 | Pastor Dave grew up in northern New Jersey in a very diverse cultural area. He attended Central College in Pella, Iowa received a BA in sociology and psychology. He was an offensive guard for their NCAA Div III National Championship team in 1974. In speaking for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, he sensed a call to full time ministry. Meeting is future wife Sandy at Central, went to Michigan to finish her college while Dave started Western Seminary in Holland, Michigan. Dave married Sandy in 77 and completed his Masters of Divinity degree in 78. Pastor Dave’s first church was in Fort Lee, New Jersey, home of the George Washington Bridge. Their three children were born there and he also served as a Police and Fire Chaplain for the city. In February 1991, they came to Wichita to start Harvest Community Church. In 2006, he received his Doctor of Ministry degree from Covenant Theological (Presbyterian) Seminary in St Louis. During that year he gained a daughter-in-law with now 2 grandsons of 3 years and 6 months old. Besides Pastoring at HCC for the past 20 years, he has been Director of the SCSD & WPD Police Chaplains for 11.
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Religion
2010-04-01 12:04:00
Book of Revelation...is it relevant today?
Question: In my Bible Study group we have had discussions whether the Book of Revelation is describing happenings that would be occurring closer to the time this book was written, rather than a foretelling of the end of time for us today. What is your opinion?
Answer: The book of Revelation (meaning- unveiling or uncovering) is part of the Apocalyptic (symbolic) writings of the Bible that give us a view of future things. The big question interpreting each of these books is; what future? Is it for the near future, the distant future or all the above. There are several different ways scholars have interpreted the book of Revelation with those reasons of time and emphasizing different verses. There are four major interpretation tracks. 1. The Preterist (means gone by) who believe that all the events described in the Revelation have taken place during the Roman Empire which is when Apostle John authored it. 2. The Futurist believe that except for the first three chapters, John is describing what will happen at the end of history. 3. The Historicist hold the book of Revelation is a presentation of history from John’s day until the second coming and beyond. 4. The Idealist see the book as a symbolic representation of the continual struggle of good and evil. It does not refer to any particular historical events. It is applicable at any point in history. As you can see, each of these can bring many differing conclusions. As I read, study, teach or preach on the book of the Revelation, I can see all four points of view at different spots in the book. I have learned to keep a very open mind as I go through the book. I can see John as a prisoner on the Island of Patmos whether in the Reign of Nero (70 AD) or Domitian (90 AD), speaking to his fellow first century sufferers. I can see the Preterist view, however there are things spoken about that I see the three other points of view also. Prophecy can be that way of having meaning for many ages. The wonderful thing it presents to me is Almighty God’s control over history. Even in a world that is bent against God and where Christians are persecuted for His name sake, they don’t have to give into discouragement. They can take courage and persevere in great adversity because they know it is all part of His plan. He is Lord over all! (Revelation 1:1-11). This book has wonderful insight both for the present church and the funk churches can slide into that create unhealthy and sinful patterns. (Chapters 1-3) It shows God’s dealings with them. When you read it with the other three points of view, it can be a scary and a very pain filled experience for Christians and our non-believing friends. It can seem that things are out of control but in reality, He is ruling over it all (Chapters 4-5). The comfort for the Christian comes at many points in the book to show us, even evil is not free to operate at its will and God’s justice is right and perfect because it is all controlled by God. (5:1; 6:1; 7:3; 9:1; 11:3; 14:1-2; 16:1). That His judgment is sure! The devil himself will be first (chapter 20) and all mankind will stand before Christ and He is fair (20:11-15). Even in His judgment is tremendous hope and joy for those whose robes have been washed in the blood of the Lamb! (Chapters 21 & 22). I must be honest if you haven’t caught on, I’m not totally sure about how to interpret it. I am humbled by the mystery of it. I try to learn from it how I can be ready for whatever God has planned and until the end be a faithful witness due to the gravity of its content. The great theologian, John Calvin, wrote commentaries on all the books of the bible except the book of Revelation. The reason was that he did not want to do what the book warns against in Revelation 22 verses 18-19, "I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues which are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book." Along with Calvin, I don’t either! Taking God’s Word seriously, Pastor Dave.
