Premillienialist views distort one’s vision??
Perhaps, but perhaps not, either.
What view would you espouse then? I’m willing to consider all views, but wii make up my own mind. Including about the Revelation.
I espouse the view that salvation is not dependent on millennialism of any sort. The premillennial view discounts the suffering of the saints. Creating a linear timeline of events based on Revelation is rather hard since the narrative is split into at least two distinct points of view (heavenly and earthly) that are not correlated in time. I believe that God preserve His remnant throughout the ages.
John inquires about “a great multitude” (6:9) and the angel responds that “These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation…” (6:14) Then, the Beast from the Sea is “given power to make war with the saints and overcome them.” (13:7) and 14:12-13 continues with “Here is the patience of the saints… Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” Then, the Millennial Kingdom is populated by “souls who had been beheaded for their witness… who had not worshipped the beast or his image.” (Rev 20:4) This does not indicate to me those who were raptured away before the tribulation.
I have studied Revelation in many contexts, and my view is that the first chapters are pretty clear and there’s a reason for that. Hebrew scholars interpreted the prophecies of Christ quite differently than we now understand, and the nature of man hasn’t changed. Revelation is not about winning a get-out-of-the-Tribulation-free card any more than the Christ’s First Coming was about defeating Rome.
I do believe in a literal Millennial Kingdom, but beyond that, I reserve judgment because I do not find disputes on interpretation edifying. When events happen, then we shall know. To me the message of Revelation is clear: be prepared for Christ’s return; whatever the circumstance. Even so, Come Lord Jesus!
Thanks foro your reply. As I said, I’m not dogmatic about this point, and it’s always interesting to consider other views.