Gaining Perspective
Although eschatology experienced a tremendous boom in the 19th century, Christians have long been in keen anticipation of the end of ‘the system of things,’ followed by the immediate return of Jesus. These ideas arose from Jesus’ discussion with his apostles one night on the Mount of Olives where he foretold the destruction of Jerusalem, the adversity that his followers would suffer, and his second coming. Matthew, Mark and Luke recorded their recollections of that discussion at Matthew 24-25, Mark 13 and Luke 21.
We note that all of the books of the Christian scriptures, except the writings of the Apostle John, were written during the period 41 C.E. to 65 C.E., prior to, and in anticipation of, the destruction of Jerusalem which occurred in 70 C.E. Therefore, when considering the prophesies recorded in those books, it is important to understand that those who wrote them and those who read them in the first century, applied the prophecies to events they expected would occur in connection with the destruction of Jerusalem. And as Jesus foretold, the generation that heard his words did not pass away until all the things he foretold about Jerusalem’s destruction had occurred. (Matthew 24:34)
However, the destruction of Jerusalem was not followed by the return of Jesus. What happened? We know Jesus would not lie or mislead, so had the Bible writers misunderstood Jesus’ words? Instead of re-examining their recollection and understanding of what occurred that evening on the Mount, the early Christians presumed Jesus’ prophecies had a greater fulfillment at which time surely Jesus would return and establish his kingdom on earth. (Acts 1:6) It does not appear that they considered the possibility that Jesus would return at a time that would be separate and distinct from any other prophetic event.
More than 60 years after Jesus’ ascension, the Apostle John, the only then-living Apostle, wrote what came to be known as the Gospel of John, and the books 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Revelation. Due to their expectation of a greater fulfillment of Jesus’ earlier prophecies, John’s Revelation has been linked to the prophecies concerning Jerusalem’s destruction and the second coming of Jesus at which time there will be a greater tribulation culminating in a decisive war of God against disobedient mankind, followed by a period of peace, another terrible war, and finally a lasting peace. But there are other interpretations.
Other Christians do not link Revelation with the second coming. They believe the prophecy has already been chiefly fulfilled in the past, primarily with the destruction of Rome. Some believe the prophecy is an overview of history and major historical events, including a few they believe will occur in the future. Still others believe the prophecy is spiritual, representing higher and larger ideas and ideals which are equally relevant in all ages and for all people. While we do believe there will be endings and beginnings of eras and dispensations, we are more inclined to view Revelation as a spiritual prophecy, but we are open to additional possibilities.
And we firmly believe in Jesus’ promise that he will someday return. The Apostle John confirmed this as recorded in his gospel account which was written in 98 C.E., well after the destruction of Jerusalem, and two years after he wrote Revelation. John recorded Jesus as saying:
Although eschatology experienced a tremendous boom in the 19th century, Christians have long been in keen anticipation of the end of ‘the system of things,’ followed by the immediate return of Jesus. These ideas arose from Jesus’ discussion with his apostles one night on the Mount of Olives where he foretold the destruction of Jerusalem, the adversity that his followers would suffer, and his second coming. Matthew, Mark and Luke recorded their recollections of that discussion at Matthew 24-25, Mark 13 and Luke 21.
We note that all of the books of the Christian scriptures, except the writings of the Apostle John, were written during the period 41 C.E. to 65 C.E., prior to, and in anticipation of, the destruction of Jerusalem which occurred in 70 C.E. Therefore, when considering the prophesies recorded in those books, it is important to understand that those who wrote them and those who read them in the first century, applied the prophecies to events they expected would occur in connection with the destruction of Jerusalem. And as Jesus foretold, the generation that heard his words did not pass away until all the things he foretold about Jerusalem’s destruction had occurred. (Matthew 24:34)
However, the destruction of Jerusalem was not followed by the return of Jesus. What happened? We know Jesus would not lie or mislead, so had the Bible writers misunderstood Jesus’ words? Instead of re-examining their recollection and understanding of what occurred that evening on the Mount, the early Christians presumed Jesus’ prophecies had a greater fulfillment at which time surely Jesus would return and establish his kingdom on earth. (Acts 1:6) It does not appear that they considered the possibility that Jesus would return at a time that would be separate and distinct from any other prophetic event.
More than 60 years after Jesus’ ascension, the Apostle John, the only then-living Apostle, wrote what came to be known as the Gospel of John, and the books 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, and Revelation. Due to their expectation of a greater fulfillment of Jesus’ earlier prophecies, John’s Revelation has been linked to the prophecies concerning Jerusalem’s destruction and the second coming of Jesus at which time there will be a greater tribulation culminating in a decisive war of God against disobedient mankind, followed by a period of peace, another terrible war, and finally a lasting peace. But there are other interpretations.
Other Christians do not link Revelation with the second coming. They believe the prophecy has already been chiefly fulfilled in the past, primarily with the destruction of Rome. Some believe the prophecy is an overview of history and major historical events, including a few they believe will occur in the future. Still others believe the prophecy is spiritual, representing higher and larger ideas and ideals which are equally relevant in all ages and for all people. While we do believe there will be endings and beginnings of eras and dispensations, we are more inclined to view Revelation as a spiritual prophecy, but we are open to additional possibilities.
And we firmly believe in Jesus’ promise that he will someday return. The Apostle John confirmed this as recorded in his gospel account which was written in 98 C.E., well after the destruction of Jerusalem, and two years after he wrote Revelation. John recorded Jesus as saying:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
– John 14:1-4
Here, Jesus does not link his second coming to any cataclysmic event. He simply states that he will come again and will receive us. Therefore, while we can rest assured that Jesus will return one day to our earth, we should be cautious about emphatically linking it to any other event.
We provide this perspective and the alternative views because many are so immersed in their own interpretations of the book of Revelation that they forget they are interpretations and opinions, not established fact. The truth is that there are many and varied interpretations by sincere people who are just as diligently looking for understanding. No, the interpretations of Revelation are not settled, nor is it an absolute certainty that there will be a catastrophic end in our near future. In fact, since Revelation was given by ‘the Prince of Peace’ (Revelation 1:1-2; Isaiah 9:6), we wonder if the ‘great day of God the Almighty’ is more likely to be a productive rather than a destructive event. And when we think of what our brothers in Africa and the Middle East are currently experiencing, the literal 7-year tribulation of Revelation would be a relief!
The bottom line is that with prophecy, we never know exactly what they mean or when they will be fulfilled until that day actually arrives. We are expressly told as much:
“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.”
– Matthew 24:36
“He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.’”
– Acts 1:7
