Could This Be The Key?

[Wart Hog]

I've quoted some excerpts from "Whatever Became Of Melanie?" Enjoy.

"Remember the other day in the car when I mentioned audience relevance?" said Brenda. "A careful study of the Book of Revelation will reveal that its focus is not the end of the world and some 'presumed' postmortem judgment in hell, but rather, the end of the Jewish Age, and the establishment of the New Covenant reign of Christ. The pronounced judgments and anticipated blessings were to be fulfilled in that generation, to be witnessed and experienced by those to whom the book was originally written and addressed. Rev. 1:4 The fulfillment was imminent. As we see clearly stated in chapter one, 'the time' was 'near.' The events spoken of were to 'shortly take place.' Rev. 1:1,3 Even in the last chapter Jesus declares emphatically: 'Behold, I am coming soon.'  'Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, because the time is near.' 'Behold, I am coming soon!' 'Yes, I am coming soon.' Rev. 22:7a, 10, 12a 20 Now obviously the teachings were intended for New Testament believers, who, in a very real way were caught up in the unfolding drama. Rev. 2 & 3 The contents were relevant to them, there and then, and they understood its meaning. The opening verses of the book clearly establish this: 'The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place... Blessed are those who hear and take to heart what is written.' Rev. 1:1a, 3a The reason for the 'REVELATION' was to 'SHOW,' to reveal to 'HIS SERVANTS,' there and then what 'MUST SOON TAKE PLACE'! Now if this 'REVELATION' had absolutely nothing to do with them or their generation, and they didn't have a clue as to what he was talking about, as would obviously be the case if the prophesies were intended for a future time and people, then how could they possibly understand and take to heart what was written?"
"Wow!" exclaimed Alice. "Now that's quite a stretch from what we hear today."
"The main stumbling block in interpreting Bible prophecy," observed Brenda, "is our preoccupation with literalism. Today most evangelicals pride themselves on the fact that they interpret the Scriptures in a strict literal fashion. Now that's all fine and well if a passage has been intended to be interpreted literally, but this obviously isn't the case with all passages. Even a quick reading of the Book of Revelation will tell you that. The only truly identifiable landmarks that we find in Revelation are the imminence passages we've just touched on. Now how can we be faithful, responsible students of the Scriptures if we ignore these plain statements? It's important to realize that we mustn't approach the prophecies of this book as we would a mathematical equation or scientific formula. If we do this, we're sure to wind up with some strange notions. Rather, we must consider them as we would a parable, realizing that only primary truths are intended, and all else is designed to play a supporting role. Consider the parables of Christ. How foolish would it be to assign a strict literal significance to every aspect of every parable? How bazaar and confusing would our theology then be?....
"Revelation was never intended to be a plain, didactic statement of truth, but rather, a colorful and striking illustration....   
"Many capable scholars of old believed that the book was written cryptically for the purpose of disguising its contents from their persecutors. Both historical and internal evidence identifies it to have been written shortly before the A.D. 70 destruction of Jerusalem. There are two important factors that strongly suggest this. The Book of Revelation portrays the temple as still standing and the Jewish persecution of the church at its hottest. Rev. 11:1; 2:9 After A.D. 70 there was no temple or Jewish persecution, due to the fact that the temple had been destroyed and the people and nation completely decimated....
"The fiery judgments pronounced in the book are the same ones spoken by Malachi and Jesus. The blood of all the righteous prophets and holy men of the past would be required of that generation. Also, much confusion surrounding the book will be eliminated once we realize that the judgments are not presented in sequence, but rather in cycles. The same cataclysmic event is presented again and again, each time from a different vantage point.
"The passage in question isn't speaking of saints and angels rejoicing over the misery of the damned in a place of endless suffering; rather, it's proclaiming the judgment of the 'great prostitute,' which culminated in the A.D. 70 destruction of her city and nation. Rev. 19:3 It isn't referring to people so much as it is to the Old Covenant system that was to be completely abolished and permanently removed. Eph. 2:14, 15 The age and era of law and guilt, the dominance of sin and death would be forever replaced by Christ's New Covenant reign of grace, glory and redemption, of righteousness, power and life. The book most powerfully and profoundly presents the New Testament 'revelation' and 'manifestation' of Jesus Christ."....
"Who is the beast of Revelation?" asked Alice.
"Nero, and Nero alone fits this profile like a glove," said Brenda.
"As Caesar, he was known and acknowledged to be the god and savior of the world. And get this! The Hebrew spelling of his name is the exact numerical equivalent of 666. (N-50; R-200; W-6; N-50; Q-100; S-60; R-200 = 666). Now if the real 'beast' and 'anti-Christ' is someone who is yet to appear, what a misleading coincidence this is."
"What about the verse that speaks of him recovering from a fatal wound?" asked Alice.
"The 'beast' imagery of Revelation," replied Brenda, "applies to both a kingdom and the ruler of that kingdom, the kingdom being 1st century Rome, and Nero, her most depraved and evil Caesar. It appears to also be a personification of the wicked religious authority of the day. Upon the death of Nero, the agonizing 42-month persecution of the church finally came to an end. During this time the entire Empire was embroiled in bloody civil wars and revolts on every front. They were so widespread and fierce that they seriously threatened her very existence, so much so that many believed Rome would not survive. After the brief A.D. 69 reigns of Galba, Otho and Vitellius, Vespasian took command and finally restored order and stability to the empire. So the reference to a recovery from a fatal wound could very easily apply to Rome and her miraculous avoidance of a complete political and military collapse.....
"For me, the judgment focus of Revelation is the clincher. Who were the objects of this judgment? It was those who were guilty of shedding the innocent blood of the saints and prophets. Rev. 16:6; 17:5, 6; 18:20, 24 Who are the ones that Christ accused of this heinous crime, and pronounced severe judgment upon? The Jews of that generation! Matt. 23:29-36; Luke 11:47-51; Rev. 2:9; 3:9 What geographic location is central to this drama? Jerusalem! Rev. 11:8; 18:20, 24 Though the vivid imagery and hyperbole of the book portray a global, cataclysmic upheaval and decimation, the judgment focus of Revelation is not universal, but local. It was the judgment of the 1st century Jewish nation, who was symbolically represented as the 'great prostitute' and spiritual 'Babylon.' And the means, the instrument of God's judgment were not supernatural cosmic chaos and commotion, but the 'beast,' who was none other than Imperial Rome! Rev. 17:15, 16
"Though the entire Roman world at this time was in a state of turbulence and turmoil - as you carefully read Revelation, it becomes more and more evident that 'GEHENNA' Matt. 23:33-36 is the great and primary judgment theme of the book. In keeping with the parable of the wedding banquet, the King sent His armies and destroyed the murderers and burned their city, consigning them to devastation, rejection and ruin, as depicted by the images of 'outer darkness' and 'weeping and gnashing of teeth.' Matt. 22: 7, 13
"The great white throne judgment was not a universal, end-time event! It was the separating of the wheat and chaff, and the subsequent 'above ground' burning of the chaff. It was the clearing of His threshing floor. Matt. 3:7-12 It was the rejection and decimation of a people and nation. Luke 13:28, 35 It was the long  prophesied retribution, resulting in their total destruction, because they did not recognize the time of God's coming to them. Luke 21:20-23; 19:41-44; Mal. 4:1, 2, 5 It was the rejection and destruction of one city, and the coming and establishing of another. Rev. 3:12; 11:8; 16:19; 18:10, 20, 21; 21:2, 10, 22, 23; 22:1-5,14; Gal. 4:24-31 It could not have been a universal, end-time judgment because time did not end, as living sinners are afterwards refused admission into the Kingdom. Rev. 21:8, 27 Though the book is permeated with imagery, figures and symbols galore, there is no indication that the drama unfolded anywhere other than on this planet....
"Immediately following God's devastating judgment upon Old Covenant Israel, the Kingdom, the New Jerusalem descended and was established upon the earth with power and glory. The universal reign and dominion of Christ began. From that time on, the 'water of life' and the 'tree of life' have been available to all. As Christ revealed to John, the leaves of the 'tree of life' are for the healing of the nations, and the nations will more and more walk by its light, and the glory and honor of the nations will be brought to it. Rev. 21:24, 25; 22:2 Granted, nothing impure will ever enter the New Jerusalem, but the Lamb is in the purification business! This is what He does, and this is what He will continue to do until His work is done, until each and every one is reconciled, and each and every knee finally bows. Col. 1:15-20; Phil. 2:9-11  .......
"Again, the language of Revelation is rich with poetic symbol and imagery, in total harmony with the prophetic style and manner of the Old Testament. And what was the focus of the Prophets of old? It was the New Covenant Kingdom, the rule and reign of Christ as King of Kings and Lord of Lords, who, through the gospel of grace, in gentleness and judgment would eventually subdue the entire creation for the glory of God! In that generation, before the death of some who heard Him speak, the Son of Man came in His Kingdom, in His Father's glory with His angels, and the time and era of rewarding each person according to their works began. Matt. 16:27, 28 The Kingdom of heaven which was near, Matt. 4:16, 17 the light that had dawned during the earthly ministry of our Lord, Matt. 4:16 had gloriously risen as the noonday sun. But unlike the sun, it would never set or fade! There would be no more night, neither would they need the light of a lamp, nor the sun, for the Lord Himself would be their light. Rev. 22:5
"Centuries before the time of Christ, Isaiah wrote describing the New Covenant glories that would be: 'Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you... The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory.'  Isa. 60:1, 2, 19
"Granted, God's judgments do display His glory, but only to the extent that true justice is served in the final repentance and restoration of the sinner, and the glorious cause of Christ is advanced! And to what marvelous end do they lead? 'All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord; they will bring glory to your name.'  Ps. 86:9 'For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.' Hab. 2:14 As we read in Daniel 7, speaking of Christ and His Kingdom reign: 'He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed.' Dan. 7:14 In Philippians: 'that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.' Phil. 2:10, 11
"How is the Father glorified? How is His Holy Name exalted and raised above the heavens? By nothing less than all nations, all peoples in heaven and earth and under the earth, every knee bowing, every tongue joyfully confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father! As stated in the Book of Proverbs: 'A large population is a king's glory, but without subjects a prince is ruined.' Prov. 14:28 We can be assured that the eternal glory of the Father will not be diminished by even one soul."

[Zeek]

I just ordered the book from Amazon, hopefully will be a good gift for my parents, who are so close to believing in LOVE.  I noticed Gary A. is the editor.  Cool.

thanks for posting.   

[sheila]

  Ok   so there is no Babylon today? And when the Holy spirit

called for us to come out of her..we misunderstood? And

Christendom is Christ's truth. And there is no falling of Babylon

in our day..for she fell in 70 ad?

   are His words not eternal? and never ending...does not the smoke of their torment rise forever?

  then how can you say these things do not occur in our day?

  all ye ENDS of the earth, Look to me and be saved

  the perishing of that wicked generation in the earth..is the ends of the earth of all generations of Adam in the corruptable image.

  and the new earth and heavens is the rebirthing of son of man in the image of the incorruptible one

  Rev 22;18  I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book. If anyone adds anything to them,God will add to him the plagues described in this book.And if anyone takes away from this book of prophecy,God will take away from him his share in the tree of life and in the holy city,which are described in this book

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: :thumbsup:

[Barry DuPont]

Sheila

The smoke of their torment rises forever and their worm never dies because it is historical and history does not forget.

We will always be able to look back and see the demise of the old covenant man in the end of the old covenant.

They then had no legacy as old covenant creatures. This is why there is a "changeover" and in that "changeover" they were to be faithful firm until the end. That being the end of the old covenant which was according to Hebrews "ready to vanish away".

It harmonizes perfectly. The word of God is eternal and this is for our learning. The eternal nature of the word was never meant to be set in opposition to the fact that there would be an end to the old covenant. Lest we say that there is never an end period which would be untenable in scripture.

Blessings Barry

[sheila]

 REV 1;19

  WRITE,THEREFORE, WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN[past]

  WHAT IS NOW[PRESENT]

  AND WHAT WILL TAKE PLACE LATER[FUTURE]

  Mark 13;31 I tell you the truth,this generation will certainly not pass awAY,UNTIL ALL THESE THINGS HAVE HAPPENED

 HEAVEN AND EARTH WILL PASS AWAY, but my words will never pass away

 lUKE 8;11  THIS IS THE MEANING OF THE PARABLE...

  THE seed is the word of God

[sheila]

   mAN DOES not live ON THE BREAD ALONE...but..

  ON EVERY WORD THAT COMES FROM THE MOUTH OF GOD

  I SUGGEST YOU EAT THOSE WORDS IN REV.  THAT THEY

BRING FORTH LIFE IN THE SPIRIT FOR YOU

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: Amen, while there is still time to do so.... :sigh:

[sheila]

DANIEL 5;34-37

   AT THE END OF THAT TIME,I NEBUCHADDNEZZER,RAISED MY EYES TOWARD HEAVEN,AND MY SANITY WAS RESTORED THEN I PRAISED THE MOST HIGH; I HONORED AND GLORIFIED HIM WHO LIVES FOREVER

  HIS DOMINION IS ETERNAL

  HIS KINGDOM ENDURES FROM GENERATION TO GENERATION

  ALL THE PEOPLES OF THE EARTH ARE REGARDED AS NOTHING

  HE DOES AS HE PLEASES, WITH THE POWERS OF HEAVEN

  AND THE PEOPLES OF THE EARTH

  NO ONE CAN HOLD BACK HIS HAND

OR SAY TO HIM 'WHAT HAVE YOU DONE"