A Spiral View of History and Its Relation to Eschatology

I have considered the differnt views of eschatology (end times) and consequently how they related to interpreting the book of Revelation with much interest over the course of my ministry.

It seems to me this is one of those in-house debates that sometimes is discussed very vigorously.

In the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, as well as throughout history, many good Christians have held to different views. Obviously they cannot all be correct. On the other hand, each of them seems to contribute some things of value.

It seems to be that the book of Revelation is unique in that you can have such differing interpretations and still end up with proper applications. The safest thing, in my estimation, is to make sure any applications you draw from Revelation are also suported from other places in Scripture.

Now, the spiral view of history.

The Hebrews looked at History as being linear. History, to them, had a definite beginning and progressed along a straight line to a definite end. We can see much of that thought in the Bible.

The Greeks had a cyclical view of History. They talked about how History repeats itself, and they tended to view things as happening in repeating cyclical patterns. The is not completely contrary to biblical thought either. Solomon admonished us that "there is nothing new under the sun." In our own observations of History, we often say, "History repeats itself."

The former president and founder of Luther Rice Seminary (an excellent distance education institution, by the way), Dr. Robert G. Witty, wrote a book called "Signs of the Second Coming." In it he desribed the "spiral view of History." This view acknowleges that History has a definite beginning and that it is marching on toward a definite end, but it also acknowleges the cyclical patterns that have been observed throughout History. It would be like a spring that attaches at one end (a beginning) but goes round and round until it comes to the other end (the end). I see some commendable things in that thought.

We can all agree that Historical things have happened. We had the Old Testament era of History. Then Jesus was born, lived a sinless life, and actually died, giving his life as a ransom for all. After that, he rose again. This really is the focal point of History. We have the New Testament Church which has spanned over twenty centuries, and that brings us up to today.

If you apply a spiral view of History, you can see how it often appears to have multiple prophetic fulfillments. Some of these things seem to be foreshadowing of future events.

An example would be the type of "tribulation" the first century saints had. However, at multiple times in History, the saints have gone through persecution and "tribulation." Even today, there are many martyrs for Christ who do not make our national news stories. "tribulations such as the world has never known." Yet, there may be a future time even wors than all the others, "Tribulation such as the World has never known or 'The Time of Jacob's Trouble.'" So, our post-millenialist friends can show how Revelation seemed to relate to the first century. Our pre-millenial friends can point to what may yet be a future fulfillment of some of these aspects of Scripture. Our amillenial friends give us much good application as to how Scripture applies to our everyday living.

Concerning the "antichrist," the Bible tells us that spirit of antichrist is already come. In my spiral view of history, I see how this spirit manifests itself and grows throughout History, and that it may yet culminate in the embodiment of one individual.

Concerning the kingdom, it does indeed to me seem to have two aspects. One was described by Jesus to His listeners in that first century. He said, "the kingdom of God is within you." In a sense, we are all living out the principles of kingdom living, and Christ rules and reigns in our hearts. Yet, there may be a future fulfillment of this when Christ actually literally rules over this earth (and yes that may be for a thousand years).

Concerning the "rapture." Some people think that there is no such thing as a rapture apart from Christ's second coming. (This is the amillenial and post-trib premillenial position.) Others think that Christ will come and not actually set foot on the earth, and that the events described in I Thessalonians chapter 4 take place at that time. Some think the "tribulation" has a yet future fulfillment, and the "rapture" will take place at the beginning of that seven-year period. Others view the seven-year period as being divided into two parts, the first half being the "tribulation" and the second half being "The Great Tribulation." Some of those think the "rapture" or the events in I Thessalonians 4 will take place at that time. They are described as "mid-trib" pre-millenialists. Still other who believe the tribulation refers to this future time think that the rapture and the second coming take place almost simultaneously at the end of the tribulation period. They think the events of I Thessalonians 4 will be followed immediately by Christ setting foot on the earth as he comes in "power and great glory." In that sense our post-trib premillenialists and our a-millenialists agree, although they disagree on other points. At any rate, one thing is sure. I Thessalonians will take place somewhere in History. When it happens, all of us will be together. Someone may look at someone else and say, "See I was right, and you were wrong." The other person is likely to say, "O.K., but I really don't care!"

I think we should consider all of these approaches, and as we watch History unfold, we may see how they shape up.

The main thing for all of us is to be ready to face Christ, whether it be at the Second Coming or it be when we go through the valley of the shadow of death! We need to acknowledge Him as our King now!