Subject: Interpreting Revelation |
Bible Note: Hello RC, As early as 1580, a Jesuit priest, Francisco de Ribera, in a book that was a mixture of a-millennialism, historicism and futurism, first taught that the events contained in the book of Revelation were to take place during the three and a half year reign of the antichrist at the end of the age. Ribera appears to be responsible for this system of prophetic interpretation of which the secret rapture has now become an integral part. Manuel Lacunza Y Díaz (July 19, 1731 - June 17 1801) also wrote about prophecy from a futurist viewpoint in The Coming of Messiah in Glory and Majesty. Completed in 1790, it was placed on the Vatican’s Index of Forbidden Books in 1824. While the "pre-tribulation rapture" idea is not found here, Lacunza taught that Jesus returns not once, but twice, and at the "first stage" of His return He "raptures" His Church so they can escape the reign of the "future antichrist." Taken from http://www.freemasonry.bcy.ca/texts/dispensationalism.html. I don't agree with Freemasonry, but this seemed to summarize it pretty well. Steve |