3ABN Hosts Theological Symposium on the Seven Trumpets of Revelation 8, 9, and 10

Hace algunos días publicamos un informe sobre el SIMPOSIO SOBRE LAS TROMPETAS DEL APOCALIPSIS escrito por el Dr. Alberto Treiyer, quién daba sus puntos de vistas y conclusiones al respecto. No obstante, a continuación presentamos el informe oficial de la misma 3ABN, canal organizador del evento. Pueden usar el traductor si es que no dominan el inglés. Que Dios los bendiga y saquen conclusiones propias.

On Friday February 18, 2011, Three Angels Broadcasting Network hosted an intensive, three-day Bible symposium focusing on the “seven trumpets” of Revelation 8, 9, and 10. A number of Seventh-day Adventist Bible scholars, evangelists, pastors, lay Bible students, and 3ABN pastoral staff gathered in Studio B for this event, which was the brainchild of 3ABN program development director, Shelley Quinn. The idea grew out of concerns that she and production manager, C. A. Murray, shared with vice president, Mollie Steenson, regarding views on the trumpets that had aired on 3ABN.

As symposium moderator, Murray stated during the meetings that, “3ABN’s mandate to preach the undiluted three angels’ messages, along with our worldwide broadcast footprint, really demanded that we convene a meeting like this.” He even coined a new word for the occasion, calling the assembled leaders members of the “ecclesiarati” of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.

The challenge, as Quinn soon discovered, was to find a time when presenters—themselves busy men—could take time from their schedules to come to southern Illinois. A number of scholars and church leaders expressed a desire to attend but were unable, due to previous commitments. Those who were able to attend unanimously agreed that the frank, energetic, and occasionally high-spirited discussions were highly beneficial.

The presence of the Lord could be felt even during the most intense portions of the “Questions and Answers” period, lasting through Saturday afternoon and into Sunday morning. Presentations were made by Dr. Ranko Stefanovic, Chair of the Department of Religion and Biblical Languages and Professor of New Testament at the Seventh-day Adventist Seminary in Michigan; Dr. John Paulien, Dean of the School of Religion and Professor of Religion and Theological Studies at Loma Linda University in California; Pastors Alberto Treiyer; John Lomacang; and Ty Gibson, co-director of Light Bearers Ministry.

A second group was empanelled to listen to the presentations and ask questions on the materials presented. They included Dr. Jud Lake, Professor of Homiletics and Adventist Studies at Southern Adventist University in Tennessee; international evangelist, Ken Cox; Pastors John Stanton, Richard Lawson, and Chester Clark; as well as James Rafferty, co-director of Light Bearers Ministry; and Dr. Hugo Leon.

A third group composed of the 3ABN pastoral and administrative staff, area ministers, and interested laypersons were allowed to observe, but not ask questions.

Morning remarks were given by Murray and 3ABN president, Jim Gilley, who was joined in many of the meetings by ministry founder, Danny Shelton, and vice president, Mollie Steenson. Quinn also noted in her closing remarks that before she came to the Adventist faith, the churches she was involved in really didn’t deal with Revelation, and that she was particularly pleased for the opportunity to examine it in this type of setting.

The Seven Trumpets are considered by many scholars to be among the most difficult biblical passages to interpret, so it is little wonder that the symposium ended with no unanimous opinion. However, the consensus did affirm the historicist methodology, even though there were some differences among presenters as to some of the finer points within that position.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church has no official position on the Seven Trumpets, however, a number of presenters noted that the interpretive methodology most often affirmed by Adventist scholars, teachers, and students of the Word is the historicist method. Indeed, one attendee who had stated that he was a “total futurist” (placing the fulfillment of the prophecies sometime in the future, just prior to the Second Coming of Christ), proclaimed publically at the end of the conference that he had abandoned his beliefs, and was embracing the historicist model.

Attendees were asked to write their thoughts on the symposium, and they were not only effusive in their praise, but all wanted invitations to future events. Each provided names of fellow scholars, pastors, and laymen they felt could benefit by either making presentations or sitting on the panel. Plans are in the works for future symposiums.

Fuente: http://news.3abn.org/?p=1637