tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9010980460314393147.post3793138475626149173..comments2023-09-30T12:19:25.075-04:00Comments on Philosophia Christiana: Blogging Jealously for the Crown Rights of King Jesus : Revelation: Three Identities ConsideredKevin Stevensonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05401508813361514067noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9010980460314393147.post-87313456453447469882012-12-15T21:51:46.611-05:002012-12-15T21:51:46.611-05:00Bishop Campbell,
I am very interested to see how ...Bishop Campbell,<br /><br />I am very interested to see how you relate that to the fact that the churches addressed in the early chapters are Gentile churches beginning to experience persecution, and that the persecution is beginning to come from Rome.<br /><br />You raise a good and interesting challenge. My cursory response would begin by stating that I take an early date on the book. That being said, I believe that Nero’s persecution was neither systematic nor widespread, although intense and wicked. So, that would cause me to question how direct and localized the Roman persecution was for the Asian churches at the time of writing. Secondly, with respect to the seven churches, John specifically mentioned the “synagogue of Satan,” “Jews” in the context of that slander, persecution and tribulation, and imprisonments that the saints were experiencing (see, e.g., Rev. 2:9—10; cf. 3:9). We know from both Scripture and the patristics that the Jewry was one of the fiercest persecutors of the primitive church, often colluding and instigating the Romans against the church. So, these early remarks by John act to flag the opponents as Jews, at least in some respects. Finally, the last clause of your remark seems to beg the question a bit, implying that the persecution was indeed coming from Rome and not Jerusalem. As I tried to intimate in the post, I am rather loose handed with this view, as my lack of substantial defense here proves. Again, I would suggest Ewing’s piece on this (http://bible.org/series/identification-babylon-harlot-book-revelation). He has truly thought through the issues pretty carefully. <br /><br />Thanks for another good comment, and the challenge! <br /><br />Blessings<br />Kevin Stevensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05401508813361514067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9010980460314393147.post-88558309608933417762012-12-14T10:56:32.740-05:002012-12-14T10:56:32.740-05:00Interesting comments supported by genuine scholars...Interesting comments supported by genuine scholarship. While I am one who thinks the white horse of 6:2 represents Rome and the siege of Jerusalem, all four are sent by Christ, and, in one sense, represent Him.<br /><br />Yours is the second comment I have read recently that views Revelation as referring primarily to Jerusalem. I am very interested to see how you relate that to the fact that the churches addressed in the early chapters are Gentile churches beginning to experience persecution, and that the persecution is beginning to come from Rome.<br /><br />While my own view follows those who see Jerusalem in chapters 5-11 and Rome in 12-19, you make a good case for your view. I am in complete agreement that a revived Roman confederacy is entirely foreign to the symbolism of Revelation.<br /><br />Blessings.<br /><br />Bishop Dennis Campbellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09586518874645248035noreply@blogger.com