Posted by Elana Janson on December 05, 2005 at 17:28:04:
In Reply to: Re: Three angels posted by efe on November 29, 2005 at 06:19:08:
It must be remembered that God, the Father loves all mankind. He gave his Ten Commandments because he has always expected man to follow a certain code of living. The breaking of these Commandments is sin. Sin is never sensitive toward those to whom sin is committed. Jesus Christ came to earth to show that God not only loves those who suffer the sin committed by fellow humans, but also those who commit sin. He allowed Jesus Christ to be crucified on the cross and we know that all who are prepared to repent their sin and wrongdoing, but with the proviso that they will not do it again, God will forgive and they will inherit everlasting life.
Therefore the message of Christianity is sensitive to all mankind, but of course Revelation reveals that God has not departed from the expectation that man should do his utmost to refrain from breaking his Law. One cannot argue this point for God is God. With the coming of the Christ man was given this ‘freedom’ so that sin would not lead to death and Hades.
Revelation in 2005 conveys through its symbolism that evil has been at work through the centuries. The forces of evil influenced the leadership of the nations, to destroy the unity of the Christian Church and state (represented through the symbolism of the Rider on the white horse). The destruction of the unity is shown through the whole concept of the ‘beast out of the sea’. Revelation reveals through its symbolism that sin is ugly and powerful in its methods to lead man astray. Even though man could not understand its symbolism through the centuries this book has through its frightening symbolism made mankind aware that evil is not to be regarded lightly.
The supreme message of Revelation is that man would fall for the deceit of Satan. The transition from the rule of kings to the rule of mighty men would come about (Rev 12:13 “the woman which brought forth the man child”). The problem with this was that the laws of men would become the law of the nations. These laws would gradually, through the ideologies of men and falling away from the faith, become contrary to Scripture and God’s law. This is revealed through the words “woe woe woe”.
It seems that Revelation reveals that God knew that man would be misled and sin, but he would give man the opportunity of some two thousand years to walk the face of the earth with the knowledge of the gift of salvation and eternal life. God brought about the unity of Christian Church and state, but he also knew that this unity would crumble in time. Christians would rise up against each other (symbol of the red dragon) and demand greater political freedom because of the greed and lusts of ruthless kings and leaders. But greater freedom was both the wrath of God because of the death of Christians, but also a way to protect the Christian church in the spread of the faith to the ends of the earth. Ever greater political freedom would make man more prone to moral freedoms, but religious freedom would protect the church from non Christian rule. God allowed all this to happen (Rev 22:17 “And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely). Rev 17:17 reveals that God allowed the transition from the rule of kings. Through the same symbols that are used for the influence of Satan and the wrath of God, God punished the nations by giving them ever greater freedom, he allowed the transition from the rule of kings to the rule of men, but this transition was predestined that it should ultimately be the rule of the nations to protect the Christian Church in the nations across the seas. (Rev 12: 6”That they should feed her there, a thousand and threescore days”).
If this insight into history shrouded in the frightening symbols of Revelation seems insensitive then so be it. Revelation reveals that God has given man every chance; he has given him a free will, and for two thousand years, despite his sinful nature and rebellion against a higher power, to accept the gift of everlasting life through Jesus Christ, the gift of Christmas.
Most of the world is enjoying peace because of this transition to the rule of men. Revelation, also however reveals that man’s freedom has led to thinking that man is free from the laws of God. The sin of man would ultimately bring about the wrath of God and the falling away from the faith. Revelation reveals that God is sensitive, and has been patient for two thousand years to have the faith spread to the ends of the earth. In 2005 man has however taken freedom to far in that he breaks God’s law without repentance. Like it or not God is angry (Rev 6:17 “For the great day of his wrath is come”) at this point in time. Man has forgotten the gift of the forgiveness of sin through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. The harsh symbolism of Revelation only makes it seem that time measure in Revelation is insensitive. God is extremely patient and always sensitive to those who obey his Commandments and repent of sin.