Prophecy re-thinking?

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Hi Mark,

Mark Bassett wrote:
 
> On Wed, 22 Jan 1997 11:45:49 -0800, you wrote:
> 
> >Folks, Much of what we've been taught about prophecy came from
> >7th Day Adventists Plymouth Brethren and other groups with no experience
> >in the Baptism of the Holy Ghost.  Fact is, we could preach their thoughts
> >better than they could, and assumed they were right.  We did not check into
> >it ourselves.  I think we should re-evaluate our thoughts about all of this.
> 
> I have evaluated these doctrines and believe that, with small issues
> aside, they are essentially correct and properly interpretted in what
> we know as "endtime prophecy". More on this, if we all insist.

There are basic thoughts such as the rapture and so forth which are 
explicitly shown forth in scripture.  But when we get into Interpretation
of "locusts" and "the seal of god on their forehdeads" etc., it is more
than reading explicit wording.  Interpretation is needed.  And I simply
have compared Revelation with the rest fo the Bible and noticed that
there really is no break in stress and spirit from the overall theme
of flesh versus Spirit, IF ONE reads Revelation with regards to
spirituality, etc.  But, plain and simply, if the locusts are helicopters
and the mark is a computer chip, the whole continuity of the message of
the Bible is cast aside for the time being in order to deal with 
what any Spirit-less person could guess the symbos to mean.  For one person
says it is a computer chip.  Another says it is going to church on Sunday.

The Bible interprets itself.  When we look elsewhere for similar thoughts
about what we are dealing with in Revelation (like the mark on the right hand 
and forehead) we see the reality of the interpretation to be had.

For example, as above, the LAW OF GOD is to be bound on the right hand
and as frontlets between the eyes.  Literally?  No.  This represents the
whole mind, soul, and body being dedicated to God's laws.  So why would
Rev 13's mark of the beast be a literal phsycial data chip if that which
god tells us to bind on the hand and forehead is only figurative.

Comparative study  itself shows the popular ideas to be incorrect.
Where is the corss referencing for computer chips in the Bible?
My former post gives the example of the name of God on the 
forehead.  We know that is not literal.  But we say the mark of the
beast is literal?

I also evaluated their thoughts and thought them to be true.  But after
more experience in the Spirit in my life I found they actuallly only
made "good sense".  That feeling that I could follow these guys and
see their logic caused me to think it was therefore truth.  I discovered
things that may seem to make sense are not necessarily true.  

And when I corss referenced the thoughts of Revelation with the rest
of the Bible - WOW! - things opened up!  Some of the results of such 
studies are on my homepage.  

And lo and behold, others felt the witness of the Spirit, and even others
came up with the same conclusions through personal revelation themselves.

Those touting the popular prophecy interpretations of today, if you ask them,
studied them from others.  No personal revelation was involved.  They
"read it in a book by so and so."

Tribulation is well acquainted with Christians.  We all must 
pass through much tribulartion in order to enter the Kingdom.  And looking 
at Revelation through the aspect the early church looked at it through,
pertinent to the growth of christians and not relegated to some distant
last generation alone, makes much more sense in the Spirit.

> First, I don't believe that this is exclusivly Plymouth Brethren
> origin, and yes, the eschatology has been merchandised. So what ?

We need facts about these origins of interpretation.  Darby,
Larkin, Scofield and suchlike promoted practically all of what 
we have been told.

> Second,  MOST inherited theology is from people with no experience in
> the Holy Ghost. So what ? 

Salvation theology?  "MOST" theology regards salvation.

Fact is that depths of the Word are not revealed
without the Holy Ghost (1 Cor 2:12).  And when no anointing is present
during such ministry of popular endtime thoughts, it makes me wonder.
Revelation in general, revealed Word from God, has a special "something"
about it that hits the human spirit.  The witness of the Spirit is very
important to me.

> People are reading the Bible, praying and
> speaking publically. If one can read the Bible and without being
> baptized in the Holy Ghost recognize that Jesus is somehow more than
> man and could very well have established an economic miracle where
> man's sins could be remitted, then we have a commendation of the
> scripture, not a principle for discreditting the reader unless he is
> Holy Ghost baptized. Blind pigs find acorns and plenty of men and
> woman have used that old lamp with a little left over oil to show
> forth much truth.

In order to discuss views of prophecy one must show examples.  Comparisons 
do not solve the issue.  The Book of Revelation shows the degree to which
its truths will be little known by those void of revelatory experience.
It gives a blessing to those who "hear" the words.  "Comprehend" is what
it is speaking about.  The ability to comprehend its messages is
a purely spiritual thing.  One whose spirit has not been regenerated by 
the Holy Ghost is certainly questionable when it comes to "comprehending"
depths of the Word.  Notice that "Pentecostals" received a revelation
of the Oneness a few decades back?

Truths that are explicitly laid out, such as remission of sins, etc.,
require no revelatory miracle.  After all, how can fatcs pertaining 
to salvation taht are required for sinners to obey in order to be saved 
be veiled under heavy symbolism only perceived by those saved?  But when 
a "vision" is given and meant to be interpreted and "heard" (comprehended) 
there is much necessity for spiritual experience.  Surely Spirit-less 
people cannot perceive the depths of such study.  Again 1 Cor 2:12

All the help that Spirit-less people have is their ears, eyes and minds.
And Paul said such "mysteries" of God cannot be made known by these 
faculties.

-- 
---
In Christ,  
Michael F. Blume   
http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/mfblume/mblume.htm
http://www.netdot.com/jwg7192/writings/mike.htm