Are we in the End of Days, Its now or never Options

[PFC Mustangman]

Sound the Alarm.This could be it.

Revelation 13:16-17

www.youtube.com/watch?v=99UK8_ZQK5Q

www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2rji9ZJSbM

www.youtube.com/watch?v=px4Qjs0JMUI

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRGot4vwwcs

www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ela1FEcmcM

www.youtube.com/watch?v=VcuqRjwlM4w

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_qAhHf4YA4

www.youtube.com/watch?v=mG9yQtR4j8k

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXuwzs3TbqU

[Rush]

I only watched the first video, but having read much of the Left Behind series and done some study of this sort of interpretation of Revelation (its called Classical Dispensationalism), I have a pretty good idea of where this is going.

We could be living in the end times, but I don't think things like computer chips and face recognition is of any evidential value. Interpreting Revelation in this way ignores three things: First, the book's historical context; second, the book's heavy reliance on Old Testament allusions; third, the book's genre (apocalyptic literature).

As far as historical context, the original recipients of Revelation were under persecution (though not as widespread as often believed) socially, economically, and physically because of their religion. Also, many interpreters of Revelation acknowlege that at least some parts of the book occured near the time of writing in the late 1st century AD. The only interpreters who don't acknowlege this are Classical Dispensationalists, who often look at modern phenomena as evidence of the end times. I might add that one school of thought (Preterism) holds that everything in Revelation has already occured. I'm sympathetic to this view, but not completely sold on it.

As far as Old Testament allusions, some commentators claim that John alludes indirectly to each of the 39 books of the OT in Revelation. Interestingly, the Beast's mark that would be on people's right hand and forehead (Rev. 13:16-17) are possibly an unholy parody of the command in Deuteronomy 6:8 to tie the words of the Law as symbols on hands and foreheads.

As for genre: Classical Dispensationalists deny that Revelation is apocalyptic literature, but when it is compared to other apocalytic literature (i.e. the Book of Daniel, 1 Enoch, et al.) its pretty clear that Revelation fits that genre. So, to interpret it appropriately you have to realize how symbolic it is and that much of the point is made with images and signs.

This post has been edited by Rush: 02/17/08 2:58am