The Elliptical Orbit of Scripture
Did you, as I did, when you were a fledgling Christian sit down and read the book of Revelation? How could the first impression ever be forgotten! Thunder, lightning, beasts, women (beautiful and otherwise), angels (of both camps), scenes of heaven and hell, altars, blood and incense, horrific horsemen from above and dreadful winged monstrosities from below, heavenly orbs darkening, seas and rivers turning to blood, vials of wrath being poured out, myriads of wicked beings on the march, white horses from heaven, a giant angel straddling sea and land, eagles with their cry of “Woe!” and ultimately, like the soothing final strains of a great symphony, the beautiful scenes of the New Jerusalem with its Tree of Life and the crystal stream from the throne of the Lamb. What was it all about? I have now spent over 50 years in what became one of my favourite books in the Bible.
The keynote, the grand finale, the curtain call of all scripture is the second advent of our Lord. One out of every thirty verses in the Bible deal with the second coming or the events leading up to it. That’s around 2500 verses! The book of Revelation is consistently peppered with the return of Jesus in power and great glory. Christ’s promise to come again is in the opening prologue (1:7 & 8) and reiterated 3 times in the conclusion of the book (Rev 22:7,12,20)- [remember the chiastic structure]. This is the endpoint towards which all history moves. The second coming will mark the conclusion of this world’s history and the beginning of God’s eternal kingdom without the threat of sin and rebellion. All evil, anguish, pain and death will be gone. All our perils and conflicts are over!
You are invited to one of two identicale sessions on the rules for interpreting the book of Revelation. Either Sunday night or Monday night at 7pm. The session will go for about 45minutes. It is important to realize that you cannot correctly interpret Revelation without an understanding of the Hebrew Sanctuary service and many of the stories and characters from the Old Testament. I will explain how the Sanctuary is fundamental to a correct interpretation of this book. Sunday OR Monday 7pm here
https://zoom.us/my/ross.chadwick
You are invited to one of two identicale sessions on the rules for interpreting the book of Revelation. Either Sunday night or Monday night at 7pm. The session will go for about 45minutes. It is important to realize that you cannot correctly interpret Revelation without an understanding of the Hebrew Sanctuary service and many of the stories and characters from the Old Testament. I will explain how the Sanctuary is fundamental to a correct interpretation of this book. Sunday OR Monday 7pm here
ZOOM Link here: https://zoom.us/my/ross.chadwick
JOHN TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES WHICH ARE IN ASIA: GRACE TO YOU AND PEACE . . . FROM JESUS CHRIST. . . REVELATION 1:4-5.
In the opening lines of most books, the author tries to bring the reader up to speed on his or her purpose for that book. The Book of Revelation is no exception. The first eight verses of the book form a prologue, in which the major themes and intentions for the book are laid out. The language of the Prologue (Rev 1:1-8), however, is different from the rest of the book. It is fairly normal and straightforward, the typical language of the New Testament. It is quite unlike the apocalyptic language of the rest of the book, which is filled with complex, symbolic images.
What do you do with a book that describes animals with seven heads and ten horns that have the body of a leopard and feet like a bear (Rev 13:1-2)? What do you do with a book in which eagles speak (8:13), but gigantic cities are silent (18:22-23)? What do you do with a book in which blood flows as high as a horse’s bridle (14:20)? With images like that, witout following the rules, you are going to get confused.
participant ID 409413
Sunday OR Monday 7pm
Revelation 1:7 (NLT) “Look! He comes with the clouds of heaven. And everyone will see him — even those who pierced him. And all the nations of the world will mourn for him. Yes! Amen!”
“For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes.” Matt24:27.
This will be accompanied with the “loud trumpet call”(V :31) That will call all those to be saved from the graves. 1Cor15:20-23,51-58
“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the believers who have died will rise from their graves. Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. So encourage each other with these words.” 1Thessalonians 4:16-18(NLT).
Powerful! Nothing secret about this. “Even so come Lord Jesus!”
Scripture is like an elliptical orbit ( with 2 focal points) that revolve around the two advents. One inaugurated our salvation the other consummates it. We now live between the now and not yet!
Thankyou for offering us this wonderful opportunity.
My Pleasure and Joy
What time zone are you in.
I’d like to join but I’m jointing from Australia.
I am in NSW – Sydney time
Hi Ross,
I have the same question as Des. I would also like to join from Aus but not sure what time to jump on.
7pm sydney NSW time
NSW Sydney time
Thanks Ross!