Q26 : Global Context of Revelation 13

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Q26 : Global Context of Revelation 13

You're right of course that ge sometimes does have a global referent and preterists recognise this. The question is does it have it in Rev 13? Interestingly I note that although preterists argue that oikoumene means the Roman Empire (and perhaps surrounding regions) only, this word is not used at all in Rev 13. Instead kosmos is used (Rev. 13:8) and ge is used (Rev. 13:8,11,12,13,14). We can be sure that preterists would be very happy if oikoumene appeared in Rev 13! My major problem is that if Rev 13:8 has a global referent (ie. "all who dwell on the earth will worship the beast" how do we reconcile this with the fact that other spheres of power (ie. kings of the east) exist which implies that the antichrist doesn't have global control. This is my only objection to it having a global referent. Have you any advice on this?

A26 : by Andy Woods

Two points to consider:

  • Even if oikoumene were in Rev 13, that in and of itself would not pose a threat to futurism because oikoumene can have a global meaning (Acts 17:31).
  • My understanding of prophecy is that the other competing spheres of power only come into existence after the antichrist has ruled the world for a short while. Only after this time period does his global empire begin to disintegrate into various competing spheres of power. Prior to this, the antichrist is able to keep these spheres of power under his control. Thus, Rev 13 could be describing his global power prior to this disintegration.

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