Bible Question: Let me rephrase this question. Was Revelation Ch 1 through 3 prophetic about end times or written about that time in 90 AD about the conditions of the church? |
Bible Answer: Hi GotJesus2, The key to this book of the Revelation of Jesus is in chapter 1, verse 19: Rev 1:19 "Therefore write the things which you have seen, and the things which are, and the things which will take place after these things. The 'things John had seen' is the vision of Jesus. The 'things which are' is what comes after what he had seen, i.e. the seven letters to the churches, churches that were existing at the time John wrote. The 'things which will take place after these things' are what comes after the time of the church, beginning in chapter 4 verse 1, "after these things". Many people believe that these seven letters have several 'layers' of meaning, with application to: 1) the specific church named, existing at the time. 2) individual churches through the age. 3) individual believers through the age. These are backed up specifically by the text. "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Along with that, many have noticed that there are tie-ins with: 1) the history in the Old Testament 2) the kingdom parables of Matthew 13 3) the other "church" epistles 4) the history of the church-age These are not meant to exhaustive, but can be clearly seen. Regarding church history, it is well recognized that all types of churches exist at all of these times, but that the "main movement" of the global church corresponds with each letter in progression. Not everyone agrees with this. I believe that the main purpose of these letters is their application to the church and to the believer. There rest testifies to Who wrote them. Love in Christ, Mark |