1,000 Years of Outer Darkness

[OBW]

The problem with understanding these parables, like understanding Revelation, is that that it is mostly pictures designed to portray a message, not details designed to support doctrine. It is designed to elicit a response, not an argument.

Is outer darkness with weeping and gnashing of teeth the point, or is the lack of following correctly? Keeping fresh with oil in your lamp v relying on what we got years prior. Being ready, not just getting an invitation. Are there really 4 horses? And on and on . . . .

I am not saying that outer darkness is something to ignore. But the point is not to understand what it actually is. The point is to not have to deal with it, whatever it is. Whether it is something permanent or temporary. Whether it is horrible so we weep and gnash teeth, or just weep and gnash because we miss out on something that we didn't have to miss.

And Revelation is not so much about detailing the end times as it is giving us some strong encouragement to be ready. Period. Now. Not just when we are older and more likely to die.

[Sons to Glory!]

Originally Posted by OBW

The problem with understanding these parables, like understanding Revelation, is that that it is mostly pictures designed to portray a message, not details designed to support doctrine. It is designed to elicit a response, not an argument.

Is outer darkness with weeping and gnashing of teeth the point, or is the lack of following correctly? Keeping fresh with oil in your lamp v relying on what we got years prior. Being ready, not just getting an invitation. Are there really 4 horses? And on and on . . . .

I am not saying that outer darkness is something to ignore. But the point is not to understand what it actually is. The point is to not have to deal with it, whatever it is. Whether it is something permanent or temporary. Whether it is horrible so we weep and gnash teeth, or just weep and gnash because we miss out on something that we didn't have to miss.

And Revelation is not so much about detailing the end times as it is giving us some strong encouragement to be ready. Period. Now. Not just when we are older and more likely to die.

Yes, the particulars are hard to discern specifically, and they were designed that way. So that only His Spirit can reveal them!

This makes me think of what a brother shared not long ago as we were going through prophetic passages, "Regardless of what all these things mean exactly, the main point is - BE READY!!"

[OBW]

Originally Posted by Sons to Glory!

Yes, the particulars are hard to discern specifically, and they were designed that way. So that only His Spirit can reveal them!

(emphasis mine)

I think that it more like it may not ever be revealed because the nebulous negativity that is implied is exactly what is meant. The specifics were not meant to be figured out or revealed. The point was to avoid it no matter what it could possibly mean.

I'm sure that there is some kind of cost. And being left outside in the dark weeping and gnashing your teeth says it is not insignificant.

Nuff said.