An challenging look at understanding Prophecy
Introduction
Having been an Adventist christian for 12 years, I have found enjoynment in studying prophecy from time to time. Believing that bits of truth will come from many people, I have researched most of the scholars and writers, as well as church views. The interpretations on this site are a compilation from The Messianic Jewish Church, The Adventist Church, Doug Bachelor, Chuck Missler, Larry Wilson, Michael Rood Jim Arrabito, Walter Veith, and Ellen White, and several others. What I found was that the majority of other theologeons and churches have had a tendancy to make their enterpretation very complicated, involving extensive symbolism, and bias. As everything else in the Bible, there are depths of meaning to prophecy. The mistake that is often made is in thinking that a lesson learned from something symbolic in prophecy determines what the fullfillment will be. This thinking essentially removes the literal fullfillment of prophecy, but sounds more intelligent, and for some, sells more books.
The important thing to note is that for the most part, prophecy is not worth argueing and dividing over. When compairing views of spirit lead sincere Christians and churches, I have noticed that they tend to point in the same general direction.
Breaking through the Bias
Having originally learnt the basic Adventist version, I didn`t take much consideration at the "literal" or "futurist" views. I viewed them as simplistic, and the result of lacking the spirit of truth. I then put Daniel, Revelation, and the gospel prophecies to memory, and soon after experienced a mental earthquake. Unlearning something is far more difficult than learning. With prophecy it is so easy to become attached to one view, especially once one pictures and imagines these things. The other tendancy is to "tow the party line" as they say. Having taught the original historical, symbolic Adventist view for years, I found it difficult to let go, as it would mean I had spread something possibly untrue.
After my transformation I found found something very exciting. That if one allows prophecy to explain itself, sometimes in symbolism, and others times, literally, that the prphecies begin to allign is such a perfect way that removes any question as to their meaning!
If you can set your bias aside, you will certainly learn something you will enjoy.
The Spirit of Prophecy
This topic is mainly for Adventists, and is discussed in more detail on the Spirit of Prophecy page. Long story short, the spirit of prophecy teaches a different vew of prophecy than people realise. The trick is in understanding what a prophet really is.
CONCLUSION
What I have discovered is that if you erase all your biases, and completely open your mind, ask god to bless your study, go on the scriptures alone, and ofcourse make sure you know the author or God very well, the true meaning of prophecy is very simple and easy to understand. The interpretation on this site is very simple and literal. It takes very little explaining as the verses tend to explain themselves. There is no need for extensive knowledge of history, or as I call it "gnostic" knowledge. And if you take the time to go through this, you will be very surprised to find that it makes the most sense, and is the most supported by the Bible.
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Revelation Main Page
The 7 Trumpets herald the beginning of the last days. Some claim they are simbolic while some argue a literal interpretation.
The 7 Seals of Revelation parrallel the gospel prophecies of Matthew Mark and Luke.
The 7 head 10 horned beast rises to power and rules the whole world militarily and spiritualy, and makes war with the saints.
The 2nd beast of Revelation exists at the same time as the 1st. some believe its the anticrist while other say it is America.
The 144,000 described in Revelation have a very inispiring message for those who live through the time of the end.
Jerusalem, the highly debated city. Some say it will be the center of end time events, while others claim its merely symbolic.
The Abomination of Desolation is meantioned as happening in the early days of the new testament. Some verses point to end times.
The 2 Witnesses of Revelation. Not everything about them is revealed, but many clues are evident.
The Close of Judgement which precedes the 7 last plagues is clearly described in 2 different chapters of revelation.
Special Resurrection. Jesus returns to resurrect the saved and some of the lost.
The spirit of prophesy.