The New Jerusalem

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Bro. Copes:
> Since I really am not qualified to determine where in the
chronology 
> of Revelation things actually happen, I ask two things in
reference to 
> the above verse:

Me:
What qualifications does it take to assume that when thing
s are written out that the first things that are written
happen first and THEN whatever is written afterward comes
next?

People will throw up in your face that there are variations
on this process but I say that if you handle the Revelation
in the same literary sense that you do ANY OTHER BOOK in
the Bible you will begin to understand it.

The idea that the Revelation is not laid out in
chronilogical order comes from the idea of the Post
Tribbers that the rapture occurs after some great trial of
the saints which IS the outpouring of God's wrath.  Since
what is written does not support their claims they contend
that the book has no set chronology so they can BUILD one
that allows them to be right.

The process goes like this: We read things in the book that
we cannot understand, we have been told that no one CAN
understand the book, we conclude that others must have
errors in their theories, we find "possible" answers that
still have holes but proceed to find "support" for our
ideas.

Why not just read the book and SEE what it SAYS.  Let's not
IMPOSE any veiw upon it but simply see what it says.

When we do this we FIND that the book refers to the "END"
of this system of doing things.  It is the REWARD for those
who endure to the end (their end) and the receipt of WRATH
for those who have rejected salvation.

It says "What you do NOW (at hand) is IMPORANT because this
is what will happen, this is the "END" of things."  I live
my life and if the Lord sees fit, I go into the ground and
then I must face judgment unto Life or death for the things
that have been ***DONE*** (already accomplished) in my
flesh.  The time is at hand for me to repent of my sins,
the time is at hand to be baptised in the name of Jesus
Christ, the time is at hand for me to receive the Precious
PRESENCE of the One True Living God, the time is at hand
for me to forgive those who trespass against me (step on my
toes), the time is at hand for me to confess my sins and
"come out" from among this untoward generation.  Although,
if I am a vessel fitted to honor, I will be resurrected at
the blast of the trumpet the day of MY salvation is today,
the day of everyone's salvation is the day they are LIVING
in:

2 Corinthians 6
1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also
that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.

2 (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and
in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now
is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)


3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not
blamed: 

4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of
God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in
distresses, 

5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in
watchings, in fastings; 

6 By pureness, by knowledge, by long suffering, by
kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned,

7 By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour
of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 

8 By honour and dishonour, by evil report and good report:
as deceivers, and yet true; 

9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we
live; as chastened, and not killed; 

10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making
many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all
things. 
 
Here is the chronology of Revelation:

Hebrews 9
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after
this the judgment: 

28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and
unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time
without sin unto salvation. 

Timothy Litteral
472 Grant St.
Marion Ohio 43302
brotim@gte.net
http://members.tripod.com/~trlitteral/