to futurist, the scriptures themselves oppose the myth that Revelation was written after the destruction of Jerusalem.
John wrote in (Revelation 11:1-2), "I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, ' go and measure the temple of God and the altar, and count the worshippers there. But exclude the outer court, do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the Holy city for 42 months. This is conclusive, the prophecy is about a future event that will soon occur. John wrote that Jerusalem will be destroyed and trampled for 3 1/2 years. The Temple and city still existed, so John wrote Revelation before AD 70. The event took place in A.D. 70, so this is proof that Jesus prophecy about the 666, The Beast, and Tribulation period are not about the 21st century and beyond, but an event that Jesus said would be fulfilled in their generation.
RAPTURE/ CHRIST RETURN
LaHaye and Lindsey in their portrayal of eschatological events say. "Most believers take Bible prophecies literally, believing Christ will rapture the church to heaven, just as he promised in (John 14). Christians believe that the earth will undergo a seven year Tribulation period as described in (Revelation 6:18). And they also believe that Christ will return in glory, set up his earthly kingdom for a thousand years, take all Christians to heaven to live with him forever"......
Prior to the nineteenth century, all Christians, futurist included, believed that a common sense reading of scripture inevitability led to the conclusion that the second coming bodily return of Christ and the rapture/ resurrection of believers were simultaneous events. Plain reading of passages like (John 14), did not lead believers to hold to a pretribulational rapture view point. This view point was derived and invented in the nineteenth century by John Nelson Darby, the father of dispensationalism. Darby didn't arrive at his position from reading the scripture. Rather, as historian Timothy Weber points out, "Darby perceived the pretribulational rapture after he presupposed 'the absolute distinction' between Israel and the church in the prophetic plans of God."
Hank writes;"in1831, the same year that Charles Darwin sailed away from England was the year that a disillusioned priest named John Nelson Darby left the Church of England, and joined a separatist millenarian group called the Plymouth Brethren in the English city of Plymouth. Just as Darwin imposed a speculative spin on science and religion, so did Darby impose a subjective spin on scriptural data he encountered in Plymouth. Darby contended that God had two distinct people with two distinct plans and two distinct destinies. Only one of those peoples-the Jews-would suffer tribulation. The other-the-church-would be removed from the earth in a secret coming seven years prior to the second coming of Christ. Darby's distinctive twist on scripture would shortly come to be known as Dispensational Eschatology. "
The core of the dispensational thought was birthed in racism and anti-Semitism. The church viewed dispensationalism as the religion of obscurantism of the socially disheartened and psychologically disturbed and theologically naive. False prophets like Joseph Smith were going about spouting "Christ will return before I'm eighty five years old." Baptist orator William Miller suggested that Christ return would be in 1843.
Watch Tower President Judge Rutherford prophesied that Christ was returning in 1914, and then in 1925, it didn't happen and then The Society of Jehovah's Witnesses said Armageddon and Christ return would occur in 1975. History records so many false ideas about Christ return and the Anti Christ identity. Dispensationalist alleged that the Catholic Pontiffs of the Roman Catholic Church were the Anti-Christ. Many speculated that according to (Revelation11), precisely 1,260 "days" after the rise of the Roman Papacy AD 538 the reign of the beast would come to an abrupt end.
One of the great errors of dispensationalism is it's concept of the Catholic Church being the "Harlot" spoken of in Revelation 17. Many Bible commentators influenced by Darbyism insert the presuppositions in their commentaries of end time prophecies. Modern apocalyptic teachers taking their cue from Darby espouse that the "Papacy" and the Roman church is the religious system that the Bible speaks of. This error in identification underscores the reason that many well intentioned teachers mislead their hearers. The scriptures resonate the aroma of history. If one would only listen to the background music of history, they would hear Hosea strumming in the epic drama of being married to a harlot (Hosea 9:1) They would hear Jeremiah humming that Israel is identified as the 'Prostitute' in (Jeremiah 2:20-24 and 3:2-3).
The portrayal of Israel being the prostitute is even more brazen in (Ezekiel 23:14-16). Ezekiel's portrayal of Israel as an insatiable prostitute is particularly significant in light of the self evident parallels to Revelation. Compare the descriptions of the four living creatures (Ezekiel 1/Revelation 4). To the mark on the foreheads of the saints (Ezekiel 9/Revelation 7). From the eating of the scroll (Ezekiel 3/ Revelation 10). to the measuring of the temple (Ezekiel 40/ Revelation 11). From Gog-Magog, Ezekiel 38/ Revelation 22). Nowhere are parallels more poignant than Ezekiel 16 and Revelation 17-sequentially linked and memorable.
Israel had become a harlot prostitute. Who can forget the chorus of the Jewish crowd in (John 19:15) when the Roman authorities inquired who the Jews esteemed as their King, they replied "WE have no King but Caesar!!!"
All of the Caesars exalted themselves as God's and they killed anyone who did not bow before them. The "prostitute' bowed and declared " we have no King but Caesar." The book of Revelation was written to also reveal the persecuted bride-true Israel and it also revealed the prostituted bride-apostate Israel. And finally a purified bride -true Israel, will be revealed in (Revelation 22). Why is it important to understand the Israel is the "harlot, prostitute" spoken of in prophecy?
Because once you embrace that truth, then you will see that apocalyptic teachers focus on Israel in prophecy is unfounded. You can't turn the Christian television station on without hearing a preacher spouting on and on about Israel in Prophecy. John Hagee, one of the more vocal proponents and supporters of Israel, had the temerity to even teach that Israel does not need to accept Jesus to have eternal life!!!!!
How often we are told that God has a covenant with Israel that continues to this day. Christian preachers have not properly studied their Bibles, for the scriptures proclaim in Romans 2:27-29 that a Jew is not one who is one outwardly, but it is based upon an inward spiritual relationship with God. Paul said circumcision availeth nothing, but a new creature (in Christ) (1 Corinthians 7:18-19). This circumcision is now effective in a new spiritual birth (Col. 2:11-14). Paul also wrote that those who accepted Jesus Christ as Savior were of Abraham's seed and partakers of the promises and covenants of Abraham (Galatians 3:28-29). How can we oppose Christ and all that He and the apostles taught and suggest that God has a relationship with people who reject His Son and His work on Calvary?
There are important questions that must be answered, does God commune with people based upon race and geography? When Jesus confronted the Jews in (John 8:37-45) they thought that their race and biological connection to Abraham gave them prominence with God. Jesus dispelled their error. Jesus said you are not even connected to Abraham, but were the sons of the Devil.
God is not a cosmic racist, God looks at all men equally. Relationships and covenants are based upon our spiritual status.
When will modern teachers remember this? We at BARC can't phantom the concept that preachers will support and give credibility to Jewish people who still reject Christ, and were instrumental in crucifying the Savior. Still to this day Jews reject and renounce the truth that Jesus is the Savior of the world. I would ask anyone who may be disturbed with these comments read 1John 5:12. It states "He who has (accepts, believes Jesus is Savior and Lord) has life. He who does not (believe, accept Jesus is Savior and Lord) does not have life.
Also consider John 14:6, it declares uncompromisingly; I AM.....The WAY.......THE TRUTH.....THE LIFE..... no one comes to (or has a part) of God without (accepting) me. John 8:24 records the divine indictment against Jews rejecting Him as 'promised Messiah' Jesus said if you don't believe that I am He.......you shall die in your sins.
BARC ministries loves all Jews, God has no respect of persons, and He desires to save Jews just as much as any other man. Jewish people, just as Muslims, Mormons, Buddhist, Jehovah's Witnesses are guilty of not believing and coming to Christ (John 3:17-19). Jesus said, in Matthew 11:28, "Come unto me ALL ye who labor and are are heavy laden, and you shall find rest for your souls. Jews must come to the cross and experience forgiveness of sins and purification by Christ redemptive work at Calvary. True are the words of the song: "Some by the fire, some by the flood, BUT ALL MUST COME THROUGH THE BLOOD.
Darby presented a concept that God has two people and two plans of salvation, and this bold faced lie is being perpetuated by many today. The core of the error is birthed in the presupposition that one people must be raptured in order for God to continue his plan with the other.
Scripture reveals that God has one chosen people purchased "from every tribe and tongue and language and nation" (Revelation 5:9). Paul taught us "mystery is that through the gospel, the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and shares together in the promise in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 3:6). Peter calls the church a chosen people, a royal; priesthood, a holy nation...(1 Peter 2:9). The true church is true Israel and true Israel is truly the church!
To suggest that Israel has a separate relationship with God is preposterous. Many teachers will present the popular concept that God made promises to Abraham that were to last forever. Theologian Keith Mathison states "The promises made to literal physical Israelites were fulfilled by a literal, physical Israelite, Jesus the Messiah. He is the Seed of Abraham."
Finally, the one chosen people, who form one covenant community, are beautifully symbolized in the book of Romans as one cultivated olive tree. (Romans 11:11-24). The tree symbolizes national Israel, as it's branches symbolize those who believe, and it's roots symbolize Jesus "The Root and offspring of David." Natural branches broken off represent Jews who reject Jesus. Wild branches grafted in, represent Gentiles who receive Jesus. This is clear, not all who descended from Israel are Israel. In other words, it is not the natural children who are God's children, but children of the promise (in Christ) who are Abraham's offspring (Romans 9:6).
When we look at the covenants of Israel, we see that they are conditional rather than unconditional. Many prophetic teachers like Jack Van Impe and John Hagee suggest, Jerusalem is the eternal sacred city of only the Jews. Hagee say's. "the territory of Jerusalem has God's powerful presence in place."
In the word's of Hank Hanegraaff " such rhetoric raises a host of timely questions.
Has God given the city Jerusalem exclusively to the Jews?
Does God regard Jerusalem as a Holy city today?
We at BARC don't believe it is, when we read where Paul called Heaven, the Jerusalem above (Galatians 4:26). God spoke through David and said," The Lord swore an oath to David, an oath he will not revoke.......if your sons keep my covenant and my statues I teach them, then their sons will sit on my throne forever, (Psalms 132:11-12). Consider the words of God in (Jeremiah) Jesus reveals a valuable truth, when in dialogue with the Samaritan Woman, she asked should we continue to worship in the mountain or in Jerusalem? Jesus informed her that neither in the mountain or Jerusalem should God be worshipped. Jesus said the hour now is that true worshippers, worship God in spirit and truth!
From God's perspective, Israel is not a physical nation or people. God sees the descendants of Abraham as those who are heirs with Christ the true 'SEED OF ABRAHAM'!
When God said in (Romans 11), that "all of Israel will be saved," he was speaking about the fact that his 'persecuted bride' will shine forth as his 'purified bride' and true is the declaration in (John 10:28) "everyone that the Father gives me, I bring with me and no one can pluck them out of my hand." The redemptive work of Calvary assures the eternal salvation of the true church Israel. that's why in Revelation Jesus is described as the Lion from the tribe of Judah!!
Isn't it interesting that modern teachers place more emphasis on the natural city, middle east geography and genealogy rather than a spiritual relationship. John Hagee claims that Jews don't have to accept Christ to perpetuate the misplaced eschatology inspired by Darby. Hagee even blatantly blames Christ for Jews not accepting Him. Hagee said "Let us put an end to this Christian chatter that all Jews are lost and can't be in the will of God until they convert to Christianity. If Jesus refused by his words or actions to claim to be the messiah to the Jews, HOW CAN JEWS BE BLAMED FOR REJECTING WHAT WAS NEVER OFFERED?"
This is heresy. Christ came to the physical descendants of Abraham but they refused (John 3:17-19). The scripture is clear, it's not a race of people who are God's sons, but those who have become children through spiritual adoption (Romans 8:14) (Galatians 3:28-29). Was the race of people or the land the focus of our Lord?, or is the Lord the focus of the land?
Revelation is a book that illumes the epic saga of God and His evolving relationship with his one people. It underscores the persecuted bride, the prostitute bride and the purified bride. It capsulated the journey, starting with the seven churches that were based in the center of Roman Caesar worship, it reveals their persecution, judgment of the prostitute Israel and purification of the bride. Finally the eternal abode of the Bride and Bridegroom.
We at BARC take time to mention the truth about Israel and the Jewish relationship with Christ because much confusion has been fostered about Israel and the so called 'Holy Land' as it relates to the 'rapture and second coming of Christ.' Just as people have misplaced the Destruction of Jerusalem and the Olivet Discourse, they have misunderstood God's focus on modern Israel and modern Jerusalem. When we examine the subject of the rapture, it must be understood with the hermeneutical principle of scriptural synergy " no part is greater than it's whole" or scripture interprets scripture. When we hear this subject taught, most people allude to (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18). They see this text through the eyes of Darby and dispensationalist. This passage must be seen with the periphery of (1 Corinthians 15). Let's look at them within their proper context. For without context we only have pretext, and pretext are the caldrons of error.
Firstly, (1Thessalonians 4) does not say, that when Christ comes down from heaven that he will hover with the church in midair, then change directions and escort us to heaven to live in mansions while hell breaks out on earth. Dr. N. T. Wright has aptly noted, "Paul conjures up images of a king or emperor visiting a province. The tradition of ancient civilizations were to go out and meet the emperor or king in the open country and reverently escort him to the city. Paul's image of 'meeting the Lord' in the air should be read with the assumption that the people will enthusiastically receive and welcome their Lord, immediately turn around and accompany the Lord to the new earth. There is no warrant to support a secret rapture by similarly using (John 14) as a pretext that Christ prepared mansions in heaven for a secret evacuation.
The heavenly angels assured us the next time believers would be in Christ company would be when he came down from heaven to the earth the way he left (Acts 1:9). This is clear, Jesus will come directly from heaven to physical earth when and where we are gathered to him. (John 14), speaks of the glorious picture of a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1-5). (1Thessalonians 4: 13-18) and (1 Corinthians 15:45-51) are passages that speak of the most important result of Christ redemptive work on Calvary, RESURRECTION!
If (1 Thessalonians 4) was speaking of a secret restrictive catching away of the body of Christ, then why does the the Olivet Discourse state that the unjust are taken in judgment and the righteous are left behind not vise versa (Matthew 24:36-41). During Christ earth walk, he petitioned his Father to not rapture the church or bride out of the earth, but protect them from the evil one while in the world (John 17:15).
You can search your Bible and not find one scripture that teaches a seven year tribulation period that is supposed to commence at a rapture event. The tribulation period is nowhere divided into two separate 3 1/2 year periods. The scriptures teach of a 42 month period where the beast identified as Nero and activity of Roman Caesars would persecute the bride. As noted previously, we have established that the tribulation period is an historically fulfilled event. Tribulation teachers suggest that a seven year period called the 'Great Tribulation' period will exist between the rapture and the second coming. They suggest that it has not occurred because of their erroneous view of the term 'coming in clouds.' When you study the two text (1Corinthians 15:51) and (1Thessalonians 4), it is clear that they both speak about the most important certainty that Christ secured, RESURRECTION!!!
If one would perform a survey and ask Christians what they believe about the sequence of events as it relates to the end of the world, most would say.
1.The rapture will take place and millions will disappear off the earth.
2.Satan in human form will persecute unbelievers for seven years.
3. There will be tribulation worst than any time in history.
4.Humanity will be forced to take a literal mark 666.
5.There will be a war where all the worlds armies including the EEU, 200,000,000 oriental army will assemble and fight in the valley of Armageddon.
6. Christ will return, destroy the armies, establish a earthly kingdom for 1,000 years.
7. Finally, Christ judges the world and, condemns some to eternal torment, and takes believers to heaven. Most of the events I've listed are believed by the Church today.
We at BARC have affirmed that the first two points of belief are incorrect, let's examine the others. Is the purported future tribulation the greatest tribulation in history? Has God judged nations and peoples more severely than what tribulation teachers suggest? When one searches the scriptures you can find a statement when God said, "I will do to you what I have never done before and never do again."
Daniel inspired by the Holy Spirit said; "Under the whole heaven nothing has ever been done like what has been done in Jerusalem" (Daniel 9:12; Ezekiel 5:9). Understanding hyperbolic language and history is critical for the Bible teacher. If LaHaye, Lindsey, Hagee, Van Impee had done so, they would not teach that some future tribulation period would be the worst event in human history. Point four is refuted by the fact that the 666 speaks of Nero the beast of the first century. We will address points five and six later in our exposition of Exegetical Eschatology.
During our discussion of the end time, we must answer a few questions. One question is, what is the Mark of the Beast? We see in scripture that the Mark is a parody of the Mark or Seal of Christ. When scripture uses language such as 'mark in the forehead or hand' it refers to mind or heart. When you understand the term 'mark' it alludes to reputation, allegiance and alliance. Christ had loyalty from those whose hearts were committed to him and their hands, representing deeds that demonstrated their hearts. The Beast in Revelation had loyalty from those like the Jews who proclaimed "We have no King but Caesar."
They had the mark of loyalty to the Beast. When Jesus said, I will write my name in their foreheads, do you really think God was thinking of literally pulling out a 'Sharpie???'
Lines were drawn based upon your faith in Christ or the Beast who wanted to be worshipped? Listen to the background music of Old Testament writer Moses, "The observance will be for you like a sign on your hand and a reminder on your forehead that the law of the Lord is to be on your lips (Exodus 13:9)."
The 'Mark" is not some future microchip, bar code or implant. Revelation underscores the fact that secular cooperation with the Beast, represented by Roman Caesars was central in future prosperity in business. If you were a merchant in the first century and didn't pledge allegiance to the Jewish religious community that had prostituted it's self with the Roman Caesars you could not survive.
READING THE BIBLE FOR ALL IT'S WORTH
Hank Hanegraaff president of CRI writes: "For more than a decade popular TV host Bill Maher has made a cottage industry of ridiculing Christianity. Maher has gone so far as to say that "the Bible was written in parables. It's the idiots that take the Bible literally." Even a cursory reading of scripture reveals a treasury replete with a wide variety of literary styles ranging from poetry, proverbs, and psalms to historical narratives, didactic epistles, and apocalyptic revelations. To dogmatically assert that idiots interpret it literally is at best in the words of HH a "form of idiosyncratic fundamentalism, or at worst a serious misunderstanding of the literal principle of biblical interpretation."
In order to read the Bible for all it's worth, it is essential that we interpret it in it's most obvious and natural sense. As such, we must read it as literature, paying close attention to form, figurative language, and fantasy imagery.
First, to interpret the Bible literally, we must pay special attention to what is known as form or genre. In other words, to interpret the Bible as literature, it is crucial to consider the kind of literature we are interpreting. Just as a legal brief differs in form from a prophetic oracle, so too there is a difference in genre between Revelation and Leviticus. This is imperative when considering writings that are difficult to categorize, such as Genesis, which is largely a historical narrative interlaced with symbolism and repetitive poetic structure.
If Genesis were reduced to an allegory conveying merely abstract ideas about temptation, sin, redemption devoid of any correlation with any actual events in history, the very foundation of Christianity would be destroyed. If the historical Adam and Eve did not eat the forbidden fruit and descend into a life of habitual sin resulting in death, there is no need for redemption. On the other hand, if we consider Satan as a slithering serpent, we would not only misunderstand the nature of fallen angels, but we might also suppose that Jesus triumphed over the work of the devil by stepping on the head of a serpent or snake (Gen. 3:15) rather than through his passion on the cross (Col. 2:15).
A literalistic method of interpretation often does as much violence to the text as does a spiritualized interpretation empties the text of objective meaning. A literal-at-all-cost method of interpretation can cause confusion and theological error, especially with books where visionary imagery is the governing genre. A case study would be in Revelation where John sees an apocalyptic vision where an angel is swinging a sharp sickle gathering grapes into 'a great winepress of the wrath of God." The blood flowing out of the winepress rises so high it reaches a horses bridle by the space of 1600 furlongs (Rev.14:19-20). Interpreting this in a woodenly literal sense leads to absurdity.
Furthermore, it is crucial to understand that scriptures, especially apocalyptic ones are saturated with figurative language. Figurative language requires the reader to use their imagination to understand what the writer is conveying. Figurative language is the principal way God communicates spiritual realities to his children. God uses metaphors to illustrate those spiritual realities. A metaphor is an implied comparison that identifies a word or phrase that it does not actually represent. Metaphors serve as a magnifying glass that identifies truth we might otherwise miss."
An example is found when Jesus said " I am the bread of life," (John 6:48) it's obvious he was not claiming to be the stuff or dough of (physical) life; but the 'stuff' source essence, of spiritual life. Biblical metaphors are to never be regarded as vacuous occasions for flights of fantasy. Biblical metaphors are always objective, authoritative and true.
Hyperbole is another common genre found in apocalyptic text. Hyperbole is defined as exaggeration for effect of emphasis. An example of hyperbole can be seen in a sports announcer of a basketball game saying "there are sixty seconds left, that's a 'world of time.' A true basketball fan knows that in that sport a lot can change or take place with sixty seconds left on the clock. So the hyperbolic phrase 'world of time' is an exaggeration to emphasize the point of the speaker.
The prophet Isaiah used hyperbolic language when he predicted judgment on Babylon. See the day of the Lord is coming, a cruel day, with wrath and fierce anger-to make the land desolate and kill sinners. The stars of heaven and constellations will not show their light the rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not show it's light (Isaiah 13:9-10).
It appears that Isaiah was predicting the end of the world, however he was just predicting God would allow the Medes to conquer the Babylonian empire. Isaiah used hyperbole when he said "their hands will go limp, every mans heart will melt.....their faces will be aflame" (Isaiah 13: 6-8). Was Isaiah suggesting men's hands will experience sudden carpel tunnel, and internal cardiac combustion? No, Isaiah was not literally suggesting that or that their faces will catch fire any more than John was suggesting the two prophets would blow fire out of their mouths or that locust came out of a bottomless pit.
Finally, it is crucial to correctly interpret 'fantasy imagery' such as in the vision of the red dragon with seven heads and ten horns, locust with human faces, beast like leopard with feet like bear and mouth like a lion. What's distinct about such fantasy language is that they don't correspond to anything in the real world. Just as in (Revelation 12); it describes a red dragon, whose tail swept a third of the stars out of heaven, this is fantasy imagery, we know one star falling to the earth would disintegrate it. We know this is hyperbolic, figurative, and fantasy language. This speaks of an event that took place thousands of years ago, Satan was cast out of heaven with his rebellious cohorts to assume his role as the adversary of man and opposer of God. Revelation is an admixture of prophecy, current and historical events steeped with Old Testament correlation.
Then why do we interpret most of Revelation as if it's future and literal?
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
With so much error and misapplication of basic rules of interpretation. What is the true expectation for the world as it relates to prophecy and the end times? Why do we ask the question? A case in point is the reference to the 144,000 in Revelation 7. Most commentators and teachers suggest that the 144,000 are literally twelve thousand members of the literal tribes of Benjamin, Gad, Nepthali, Dan, Levi, etc. However, the 144,000 are neither Jew or Gentile but the redeemed from all nations and tongues.
According to Hank Hanegraaff, "Just as the woman who rides the beast represent apostate Israel, the 144,000 represents TRUE ISRAEL, by virtue of circumcision of the heart. The 144,000 are the great multitude no man can number, standing before the throne. Just as John is told about a Lion and turns and sees a Lamb (Revelation 5:5-6). So he is told about 144,000 and turns and sees the 'great crowd' or number that no man can number. Thus the 144,000 is to the great multitude what the Lion is to the Lamb, namely the same entity seen from two different vantage points. From one vantage point the purified bride is numbered, and another she is innumerable! The purpose of the two perspectives is simple."
The 144,000 is symmetrically complete. Look at the twelve tribes times the twelve apostles times the thousand years equals 144,000. It represents the completion of a symmetrical fullness. Then it represents the fulfillment of Acts 10, where all nations innumerable are accepted of God!! The 144,000 could not be literal tribes of Israel since ten of the tribes lost their national identity almost three thousand years before during the Assyrian exile. The other two Benjamin and Judah were decimated by Roman hordes two thousand years ago. Furthermore, remember God's priority is not on race but relationship!!
When one looks at Revelation with the understanding that it centers around the panoramic fulfillment of God's relationship with His Bride. He endured an apostate, harlot, prostitute bride, and then birthed a new persecuted bride that would prove her faithfulness through persecution and tribulation. Then finally the bride comes forth as a purified bride fit and meet for a marriage with the Lamb! The epic event that centers on God's chasm of his displeasure with the apostate bride and certification of the purified bride is cultivated in the tribulation of the persecuted bride through the persecution of the seven churches of Asia and the destruction of Jerusalem.
Revelation speaks of the events that must 'shortly come to pass.'
It commences with Chapters two and three; They reveal the letter was written to the servants of Christ that were located in seven churches in Asia. They were about to be persecuted by the Beast that would require them to deny Christ and worship him as God or die! There is no greater offense or persecution.
Chapter four; God reveals a glimpse of a heavenly kingdom.
Chapter five; Reveals the activity around the throne of God.
Chapter six; Gives a metaphoric vision of the plagues and death through the Four Horsemen and Seal judgment. This is the fulfillment of the judgment against Jerusalem spoken in Matthew 24.
Chapter seven; Reveals the symmetrical completion of the purified bride of Christ.
Chapter eight; Reveals the two witnesses that were sent to legally condemn Jerusalem during God's judgment.
Chapter nine; Is filled with judgment hyperbole.
Chapter ten; Is a collection of simile and allegory.
Chapter eleven; Reveals the pinpointed judgment of Jerusalem.
Chapter twelve; Reveals apostate Israel and the historical spiritual conflict of the ages.
Chapter thirteen; Unfolds the Roman Caesars global influence and activity.
Chapter fourteen; Judgment for worshipping the Beast.
Chapter fifteen; Allegory and metaphoric visions of victory over the Beast.
Chapter sixteen; Provides a fantasy metaphoric view of Bowl judgment of Beast, false prophet and Anti-Christ cause judgment upon the earth.
Chapter seventeen; Clarifies the Apostate whore is the prostituted bride Israel.
Chapter eighteen; Babylon apostate bride of Christ lamented and mourned.
Chapter nineteen; Christ defeats all evil forces, and triumphs over literal and spiritual Satan.
Chapter twenty; Satan judged and Christ reigns, with judgment.
Chapter twenty one; New Jerusalem, eternal abode, and reward of purified bride.
Chapter twenty two; Final warning and comfort to the purified bride and certainty of our resurrection and eternal union with Him.
WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED?
1.The prophecy judgment spoken by Christ in the Olivet Discourse was fulfilled during the generation of that first century audience bringing about the 'end of the age.'
2. Christ words 'coming in clouds' merely means that he would come to bring judgment against his enemies.
3. The Beast in Revelation was clearly Nero, a first century Caesar that persecuted the bride.
4. The 'Mark of the Beast' is a parody of the Mark of Christ, representing loyalty of heart and deeds.
5. The Mark it's self is the Gematria equivalent of NERO = 666.
6.The 144,000 are the symmetrical fulfillment of the whole redeemed purified bride of Christ.
7. Israel is not a race of people, but the bride of Christ purchased by the blood of Christ!
8. Israel's relationship with God was conditional, modern Israel is not the covenant land, nor is modern Jerusalem God's holy city.
9. The rapture is not a secret catching away of Christians into the air, but a bold observed catching away at resurrection of the church to be with Christ in the New Jerusalem forever and ever.
10. Pre-tribulational rapturism was largely unheard of before the19th century and John Nelson Darby.
11. Terms such as simile, symmetry, hyperbole, figurative, metaphors and fantasy imagery are crucial to understand when interpreting scriptures, especially apocalyptic types.
12. The background music of the Old Testament must be enlisted to understand apocalyptic genres.
13. The past judgments of God assure us of a future coming and judgment in which we all must stand.
Revelation was not written to us today, but it was written for us today. We can ascertain the wonderful plan and work of the Holy Spirit, the certainty that our labor, trials, and faithfulness will be justly rewarded. We also can embrace the reality that we are indeed more than conquerors. We see a loving just and Holy God fulfill his word and promises through the worst of trials. We also see the wrath and judgment of God towards his enemies.
We can rest in the fact that Revelation demonstrates that God will secure, avenge and deliver us eternally through the Resurrection of our souls. Instead of looking towards the 'middle east' or for the 'Beast' or his system, we can look to Jesus, for He is coming soon to pay every man. Let's proclaim the marvelous message of redemption provided by Christ at Calvary. We should go into all of the world and preach the gospel of reconciliation, not the message of National Israel or the Mark of the Beast or the secret rapture, but the rapture of resurrection at Christ return.
Bibliography:
Are We In The End Times, Tim LaHaye, Jerry Jenkins
Late Great Planet Earth, Hal Lindsey
The Apocalypse Code, Hank Hanegraaff (Majority of the body of study)
