Rapture, Revelation, and the End Times - Conscious Evolution TV

90robin-bobin Rapture, Revelation, and the End Timesway of historical narrative . . . but refers in terms of symbols towhat those persons and events embodied, symbols such as sin,justice, an anointed prince, a flood, an abomination. Concreteevents and persons are understood in light of such symbols, butthe symbols transcend them. They are not limited in their referenceto these particular concrete realities. They have otherembodiments. What these other embodiments are is a matter oftheological, not exegetical, judgment—a matter of faith, not ofscience.” 26 Basically, Goldingay is saying that this particularpassage in Daniel refers explicitly to a second-century B.C.E. situation,although the symbolism used to depict this situation inthe Jews’ past can be reapplied to other scenarios. By statingthat such a reapplication is theological, not exegetical,Goldingay indicates that it is not finally demonstrated by biblicalpassages. Goldingay wants to put in perspective all of ourattempts at constructing a specific outline of God’s future workwith the earth. Various theological reapplications of the biblicalmaterial may be legitimate, but none can be proven, and it isdifficult to claim that the Bible clearly teaches exactly what willhappen in the end, Goldingay argues.Along the same line, Stephen Spencer, while still professor ofsystematic theology at Dallas Theological Seminary, a schoolknown for its strong stance in favor of premillennial dispensationalism,wrote the following comments about the Left Behindseries: “One of my biggest complaints about the series is that theextensiveness of the books requires them to go far beyond biblicaldoctrine. Pre-trib advocates acknowledge that there is verylittle information about human life and society during thatperiod in Scripture. The books are more socio-cultural than theology,I would suggest, and at that, a very problematic socioculturalperspective. I fear that the books, purportedly biblicallybased novels, actually inform the readers’ socio-cultural outlookand mold an escapist stance toward contemporary culture.” 27Thus, a swirl of disagreements surround discussion of thebelief in a seven-year tribulation at the end of time. Some expecta literal time of extreme difficulties for those left behind after arapture, for a seven year period, and they find much support forrobin-bobin