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Revelation
By Adam Bartlett
Preface
There is so much controversy over this one book that it makes it hard for anyone to read it without some type of bias. This is the only book in the Bible that says you will be blessed if you read it and keep its words (1:3 & 22:7). We know that the whole Bible is a blessing and is vital for our walk as a Christian but one would think that a book that boasts a blessing for reading it would be heard more often in churches.
The Rapture of the Body of Christ is one of the most debatable items in Christianity. I know people will have different views and interpretations of the scriptures, but this subject should never become a matter of division among the brethren. It is not a matter of one's salvation if they believe one way or the other on this topic, nor does it make one side more spiritual than the other.
We should all emphasize and teach that everyone regardless of their Rapture/Tribulation view focuses on serving Christ the best they can every day. Our relationship should not be dependent upon our view of when the rapture takes place; there are already too many divisions among God's people. It is amazing how easily the enemy can use our own beliefs against us and cause division. I guess in honesty we make it easy for the enemy by our petty conflicts among us.
I do agree that it is a problem if a person teaches that we will not go through the tribulation so relax and do not worry. That to me is as bad as the eternal security doctrine and the dangers of it.
It is always a danger to get comfortable with our relationship with the Lord. We should always be striving to get closer and be what He wants us to be. Just as the wise and foolish virgins did not know when the bridegroom would come calling. The proper teaching tells us to be prepared as the "wise" virgins were. The other side is that the "foolish" virgins were left behind and the door was shut. It does not say that they had another chance, that the door was opened again. There are no scriptures that I know of that speak of a person having a second chance to make it after the rapture. There are no scriptures that I see that indicate that there will be many saved during the tribulation. You need to be ready now, and have oil in your lamp.
This book is a glimpse of something that we cannot imagine nor could John as he described it the best he could in first century language. We do see more things aligning with the things that are told us in this book which give us a little more advantage than others before us. As we study this book the main thing to remember is that no one has all the answers and there will remain questions regardless of who gives their explanations of this book. I have read many books regarding this book and the topic of the rapture by very learned and godly men. I have gleaned many thoughts from what they have said but also disagreed with some of the things they said also. Even after doing this study, I still have many questions that I expect will only be answered when I see Him face to face.
Revelation Studies
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