What answer do continuationists have to the seven mentions of 'miracles/signs/wonders' in Revelation?
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The Greek word *semeion* is the word most commonly translated 'sign' or 'miracle' in the English bible. It is the word which is very prominent in John's gospel account, in which it occurs a significant seventeen times.
(There is another word, sometimes so translated, being *dunamis*, which has a broad spectrum of meaning, and is often translated 'power'. But it does not bear the *specific* concept associated with *semeion*.)
In John's visionary account, the Apocalypse, the very purpose of which is to show unto Christ's servants 'things which must shortly come to pass', we find that John uses *semeion* only seven times (again a significant number) in a very illuminating pattern.
- 'Wonders', Revelation 13:13, are done by the second, earth beast, which 'miracles', Revelation 13:14, are those that *deceive* them that dwell on earth. And this *false prophet* which wrought 'miracles' is cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone, Revelation 19:20.
- Then three unclean spirits, like frogs, which are the *spirits of demons* work 'miracles' to gather the kings of the earth, and the whole world with them to the battle of the great day of God Almighty, Revelation 16:14.
In contrast, there are three mentions of *semeion* which are, exclusively, occurrences not on earth, but in heaven.
- A great 'wonder' in heaven, a woman, clothed with the sun, who brings forth the *huios arrhen*, the son/batchelor, both a son and a prospective husband/Head, Revelation 12:1.
- The response to this is another 'wonder' - a great red dragon, Revelation 12:3.
- And, lastly, another 'sign' in heaven : seven angels with seven last plagues, Revelation 15:1.
Notably absent are any 'miracles' done by men on earth which do any good. Which bring any benefit. Which, in any way, are a testimony to Jesus Christ.
Not a single one.
But rather, during the Church age, during the motivation of earthly and spiritual powers to conquer the whole of earth, during the buildup of the final Armageddon, throughout all this revealed activity : all the 'miracles' done on earth are *deceptive, demonic in origin and lead to a lake of fire.*
What do continuationists have to say to this remarkable feature of the Apocalypse ?
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EDIT after Comment (in relation to the two witnesses in Revelation 11: 3-14) :
>Have we seen such things, visibly and practically ? No, we have not. Therefore it is symbolic. Is not the preaching of the gospel an occasion when 'fire pours from the mouth' ? When one prays for heaven to respond to atrocities on earth and there is a response of judgment : is not this 'striking the earth with plague' ? And that they are slain and arise again : is not this God raising up a prophetic ministry, generation by generation, a unified testimony. **All symbolic**.
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All references are to the KJV.
My research used Robert Young's *Analytical Concordance*.
Asked by Nigel J
(28845 rep)
Aug 18, 2021, 09:37 AM
Last activity: Sep 21, 2022, 07:47 PM
Last activity: Sep 21, 2022, 07:47 PM