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"Every eye shall see Him" Do you consider this symbolic or literal? (Rev. 1:7)

bibby wrote:"Every eye shall see Him" Do you consider this symbolic or literal?

I see it as literal!

Hi Bibby,

I think I can provide a reasonable approach to your question posed. But before I try, I was just wondering if you were one of Jehovah's Witnesses or not.

Since you haven't posted much here on LWF, I wasn't really familiar with your background, so that I can proceed to answer your question better.

Thanks,

bejay

Yes I was a JW for 30+ years, Catholic before that. Thank you

Thanks Bibby for your answer.

Actually, I'll have to say, your question is not the easiest question to answer. But, I'm sure you know that already.

Firstly let's say right off, most of us see the return of Jesus as occurring at the time of Armageddon. And in harmony with that belief, we believe that when Jesus comes, at that time, he will "come" only in the sense of expressing his great destructive power, manifest mainly through invisible spirit creatures we know as angels, who will then destroy the political nations that oppose God's Earthly Kingdom Arrangement, New Jerusalem on earth, and remove all forms of wickedness from the earth. This is what the YORWW Congregation teaches on this subject. -- Isaiah 2:2-4; Micah 4:1-4; Proverbs 2:21, 22; 1 Corinthians 15:24-28

However, at this time we want to make one important distinction here. Actually, when the bible speaks of the return of the "Son of Man," it is NOT necessarily talking about Jesus' return for destruction of the governments upon earth.

To help us better understand that thought, let's consider Revelation 1:7 which says:

"Look! He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, and those who pierced him; and all the tribes of the earth will beat themselves in grief because of him. Yes, Amen."

Now, we note: this is a very interesting verse.

In analyzing it, first we must think about one important point, one fact in trying to "rightly divide" God's Word of Truth here. (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV) And that fact is this: All the people who actually "pierced" Jesus while on earth...are all dead.

So, these words have been a great "mystery" to explain, for many years now, ever since the inspired writer John, penned them. A genuine mystery.

In trying to get to the truth of the situation, let's review what the Watchtower Society gave as an explanation of this particular verse and what it meant.

On page 146, paragraph 14, in the publication You Can Live Forever In Paradise On Earth, the following comment was made:

"Those who actually "pierced" Jesus are no longer alive on earth. So they represent persons who, by hurting Christ's present-day followers, copy the conduct of those first-century men. (Matthew 25:40, 45) The time will soon come for Christ to execute such wicked ones. They have been warned in advance about this. When this execution takes place, they will "see" or recognize what is happening. And their grief will indeed be great!"

On such an explanation, at first glance, it might seem correct.

However, when one comes to learn more about God's Hidden Purposes, and His Purpose to utilize a Modern Day "Servant" to lead His people, the nation of spiritual Israel on the course toward righteousness in these "last days," one can begin to see a possibility that hitherto hadn't been visualized, or even thought of before. Therefore, when one comes to understand, that in our modern-day time, God has installed a Modern Day "Chieftain" who is the High Priest of the newly formed "Temple" from which "living waters" flow, the same "Chieftain" that the prophet Ezekiel spoke about in Ezekiel 44:1-3, then he can begin to see another possible fulfillment of such a verse. -- Isaiah 49:1-9

Okay, I have more to say, but so far, what do you think?

bejay

Makes perfect sense to me. I had wondered about that. That there has to be a modern day prophet for us to relate to. Thank you so much!

Hi Bibby,

I'm Patrick.

That was a great response to that information bejay presented! And I agree with it wholeheartedly.

Your response, in my opinion, shows you have true biblical insight on such a deep subject matter as this, concerning Rev. 1:7. Yes, I agree with you, Jehovah is going to send us a modern day prophet, to lead His people during the "last days" and this prophet is known as "Elijah." (Malachi 4:5, 6)

I want to tell you a little about my past experience with Modern Day Israel, Jehovah's Witnesses. I remembered when I studied with the Jehovah's Witnesses, I used to always wonder why they didn't believe God was going to send "Elijah" to us, to lead us. But, I noticed the Watchtower & JWs didn't really believe that "Elijah" was a real person, coming to "restore all things" as Jesus said. (Matt. 17:10, 11) But, I always believed this, in my heart. I found this very puzzling to me.

I am glad that you believe the same too, about God sending us a modern day prophet to lead his people. Just, as I believe there are many more from among Jehovah's Witnesses, that will believe this too, especially as they taste of the spiritual food Jehovah God has prepared for us, in the form of "Living Waters" from his Temple continue to flow. (Ezekiel 47:1-12)

Thanks again for your comment above. I really enjoyed your post and looking forward to hearing more from you in the near future.

Philia,

Patrick

Hello Bibby,

Wow, your acceptance of this information just about knocked me off my chair! LOL! But it is wonderful that you have accepted it.

Yes, Bibby, you are truly "on the watch" as a worshiper of Jehovah God. I am happy to call you a "Brother" and commend you for your "Beroean" attitude. (Acts 17:11) Looking forward to many discussions with you also.

Sad but most worshipers of Jehovah God today, have the same attitude that the Pharisees of Jesus' day had when a new Prophet came with a new covenant. Because that new Prophet was not Moses, they laughed at Jesus and mocked him. Some who heard Jesus' teachings at the synagogue asked, "Is this not the carpenter’s son?" (Matthew 13:54-55) As if Jesus was not who he said he was...the promised Prophet sent by Jehovah God. Yes, these Jewish religious leaders of the first century, these men that prided themselves on being 'experts' on God's Word thought they knew better. Ironically we see the same thing occuring today.

Bibby, you setting a fine example for others!

Philia,
Mary

bibby wrote:Makes perfect sense to me. I had wondered about that. That there has to be a modern day prophet for us to relate to. Thank you so much!

Wow!

Well, my work is done here...LOL

No, I'm kidding. But really, you have made a giant leap by accepting that scriptural conclusion. You see, many Jehovah's Witnesses just can't believe God would send us a modern day "prophet" to set things straight. But you say, you understand that and it makes "perfect sense" to you.

Well, if that is the case, the rest is very easy.

The "Sacred Secret" Forum provides the details, showing how this person is used by God as a "Scapegoat" to "cover the sins" of the Jehovah's Witnesses, and how he becomes the "spirit of truth" / "Elijah". The articles are truly indepth, weighty and usually takes some time for this kind of information to sink in. (I know since I have been studying the thoughts and teachings of the MDS for 13 1/2 years now, LOL. Before that, I had been a baptized JW since the early 1950s. But, I left the JW Organization in 1991 because of the false teaching of 1914 and few other things. I'm recently retired now from secular work.)

I don't know, but you may have already read these key articles on the MDS in bible prophecy. But just in case I will put up the link for the "Sacred Secret" Forum, where these articles can be found.

Forum 23: God's Sacred Secret Explained

Thanks for making my job easier in trying to answer that difficult question on Revelation 1:7. If you want me to go further or make some other relevant point, that would fine too. But, what's said above, is the real crux of the matter, the long and short of it.

And by the way, in case we haven't said it before: Welcome to "Living Waters" Forum!

bejay