The Christadelphian Bible Journal
March 2004 Volume 2 Number 15
A correct interpretation of the Apocalypse is of more importance than may at first sight appear. 1. It was given "that his servants MIGHT KNOW" (1:1) the things it treats of; and if a wrong view of it prevails, the object of its communication is to that extent frustrated. 2. The Spirit pronounces a blessing on those who understand it (1:3), from which it follows that a wrong apprehension of its import deprives the wrong apprehender of the blessing. 3. Jesus pronounces a curse on those who take away from its words (22:19); and no one takes away from its words more effectually than the man who misrepresents its meaning. That misrepresentation of its meaning which asserts its inapplicability to the present constitution of things in the world, and teaches that it has no fulfillment till the saints are removed at the coming of Christ, is especially mischievous in its effects; for it interferes with a scriptural attitude in relation to things and systems which are therein condemned, and participation in which is declared to implicate the participators in the doom awaiting them. The ecclesiastical systems and practices of Europe are exhibited under symbols perfectly intelligible to the students of God's word. A beast and its image, a ten-horned monster and a woman are introduced as representatives of the constitution of things in Papal Europe, and a peculiarity of the saints therein described is that they "worship not the beast neither his image, nor receive his mark upon their foreheads nor in their hands." (20:4), that they "obtain the victory over the beast and over his image, and over the number of his name" (15:2); that unlike those dwelling on the earth "whose names are not written in the book of life" and who worship the beast who makes war upon the saints, they "keep the sayings of the prophecy of this book" which declare, "If any man worship the beast and his image and receive his mark in his forehead or in his hand, the same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God." Now if you regard the whole matter as future to the Lord's coming, do you not loosen and undermine the terrible obligations arising from these sayings? Certainly; you place these obligations beyond the circle of a saint's duties, and leave him at liberty to imagine that he may safely take part with any system extant in his own day. Of course, you are at liberty, in this day of liberty, to think and act as you will: but such views are a serious impediment to the co-operation which you are disposed to ask on the part of the Christadelphians. They could not admit such an element of corruption among them. They could not identify themselves with so complete a neutralization of the last message of Jesus sent to his servants. They could not make themselves responsible for such a departure from his testimony which he himself has fenced with special imprecations. Your belief in the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, "the same as the Christadelphians," may justify you in being immersed; but with such a state of mind with regard to the important directions he has given for the guidance of his servants in the Apocalypse, it is impossible they could enter upon that co-operation which has for its basis an intelligent apprehension of the mind and will of Christ.
The idea that "Revelations" is future in its fulfillment would be dispelled by the effectual realization of one or two points which we mention by way of conclusion. The angel interpreting to John the meaning of the seven heads of the scarlet-colored beast, says, "There are seven kings; five are fallen, one is and the other is not yet come" (17:10). Here is proof that in the day when these words were addressed to John -- nearly 1800 years ago -- part of the symbolism had been realized in history. In connection with its developments (11:18) "the time of the dead comes that they should be judged," which is inconsistent with the theory that those developments do not take place till after the resurrection of the saints. A similar argument arises in the fact that the beast makes war upon the saints and overcomes them (13:7). Surely this is not after the saints are raised from the dead! So also with the fact that saints, under the sixth seal, are seen in a state of death, and allowed to rest (6:9); and that the scarlet woman is drunk with the blood of the saints. (Surely she is not to kill them after they are made immortal.) "In her was found the blood of prophets and saints" (18:24). The apostles were slain by her (Rome under the pagan constitution) -- (18:20). Surely the apostles are not to be killed a second time. In addition to these and many other points that might be mentioned, the general character of the book as to things said about to "shortly come to pass," and as to keeping the things written in the book, conclusively shows the fallacy of a theory which futurizes everything except the messages to the ecclesias, and reduces it to a thing of no practical consequence whatever.
Bro. Robert Roberts
SELECT LETTERS
(Nebuchadnezzar's Image, 2/04):
Dear Bible Journal:
"Thank you for the article on the Image. It was an excellent counter to some of the nonsense that is floating around out there in Advocate land." - M.J.
Dear Bible Journal:
"I want to add my thanks... The emergence of the Family
Purcell as experts on prophecy has become more of a trial than this
writer first thought. When "It Seems to Me " first surfaced I dismissed
it and rather flippantly labeled it as the swivel-hips theory. It is more
serious than I first thought and now becomes a canker in the circles of
unamendia. Your effort, hopefully, will have wide ranging circulation and
will stand as a good defense.
"I must say Bob I am troubled by your other commentary and I fear, you, wanting so desperately to distance yourself from such as R. Purcell and Lyman Miner have thrown the baby out with the bath water. The unamended position on Covenant relationship is a much stronger and defendable position. So be it.
"Please accept my heartfelt thanks for an excellent article, i.e.
Nebuchadnezzar's Image.
"I remain your fellow laborer in our Master's vineyard," - H. T.
(We appreciate the above comments with regard to the February Bible Journal article. Though there may have been isolated instances, the entrance of this theory into Unamendia probably commenced in the1980s with the publication of L. Miner's Arab-Image article in The Christadelphian Advocate magazine. At that time we found that few, if any, were concerned. His ecclesia was fast asleep. Since then, others, such as the Shofar magazine, have also parroted Harry Whittaker's error. Our "distance" from Unamendia is wholly a doctrinal and fellowship issue. We stand completely with brother Thomas. - B.W.)
Dear Bible Journal:
"I want to express my appreciation for your thoughts in relation to some of the nonsense that has been put forth regarding identification of the Arabs with the ten toes of Nebuchadnezzar's Image. Though I do not stand in agreement with your effort in matters as they relate to criticism of the Unamended Position on certain doctrinal matters, I fully endorse and appreciate your efforts as seen in the February issue.
"In this latest e-mail it is clear you take issue with what is being
printed in the Shofar magazine. Please realize, and it is of a grave
concern of mine that everyone realize, that they do not and cannot stop
with just the "ten toes" in applying their Arab application. They have
taken it as far as suggesting the possibility that Jerusalem is the
Harlot of Revelation (a Pretorist view) - though they have been reluctant
to openly reveal their hand on the matter, choosing to weaken the
fundamentals of prophetic understanding first in slowly working their
agenda. If one weakens or completely changes the fundamentals of
Prophetic understanding as is found in Daniel 2, then the rest of how one
views prophecy has to be altered. Those of the Shofar fully realize
this, but unfortunately lack the proper mindset to see that their model
of interpretation falls flat on its face." - A. T.
Dear Bible Journal:
"As I sit here alone this afternoon, you can not know just how
uplifting it was to receive the aforementioned subject matter. There
truly is a peace to be found within, that transcends what the world
calls peace and is beyond their understanding. It is extremely
comforting to know that there are other brothers and sisters holding
fast to the old paths and contending for the one true faith. Great sorrow truly fills my heart to see the brotherhood's continuous and growing dismissal of Brother Thomas's, and other faithful brethren's, comprehensive expositions of The Truth, in favor of protestant fragmentists." - J.H.
(We share your remorse regarding the continuing degradation of the sound scriptural foundation laid by our pioneer brethren. Nevertheless, we, like you, look forward to the day when the evil works and hardened hearts of all the adversaries of the Truth shall be laid bare and exposed by the Master. Until then, undoubtedly these things are allowed to be to try the faithful. - D.L.)
Dear Bible Journal:
"Excellent article. If history of the Israeli nation tells us anything, it is that the Arabs are incapable of fulfilling the role some attribute to them. How many times have they out numbered the Jews and still taken it on the nose. They are too unorganized and too religious to ever create a serious threat to Israel. And while they are busy ranting, raving, having demonstrations, parades and praising Allah, the Israeli defense force has spent the last 50+years quietly practicing every possible scenario to beat them. Who would you put your money on? The Drudge Report had an interesting document obtained from the U.S. government this weekend. It stated that Israel has as many as 82 nucs at it's disposal. We know Israel feels if she is going down, she will take the rest of the Middle East with her. I think only a superpower could do to Israel what the Scriptures say will happen. The Arabs appear to me to be little more than a catalyst or something to take the world's eye off the ball. Although you have to admit, it is easier to believe the Arabs are the Toes, but when was the last time Yahweh did anything that we mortals would consider obvious?" - W.B.W.
(Thank you, W.B.W. for an excellent observation. - B.W.)
WELCOME TO THE BEREAN FELLOWSHIP:
We wish to welcome to the Berean Christadelphian Fellowship: Brother Dale Lee and sister Kathy Lee (Virginia), brother Bryan Lee (North Carolina), brother Alexey Matveev and sister Natalia Matveev (Estonia, Europe), and sister Lupe Ogaz (New Mexico). All are formerly Unamended with the exception of sister Lupe who is formerly Central.