Posted on 02/02/2016 6:34:46 PM PST by grumpa
Even many Christians misunderstand Revelation. For some, Revelation is so bizarre that they pretty much ignore it. Others mistakenly apply the symbolism of Revelation to our present day. But Revelation is really not so difficult once you grasp the context and symbolic language. Remember, it is part of the Bible and there is little, if anything at all, in Revelation that is not found elsewhere in the Bible. Indeed, there are hundreds of references in Revelation to the Old and New Testament.
Let's just take a quick look at the 144,000 of Revelation 7 and 14. These were the FIRST FRUITS to God and the Lamb, not some later group! They were the ones coming out of the Great Tribulation. John, the author of Revelation, said he was in the tribulation AS HE WAS WRITING (Revelation 1:9), in the early to mid sixties AD. There are many proofs that demonstrate that the Great Tribulation was the persecution of Christians under Nero and the subsequent Jewish Roman War that culminated in the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple in AD 70. And there are many confirming proofs that Revelation was written before AD 70.
There were twelve tribes of Israel, so the 144,000 can be understood for what it signified. The number 1,000 is symbolic of FULLNESS. So 12 times 12 times 1,000 equals 144,000. As the first fruits, the 144,000 represents the FIRST GENERATION CHRISTIANS (the righteous remnant of the twelve tribes of Israel) who experienced the Great Tribulation, culminating in the desolation of Jerusalem and the Jewish holocaust in AD 70! The 144,000 is clearly not to be taken literally, as, for example, Jehovah's Witnesses think. Romans 8:23; 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:13, and James 1:18 further identify the first fruits as first-century believers.
http://prophecyquestions.com/2014/02/01/articles-by-charles-meek
12,000 from each of the original tribes of Israel. I think it’s symbolic not literal but that’s just me.
“Preterism holds that the contents of Revelation constitute a prophecy of events that were fulfilled in the 1st century.”
Ok, I’ll bite. Who were the participants in the war of Armageddon since it must have occurred around AD 100?
Thank you! Our Bible Study of Revelation just reached this point two weeks ago, and we agreed - that is precisely what the scripture says. But more importantly, it is what the first century Christians understood when they heard these words for the first time. They were facing total retribution,and certainly were not thinking 2000 years into the future! If that were the case, Revelaton would be of no use to them.
Question everything including this theology. John MacArthur says when in doubt interpret literally. I do not believe they are from the past but sealed for a purpose in the tribulation. You are in more danger by attempting to see symbols I think.
The number 1,000 is symbolic of FULLNESS.
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I’ve never heard that before. Please explain.
The people who voted against Trump in Iowa?
12 times 1,000 equals 144,000.
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???
It’s the J-O-O-S
Sorry, I didn’t read this part ............ “So 12 times” 12 times 1,000 equals 144,000.
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I still don’t know why 1000 is symbolic. I am a Christian but I try to be objective. I don’t believe there is enough to support your reasoning for the meaning of the 144,000.
You left off a 12. The article says “12 times 12 times 1,000 equals 144,000.”
Let me guess. You’re a government accountant.
Sorry, I didn’t read this part ............ “So 12 times†12 times 1,000 equals 144,000.
Lately I am wondering if they are the Hebrew people who gain admission before Christ’s sacrifice - emphasis is placed on their works and merit - as opposed to grace.
But then, I no longer read Revelation as a straight shot through end time but as parables.
I realized that later. Thank you.
No; the tribe of Dan is left out. If they were not, then it would have to be 156,000.
Also, it counts Joseph and Manasseh, which is unique to the book of Revelation, what with the tribe of Joseph having been divided into half-tribes named after Joseph’s sons Manasseh and Ephraim in the rest of the Bible; therefore, Ephraim is actually called Joseph in Revelation.
I am a bit surprised that 144,000 is not evenly divided by 7 as 7 is a holy number.
It is divisible by 12 tho which also seems to have biblical importance, for instance the 12 disciples.
Believing what is says Chapter 1 vs. 1 is a good start at believing literally: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants what must soon take place, and made it known by sending his angel to his servant John.” Not really hard to understand at all.
But only 144,000 out of the 14 million or so in the world. A distinct minority of Jews. Ahh, I got it! Republican Jews!
Depends on your hermeneutic. I’m really liking the symbolic parallelism interpretation. It is symbolic to represent everyone that will be numbered as God’s people.
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