Revelation... Literal or Symbolical?

There is not one person on this board that doesn't have an opinion on this book. There is a series of books that are best sellers and there have been more books written on this one book than any book in the Bible. My question is the book of Revelation to be understood in a literal or symbolic line of thinking. Was it written literal, symbolical or was it a mixture of both?

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:

2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.

3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

What are your thoughts on the book of Revelation?... Brother Glen

 

I agree with that Brother Robert and would like to add some of the pictures in the book have to be of a symbolic nature. I do not expect to see a great red dragon in the future or a woman sitting upon a scarlet coloured beast with seven heads and ten horns. Then further on in the chapter it explains what it represents and I believe it can be applied to various other portions of scripture in harmony... Brother Glen

 

The Old Testament is filled with symbolism and it is said that the Old Testament is the New Testament concealed and the New Testament is the Old Testament revealed.

The book of Revelation is filled with this same type of symbolism and that is how this book is written by John on the isle of Patmos. It is definately literal as the Seven Churches really did exist and the ruins of the cities they existed in are found today.

The new believer like the one who is just now reading Revelation for the first time has to beware as there are interpretations a plenty that run the gamut in the christian community. He has to be careful because although each and everyone may mean well, its their motive I question.

I read Revelation for only one reason and that is for further understanding of the belief I already have in Christ Jesus. I don't believe this book is intended for anyone else but the child of God. I myself have been reading and studying this one book for a very long time. This book was never intended to scare anyone into accepting Jesus. That is not its purpose.

This tactic has been used in the past by various others and many false churches have been started because of it. Church Of Christ, Mormons, Jehova Witness just to mention a few. Brutus I also do not believe in a literal 1,000 year reign you want to discuss it email me and we will talk about it... Brother Glen

[ March 21, 2002, 02:51 PM: Message edited by: tyndale1946 ]

 

I thought there were basically four... Pre, Post, Ah and Preterist!... I never heard that!... Where did you get it... Brother Glen ... Whoa Momma!

 

If there is going to be a literal 1,000 year reign and if I'm not mistaken the Jehova Witness teach of a paradise on earth. Is Eden according to scripture going to be restored? When the Lord returns is he going to set up an earthly kingdom and rule from Jerusalem? That is exactly what the basic believe is here and do we have scripture to support it? If you say there are then what are you going to do with these two scriptures?

John 14:1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.

2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

4 And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know.

Jesus said I go to prepare a place for you that where I am there you may be also. Not only that but he also say I will come again receive you unto myself. Now keeping that in mind compare that with the word of Peter.

2 Peter 3:5 For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water:

6 Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:

7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,

12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?

13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

Looking at verse eight we see the thousands years mention but God is not limited to time like we are and the comparison was to the days of Noah when the world was destroyed by water. According to the word of God they had time to repent but didn't and were destroyed.

The next time the world will be destroyed by fire and according to scripture the heavens will pass away with a great noise(there's your BIG BANG)and the elements shall melt with ferverent heat, the earth also, and all the works therein shall be burned up!

According to scripture these verses harmonize and since I'm a firm believer in the doctrine of Unconditional Election, Jesus Christ will return when all has been fulfilled. He will come when we least expect it...and every order of completion will be put into action. He will come and raise those from the dead, changing all those in a moment the twinkling of an eye, judge all mankind separating his sheep from the goats. The goats who are not his will go to the place of eternal torment.

Those who are his sheep he will take home with him in that place prepared by him, for them, where there are many mansions. Where they will bask in his love for not 1,000 years but for all ETERNITY ... Brother Glen... Where can I get harp lessons?

[ March 22, 2002, 06:16 PM: Message edited by: tyndale1946 ]