The Book of Revelation

[AudreyNicole]

I have a question: do you guys take the book of revelation literally?

I was watching a NGC video on it yesterday and they interviewed a myriad of preachers that think the book is symbolic and not literal. Some of them thought it was coded. What are your interpretations of the book?

Also, they said the rapture was not originally in the book of revelations, that it was added in the 1500's. I haven't studied the chapter because I am a new believer and I don't think I'm mature enough in my walk to truly understand it yet.

So anyways... what are all your opinions?

 

[Jaareshiah]

I have a question: do you guys take the book of revelation literally?

I was watching a NGC video on it yesterday and they interviewed a myriad of preachers that think the book is symbolic and not literal. Some of them thought it was coded. What are your interpretations of the book?

Also, they said the rapture was not originally in the book of revelations, that it was added in the 1500's. I haven't studied the chapter because I am a new believer and I don't think I'm mature enough in my walk to truly understand it yet.

So anyways... what are all your opinions?

The book of Revelation explains itself at John 1:1-3, which says: "A revelation by Jesus Christ, which God gave him, to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place. And he sent forth his angel and presented it in signs through him to his slave John, who bore witness to the word God gave and to the witness Jesus Christ gave, even to all the things he saw. Happy is he who reads aloud and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and who observe the things written in it; for the appointed time is near."

Thus, the book of Revelation was written in symbolisms. Though few can unlock the meaning of these symbolisms, we are strongly encouraged to seek to find out the meanings behind these symbols that are presented in Revelation, saying: "Happy is he who reads aloud and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and who observe the things written in it; for the appointed time is near." Unless, Revelation is unvealed or revealed, it remains a closed book, and we would be unable to "observe the things written in it."

Hence, God intended for the book of Revelation to be unvealed, as a cloth or covering is taken away to reveal what lies beneath. Only by this can a person begin to put the pieces together of God's eternal purpose for us as his creation. We are living in a critical time period in history.(2 Tim 3:1-5) The "appointed time" that is spoken of at Revelation 1:3 is indeed "near" for many of the prophetic statements found in the pages of Revelation, with some having already been fulfilled or are being fulfilled.

Some of the symbolisms in Revelation that have confounded many are "a son, a male, who is to shepherd all the nations with an iron rod." at Revelation 12:5, "the wild beast" at Revelation 13:1, the "image of the wild beast" at Revelation 13:15, the meaning of "Babylon the Great" at Revelation 14:8 and chapters 17 and 18, the meaning of Revelation 21 of a "new heaven and a new earth" and of the "former heaven and the former earth". The invitation to understand the book of Revelation is this: "And the spirit and the bride keep on saying: “Come!” And let anyone hearing say: “Come!” And let anyone thirsting come; let anyone that wishes take life’s water free."(Rev 22:17)

 

[Iceman]

I have a question: do you guys take the book of revelation literally?

I was watching a NGC video on it yesterday and they interviewed a myriad of preachers that think the book is symbolic and not literal. Some of them thought it was coded. What are your interpretations of the book?

Also, they said the rapture was not originally in the book of revelations, that it was added in the 1500's. I haven't studied the chapter because I am a new believer and I don't think I'm mature enough in my walk to truly understand it yet.

So anyways... what are all your opinions?

There are elements of Revelation to be taken literally. However, that literal interpretation must come through the context that the scripture adheres to.

In the case of Revelation, it is written in a very Jewish form called apocalypticism.

Now the thing to remember about apocalypticism is that it is a form of writting used for when one is under heavy persecution, in this case, the letter tells us it is for the seven churches of Asia Minor. This actually help narrow down and place Revelation into it's historical context, and by doing so allows us to hear what it is it has to say about God.

In terms of Revelation being a prophecy about the 'apocalypse' no I don't think it really is. What it does do, at least in part, is discuss eschatology. Which means it discusses end times. I don't think it was ever meant, and I think this is quite plain from the letter itself, to be used to predict the ultimate end.

Revelation is the most complicated letter in the Bible. People will often try to tell you what it means quite definitively as if they know it all, but be carefull about who you listen to. My advice if you ever want to study the book is get your hands on a faithful commentor or two. By comparing a few good commentaries you can begin to understand how Revelation works, and the greater theology it provides to the Bible, and to end times.

 

[Hekuran]

That's a really helpful summary Iceman. Thank you

 

[Bro. Calvin]

Revelation

I toroughly enjoyed your interpretation of revelation. However, where I live the pentecost are secluding themselves away from this nation as it is. They are beginning to believe according to Rev. 18; 12-13, 22-24 That america is the nation it describes here. There is no other nation in the world as is us. A nation of saints, too. and Christians.

 

[David777]

Dear Audrey.

There is a lot of symbolism in the book of Revelations. It is probably the most misunderstood letter in the entire New Testament.

If you are a new Christian you would be well advised to concentrate
more on the Gospels and Paul's letters. Establish the foundations of your faith in Jesus Christ.

In time, the Holy Spirit will reveal all.

 

[Eagle_Eyes]

Most people, if not all, will disagree with me but the Book of Revelation is no longer a closed Book!

The Book of Revelation is the Revelation of Jesus Christ and what He has done through the seven church ages. The seventh church is Laodicea and Jesus said that they are rich, increased with goods and have need of nothing (very much mirrors the churches of today), and knows not that they are naked, blind, poor and miserable. It says in Revelation 10:7 that in the days of the voice of the seventh angel (who was sent to the Laodicean Church Age), when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.

In Matthew 17 Jesus said that Elias shall truly first come and restore all things and then he said that Elias has come already. The scripture said the disciples understood that Jesus referred to John the Baptist, which is true but not entirely. Notice that Jesus said shall truly first come. This is future tense. Jesus was not referring to John the Baptist when He said this first part. Did John the Baptist restore anything? No, he didn't; he introduced the Lord i.e. I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of the Lord. In Malachi 4:5-6 it says, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse. People automatically say this was John the Baptist but it isn't, entirely! Malachi chapter 3 refers to John the Baptist but Malachi chapter 4 refers to someone else who will come and restore, and who will turn the hearts of the children to their fathers. John the Baptist fulfilled the turning of the hearts of the fathers to the children, but not the latter. Did the day burn as a oven after John the Baptist came? No it didn't. It will burn after Elias, who will restore, has come and gone. In Luke 1 an angel appeared to Zachariah and told him that John will 'go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.' Why didn't the angel mention about John turning the hearts of the children back to their fathers? Because John was not to fulfil this part. The scripture in Malachi 4 and what Jesus said in Matthew 17 are compound scriptures.

God has never ever sent, and never will send, a group of people to teach His people. He always has and always will, til end of time, send just one man! People don't like this but, personally, I am not in the business of worrying what men say. I want to know what God says. let's God's word be true and every man's a lie. We, as christians, have to rightly divide the Words of truth. Not make them fit our understanding, but make us fit into His understanding. Dathan and Korah tried to usurp Moses' authority and they perished. Miriam and Aaron tried to do the same thing but God was more merciful. He just struck Miriam with leprosy, which she recovered of.

We have to look for this one man God has sent who speaks 'thus saith the Lord'. He will be vindicated to be 100% true. Naturally, people will call him a crank. Did not the 'religious' people of Jesus' day offer Him up to be crucified?

As for whether the word 'rapture' or the rapture was in the Book of Revelation, this should not really given anyone any consternation. The Bible says that all scripture is inspired of God and so we just need to believe that. The Words that we read in the Bible today is not man's doing. It is God that has allowed what we read today. Besides, there was a rapture in Genesis (Enoch), and in II Kings (Elijah) and in Matthew 27 (saints arose). I Thessalonians 4 also talks about the rapture.

Back to the Book of Revelation, Daniel was told, 'Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end'. This is the end of time. John was also about to write but was forbidden to totally reveal what he saw. Note that he heard thunder but the scriptures said he was about to write. What was he going to write, if he heard thunder? What John heard was an audible voice: the thunder was the voice of God. Anyway John wrote in symbols which you can see today. But God has sent a man to restore all things, as the Bible has prophesised.

 

[xDICEx]

AudreyNicole, there is in this forum a post I wrote on the first 3 verses of Revelations. Those verses have a lot to say about how the book is to be read and interpreted. Read it, please, and see if Revelations itself can't tell you how it is to be interpreted. I would just point out that a figure of speech or an analogy is literally interpreted as a figure or an analogy; so sometimes a question like this is not a very good representation of facts as they are. There are rules for identifying, grammatically, weather a figure is being used: for example, the word "like" is a good indicator.

The title of that post is: first 3 verses of Revelation It is in forum Bible Study, and in the Bible Study Hall part of it

 

[Jacob123]

Some stuff in Revelation can be taken literally, but I think most of it is symbolic as John was trying to explain future things to the terms that people would understand back then.

 

[TheAristocrat]

Be very wary of anyone who teaches that any element of the Bible should not be taken literally. They are liars and will lead you astray! What would be the point in showing John these things if they were not to be taken literally? Did John not receive real and definitive revelations from God? Yes he did. The problem is that the secular world and 'modern' christians (Those that want a foot planted on both sides of the fence) don't like what they hear, so anything that they do not like is fobbed off as being not literal. The Vatican itself has this written in some of their Bibles when Revelations literally warns against them! Something we know to be true as they are a false Christianity leading all religions today into the New World Order. Another example of what this fatal ignorance achieves! You are either for God or you are not:

Revelations 3:16
"So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."

And further more:

Deuteronomy 4:2
"Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you."

If there is something in the Bible you do not understand, rather pray for the wisdom to understand and grasp it. Every aspect of this 'don't interpret the Bible literally' movement is disproving as the Satanic attack that it really is. Revelations is no different, every aspect of what it predicts can be explained via REAL science, and we are already seeing it starting up in our present day. Anyone who questions the word of God is a fool, anyone who tries to squeeze the Bible's legitimacy into the realm of their own limited understanding is an even bigger fool.

 

[Jacob123]

Be very wary of anyone who teaches that any element of the Bible should not be taken literally. They are liars and will lead you astray! What would be the point in showing John these things if they were not to be taken literally? Did John not receive real and definitive revelations from God? Yes he did. The problem is that the secular world and 'modern' christians (Those that want a foot planted on both sides of the fence) don't like what they hear, so anything that they do not like is fobbed off as being not literal. The Vatican itself has this written in some of their Bibles when Revelations literally warns against them! Something we know to be true as they are a false Christianity leading all religions today into the New World Order. Another example of what this fatal ignorance achieves! You are either for God or you are not:

Revelations 3:16
"So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."

And further more:

Deuteronomy 4:2
"Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you."

If there is something in the Bible you do not understand, rather pray for the wisdom to understand and grasp it. Every aspect of this 'don't interpret the Bible literally' movement is disproving as the Satanic attack that it really is. Revelations is no different, every aspect of what it predicts can be explained via REAL science, and we are already seeing it starting up in our present day. Anyone who questions the word of God is a fool, anyone who tries to squeeze the Bible's legitimacy into the realm of their own limited understanding is an even bigger fool.

I don't mind what the Bible says at all, if everything in Revelation is literal, then so be it, God has the power to do anything. I still think Revelation could be symbolic, as John was explaining things that he didn't even understand. If it is symbolic or literal, doesn't matter to me, I'm fine either way

 

[TheAristocrat]

I don't mind what the Bible says at all, if everything in Revelation is literal, then so be it, God has the power to do anything. I still think Revelation could be symbolic, as John was explaining things that he didn't even understand. If it is symbolic or literal, doesn't matter to me, I'm fine either way

I came on a bit strong in my post. I must make clear that my frustration is in this tendency to explain away anything in the Bible as a 'metaphor'. I've had enough of the church attacking it's own faith! It's all come down to money and twisted scriptures, anything but the truth. We'd rather hear about how to getting money from God than to hear about what the Bible itself says. As soon as you start seeing the Bible as a metaphor, in anyway other than certain instances, ie., dreams et al, then you are walking on very shaky ground. Jesus tells us; 1 Thessalonians 5:21, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." How can we do that if the Bible is essentially metaphorical? It seriously destroys the credebility of the Bible! It's a disgrace that the Church is following along with this. But then look at these false prophets that are lauded as celebrities, the likes of Benny 'Sinn'. Leading the church into the world religion! Why? Because of the ignorance of todays Christians in holding to the FACTS inherent in scripture.

Hosea 4:6
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children."

 

[Beans]

The Mark of the Beast

I came on a bit strong in my post. I must make clear that my frustration is in this tendency to explain away anything in the Bible as a 'metaphor'. I've had enough of the church attacking it's own faith! It's all come down to money and twisted scriptures, anything but the truth. We'd rather hear about how to getting money from God than to hear about what the Bible itself says. As soon as you start seeing the Bible as a metaphor, in anyway other than certain instances, ie., dreams et al, then you are walking on very shaky ground. Jesus tells us; 1 Thessalonians 5:21, "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." How can we do that if the Bible is essentially metaphorical? It seriously destroys the credebility of the Bible! It's a disgrace that the Church is following along with this. But then look at these false prophets that are lauded as celebrities, the likes of Benny 'Sinn'. Leading the church into the world religion! Why? Because of the ignorance of todays Christians in holding to the FACTS inherent in scripture.

Hosea 4:6
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children."

Hi Aristocrat and Jacob.
I agree that where the book of revelation is clear, it does not need to be interpreted. When people start saying that something is a "metaphor" it is usually because they want to make it say something that it is not.
I think one of the clearest prophecies in the book of revelation is about the Mark of the Beast (Rev 13:16-17).

It says that the Antichrist

"16. ...causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads
17.And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

That seems pretty clear to me (and it aint no metaphor). Someone is going to be pushing some kind of cashless economy based around an implanted microchip. In fact it's already well underway, you just have to Google "Verichip" and you'll see what I mean!
The rest of revelation may be a bit confusing, but this part certainly isn't.
I wonder what we Christians will do about it, when it happens? Will we bury our heads in the sand and try to justify taking it (like we usually do) or will some of us finally make a stand to serve God instead of Mammon? (Matt 6:24)

 

[Eagle_Eyes]

I wrote an earlier post which I am surprised nobody has responded to, but although the Book of Revelation is in symbol form, it really no longer is. We are in the last days (obviously) and it has been prophesied (2,000 years ago by the Lord) that Elijah will come (this is not John the Baptist) and restore all things (John didn't reveal anything), i.e., reveal all the hidden things of the Bible which has mystified everyone since mankind began. This includes the symbols in Revelation.

The plain fact of the matter is, God has sent a prophet to open up His Word. But like 2,000 years, when the 'religious' people of that day shunned the Lord, the 'religious' people of this day have shunned His prophet (totally vindicated by the Word) and, in shunning His prophet, have shunned Him (the Lord) again. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever!

There are a lot of false prophets in the world today (also prophesied) and, so, if there are false prophets, this means there must be a true one somewhere. False gods means there must a true God somewhere. Counterfeit money shows that there must be real money somewhere to be copied. How do you judge a true prophet? Give it the Word test. If a prophet says something and it doesn't come to pass then don't believe it. The prophet God has sent in these last days has proved to be 100% true and yet people, in their multitudes, have shunned him, because they want to believe the Bible their way and live life their way. Believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper.

 

[TheAristocrat]

Hi Aristocrat and Jacob.
I agree that where the book of revelation is clear, it does not need to be interpreted. When people start saying that something is a "metaphor" it is usually because they want to make it say something that it is not.
I think one of the clearest prophecies in the book of revelation is about the Mark of the Beast (Rev 13:16-17).

It says that the Antichrist


That seems pretty clear to me (and it aint no metaphor). Someone is going to be pushing some kind of cashless economy based around an implanted microchip. In fact it's already well underway, you just have to Google "Verichip" and you'll see what I mean!
The rest of revelation may be a bit confusing, but this part certainly isn't.
I wonder what we Christians will do about it, when it happens? Will we bury our heads in the sand and try to justify taking it (like we usually do) or will some of us finally make a stand to serve God instead of Mammon? (Matt 6:24)

The global elites are talking about using food credits in place of the chip. So we'd be in a situation where we would be working in part for food. This is quite significant given that there is a worldwide food shortage taking hold. It gives them power over everyone, irrespective of technological limitations. Perhaps then, the mark may not need to be a chip? We'll have to keep a watchful eye on them.

 

[TheAristocrat]

I wrote an earlier post which I am surprised nobody has responded to, but although the Book of Revelation is in symbol form, it really no longer is. We are in the last days (obviously) and it has been prophesied (2,000 years ago by the Lord) that Elijah will come (this is not John the Baptist) and restore all things (John didn't reveal anything), i.e., reveal all the hidden things of the Bible which has mystified everyone since mankind began. This includes the symbols in Revelation.

The plain fact of the matter is, God has sent a prophet to open up His Word. But like 2,000 years, when the 'religious' people of that day shunned the Lord, the 'religious' people of this day have shunned His prophet (totally vindicated by the Word) and, in shunning His prophet, have shunned Him (the Lord) again. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever!

There are a lot of false prophets in the world today (also prophesied) and, so, if there are false prophets, this means there must be a true one somewhere. False gods means there must a true God somewhere. Counterfeit money shows that there must be real money somewhere to be copied. How do you judge a true prophet? Give it the Word test. If a prophet says something and it doesn't come to pass then don't believe it. The prophet God has sent in these last days has proved to be 100% true and yet people, in their multitudes, have shunned him, because they want to believe the Bible their way and live life their way. Believe His prophets, so shall ye prosper.

Who is this man? I would like to see a lot more evidence for such an occurance. To my knowledge it is not in line with scipture. It was prophesied that Jesus would arrive, nowhere is a single man mentioned in the last days. None other than the antichrist. Be very careful with this.

 

[Eagle_Eyes]

Oh, believe me, I am very careful. The man is William Marrion Branham. I would advise you (strongly) not to judge this man based on what you 'think', what other people say or what you read on websites, or anywhere else outside of the messages he preached. You need to read exactly what he said, yourself, then line it up with what the scriptures say; not with what the critics say. Everything must be judged by the Bible. At the White Throne Judgement, God will judge the sheep and the goats by the Word, i.e., the Lord Jesus Christ; not by what any particular church says etc. You'll find that people (a minority) believe that Bro. Branham was God; he was not! You might come across people (again, a minority) that say he is coming back; he is not!

Bro. Branham was, in fact, the man who spearheaded the healing revival in the 40s and 50s. He genuinely had gifts of healing (given by God) and discernment (given by God and proved to be 100% accurate). Many people say he went off the rails with his teachings although they all acknowledged he was a prophet. Amazing, but true! Jesus drove people away with his teachings even. All prophets in the Bible were considered outcasts and strange. Nothing changes. One must never go with what the multitudes say or do, but go with what God says only.

It was prophesied that 'Elijah' (a single man) will come and reveal all things. Who is this man? It certainly isn't John the Baptist 'cause he did not reveal all things. He prepared a people for the 1st coming of the Lord. This 'Elijah' that will reveal all things will come before the 2nd coming of Christ. Also, in Revelation 10:7, it says that 'in the days of the seventh angel (single man), when he shall begin to sound'. The seventh angel is the seventh church age messenger, who is a man on this earth. Who is this man? It says further on in Revelation 10 that the mystery of God would be finished, i.e., Elijah will come and reveal all things.

I don't claim to know all these things of myself. But I believe it to be the truth simply because Bro. Branham was proved to be a prophet 100%. Many people will say otherwise but that is irrelevant to me 'cause they're too late. I am already convinced!

 

[TheAristocrat]

As long as he does not deviate, subtract or add to scripture the I cannot fault him outright. But I am very wary of miracles these days, not to say that it doesn't happen. But EVERY one of these big time 'prophets' I have researched today are false. Everyone on the God channel, the founders of TBN, Hillsong, the lot. People like them because they get entertainment and a buzz. Signs and lying wonders. I'm not going to research this guy (I have too much on my plate now) but I'll take you at your word, until shown otherwise.

 

[Eagle_Eyes]

You'll find that William Branham was not an entertainer nor was he rich. If anything, he shunned popularity and wealth. Neither did he openly claim that he was a prophet or that he was anything special. The life that he lived and the gifts that he had proved he was a prophet.

I respect your decision not to 'research' him at this time, but I trust you'll not leave it too long.

God Bless.

 

[David777]

Mr Aristocrat.

Your answer was accurate and true.

Audrey, should I think establish a firm and sure foundation in Christ.
In time, Audrey will understand that the Bible is the Word of God to mankind. Do you agree Mr Aristocrat?