Words and Phrases There seems to be some question as to the duration of the earth, i.e. specifically as to how long it will last. Various scriptures have been applied some suggesting the earth is to be destroyed others that it will remain. As all true bible students know the Bible is the Living Word of God and therefore cannot contradict itself, therefore if something appears to be contrary to something else which is written it is usually found that…
Words and Phrases Heaven continued. THE SYMBOLIC HEAVENS Having we believe established the fact that there are three LITERAL heavens, we now turn our attention to the SYMBOLIC heavens, in the attempt to understand what they imply, let us examine a few Scriptural references which might assist us in this respect. “See that ye refuse not him that speaks. For if they escaped not who refused him that spoke on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn…
Words and Phrases Heaven continued. We include the following excerpt as taken from the “New Albany Notes on Revelation” (Appendix B, Item#74c) for further reference. “Throughout the Bible “heaven” can mean one of various things. In Revelation, however, the meaning seems to fall into only a few categories. The following study is not conclusive, but it may be a help in determining what is meant when the word “heaven” is used. First a summary: Most uses of heaven in Revelation…
Words and Phrases “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. Do not add to His words, Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.” Prov 30:5-6 “Paul sharply criticized some ignorant persons who came into the church indulging in strife’s of words, and we frequently find misunderstandings and divisions caused solely by a lack of knowledge of the meaning of important words and phrases. In fact there…
Numbers Because the book of Revelation is stated to be a book of “signs”, a symbolic prophecy (Rev 1:1), the tenancy for some is to take things a bit too far and assume that just about everything stated is symbolic in nature. Although Revelation abounds in symbolism it also contains many literal passages, therefore the true student of the Word should exercise caution before jumping to any hasty conclusions, we would not wish, in our haste for understanding, to assume…
A Closer Look at Section 3 (Chapters 20-22) “The healing of the nations” – Rev 22:2 These chapters conclude the Bible. All of the loss suffered in the opening three chapters of the Bible is here undone in its last three. It is a glorious ending, worthy of a Glorious God. Chapter 20 The Thousand Years When Chapter 20 opens, we again jump back to the beginning of the harvest, but only for the briefest of moments. The first three…
Chapter 19 This chapter could well be two chapters. The first ten verses deal with “the marriage of the lamb.” The remainder jumps back to the beginning of the harvest to give us yet another perspective on how the current social order will meet its end. The “marriage of the lamb” is a symbol for the time when Jesus has (in terms of his Matthew 13 parable) gathered all of the wheat into the barn. Near the end of the…
A Closer Look at Section 2 (Chapters 14-19) “Men’s hearts failing them for fear” – Luke 21:26 Chapters 14 through 19 focus on events at the close of the Gospel Age — THE HARVEST. This is a complex period. In it the world is experiencing troubles it cannot handle, and Christianity is faced with the kind of scrutiny that destroys everything that can be shaken. (Heb 12:26-29) Perhaps we can summarize the events of this harvest as three works progressing…