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Post by chrissy on Jun 11, 2017 23:48:04 GMT
Is the entire book of Revelation in chronological order?
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Post by morningstar on Jun 12, 2017 0:36:16 GMT
I believe it is. There are different views on this, but I see them as such with each judgment overlapping into the next, with the greater part in the last 3 1/2 years (called the Great Tribulation or Jacobs Trouble).
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Post by Benjamin on Jun 12, 2017 1:44:51 GMT
Yes and no.
The book is chronological, but it has moments where the Holy Spirit chooses to focus on a particular topic or event, and breaks the narrative sequence in order to address that concern.
So, for example... Revelation 7 is an easily demonstrable case of this. John asks the angel who the great multitude are, and the angel replies "these are they who have come out of the Great Tribulation".
I know that the term 'great tribulation' is often used to refer to the latter half of the 7-year period, but I'd view that as being incorrect - what John is seeing here is a multitude from the ENTIRE seven year period that are proceeding from the ministry of the 144,000 (who operate through the entire 7 years - almost) and the Two Witnesses.
In short - let me put it this way. Narrative is in black, these 'interludes' where the Holy Spirit focuses on a topic, in blue. I would argue that the text makes it pretty clear what we're looking at in each instance - there are always clues as to what the time frame is located within each chapter. Anyway:
Revelation 1 takes place in ~90AD or whenever John wrote the book. Revelation 2-3 spans ~40AD through to the end of the Church Age (whenever that is). Revelation 4 is the Rapture and the assumption of the Church into heaven. Revelation 5 is the throne room of Heaven preparing for the Tribulation. Revelation 6 is the Seal Judgments, which I believe are the first 3.5 years of the Tribulation (Seals 1-6 are fairly brief; Seal 7 = around 3 years)
Revelation 7 is an overview of the fruit of the gospel throughout the entire Tribulation
Revelation 8 returns to the narrative, beginning with the second half of the Tribulation and the Trumpet judgments. Revelation 9 continues the trumpet judgments. Revelation 10 leads up to the final hours of the Tribulation, when the Kingdom of God is proclaimed (this occurs immediately prior to the bowl judgments).
From here, there is a sequence of chapters that overlap in some measure:
Revelation 11 focuses in on 3.5 years of the ministry of the Two Witnesses. Revelation 12 has an overview of all of history from the creation to the Tribulation. Revelation 13 covers primarily the second half of the Tribulation. Revelation 14 is also the second half of the Tribulation, with a primary focus on the last weeks/days/hours.
Revelation 15 returns to the narrative. Christ prepares to return with His Saints at the Second Coming, but the bowl judgments must occur first. Revelation 16 covers the bowl judgments. Revelation 17/18 covers the entire Tribulation (17 being the first half; 18 the second) with a primary focus on the Two Babylons. Revelation 19 is the final hours of the Tribulation and the Second Coming of Christ, including the battle of Armageddon. Revelation 20 is the Millennial Reign and the Great White Throne Judgment (which occurs at the end of that time) Revelation 21 is the New Heavens and the New Earth - proceeded by the New Jerusalem, which descends from heaven at the end of the Millennium Revelation 22 is a focus on what happens in Revelation 21, and the conclusion to the book.
Hopefully that makes sense. I know there are those who would disagree with my interpretation of the timing of these things (even among pre-trib believers) - and that's okay, it's not something I'm particularly pedantic about.
We need to keep in mind that prophecy isn't primarily predictive. Prophecy's primary purpose is that when we see these things occur, we should believe in God, and give glory to Him. Some of the things in Revelation will not be understood until they occur (hindsight is a wonderful thing) - in the meantime, we just do the best we can with the information that has been given. Ultimately our interpretation of timing and timelines doesn't affect the point of the book - and while I'd hold to some of these things passionately (e.g. the Pre-Tribulation Rapture) because I believe Scripture is abundantly clear about it, there are some things that aren't worth worrying over (what is the Mark of the Beast?) prior to the Tribulation actually commencing. When that comes, people will know. God makes sure they do - even to the point of sending an angel to warn against it.
I hope that all makes sense!
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Post by chrissy on Jun 12, 2017 2:02:08 GMT
Thank you Morningstar💝! Benjamin, thank you for taking the time to write all of that out☺! I'm going to make a copy of it to study in more detail📝😀!
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Post by morningstar on Jun 12, 2017 3:39:27 GMT
Benjamin, you outlined that very well and I agree with that view. Those are the parenthetical scriptures you mentioned and when read in that light it flows in harmony with the rest of Revelation. It's a good outline to keep in hand when reading Revelation. Chrissy, Benjamin is an excellent Teacher. Have you read his sermons on Revelation on the "Contribution from members" forum? You'll enjoy them.
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Post by elizabeth on Jun 12, 2017 6:27:18 GMT
I really appreciate your guide, Ben.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2017 6:44:24 GMT
Thank you for posting this, Benjamin. Could this be a sticky?
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Post by chrissy on Jun 12, 2017 16:38:27 GMT
Thank you Morningstar! I just started going through them!
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