Another Bible Prophecy blog site.  So what is different about this site?  They may not be entirely unique, but here is what characterizes this one:

• The Bible is the primary source of information – not the works of Theologians or other renown prophecy gurus.
• Prophetic passages, and the wide use of symbology, is interpreted by other passages – letting scripture interpret scripture.
• Presuppositions – such as associated with doctrinal positions (Covenant Theology, Reformed Theology, or Dispensationalism to name a few examples).are considered suspect – not a basis for deriving interpretations, theories or scenarios, unless they can be proven to be based on explicit scripture.
• The most literal approach is taken to interpreting scripture, except where the text or language of the text indicates figurative speech is used, or where symbology or imagery are obviously employed (as in visions by such prophets as Daniel, Ezekiel, or John).
• Interpretations and scenarios are allowed to emerge from the texts themselves, taking into consideration all the information available in every passage of scripture – not based on selective passages which fit a template or preconceived theory or presuppositions.
• Rules of logic are applied consistently – no circular reasoning or arguing from the premise.
• Current trends are evaluated realistically with respect to applications of the derived interpretations – such as who or what the end-time beast or the Harlot Babylon will be.
• Scientific discoveries and knowledge is brought to bear where applicable on the prophecies involving both cosmological and terrestrial events – such as “stars falling” to the earth causing huge earthquakes, obliteration of the sun, coloration of the moon, huge hailstones, etc..
• Other theories are critically evaluated first for their fidelity with actual scripture, as well as logic, and consistency with observable developments and trends and scientific discoveries.

Most traditional and mainstream views have been found to be lacking and do not pass the tests cited above.  The tendency has been to develop a set of presuppositions, associated with doctrinal positions, and with those in mind to find some scripture to support a largely preconceived theory or end-time scenario.  Such presupposition are then used to interpret all other relevant scripture, and ignore those that can’t be made to fit the template.  The method of interpretation becomes key to the conclusions reached, but even that is affected by the original underlying presuppositions and assumptions.

An example of this is the interpretation of a key expression used repeatedly throughout scripture with reference to the subject of end-time prophecy – “The Day of the Lord.”  One school has it as referring to a day of judgment on the nation Israel, and Jerusalem in particular, which already happened in AD 70 (or 70 CE).  Another prominent school insists that it refers to a future seven-year period called “the Tribulation Period,” and many even include a whole 1000 year period called “the Millennium,” which follows the Tribulation Period.  How one interprets this also dictates how they will interpret the book of Revelation and a number of related prophecies.  However, what the Bible means by the term becomes rather apparent, certainly no great mystery, nor is it ambiguous or confusing, when we just look at every passage where the term is used.  Neither of these man-made interpretations are consistent with how the expression is used in scripture.

Applying simple rules of logic also will eliminate some if not most of the more popular theories extant today.  Scripture repeatedly describes the “Day of the Lord” outpouring of His wrath on the world as a global and cosmic disaster involving the sun, moon and “stars” (probably comets or meteorites) and a fiery destruction of the whole earth and all its inhabitants.  To interpret this as actually only refer to the destruction of the tiny city of Jerusalem by Rome, as some do, seems on the face of it to be a little absurd.  Or, we have to believe that God is into such outlandishly gross exaggerations (which they call “hyperbolic language”) that we would also have to wonder what we can really believe from what all else He has said.

Or on the other hand, an opposing view is that Christ could come at any time, and there are no prophetic events which needed to be fulfilled since His first advent.  At the same time they believe that the Antichrist has to come and make a treaty with Israel (which he will violate by desecrating the temple only 3 1/2 years later) before Christ will come for His church.  But in fact there is no temple, and there was no Israel for over 1900 years after His first advent.  Thus, to believe both seems more than a little self-contradictory.

However, when we let scripture speak for itself, interpreting itself, it is amazing how logically consistent, and even believable it all becomes.  Of course probably everyone makes this claim, but this blog-site, and associated books, demonstrate rather conclusively that such is not the case.

At the same time it must be said that more recent developments in this field of end-time prophecy, seems to involve somewhat of a paradigm shift.  More and more attention is being paid to what scripture actually says. Realistic connections are being made to current global trends and developments.  More and more Bible scholars are realizing that relatively recent events in our world are fulfilling the more literal approach  to understanding prophecy – the futurists approach.  Many in that futurists camp are recognizing that while there is no scripture anywhere indicating that there will be a rapture of the church before the whole Tribulation Period begins, there are explicit promises of such a rapture before God pours out His wrath at the second coming of Christ.  Many are also realizing that the European Union which mainstream futurists have insisted is a Revived Roman Empire, is not materializing to be the globally dominant power of the Antichrist.  Furthermore a revived Roman Empire is not really the intended subject of John’s prophecies in Revelation, and probably not that of Daniel’s prophecies with respect to the end-times beast.  These are good trends, as more and more men are getting back to scripture, interpreting current trends and events in light of what is actually stated in God’s word, as opposed to doctrinal presuppositions and popularized theories and scenarios.

However, rather than labeling myself, or being categorized and identified as being in a certain camp, I will address issues and deal with topics associated with this general subject of end-times prophecy.  Clearly from the foregoing I have already let the cat out of the bag that I am a literalists – as literal as possible in most cases.  I am also a futurists, which one has to be if they take any of these prophecies at all literally.  Admittedly I was indoctrinated in the Dispensationalists and Pre-tribulation Rapture camp, which I began to question  as I spent more time actually studying scripture, and trying to make sense of their interpretations and scenarios.  I came to the conclusion that while I preferred their interpretations, that they were more wishful thinking and escapism based on theoretical presuppositions and circular reasoning, than actual scripture or common sense.  I realized that for those who would actually be living during those last days, such beliefs could not only lead to a great deal of disillusionment, but could be dangerous to their spiritual welfare.  How  could one recognize the Antichrist, and resist the intense pressure to take the mark of the Beast, if one believes the Antichrist can’t even come until after they have been raptured out?  While it may not seem to matter to many people now, it sure will when these prophecies are all being fulfilled – and I suspect it has more impact even now on how people live their everyday lives than they realize.  And again, the point is not what we want to believe, or even what other people believe (not even well known and highly respected theologians, preachers and Bible teachers), but what does God’s Word actually tell us.  To that end we explore these issues in the following articles.