Originally posted by defcon5
reply to post by OptionToChoose
Sure here are a few to start with:
If you had to ask what the most debated aspect of the book of Revelation is, many would probably point to its symbols and their meaning. However,
the chronology of the events described in Revelation would have to be a close second if not a surprise upset. And of course, the two are related. The
more you understand the one, the more you understand the other.
Perhaps the best way to introduce the chronological model asserted in this study is to first briefly talk about two basic existing
theories
regarding the chronology in the book of Revelation. Although rendered generically for the purpose of illustration, these two basic alternative models
represent opposing sides of the spectrum.
The real
debate in Revelation, however, concerns the numbered groups of seven. There are seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven vials.
Certainly, the numbered groups are sequential within each group. That is why they are numbered one through seven. But this does not
necessarily
mean that one group follows another in succession. If this was the case, one would expect to find a single group of twenty-one judgments.
Pre-tribulationists, with some exceptions, generally believe each of these groups follow the previous group. This author is convinced that Revelation
follows a similar format as Daniel, with each series of seven being a recapping and magnification of a portion of the tribulation covered in the
previous sequence. The view presented here is illustrated by the diagram below, where the prophetic portion of Revelation is divided into four
sections, each climaxing with the second coming of Christ.
Hope that helps.
? ...
debate? ...
necessarily?
(implying it could go either way)
I've been studying this for decades, and the complexity of it is truly astonishing, in my opinion, there simply are no one-word kinds of answers to
most serious questions regarding end-time Prophetic study, I've found. But am I to believe that somebody else's
theory is going to
necessarily rewrite my present conclusions which took me over 10 years of tearing Scripture apart to arrive at? (as yet, I have not observed my
present findings to be inadequate for describing this present darkness) Short answer: it's not.
Do I have all the answers, or is my research better than the next person's? May that never be thought nor said. In fact, I would be highly honored to
even speak with the individual alive today who has discovered everything that can be known about the Bible and has moved on to more challenging
works.
What exactly are we trying to determine here? ... I think you were concerned that Revelation is
not chronological, which -- if that Book was
merely a fiction piece written by a modern author -- it would still seem to follow the sequential order presented, just from a literary POV. It begins
with a slightly troubled world that progresses into greater and greater states of turmoil, finally ending with a "Hero" riding in from the sky with
an army, destroying the villain(s) and establishing a permanent world of peace. What, in your view, should
not be seen as chronological about
that?
Think of it in cinematic movie format. Can you imagine if everyone in the theater sat and reordered each chapter of the movie into their own
interpretations? That would be a chaotic disaster. There must be a system to it, or else there's no point to it.
No? . . .
