“When Shall These Things Be?” St. John 14: 1-3. Part 20      

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14: 3.

The scripture text for this portion of our study has become the bedrock of the Christian faith encompassing doctrinal beliefs and practices, from Pentecostals to Full Gospel, to Evangelicals, and many of lesser notability. One click on the subject on the Internet will lead to numerous sites on this vital subject. I proceed with this subject knowing how much emotion it generates among believers and unbelievers alike. The Second Coming of Christ is steadfastly connected to the belief in the Rapture, which many have been saying for decades upon decades is even at the door. But let us be clear about one thing! What you believe, what I believe, and what others believe, cannot change one iota of what he is going to do, so when we consider the fact that God is going to perform his will in his own way, and in his own time, there should really be no conflict between us as brethren in the faith of the gospel of Jesus Christ in which we stand.

The first approach to this subject will be according to the “literal interpretation of scripture” as many Full Gospel and Evangelical believers have chosen to view scriptures. As we referred to in a previous lesson, the literalists believe that in scripture, a cow means a cow, a star means a star, so forth and so on. But as we showed at the very beginning, this system of interpretation runs into severe difficulties without any effort on our part. However, for the reason of clarity we are going to view several prominent scriptures, first in the light of the literal interpretation. I must reiterate my upbringing in a devoted Baptist family and culture, and accepting Christ in what is called “Church of God.” Both religious entities embraced the concept of a “secret rapture.” I grew up on a steady diet of Christ coming at midnight while the world is fast asleep, to catch away his waiting bride.

Back in London, England, in 1968, a world renowned evangelist from the United States conducted a week’s crusade. In one of his final meetings he said: Hold on to your seats! I am going to tell you something that will blow your mind! Jesus said Jerusalem would be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled. In June 1967 the Jews took Jerusalem back in the 6-day war, and Jerusalem is no more trodden down by the Gentiles. The next big even could be the rapture of the church! This was a man of God with very close connections to God’s very heart so I swallowed his words, hook, line, and sinker, doing no research, nor even praying about it. Later that same year I was conducting a crusade in Kingston, Jamaica, (my birth place) and during one of the services I told those in attendance: “You better hope to see me around in the morning, every morning. For any morning you wake up to find that I am gone in the rapture, your troubles will have begun.” Of course, I was only repeating exactly what the preacher in London said a few months earlier. So up to August 1968 I was still a firm believer in the forthcoming rapture, and strongly warned people not to miss it.

What we are going to do here, is to step back from the mystique and grandeur attached to what some people have managed to shape into an actual vehicle with flying capacity called the rapture. It has become something like waiting for a bus at a bus stop in any big city. The idea of the rapture comes primarily from 3 different schools of thought or philosophies. One is called pre-trib and it caters to the idea of the rapture taking place before the great tribulation begins. The other school of thought is called mid-trib, meaning that the rapture will occur in the midst or middle of the tribulation. The third school of thought fosters the belief in a post-trib rapture that will occur at the end of the tribulation. One of the most vivid reference to the rapture is “The Secret Rapture.” This belief is that while the world is asleep, about midnight, Christ will descend in mid-air, the saints will be translated instantaneously and be whisked away to heaven, totally unknown by the world. A religious publication had big headlines that read: “Extra! Extra! Read all about it! Millions of Christians are reported missing! Buses, trains, planes, and automobiles have crashed all over the world as their Christian pilots and drivers vanished as if in thin air! Sometimes, driving down the highway, the bumper sticker on the vehicle in front reads: “In case of Rapture, this vehicle will crash!” The first thing that stokes my curiosity is the fact that

millions who embrace with vigor the “written word” have embraced the word “rapture” that is nowhere to be found in the bible. If it were only for those who have been a part of this ministry since its inception in West Palm Beach, Florida, in 1985, I would not be writing this, because together, we speak with one voice. But since these studies are being placed on the Internet at www.godfire.net/kennedy and will have visitors worldwide, I deem it necessary to give an account of the faith in which we stand. My reason for telling of my personal belief and involvement in the rapture theory is to show that I did not simply arrive on the scene on the other side of the issue. No I was taught it, believed it, and preached it myself for years! Remember, we will approach this subject from the standpoint of the “literal interpretation” which means that we will look at each scripture as it is written and listen to what it actually says, rather than what others tell us that they think it is saying. How did I manage to change my mindset and fundamental beliefs. The funny things is, I am taken back to 1968 which has become a pivotal year for me. It was about this time, while seeking to know more about the things of God and the workings of his Holy Spirit that he spoke to my heart and said: “When you read, read slowly and watch every word, for words have meanings. Take nothing for granted! Do not be a copy-cat preacher! Do not repeat everything you hear! Check the source of your information and if the source is wrong throw everything out for it is all wrong! From that point on, I began taking a closer look even at points made by other preachers in a live service. It is like asking who was John Calvin? What did he believe? Who was Mary Baker Eddy? Who was Joseph Smith? My queries concerning religious matters prompt me to ask what did Jesus say on the subject, what did the early apostles believe and teach and is it firmly rooted and grounded in scripture?

The idea of the rapture can be viewed in spiritual terms, but let us look at it in purely literal terms, and as they say on Fox News during prime time evening news, “We report—you decide.” In like manner, “I write—you decide.” The secret rapture is based on the premise that while the world is fast asleep, Jesus, like a thief in the night comes in mid-air and catches away his waiting church. Many use the terms, “at midnight while the world sleeps.” Let us look at the reality in real time. At midnight in New York and all along the eastern seaboard where I live, it is 9.00 P.M. in California, 8.00P.M. in Alaska, 5.00 A.M. in London, England, 11.00 P.M. in India, and already the next afternoon in China. Even in any big city around the world, everyone is not asleep at midnight. Many cities today are called cities that never sleep, for clubs are open, planes are taking off and landing all night at many airports. Security guards, police and First Responders in city after city are up and working all night, so there is no sleeping world for Jesus to sneak in unawares and catch away his church.

The word midnight is used 3 times in the gospels, and 3 times in the book of Acts. Perhaps we will do well to read them. “And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Matthew 25: 6. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning. And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God, and the prisoners heard them. Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. But when the fourteenth night was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country.” Matthew 25: 6; Mark 13: 35; Luke 11:5; Acts 16:25;20:7;27:27. As we can clearly see, not one of these scriptures speak of a midnight rapture of the church. But my brother did we not just read where Jesus said, “At midnight there was a cry made, Behold the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him? I sure did! But what was Jesus referring to?  Here is the essence what Jesus was teaching! “Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which too their lamps and went forth to meet the bridegroom.”Matthew 25:1. Jesus did not say, Then shall the rapture of the church be likened unto, etc. etc. He talked about the kingdom of God! Let us shed more light on this! The bridegroom came and those five wise virgins went in with him and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins (the 5 foolish) saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. But he answered (from within) and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.” Matt. 25: 11,12. If this was indeed the rapture of the church which by now should be having the marriage of the Lamb in heaven, how did the other virgins manage to knock on the door, and could hear the bridegroom answering from within saying depart from me? He was right there in the building housing the marriage feast. The other virgins having bought more oil, believed they had a second chance to enter and join the festivities, so we cannot attach a rapture theory to this lesson. In all 6 instances where the word midnight is mentioned none relates to the rapture, so we will study a “thief” next. I am not approaching this subject with any form of bias, but based solely upon what the scripture actually says.

Did Jesus say he would come as a thief in the night? If so, what the basic message he conveyed? Was he emphasizing the fact that his coming would be at nighttime? Let us read! “If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” Revelation, 3:3; 16: 15. Right up front and above board, we can say that Jesus is coming AS a thief but he is NOT a thief! Let us allow Jesus to explain himself so that there will be no doubt or confusion among us, his people who yearn for truth. Let the Master speak! “Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour (it does not have to be nighttime) as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Matthew 24: 42-44

There is no need for us to develop a vivid imagination to assure ourselves of the core of Jesus’ message. Obviously, he is not using “night” as his major object. Rather, he is pointing to the fact that since his coming is unknown to all, all should be prepared and watching unto prayer. In the neighborhood where I live, and many others like it in our county, thieves pick on certain homes in broad daylight while the occupants are at work. All along through time, thieves strike when the owners least expect, no matter whether it is night or day, and this was what Jesus emphasized in his sermons. Watch always because a thief does not give warnings, so likewise the Son of man will come when you least expect him to. So we feel quite safe and correct to throw out the idea of a “midnight rapture.” If it is riveted so deep in your soul that it has become a part of your being, don’t be hard on yourself. Like I said before, in spite of what we believe, God is going to do what he will to do with us or without us. His word is forever settled in heaven!

Let us continue to look at the secret rapture from the perspective of the “literal interpretation.” This version of events seem to suggest that Christ’s coming in mid-air will be so silent, the world will go on with its business not knowing what great and earth shattering things are taking place right under its nose, yet unknown to the world at large. Look at Paul’s account; and by the way, his account is the only one of its kind in scripture. “For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a SHOUT, with the voice of the archangel, and with the TRUMP (trumpet) of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4: 16,17. What are the practical ramifications here? First of all, nothing in this passage suggest that this event will be quiet. To the contrary! He is coming with a shout and with a great blast of the trumpet, loud enough to wake the dead. Those who take the bible as it is written, literally, should notice that we meet the Lord who is coming like the bridegroom in Matthew 25: 6. The saints are meeting him in mid-air and escorting him back to earth for the marriage supper. But this does not fit any of the popular theories because they all have the marriage supper convening in heaven.

We MEET the Lord in the air but we are not told that we go away with him. If you MEET me at the airport, you put my luggage into the trunk of your car, I get in, and you drive me back to your house. If we are going on a hunting trip and our rendezvous point is in Macy’s parking lot at 6.00 A.M., I join you there and we both go away together on our trip. Meeting me means to bring me back! Joining me means that we both go away together. We do not join the Lord in the air; we meet him! Of course this concept will blow all of the others out of the water. Some years ago I was ministering at a church on West Adams Boulevard in Los Angeles, California and a couple invited me to dinner at a fine restaurant. The man and wife were graduates of a seminary that operated under the auspices of the Organization that they belonged to. During dinner, I shared some of these ideas and what we call “kingdom truths” with the couple who were very polite and even endearing. They listened with keen interest and finally said, “Elder, if what you are saying is true, then all of the other concepts that we’ve been taught will no longer be valid.” I said, “Exactly!” Of course, not many are willing to face that sort of challenge. For a while longer, we are going to proceed down the road of “literal interpretation.”  Let us think in terms of a literal catching away of the church in the clouds of heaven for the purpose of entering a literal heaven to actually sit down and participate in a literal marriage supper of the Lamb.

While we put our finger as a marker at 1 Thessalonians 4: 16, 17; let us turn to the narrative of Peter. We are presently confronted with the “thief in the night” concept. “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; (for those who are not watching and are not ready) in the which the heavens (all of the heavens be it 3 or 7 or many more) shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” 2^nd Peter 3: 10-13.

If you have read this far, and you have been following closely the subject at hand, you will see the predicament the literalist view has to surmount here. Even if the “day of the Lord” speaks of a time other than the rapture, we are still faced with a problem. If the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, if the elements shall melt with fervent heat, and if earth and all that are therein shall be burned up, we are left some perplexing questions. If the church is to be literally taken to a literal heaven, but the literal heaven has passed away, and as Revelation 6: 14 says: “And the heavens departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.” I don’t know if you have noticed the dilemma the people of God have found themselves in. At the time all of this is happening in the literal sense, where does God intend to physically hide us? The heavens are gone, earth is gone, and even the elements have melted and are no more. If heaven and earth are no more, where are we supposed to be? Here is another big problem that is laid at the doorsteps of those who embrace the literal interpretation theory. “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat upon it, from face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was no place found for them.  (nowhere to place them or hide them) And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened, etc. etc.” Revelation 20: 11,12a. So then, if both earth and heaven fled away and cannot be found, where are the dead small and great standing? Yes, we look for new heavens and a new earth, but one cannot come until the other has been moved out of the way, so the period in between events are pivotal indeed. Are we still dedicated to a literal interpretation of scripture? Can we see how problems for the literal interpretation just seem to get compounded as we proceed in this study?

As we said before, the word rapture does not appear in the bible, and for over eighteen hundred years the church knew nothing of a secret catching away of saints known as the rapture. Again, I marvel that folks who are willing to die for what is written in the bible and nothing else have spent decades upon decades embracing a word that cannot be found in the bible. Some seem to guard it like the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London, or the Hope Diamond that weighs 45.52 carats and housed at the Museum of Natural History here in Washington D.C. Whatever the biblical subject, I like to go to the scriptures and search for its roots, especially among the teachings of Christ and the early apostles, and that is how I treat the subject of the rapture. Like I said before, on the Internet, simply go to Google or Ask Jeeves and type in Rapture then click search. Scores of website will pop up dealing with the subject, and there are some that outline the origin of the rapture theory and balance the theory against the narrative of scripture. In other words, all the information I am about to share in this study can be accessed online as a public service for anyone who cares to do a little research on their own. As I said before, for over 1800 years, the church never knew or taught the doctrine of the rapture that has Christ coming and stopping in mid-air, resulting in the church having to be caught up to “join” him in the sky. “Meet” means escorting him to earth for the marriage supper. Of course, if we believe this event to be in heaven, then we must align ourselves with those who will “join” him in the sky and go back to heaven together. As we wind up our earthly sojourn we are reminded by the apostle John writing from his exile, “And God himself shall be with them, and shall be their God.” Revelation 21: 3. Throughout the scriptures we notice that it has been God’s desire for a mighty long time to dwell among his people. “As God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” 2^nd Corinthians 6: 16b. As if to add icing to the cake we read: “And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.”

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Revelation 5: 9,10. While speaking one Sunday night many years ago at a church in Washington DC, I referred to the fact that Jesus said, “the one shall be taken and the other left.” I deliberately turned to the ministers sitting behind me and asked them” Did Jesus say it was the good person who will be taken, leaving the bad person behind? They had no choice but to answer “no”. My next question was this! If Jesus did not say it is the good person who will be taken, who did? Because Christendom is saturated with the idea that it is the good person who will be taken, when in fact, Jesus said no such thing. In fact, let us listen to David, who many forgot was a prophet. (See Acts 2: 30.) “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evil doers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.” Psalm 37: 8-11. “For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it. But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.” Proverbs 2: 21,22. Jesus came along and voiced the same sentiment of us inheriting the earth. He assured us in his famous beatitudes; “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5: 5. Sometimes in my sermons, I used to throw out teasers such as this one: “If you are in a hurry to go to heaven, enjoy the ride, but when you get back to earth, I will still be here awaiting your return, because this is where we shall live and reign with Christ.”

We mentioned before, the importance of understanding and correctly applying the “language of scripture.” Some truths are only alluded to in minute segments and it is up to us to research the subject thoroughly and bring into harmony other scriptures that support the subject in question. We observed in Matthew 24 how Jesus warned us to be ready like the good man of the house who, because he did not know in what hour the thief would come remained on watch. We also examined that the nobleman, after receiving the kingdom returned, and made the servant who had gained ten pound ruler over ten cities, and the one with five, ruler over five cities. This all happened upon the return of the nobleman, speaking of Jesus himself. But as we revisit Matthew 24, we learn more on the subject of his return.” Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.” Matthew 24: 45-47. Jesus, as the nobleman comes back and holds the servants to account for their stewardship, and the faithful ones were rewarded with positions of authority, but none was taken back to heaven in what is called the rapture. Again in Matthew, Jesus delivered his commission to his disciples and concluded by saying, “And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.” Matt.28: 20. Jesus did not infer that he’d be with them until 7 years, or 7 ½ years, or 12 years, or 20 years prior to the world’s end. In the revelation of Jesus Christ to the apostle John on the deserted Isle of Patmos, the Lord himself said: “But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, (when I come) to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.” Revelation 2: 26,27.

As far as I can glean from the scriptures, when Jesus returns to earth he made rulers of the faithful and put them to rule with him on the earth. “And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5: 10. I am not looking for scriptures to underscore and boost my beliefs; instead, I am seeking to fashion my thoughts, ideologies, and doctrinal beliefs to the rigid application of scripture. You will have to forgive me, but just about every scripture that features the return of Christ leaves us right here on earth. Yes, I know Jesus said he would confess us before his Father in heaven. I also know that we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2^nd Corinthians 5: 1. I know that God hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you (us). 1^st Peter 1: 3b,4. Where our treasure is, is not necessarily where we spend it. On our way to the mall, we usually stop by the bank and withdraw money for shopping. No matter how much, or what we have reserved in heaven for us, John saw it all coming down from God out of heaven, and he saw God himself who chose to dwell among us and to be our God. Instead of us going up and away to stay for 7 ½ years or 1,000 years, we see God coming down to dwell among us and to make rulers out of those who overcame and are counted worthy by the Lamb that was slain.

According to information available to the public at large, the rapture theory was conceived in Scotland by a woman named Margaret McDonald, who, in 1830, it was claimed, was having a vision accompanied by a prophecy that spoke of an open and visible Second Coming of Christ. During the process the woman began to speak of another coming of Christ that was secret and special. The faithful would be caught up in the rapture and those left behind would face the tribulation. One Edward Irving who was born in Scotland in 1792 became a most eloquent preacher. It was in Mr. Irving’s church that Ms. McDonald had her vision and gave utterance to the rapture. The man most responsible for the growth of the secret rapture theory on the other side of the Atlantic was John Nelson Darby, who was born in London in November 1800. He became a well educated and brilliant man. In 1825, he was ordained a deacon in the Church of England. He later became a leader among the Plymouth Brethren basically located in Plymouth, England. Back in the 1950s, I had an entire Chinese family, cousins of mine who were members of the Plymouth Brethren Church in Kingston, Jamaica. Many historians claim that John Nelson Barby became the “father of modern dispensationalism.” Many outstanding men of his day rejected the secret rapture theory. Among them were B. W. Newton, George Muller, William Booth and Charles Spurgeon.

The man most responsible for the spread of the secret rapture doctrine was Cyrus Ingerson Scofield to whom is ascribed the Scofield Reference Bible. By adding his personal comments on the same page of the scriptures being discussed, it somehow gives the impression as having the same authority as the inspired word itself. John Barby came to America with the secret rapture theory and being educated and amazingly eloquent, Scofiled was so impressed by this man, that he accepted the new doctrine, hook, line, and sinker. The Scofield Bible, like many other study bibles is a fine work, except, I take issue with his footnotes on bible prophecy. Many look at certain scripture verses and quickly find evidence to boost their beliefs. For instance, we read: “And the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.” Zechariah 14: 5b. Many will explain that this event is after the rapture and after the marriage supper up in heaven, and Jesus is now coming to earth to put an end to the tribulation and to set up his kingdom. Paul alluded to this fact in his letter to the Thessalonians saying that Christ will bring with him his saints. But as we said before, the catching up that we read before was not to “join” the Lord and go away with him, but to “meet” him in the air and escort him back to earth; as he said himself, “Behold, the bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him; which they do and escort him back to the place where the wedding will convene. It is from this very venue that the bridegroom answered from within, “Verily I say unto you, I know you not.” Matthew 25: 11,12. I have no objection or argument with whatever God will do in our midst, but among ourselves, when we study present truths we place all views and beliefs on the table to see which ones are closely aligned with the scriptures. You can see it in one light, and I can see it in another, but in the final analysis God moves forward to perform his will in the earth, even over our objections or unbelief. To him we direct and ascribe all the glory!

On our PCs (personal computers) there is a feature called “cut and paste” that allows you to make adjustments to your sentences, paragraphs, and such the like. Today’s gospel contains a series of “cut and paste” simply to underscore and lend credence to certain beliefs. For whatever reason, we develop a belief or a series of beliefs, and we must then shift and shuffle the scriptures around in an effort to get them to say what we want them to say. That is putting the cart before the horse! My beliefs should be molded, shaped, and tooled meticulously until they conform to the cardinal truths offered by the Holy Spirit. My former presiding bishop, speaking one Sunday morning in the city of Baltimore, Maryland, said: “The bible is like a computer! We can get it to say, what we want it to say.” We can gather a dozen different sets of beliefs in one room for discussion, and each differing view turns to the bible. That is why I do not debate the scriptures. I offer scriptures to support any views I believe and teach. The public at large is free to accept or reject them at will. There is nothing for me to defend, because the Word of God is forever settled in heaven and it is God who confirms his word.  During the process I am always open to other views because we are always in a learning mode. The open landscape of religious thoughts is like an open market packed with vendors marketing their wares of diverse kinds, values, and appeal. But why do we continue what can be called a labor of love, in time, effort, and money, in continuing to produce and mail these studies? Are all the issues we cover on an on-going basis that important for the Body of Christ to know? There is a total of 6 times when Paul specifically said: “I would not have you to be ignorant.” The Greek word for ignorant is ag-no-eh’-o and it means not to know through lack of information or intelligence, to ignore, not to understand. Daniel had much to say about understanding! The prophet was given a vision that greatly disturbed him in that he said: “And I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.” Three years later, the angel Gabriel visited Daniel again and said: “I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding.” Later on, Daniel himself addressed the issue: “And none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” Daniel 8:27b; 9:22;12: 10b. We are called to be workmen that need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth, and laborers together with God and as such, we must know what he is building. We must be familiar with his blue print, so that we don’t build for ourselves, thinking all the time that we are building for him. That is why I still maintain the view that to cling to the literal interpretation of scripture is subject to put us in many difficult places as touching God’s truth. In terms of the literal interpretation, how would we explain the following: “And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto the heavens, shalt be brought down to hell.” Matthew 11: 23. Capernaum was located on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee at a place called Tell Hum. It was the chief commercial and social center of this area during the ministry of Jesus. Here, on the great highway between Syria and Palestine, the custom taxes were collected and a Roman garrison stationed. Here Jesus came after leaving Nazareth, and Peter’s home became his home. Here he called Matthew from the receipt of customs, and here he taught and preached, and did many mighty works.

Can those who embrace the literal interpretation of scripture tell us how a literal city or town is exalted unto heaven, and how can it be brought down to hell? Surely this language is metaphoric and should not be taken literally. Many sincere and well thinking people innocently remain in the dark because they’d rather embrace men’s traditions; especially traditions that run in the family. When we scan through the pages of the Book of Revelation, we see how God often took an extra step to explain the message behind the images, so that we are not left in the dark. In the very first chapter of the book, Jesus himself had a dialogue with John who recorded the details for posterity. John turned and saw seven golden candlesticks and in the midst of them was one like unto the Son of man. He held in his right hand seven stars, and John was so overwhelmed that he fell as dead. If the vision was left for us to decipher, thousands upon thousands of religious writers would have a field day offering their personal interpretation of what each one thought the images symbolized. But Jesus himself introduced to us the exact pattern of interpreting the entire book of Revelation. “The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks.(Here is my explanation) The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.”Revelation 1:16-20.This means that from now on, all throughout the book of Revelation, stars mean angels or messengers (spirits or humans) and candlesticks mean churches.

Let us look at other examples of how the book of Revelation itself takes us on the path to understanding its contents, and in the process we must ask quite candidly how so many well intentioned people can embrace the theory of a literal interpretation of the bible. In fact if we want to be candid right now, we can ask with all honesty “why would God who is Spirit write a literal book about spiritual matters, that is to be understood on this basis: “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him: the eyes of your understanding being enlightened: (by the Holy Spirit) that ye may know what is the hope of his calling; etc. etc.” Ephesians 1: 17,18a. Revelation 5: 8 tells us that the golden vials full of odors are the prayers of the saints. Revelation 17 tells of the great whore that sits upon many waters, then explains: “The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples, and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. “The seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman sitteth. And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings. Chapter 19: 7,8, tells of the marriage of the Lamb and that the bride has made herself ready: “And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints.” So then, we see that waters, mountains, horns, are people be it kings or peasants. Vials full of odors are the prayer of saints, and white robes are the righteousness of the saints. So, my Friend, where does the literal interpretation fit into this narrative? The natural man, even if he is highly educated, cannot receive the things of the Spirit, but God has opened the eyes of those who trust the Spirit of Truth. Let us match spiritual things with spiritual and in so doing eliminate confusion among God’s people.          

Royce O. Kennedy

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