Learning to Read Prophecy
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Submitted by JStaller on Thu, 2008-09-18 02:43.
The Book of Revelation stands at the end of a very long line of prophetic books. To understand the Revelator's message, it is very handy to understand the patterns and styles he is deliberately following.
These are some brief lessons that will help you orientate yourself in the world of apocalyptic prophecy. These lessons barely touch directly on the actual content of Revelation, but I highly recommend taking a look at the listed scriptures, just to get an idea of some ways the Spirit of God inspires prophecy.
Not everyone will want or need to read these posts, but if you take even just a few moments to skim the brief lessons, you will be well-prepared when we start in with the direct study.
color black
Not only does the color black signify death or the darkness of the underworld; you'll notice that the character sitting on the black horse is given scales, and the job of finding/harvesting the good or expensive wheat; I like to think of that particular character as "The Judge." Scales, black horse... yeah. And, as you noted, the four horsemen to appear in Zechariah, but those four horsemen they appear elsewhere, as well, though not in so much detail; off the top of my head, I think it is Zechariah who gives them their "color" assignments.
278/404 scriptures contain direct allusions or quotes, but somewhat more than that, perhaps around 325/404 or more contain indirect allusions or quotes, and even more verses than that rely on a foreknowledge of the Old Testament scriptures just to start putting the book together. And that's a LOT of work :).
Justin Staller - Moderator
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Search the scriptures--for in them ye think ye have eternal life: They are they which testify of me--and ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. (John 5.39-40)