Hi Again Rhonda,
I have indeed looked also at what Eby has written on the Book of Revelation and find it fascinating.
I can say that over the years my views on Revealtion have become more and more 'spiritualized'. For example, when it comes to the Battle of Armageddon, do I believe that millions will literally be gathered on a literal plain in Israel... most likely not. These are symbolical word pictures which can only be spititually discerned. I realize that this goes against the modern tide of Bible expositors who favor sensationalism over all.
But I do believe that there is a point where we can go overboard. Spititual things are still realities that we see relfected in the physical realm. For example, there are some that see nothing more in Babylon the Great than the literal future rebuilding of this city in Iraq. To me this is woefully shortsighted and completely misses the point. Babylon is a symbol of a culture that has become wholly spiritually oppressive to God's people. It is not literally a single city, but it exists in this world very much as a spiritual reality. It's overthrow and judgment will be swift and violent.
As another example, there are some who believe that the literal temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt. This is completely missing the mark. WE - the body of believers are that temple. When we read that the 'outer court' would be trampled for 1260 'days', then this does have some very real meaning for God's people, although that meaning is spiritually discerned.
Did the two witnesses literally smite the world with plagues? No, but the world endured many plagues because these spiritual principles were ignored and surpressed.
Clearly these things are spiritual, but I do believe there still is a point where we can over-spiritualize. I rember Eby writing something about how Daniel and Revelation are not to be connected because one was physical and the other spiritual. I think that's a bit overboard. Didn't the visions given to Daniel have the forsight to see that the kingdom would be transferred to 'spiritual israel'?
Anyway, 'just my thoughts' ;-)
--David
I have indeed looked also at what Eby has written on the Book of Revelation and find it fascinating.
I can say that over the years my views on Revealtion have become more and more 'spiritualized'. For example, when it comes to the Battle of Armageddon, do I believe that millions will literally be gathered on a literal plain in Israel... most likely not. These are symbolical word pictures which can only be spititually discerned. I realize that this goes against the modern tide of Bible expositors who favor sensationalism over all.
But I do believe that there is a point where we can go overboard. Spititual things are still realities that we see relfected in the physical realm. For example, there are some that see nothing more in Babylon the Great than the literal future rebuilding of this city in Iraq. To me this is woefully shortsighted and completely misses the point. Babylon is a symbol of a culture that has become wholly spiritually oppressive to God's people. It is not literally a single city, but it exists in this world very much as a spiritual reality. It's overthrow and judgment will be swift and violent.
As another example, there are some who believe that the literal temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt. This is completely missing the mark. WE - the body of believers are that temple. When we read that the 'outer court' would be trampled for 1260 'days', then this does have some very real meaning for God's people, although that meaning is spiritually discerned.
Did the two witnesses literally smite the world with plagues? No, but the world endured many plagues because these spiritual principles were ignored and surpressed.
Clearly these things are spiritual, but I do believe there still is a point where we can over-spiritualize. I rember Eby writing something about how Daniel and Revelation are not to be connected because one was physical and the other spiritual. I think that's a bit overboard. Didn't the visions given to Daniel have the forsight to see that the kingdom would be transferred to 'spiritual israel'?
Anyway, 'just my thoughts' ;-)
--David
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