We Walk By Faith

As noted again and again in our study of The Revelation, apocalyptic literature commonly uses symbolical or figurative language. So we have read about

• Four horsemen (Rev. 6:1-8)
• Locusts (Rev. 9:1-11)
• Beasts (Rev. 13:1-18)
• Seven horns and seven eyes of Christ (Rev. 5:6)
• 144,000 sealed (Rev. 7:2-8; 14:1-5)

The goal is always to understand what the Spirit intends us to learn and grasp the meaning of such texts by unwrapping the symbols and figures of speech. I refer you back to comments on these texts in this blog. 

It is also important to realize that Biblical prophets frequently telescope both near and future events into one picture. Sometimes a prophet will focus on the immediate future. At other times he will show the distant future. Sometimes both will be pulled together. Jesus Himself prophesied in this manner. 

1. The Romans will destroy Jerusalem. This they did in A.D. 70 (Mark 13:1-2; 14-20)

"So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel (Dan. 9:27; 12:11), standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. - Mat 24:15-22 ESV

2. The church will be persecuted and deceived before Christ returns (Mark 13:3-13; 21-23)

Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. - Mat 24:23-25 ESV

3. After the tribulation or persecution of those days Christ will return (Mark 13:24-33)

"Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. - Mat 24:29-31 ESV

"From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. - Mat 24:32-35 ESV 

4. But the when of Christ's return will remain unknown (Mark 13:32-37)

"But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left. Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. - Mat 24:36-42 ESV 

Consequently it is extremely important not to proclaim that you know when the millennium will literally begin or when the world as we know it will end, as is common among premillennialists and others as they turn symbols and figures of speech into literal forecasts. This has happened again and again over the past two thousand years of the church's history. Check out the list of dates predicted for apocalyptic events gathered in the Wikipedia article. The list continues with predictions for the near and distant future.

We walk by faith

Again, I refer my readers to a careful study of the document published by the Commission on Theology and Church Relations of the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod: End Times—Eschatology and Millennialism. For we walk by faith, as did the saints of old, and leave the time of our LORD's return in the hands of our heavenly Father, even as the LORD Himself tells us. The good counsel of the Apostle remains:

For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee. So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. - 2 Cor 5:1-10 ESV