I appreciate all the hard work you have done here! It is wonderful to get discussions going about the Bible, as long as they are discussions and not "I'm right - you are wrong" arguments. Those arguments let the world see division where there should be unity. I really do look forward to following along and also listening along with @verbal-d.
Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (KJV.)
After 52 years of being a Christian, I have heard every interpretation of the END TIMES, so this one is not new to me. I honestly do not believe that anyone has a true handle on "THE TRUTH". One advantage of having moved a lot within 3 different countries, is that I have by necessity attended different denominations, each with credible "PROOF" of their interpretations of scripture. We attend a Calvary Chapel now, where the Bible is read from beginning to end from the pulpit, and the Bible studied. It has been very refreshing for me to not have to deal with sermons based on a single verse from scripture. No claim is made to a handle on the truth, other than that of the simple TRUTH of the GOSPEL. Our pastor will often say, "This is what I think this passage means," but he always acknowledges that there are others who see things differently about such things as The Tribulation, Predestination etc.
Sadly, I have seen too many arguments arise from people claiming that they have a mastery of "THE TRUTH." I have been reading the Bible cover to cover, over and over about 24 years now. I can't count how many times now that I have read all the way through to Revelation, using different translations because no translation is 100% correct in some minor things. They are just TRANSLATIONS. The more I read, the more I can see how different people interpret things differently. There is a case for every argument, and I could likely take the side of every argument because I can see where they are all coming from.
I like the NLT translation's wording of 2 Timothy 2:14: Remind everyone about these things, and command them in God’s presence to stop fighting over words. Such arguments are useless, and they can ruin those who hear them. (By the way, if you speak more than one language you will know that no language can ever be translated literally, so arguments about the KJV versus the NLT etc. are futile arguments over words. LOL!) Biblical Hebrew and Biblical Aramaic can be studied to an extent, but not until we get to heaven will we know the whole story.
1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. (KJV)
1 Corinthians 13:12 Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity.[a] All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely. (NLT)
That being said, my own conclusion is that there is a difference between the tribulations that we all face and the Great Tribulation to come. But then again, that comes from weighing up all the different interpretations, and it is just my conclusion from my own reading of Scripture. We all have the Holy Spirit to guide us, so is He guiding me better than He is guiding you, or guiding you better than He is guiding me? I don't believe so. Reading the Bible draws us near to God, and that is His intention. He wants a relationship with us. Hopefully these studies will serve to make Christians read the Scripture for themselves and will help them to draw closer into a relationship with Him. Thanks, and Blessings!
I will never make the claim to understand any part of The Bible, because as you said "...no language can ever be translated literally, so arguments about the KJV versus the NLT etc. are futile arguments over words." and if I'm can't be 100% positive on the accuracy of one translation over another than I can't ever be 100% positive of the accuracy of my understanding either. God bless, have an awesome day! :D
The amazing thing though, is that every translation is clear about the basic truths of the Bible, and the gospel is the same message wherever you read it.
Yes I agree with that, they all have the same basics, but there are also, differences, which shouldn't exist, but I think most of the differences are mainly of language/interpretation of other languages and trying to get the closest word/phrase of the language its being translated into. I might be wrong, and am willing to hear others opinions on this, but that is what I believe currently.