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As I said elsewhere, I am reading in Revelation. I don't expect to have a great deal as I am not big on studying this book. My dad knew more about it than I ever will, and altho he encouraged me to get into it deeper, I always felt that there was too much else that my soul needed from the bible.
However, there will probably a few things that bear discussion, understanding, and simply knowing about.
What caught my attention this morning is 1:10, and 4:2.
Here John says he is in the spirit twice. This surely isn't talking about the same event. The first time he must have been under the influence of the spirit as he received the words from Him. The second time he clearly went into a spirit form and was transported to heaven. He was actually present to observe the revelations from the 4th chapter on.
This is important information. Paul said that he "knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth, such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth,
How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter."
What is in heaven is not even lawful for us to talk about on this earth, hence the need for symbolism. Paul also reminded us that "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."
Folks, we cannot imagine what it is, nor can we talk about it in that ethereal language. Consequently we must understand that the first 3 chapters are much different, from the viewpoint of knowing, than the rest of the book. There is much to be gleaned from 1-3, but from 4 on, it is a completely different set of rules governing that knowledge. I don't think this can be over-emphasized. So many times we have someone tell us what something means, yet they have no clue what the rest means. Symbolism must remain consistent or we could never make sense of any of it.
I don't feel compelled to study this book real hard yet, but if some of you do, understanding symbolism is the key. I will say that F. G. Smith's "The Revelation Explained" does a very good job with that part of it.
Just something to muse on, on this beautiful morning.
However, there will probably a few things that bear discussion, understanding, and simply knowing about.
What caught my attention this morning is 1:10, and 4:2.
I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet..........And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne
This is important information. Paul said that he "knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth, such an one caught up to the third heaven. And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth,
How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter."
What is in heaven is not even lawful for us to talk about on this earth, hence the need for symbolism. Paul also reminded us that "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."
Folks, we cannot imagine what it is, nor can we talk about it in that ethereal language. Consequently we must understand that the first 3 chapters are much different, from the viewpoint of knowing, than the rest of the book. There is much to be gleaned from 1-3, but from 4 on, it is a completely different set of rules governing that knowledge. I don't think this can be over-emphasized. So many times we have someone tell us what something means, yet they have no clue what the rest means. Symbolism must remain consistent or we could never make sense of any of it.
I don't feel compelled to study this book real hard yet, but if some of you do, understanding symbolism is the key. I will say that F. G. Smith's "The Revelation Explained" does a very good job with that part of it.
Just something to muse on, on this beautiful morning.