harmonicat

It's not a matter of reinterpreting but a matter of opinion as to which 'view' one holds to. That opinion is based on how we view what did or did not take place in AD 70 or over the last 2,000 years. There has to be some similarity between what's written in Revelation and what actually took place in the past. It seems to me that the events described in the book is one of extremes. They show a troubled planet maxed out with an array of serious worldwide issues nothing like has ever taken place before. To me the definition of several words used in the book as well as the grammar and context, show these prophecies as passing during a time the earth is well advanced. Using Mathew 24 and book of Revelation for example. Other than the return of Jesus Christ which they believe is yet to occur. A Partial Preterist views the entire book of Revelation and Mathew 24 as having a first century fulfillment. Full Preterists believe that Christ returned in AD70 as well. A Historicist views the book of Revelation and Mathew 24 as being progressively fulfilled over the last 2,000 years. IOW it covers the history of the last 2,000 years. There's also an Idealist view which basically spiritualizes everything. The Futurist view which has its differing views is that most of Revelation and Mathew 24 has yet to be fulfilled. The world has advanced very fast in every category you mentioned since industrial revolution. In less than 150 years we've gone from horse and buggy to space travel to artificial intelligence and then some. What John experienced was an obvious spiritual encounter that went into an out of body event. The book is written to the seven churches in Asia Minor. They did exist but no longer do. Look at what's said to some of those churches that shows they exist when Jesus returns. Ephesus - I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. Pergamum - Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. Sardis - But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. This may indicate that these churches have a two-fold meaning with both a literal and figurative and may exist on earth just prior to Jesus' return.

Thanks Joseph and everybody who replied. I'm being honest when I say Christians - Trinitarians, Calvinist, and Seventh Day Adventist, have driven me right out of 'Christianity'. I have two cousins who are preachers. One a Pentecostal - the other a Baptist. They don't have anything good to say about me because I reject Trinity and because I'm an amateur eschatologist. They destroy my peace. On every forum it's nearly impossible to have a friendly discussion on anything. Then, when people's views are seriously challenged like trinity, Calvinism, sola scriptura, KJV only, pre-trib, saved by grace, etc., they resort to belittling personal attacks. Then it turns a thread into a disagreeable pile of junk. I'm burned out with trinity debates but do enjoy a good one on eschatology. The problem with others on this topic is the majority of them believe the Catholic Church is an evil cult that produces - the anti-Christ and I adamantly disagree with that. Thanks again for the welcome. I do want to know more about Progressive Christianity. It looks like that's the direction I've been going in the last 5 or so years not even realizing it.

In a nutshell this is how I view it for me. I come from being raised Catholic then going from one denomination to another over the last 50 or so years. And having been a deacon, Trustee, and filled in as 'the fellowship' leader during a vacancy for 9 months. So, for me it's just a basic transition from all the hardcore doctrines of the Christian 'church'. They can hardly agree on anything among themselves anyway. Now I certainly lean to a more universal salvation way of understanding things. Like so many others say, "Christianity is simply another path up the mountain of God." I now believe that may well be true. I just can't believe that a just and loving God would condemn an entire group of people of a different culture and religion than mine, who strive to live a good life to an eternity of fiery torment for a vapor's worth of life.

I've read some of your post before joining. Yes, and 'welcome' good to be here.

I think I did go to your site and you're a former JW, correct? The big issue I have is the attitude of Trinitarianism. I reject the trinity doctrine for so many reasons. I'm basically out of Protestant Christianity - again for so many reasons. Just about every so-called Christian forum on the web is full of posters who falsely accuse one another of all sorts of crazy and inappropriate things. There's no holding a friendly discussion about anything without out it going bad with personal attacks, misquoting others even condemning one another etc. The best ones are, "you believe in another Jesus or another gospel." See you around the forum.

I've been reading the replies of many on this forum. This guy 'David' has already shown to be the type that causes people to leave.

My name is Jim and live in New Hampshire USA. I'm at the point where I don't want to be a Christian anymore. Every Protestant Christian forum I've been on is full of judgmental, hateful, vicious people who have nothing good to say about anyone, anything, or others in different Christian faiths. All they do is disagree with one another and talk bad about one another even condemning one another. It's to the point to where I'm questioning the validity of Christianity. It has become the most divided religion in the world. I hope I don't encounter the same type of folks here. Thanks for approving me. Jim