tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14452423.post8236757141809178839..comments2023-11-05T06:39:46.156-05:00Comments on 1st Corynthians: The Purifying JudgmentAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00436093074070856791noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14452423.post-76350513848591394022011-11-02T14:43:01.768-04:002011-11-02T14:43:01.768-04:00I read this again, and looked at all the scripture...I read this again, and looked at all the scriptures this time. I heartily agree with what you say here.<br /><br />The church we attend has been going through Revelation. They teach the traditional, Dispensationalist view... pre-trib rapture, literal 1000 reign of Christ and His people before Armageddon, etc. <br /><br />I have trouble seeing Revelation this way. Everything I've seen in prophesy suggests to me that it is written circularly, not linearly. The idea of a pre-trib rapture goes against everything I see in Matthew 24, as well as everything I see in Revelation 1-2 where the 7 churches are all warned to stand firm and (where appropriate) clean up their acts so they will be ready for what is coming.<br /><br />These things lead me to lean in an amillenial (sp?) direction, as does your post here. God pours out judgments to purify us, to prove us and to prepare us. Although most of God's judgments in Revelation are poured out on unbelievers, the response seems often to be that they turn around and persecute the Christians in return. Revelation often speaks of the martyrs crying out to the Lord for justice.<br /><br />I think it is plausible that there is a fulfillment of Revelation in our day, that we are going through times that winnow us and set apart those who are truly the Lord's.<br /><br />It also seems to me that there is a lot of repetition in Revelation... that John describes everything up to the very end, and then he describes it again, from a slightly different point of view, and then again from yet another point of view (I get confused when I try to count exactly how many times this happens, but a few times it is pretty clear). This is consistent with things I have observed in other books of prophecy: there is a lot of circling around and repeating ideas in new ways. So, while I don't think we probably will be raptured before the tribulation (although I wouldn't complain if it happened!!), neither do I think there will be as many steps in the tribulation process as a literal, chronological, sequential reading of Revelation would suggest.<br /><br />I think, in a way, all Christians endure a type of tribulation along their faith journeys, and this is true throughout the entire history of the church. How we respond to our trials is significant, and I think it is probably a serious responsibility that pastors hold to prepare and encourage people to respond rightly.<br /><br />Anyhow, I'm rambling now. It's a lot to think about. Your idea here was really more of a book sized idea than a blog sized idea, I think.<br /><br />How are you coming with the seven scriptures? I've received two responses so far, and my own first pass attempt is here: http://seekingwisdomcravinggrace.blogspot.com/2011/10/seven-scriptures.htmlruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15293058709021665140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14452423.post-86942153716576213792011-10-26T22:41:36.031-04:002011-10-26T22:41:36.031-04:00I was thinking three windows on each side, and a v...I was thinking three windows on each side, and a verse at the front, but not necessarily on a window... perhaps over a baptismal.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11093621296828810512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14452423.post-23705175290038003312011-10-26T14:32:40.782-04:002011-10-26T14:32:40.782-04:00One question: I'm picturing three windows on e...One question: I'm picturing three windows on each side. Is the seventh window at the front (where the congregation faces) or the back (where they enter and exit)?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00436093074070856791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14452423.post-48155136596852725372011-10-26T14:29:50.679-04:002011-10-26T14:29:50.679-04:00Ruth, that is one of the most fascinating hypothet...Ruth, that is one of the most fascinating hypotheticals I've ever heard. I'll need to give this some thought and get back to you. I'd love to see other readers' answers too!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00436093074070856791noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14452423.post-26689183857540206812011-10-26T13:37:17.394-04:002011-10-26T13:37:17.394-04:00Very good post. I need to read it again when I am...Very good post. I need to read it again when I am not pressed for time. we are studying end times at our church, so this seems to tie in. I'll definitely read it again.<br /><br />Question for you: if you were part of a group of people designing a church sanctuary, and you in particular were tasked with choosing seven scriptures to display in the sanctuary (seven being the perfect number), which ones would you select? I am talking about fairly short passages, ideally just one verse; each something that theoretically could be designed into a single stained glass window. Thanks.Ruthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11093621296828810512noreply@blogger.com