The attack against the prophetic portions of scripture have now become more open and deliberate than ever and it is imperative to be aware of this as the barrage will only intensify from here on out. The reason for this is that for the emerging church/dominionist movement to be validated the Book of Revelation must be discredited because it completely negates the entire concept of the so-called 'kingdom building' agenda, actually describing in detail the failure of it.
The Gospel of John chapter 10 vs. 35 tells us "..the scripture cannot be broken". It is men who shall be broken, not the Word of God. Interestingly enough the book of Revelation has two verses which are a specific warning against altering it in any way. Here is one of the two verses, referring directly to the Book of Revelation itself:
"And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book." (Rev. 22:19; see also v.18)
This verse sheds some light on the seriousness of the subject being (briefly) dealt with here, which is this:
In a recent interview recognized emerging church leader Brian McLaren, when asked about his unique interpretation of the book of Revelation had this to say:
McLaren says: "If someone reads Revelation and thinks that it's one genre when it's another, they're going to misread it."
"It turns out that Revelation is a classic example of a genre of literature that existed in the Jewish world from about 100 B.C. to about 200 A.D. Modern scholars call it Jewish Apocalyptic. It turns out that Jewish Apocalyptic is not trying to predict the end of the world. But it uses bizarre imagery -- often dreamlike imagery -- to describe contemporary politics and to give people encouragement to be faithful in the midst of oppressive political regimes."
"When you read the Book of Revelation in that way, it just comes alive. And instead of being a kind of strange code book that tells us that there's no hope and we should just expect things to get worse and worse, it becomes a call to courage and faithfulness against all odds. That, to me, is the best way to read Revelation."
--------------------------------
Before receiving any teaching the student has a responsibility to search the scripture to see of that taught... "whether those things were so". (Acts 17:11). That has been done regarding the above 'teaching' (and the genre has not been "misread"), and as "it turns out"...."those things were not so", as shown here in examining three statements and comparing them to scripture:
-------------------------------
False statement #1:
Before receiving any teaching the student has a responsibility to search the scripture to see of that taught... "whether those things were so". (Acts 17:11). That has been done regarding the above 'teaching' (and the genre has not been "misread"), and as "it turns out"...."those things were not so", as shown here in examining three statements and comparing them to scripture:
-------------------------------
False statement #1:
McLaren says: Modern scholars call it Jewish Apocalyptic. "It turns out that Jewish Apocalyptic is not trying to predict the end of the world.
We say: Does the book of Revelation predict the end of the world?
The Word of God says: "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God." (Rev. 19:11,15)
Does the book of Revelation predict the "end of the world"? Nothing could be further from the truth. As seen here the 'world' will continue right along. What is coming to an end though is this corrupt world system, referred to in the Revelation as Babylon (Rev. 17-18), and also the rule of man on the earth as he will have proven himself incapable. At His return, when heaven is opened, the Lord Jesus Christ will overthrow all human governments; i.e. He will smite the nations "in righteousness". Then and only then establishing His own authority and ruling with a "rod of iron". No end of the world predicted here at all, but there will be a 'new management'. (cf. Rev. 11:15) This is a big problem for those with a global agenda.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------We say: Does the book of Revelation predict the end of the world?
The Word of God says: "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God." (Rev. 19:11,15)
Does the book of Revelation predict the "end of the world"? Nothing could be further from the truth. As seen here the 'world' will continue right along. What is coming to an end though is this corrupt world system, referred to in the Revelation as Babylon (Rev. 17-18), and also the rule of man on the earth as he will have proven himself incapable. At His return, when heaven is opened, the Lord Jesus Christ will overthrow all human governments; i.e. He will smite the nations "in righteousness". Then and only then establishing His own authority and ruling with a "rod of iron". No end of the world predicted here at all, but there will be a 'new management'. (cf. Rev. 11:15) This is a big problem for those with a global agenda.
False statement #2:
McLaren says: The book of Revelation...."a kind of strange code book"...."tells us that there's no hope....things will get worse and worse"
But the Word of God says (a few examples of things to hope for):
"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful." (Rev. 21:3-5)
Does the book of Revelation tell us that there's "no hope"? Once again, nothing could be further from the truth. Glorious things are foretold in the Revelation, promising tremendous hope. Things like: no more tears, death, sorrow, etc. Not worse and worse, but ultimately, better and better. But of course there is some unfinished business, so not until after the Lord has put all His enemies underfoot (Ps: 110:1) will this be seen. Every enemy conquered, this also is a great hope!
------------------------------------------------------
False statement #3.
McLaren says: The purpose of book of Revelation is "to describe contemporary politics and to give people encouragement to be faithful in the midst of oppressive political regimes."
And the Word of God says: "And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty...And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.....and the cities of the nations fell....and men blasphemed God" (Rev. 16:13-14,16,21b)
The purpose of the book of Revelation? Are you willing to believe an interpretation of the above passage (for just one example) which makes it out to be a scene describing "contemporary politics"?
Undoubtedly, many in the Dominionist/emerging movement will be happy to hear that the battle of Armageddon, after "rethinking it", has been cancelled by the emerging/global movement. "Turns out" according to McLaren, that the "great day of God Almighty" is no great day at all, just business as usual. Nothing more than an apocalyptic encouragement against political repression here. No "spirits of devils", no "kings of the earth" etc., gathering together in rebellion against the LORD God himself, as described in His Word. And they all lived happily ever after....
The defiance of men as described in the above passage of scripture, is evident here also. To brazenly deny the written Word of God with such illogical and subjective interpretations as this is astounding. Christians, a sharp line is being drawn by these who are "speaking lies in hypocrisy". This sharp line leaves no middle ground! A decision is required, in or out?
-----------------------------------
One more point. Presently, there is an "oppressive political regime" on the earth, and the devil is the 'god of it' (Luke 4:6; cf. 2 Cor 4:4). It is called Babylon throughout the bible. Babylon is the 'city of man'; "Vanity Fair", as John Bunyan described it. Despite those who would attempt to make it otherwise, one of the purposes of the Book of Revelation is to foretell it's end. And in that it is a warning. It's end is to be one of destruction, not reformation, as seen:
"...and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. (Rev. 16:19b)
"And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all." (Rev. 18:21)
Wise men will believe all that the prophets have written? (Luke 24:25).
The first attempt at world unity at the "Tower of Babel" was a colossal failure, as will be this effort to rebuild it..."Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all."
All will come to pass exactly as written. Men are today hastening toward that final confrontation....
"come out of her my people..."
-------------------------------------
Rev. 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
