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SCHOOLS OF THOUGHT
There are three main schools of interpretation. They are called: Praeterist, Futurist and Historical. Within each there are many variants, so the following definitions are general.
1) PRAETERIST
The belief that all has been fulfilled in the past.
2) FUTURIST
With the exception of the letters to the seven churches all has yet to be fulfilled. Though some would also claim that even the letters are prophetic of still future events.
3) HISTORICAL
With the exception of the letters to the seven churches, it is a panorama of the history of the world to the end of time. It is in the process of being fulfilled as history unfolds.
TIMING OF EVENTS
In all cases the interpreters try to tie down each figure/vision to a specific historical personage/event. Particularly in the historical school, they go into some detail trying to tie down the time of events. This has lead to a lot of foolish predictions. For example, several times groups of fanatics have sold all their possessions and assemble on a predicted day in an open area, waiting for the Lord to appear. Even so some never give up trying to use the book of Revelation in this way.
Time and again in the New Testament, we are advised that the timing of events should not be our concern, the important thing is to be ready. Why should it be different in the book of Revelation? The consistent use of specific numbers and combinations of numbers e.g. (seven, twelve and thousand) should remind us that they are being used figuratively, to convey ideas rather than quantities.
ACADEMIC OR RELEVANT
The views that either all has been fulfilled or that some is still to be fulfilled tends to reduce the book of Revelation to an academic curiosity. If only part is currently being fulfilled, the rest is remote to our situation and is mainly of academic interest only. This cannot be so because we have to keep the sayings of the book, so all of it must have relevance to our daily Christian lives now.
The First Unit drew your attention to the following verses:-
Revelation 22:18 For I testify unto every man that hears the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and [from] the things which are written in this book.
Revelation 1: 3 Blessed [is] he that reads, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time [is] at hand.
Revelation 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed [is] he that keeps the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
You will have gathered that adding to or detracting from the concepts of the book of Revelation puts us in spiritual peril. On the other hand heeding them is a source of blessing. So the visions of the book tell us things that are very relevant to you and me now, in our daily Christian life. God willing, our studies will concentrate on the spiritual teaching of the book, rather than trying to tie it to specific events in history.
PURPOSE OF THE BOOK
The book of Revelation is to guard us against false devious concepts and to keep us faithful and strong in the vicissitudes of life faced here and now ("for the time is at hand"), keeping us alert and ready for the coming of the Lord. It does not tell us when He will come, only that He will come quickly (suddenly). So we must be prepared to such a degree that we earnestly desire His coming.
Revelation 22:20 "He who testifies these things says, Surely I come quickly.* Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus." (*tacu = speedily, suddenly)
The words "even so, come" express the desire of the consistently faithful Christians who do not expect to be caught unprepared even though He will come suddenly without warning.
OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION:
| INTRODUCTION: THE VISION OF CHRIST | Chapter 1 |
| THE LETTERS TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES | Chapters.2 & 3 |
| VISION OF GOD'S THRONE | Chapter 4 |
| VISION OF THE LAMB | Chapter 5 |
| VISIONS OF THE CONFLICT AS SEEN FROM THE WORLD SIDE | Chapters.6 to 11 |
| VISIONS OF THE CONFLICT AS SEEN FROM THE HEAVENLY SIDE | Chapters.12 to 20 |
| THE NEW HEAVEN AND NEW EARTH | Chapters.21 to 22 v.5 |
| CONCLUDING EXHORTATION | Chapter 22 vv.6 to 21 |
Find examples of numbers and combination of numbers in the book of Revelation and note the references.
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