I don't know ANY theologian worth reading who fully understands Revelation, Sass.
But I DO know that Revelation, like all Scriptural books, needs to be read in context.
Revelation is classed as "Apocalyptic writing".
By its' nature, it is couched in language familiar to its' hearers, but lost to modern hearers - because most of those original hearers were first century Jewish believers steeped in the apocalyptic language of the later O.T and Apocryphal books...and living in first-century Asia Minor under the duress of Roman rule.
Much of Revelation can be shown to represent, not some parousial happening - though of course the parousia looms large in the later chapters - but first century Rome.
So that would be an honest NO!.
For all the world up until the last minute when Christ returns they will see life going on taking whatever form it takes.
But we know that in the last days there will be believers who give others their food of the day.
Do you believe it remains hidden only from those believers who have no active part in the end or because nothing anyone can do will stop the will of God coming into fruition?
I think of Satan in the world when Christ was here. He like Judas did not see the outcome of what their actions would be. Satan believed they could achieve something by killing the Messiah. Judas thought by his actions he could get money and no harm would come to Christ. We believe given the temptation that Satan knew his bible well. But we saw the twist his words gave to consequences. Christ knew what Gods word meant but Satan only knew what was written.
What we can be sure about, is that Satan lacked truth and the Spirit to know the Word of God. Judas lacked truth and Spirit which meant he knew nothing of who Christ really was. In the end it is about getting the answer to that question right and making a decision. The Spirit will lead us into all truth. What is your thoughts on this matter and how do you believe the difference affects people / believers today?
