REVELATIONS-April '02-WRAP AROUND

...BUNCH WROTE:

Could you give me reasons why most people don't want to read the Relevations

book of the Bible? I know I don't understand a lot of it, but what other

reasons do you know of?

DON WROTE:

As I think on it, I guess that there could be many reasons for people not reading the prophets of the Bible, and the Book of Revelation in particular. The first one that comes to mind is based on I Corinthians chapter 2.

I Cor. 2:
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

In this passage, Paul explains that all Scripture can only be understood as the Spirit of God quickens them. This should not be interpreted to say that God is stingy with the understanding of His Word. Quite the contrary, He is very desirous that everyone should understand what He has to say to His creation. It is to say, however, that when one approaches the Word other than seeking understanding of God and His ways, understanding is blocked. The first understanding given to a seeking heart is the understanding of our fallen state via Adam’s transgression and our need of a Savior. When this understanding is received, then the Spirit of God makes real the answer for our dilemma which is Christ Jesus, God’s only begotten Son.

John 3:
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

I guess the next reason might be that for babes-in-Christ, the sincere milk of the Word should be their first portion of the Scriptures—leaving the "meat" (which would include prophecy) until they have grown in the Word and in grace.

Also, I’ve heard it said that "the Bible will keep you from sin and sin will keep you from the Bible. Like most catchy sayings about the Bible, this probably has some truth it. However, this saying leaves out the convicting work of the indwelling Holy Spirit and the grace of God.

I John 1:
4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

I John 2:
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for our's only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

There is one other reason for not reading the revelations in the Bible that applies uniquely to the Church: i.e., becoming to engrossed in the things that this world has to offer. To me, this might possibly be the number one hindrance to the study and understanding of Biblical revelations.

Of course, you are asking for my opinion—and I only have one. However, we have several hundred cyber-visitors everyday, each with an opinion. So, any of you visitors who also feel that the majority of people don’t want to read the revelations of the Bible and who would like to share your opinion as to why you feel this is so, send us a WRAP AROUND. We will share your opinion with others.

MARK WROTE:

I have heard that somewhere within the Book of Revelations, there is a passage that reads something to the affect that if a nation stands against Israel, then that nation will collapse. Would you be able to tell me where I could find this passage? I appreciate any assistance you could offer me.

Thank you for your time,

Mark B________

DON WROTE:

Hello Mark,

I find no specific passage in Revelation stating such; although, overall, the idea does seem to be supported. However, in the prophetic passage of Matthew 24 and 25, Jesus does teach such a concept. In Matthew 25:31-46, in His discourse on the judgment of the nations, Jesus teaches that in the second event of His return when He comes back to the earth at the end of the first ½ of Daniel’s 70^th Week, He will judge the nations according to how they will have dealt with Israel during that period. (For our in-depth study of Daniel’s 70 Weeks, go to booklet one of our on-line book, CLOCK OF THE AGES.) The following Scriptures come from this passage.

Matthew 25:
31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.
41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
42 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink:
43 I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.
44 Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee?
45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.
46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

Maranatha,

Don

B'ANN WROTE:

The following passage from the Old Testament is used to form this opinion about Israel. Because of this passage, many people in Europe, and elsewhere, helped the Jewish people during WWII. The wording seems to be referring more to the Kingdom Age promise for the future rather than a present or past occurence. I would suggest that you study this passage for yourself and form your own conclusions. Corrie TenBoom firmly believed this Scripture. Others did not. There are accounts in the Old Testament where God did intervene and miraculously protected Israel. However, this was before they decided against a Theocratic government under God’s rule through the prophets. After they rejected God and turned to earthly kings, we find God approaching their divine care with conditions/ultimatums such as "If you hearken unto My Words…" or "If you hearken not" and their choices brought either blessings or cursings. Hope this helps!!!

Zechariah 2:
1 I lifted up mine eyes again, and looked, and behold a man with a measuring line in his hand.
2 Then said I, Whither goest thou? And he said unto me, To measure Jerusalem, to see what is the breadth thereof, and what is the length thereof.
3 And, behold, the angel that talked with me went forth, and another angel went out to meet him,
4 And said unto him, Run, speak to this young man, saying, Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein:
5 For I, saith the LORD, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her.
6 Ho, ho, come forth, and flee from the land of the north, saith the LORD: for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven, saith the LORD.
7 Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon.
8 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye.
9 For, behold, I will shake mine hand upon them, and they shall be a spoil to their servants: and ye shall know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me.
10 Sing and rejoice, O daughter of Zion: for, lo, I come, and I will dwell in the midst of thee, saith the LORD.
11 And many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people: and I will dwell in the midst of thee, and thou shalt know that the LORD of hosts hath sent me unto thee.
12 And the LORD shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy land, and shall choose Jerusalem again.
13 Be silent, O all flesh, before the LORD: for he is raised up out of his holy habitation.

(For our study on Chapter 25 of Matthew, go to booklet 8 of CLOCK OF THE AGES.)

Max Wrote:

Could give us your Doctrinal Statement of Faith?

B'Ann Wrote:

A Doctrinal Statement of Faith sets forth a creed, dogma, or law for a church to follow. I believe a true Christian should grow beyond any set of words that can be printed in a large picture frame size chart. If we don’t grow, we become stagnant pools that cannot give living water to a thirsty people. If it is in the Bible, we believe it. However, our belief comes as precept is laid upon precept. We put up the web site, DOWEKNOW to simple state that we realize that WEDONOTKNOW the depth, height and breadth of God’s greatness. As a newborn babe in Christ, a person could have great faith and zeal but not the seasoned growth to use it. After studying the Bible for years, ones perception would have grown after feasting upon the milk and meat of the Word. On the other hand, a person that never studies the Bible, but repeats the church creed every Sunday, might never grow beyond those items mentioned in those short paragraphs. Leave yourself room to grow in the Lord by allowing all of the Trinity to function on your behalf.