How Do You Ride a Horse, a Cloud, and a Throne?

[houston]

These same Dispensational preachers say the above verses must be read as literal occurrences. So, they have a physical Jesus simultaneously sitting on an actual horse, cloud, and throne. But can a physical body of Jesus be on all three of those things at the same time? Simple answer—He can’t. But a person who understands how prophetic imagery is used in biblical prophecy, they can explain how these three things are not in conflict, but instead that they emphasize the meaning of each other. In an effort to prove this, look at the following example of how prophetic imagery is used in the Bible

A great article by Bro. Burk.


https://tkburk.com/how-do-you-ride-a...-and-a-throne/

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by houston

A great article by Bro. Burk.


https://tkburk.com/how-do-you-ride-a...-and-a-throne/

In my understanding of Futurism, we believed in all three texts. But it was like this:

Revelation 14:14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

This was viewed as taking place during the later half of the Tribulation period. This was a "reaping". Some said it symbolized revival, or an ingathering of souls, and a determination of judgment for the wicked. Others said it symbolized the rapture of the church. It was seen as being very symbolic.

Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

This was viewed as taking place at the end of the Tribulation period. It depicts Christ physically returning to wage war against the Beast and the False Prophet. He would prove victorious.

Revelation 20:11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.

This was viewed as taking place after the Millennial Kingdom and was the opening vision of the Final Judgment.

All that being said, I'm not sure if any Dispensationalist, or Futurist for that matter, would ever argue that these verses depict Christ as simultaneously being seated on a cloud, a horse, and a throne.

I do take issue with how so many Futurists speak of interpreting the text "literally". The truth is, Futurists embrace a high degree of symbolism too.

The reference from Revelation 14 reminded me of the Pre-Wrath Rapture position we used to study in our group studies. I'm not going to say much about the theology discussed, but those were good times.

[Nitehawk013]

That isn't really what a Futurist believes. Nevertheless, even if it was...it is easier for me to believe Jesus rode all three at once than it is to believe that Christ returned in 70ad and no one noticed and he didn't take anyone back with him. He just came back to manipulate a pagan into tearing down a temple then went on his merry way. Yep, that was the coming of the Lord. Completely forgettable and unnoticed to the entire world.

[TK Burk]

Originally Posted by Nitehawk013

That isn't really what a Futurist believes. Nevertheless, even if it was...it is easier for me to believe Jesus rode all three at once than it is to believe that Christ returned in 70ad and no one noticed and he didn't take anyone back with him. He just came back to manipulate a pagan into tearing down a temple then went on his merry way. Yep, that was the coming of the Lord. Completely forgettable and unnoticed to the entire world.

And yet the Old Testament speaks of God doing exactly what you said you could not believe.

God manipulate a pagan into tearing down both Jerusalem and her temple. This heathen was named Nebuchadnezzar. God used him to defeat the rebellious of Judah (see Jer 25:8-13). The Bible describes this King of Babylon as God’s “servant” and as His agent of judgment (see Jer 43:10). In this account, God is described as the One bringing the judgment. He did this through Nebuchadnezzar. His judgment was to come against a specifically named generation and was done by using the Babylonian army[1]. Just like this 586 BC “coming,” Jesus also pronounced judgment against a generation who followed false gods and disobeyed His covenant. Regard this generation, Jesus said He would come and destroy their city, burn their temple, and scatter their remnant throughout the known world.

We first see the warning of this “coming” when John the Baptist asked, “O GENERATION of vipers, who hath WARNED YOU TO FLEE FROM THE WRATH TO COME?” (Mat 3:7-12). Notice, “the wrath TO COME.” This would make no sense if it was for a generation 2,000 plus years later. So it is evident John was warning that generation of his day. This warning was reiterated on the Day of Pentecost when Peter warned: “save yourselves from THIS untoward GENERATION” (Act 2:40). Peter singled out that generation as being more wicked because he knew it was the generation that would see God “coming” in judgment. Jesus also singled out this same generation as being the one to receive His coming judgment when He said, “Verily I say unto you, THIS GENERATION SHALL NOT PASS, TILL ALL THESE THINGS BE FULFILLED” (Mat 24:34). That First Century generation being the one chosen to see Jesus’ coming in judgment is also found in other passages[2].

The disciples expected the same type “coming” as found in the Old Testament, and just like those “comings” literally mentioned a specific generation, the New Testament believers expected the time language for their New Testament “coming” to be taken literally also. The Bible prophesied a three and one-half year (42 month/1260 day) siege against Jerusalem. In 66 AD Roman Emperor Nero commanded the destruction of Jerusalem and her temple. Titus began this around April, 70 AD. This was forty years (one generation) to the week from the crucifixion of Christ. The Temple was burnt August 10, 70 AD (the Jewish Ninth of AV, which is the exact day and month on which Babylon burnt Solomon’s Temple in 586 BC). The Roman army ended the Jewish resistance on September 26, 70 AD, thus fulfilling God’s prophesied judgment.

The Old Testament plainly describes an invisible God bringing judgment against Jerusalem and her temple through a heathen army[3]. Thus, it should not be considered unbiblical to believe a similar “coming” in the New Testament. The Bible clearly prophesied the 70 AD destruction of Jerusalem and her temple. This “coming” was done exactly like those in the Old Testament, which is an invisible God using a heathen army to bring judgment against His people’s rebellion.

Endnotes:
1. Jer 2:31, Jer 4:1-31, Jer 7:29, Jer 21:1-6, Jer 22:1-7, Jer 22:25-26, Jer 27:5-6; 2 Chr 36:15-20; Ezr 5:12; 2 Kings 24:18-20; 2 Kings 25:1-2

2. Mat 12:39-42, Mat 23:29-38; Mark 8:38, Mark 13:30; Luk 3:7, Luk 11:29-32, Luk 11:50-51, Luk 17:25, Luk 21:32; Heb 10:25, Heb 10:37; 1 Cor 10:11; 1 The 2:14-16

3. Mat 24:1-34; Mark 13; Luke 21