What does the book of Revelation mean?

[VictimofChanges]

Hello,

I am a newly registered here, and newly registered in my adoption of Christianity as well, so to speak!

I have been reading the book of revelation, and I don't completely understand what it is trying to say. Forgive me if this has been discussed loads of times...

Is it saying what WILL happen in the future?

When it refers to a new heaven and a new earth, does this refer to the destruction of our planet, do you think?



Sorry if my questions are a bit vague. Please tell me what you thinkm it means!



edit: hhhhmmm.. I just read the forum rules, and perhaps this thread belongs in the 'general apologetics' forum? If so, I'm sorry!

 

[CeCe]

The symbolism in Revelation is somewhat confusing for me as well. I'm less than a year old (so to speak ) and after trying to understand it, I decided I would be better off starting with the Gospels, which is where I still am right now.

But from what I have read, it does appear to me to be speaking of the future. One important thing in Bible study though is to know who wrote it and who it was written to.

This forum is probably just fine for this question. I wouldn't have put it in GA.

Theology or Eschatology (which you might want to check out, if you haven't already) would have worked for this question too.

 

[ByGrace]

There are many thoughts on the time frame for the book of Revelation but I stand on a literalist interpretation standpoint.

I feel like if God wanted to tell us something, he would not give it in codes and mysteries and is very capable of saying what He wants to say.

If using the literal interpretation, you will find that the book of Revelation is pointing to things that are yet to come. Get a good revelation study guide and even check out some of the books on the subject. A good author to start with it Hal Lindsey or Chuck Smith.

Good luck.

 

[patrice_kell]

Revelations really isn't a good spot to start when a new Christian. It can be very confusing. Start with Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, or get yourself a devotional. That is how I started. A devotional will help you to understand more of what you are reading. Remember to pray before reading the bible that the Lord will help you to understand. Also you should join a Bible study group and talk to people in your church.

When you read the Bible remember that everything that is written has happened, is happening and will happen. Especially when reading Revelations.

Some good books to read....

The Master is Calling
Lynne Hammond

Grace Walk
Steve McVey

4000 Questions and Answers on the Bible
edited by A. Dana Adams

The Bible Promise Book
Barbour

The Inspirational Study Bible
General Editor / Max Lucado

 

[VictimofChanges]

Thanks for the help. I understand that this area of the Bible is not a good place to start for the new Christian, and I haven't started there - I am working my way through Matthew, Mark, Luke and John like you said.

I simply started reading the book of revelation out fo interest and I found it very interesting.

As far as I've gathered, it prophecises the end of our world, either in a metaphorical way or a literal way, depending on how it is interpreted.

 

[BarbB]

James -

Genesis and Samuel I and II are a great read also. I began at the beginning in the Good News Bible and was astonished at how it all tied together. Hang onto your hat - you are in for a wonderful ride!

 

[VictimofChanges]

Thank you for that newlamb - it is very encouraging.

 

[ps139]

Theologian Dr. Scott Hahn wrote a book called "The Lamb's Supper" in which he addresses this question. I am currently reading it and it is a real eye opener. It is very easy to read and if you have enough time you can polish it off in a day or two.

 

[Rafael]

James -

Genesis and Samuel I and II are a great read also. I began at the beginning in the Good News Bible and was astonished at how it all tied together. Hang onto your hat - you are in for a wonderful ride!

Ha ha! Amen!

 

[SacredLight]

There are many thoughts on the time frame for the book of Revelation but I stand on a literalist interpretation standpoint.

I feel like if God wanted to tell us something, he would not give it in codes and mysteries and is very capable of saying what He wants to say.

If using the literal interpretation, you will find that the book of Revelation is pointing to things that are yet to come. Get a good revelation study guide and even check out some of the books on the subject. A good author to start with it Hal Lindsey or Chuck Smith.

Good luck.

AMEN!!!!

I use literal interpretation and it seemed like i almost got killed when people began discussing Genesis and I said "God created the world in 6 literal days."

Then people began talking about how creationist lie and How its a metaphor not literal...... grrr....

Literal is the way to go. Try Read John, it sums up the Gospels.

Revalation is fun to read though....

Also Romans sums up christianity and Acts is not bad either, timothy is great..... Heck what am i talking about The bible rocks it...

 

[Raterus]

If you would like a good "put it in my words" interpretation, check out the Left Behind Series http://www.leftbehind.com

The authors have taken everything literally and written a wonderful story around it, very interesting

--Michael

 

[ProCommunioneFacior]

Theologian Dr. Scott Hahn wrote a book called "The Lamb's Supper" in which he addresses this question. I am currently reading it and it is a real eye opener. It is very easy to read and if you have enough time you can polish it off in a day or two.

I agree! That book was awesome!

God Bless,
Proud2bCatholic

 

[Andre]

The book of Revelation is basicly an outline of the last 7 years of the earth before the second comming of Christ, this period is called The Great Tribulation, and it's basicly God pouring out his wrath on all that don't believe in Him, it's a period where God will pour out several judgements on non-believer like plagues, 100 pound hail and demonic creatures, this period will start after a false peace treaty between the anti-christ and Israel, it'll have 3 1/2 years of false peace, then the anti-christ will try to declare himself God and the second partof the tribulation will start, it'll be a terrible time of suffering and death, the only way for believers to go to heaven in that period will be thru death (by rejecting to take the mark of the anti-christ).

Basicly if you worship the anti-christ you'll suffer and eventually be killed by God, if you choose God you'll be killed by the anti-christ, but the plagues and judgements from God will only harm the ones that worship the anti-christ.

We believe that Christians won't be there wen the tribulation starts, we believe that will be removed from earth by Jesus before the tribulation (1 Thessalonians 4 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore comfort one another with these words.), those that accept Jesus after the rapture are the ones that will have to die (by rejecting the anti-christ) to be with God. after that 7 year period Jesus will return to finally destroy the anti-christ and establish the milenium kingdom.

A great book on this subject is Are We Living in the End Times by Tim Lahaye and Jenkins.
You can also rent the movie Left Behind 2 from the same author (I found it at Hollywood video)

 

[sbbqb7n16]

LOL that's a great question...

I believe the future. For what it's worth

 

[HomeBound]

Rev 1:1 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:
Rev 1:2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw.
Rev 1:3 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.


This was written to people a couple thousand years ago. And it said the time is at hand. How can you guys say "contradict the word" that its for our future? Two or three thousand years after it was written?

 

[Andre]

Jesus always mention the end times as if it would happen very soon, he said no one knows the day or the hour of His return, we only know the seasons.
And thru interpretaion of other books that are directly related to Revelation (Daniel, Mathew, Ezekiel, Isaiah, etc) we can be 100% certain that the book of Revelation is talking about the last 7 years of "The Church Age" the book ends with Jesus establishing the millenium kingdom where He will reign here on earth for 1000 years and we will come back from heaven with Him.

[SARCASM]
I don't know about you, but I don't think that it has happend already...
[/SARCASM]

 

[Hobo No More]

And thru interpretaion of other books that are directly related to Revelation (Daniel, Mathew, Ezekiel, Isaiah, etc) we can be 100% certain that the book of Revelation is talking about the last 7 years of "The Church Age" the book ends with Jesus establishing the millenium kingdom where He will reign here on earth for 1000 years and we will come back from heaven with Him.

I don't fully understand Revelations but thanks for providing a lot of information about it. So Jesus will return and reign on Earth. But we will be in Heaven. Then after a thousand years of Jesus on Earth we will come back to Earth? You know a lot about it so could you tell me more please?

Thanks

 

[Andre]

We are living at the Church Age, the hole purpose of us being here is to proclaim the gospel, otherwise there would be no other reason for God to keep us here on this terible place.
The Church Age started at the time of the Jesus' death and it'll end at His second comming.
Right now when we believers die, we go to heaven in spirit and we are with Jesus, right before the Tribulation period starts (there is speculation if that'll happen before or after the Tribulation, I personally believe it'll happen before) the church will be raptured, we will be taken by Jesus to heaven, more people will come to know Christ during the Trib and as they die they'll join us in heaven, after the 7 years period the Church Age will end and we will come back with Jesus to earth, Satan will be locked up in hell at that time when that happens we will receive our resurected bodies that won't decay, how will they be no one knows, but you can bet it'll be way better than ours right now. Then Jesus will reign for 1000 years, not eveyone will die at the tribulation, there will be some left and they won't get the same bodies we'll get, after 1000 years God will open the Gates of Hell again and Satan will be set loose for a short period of time and he'll try to snatch as many as he can, not us, but the offspring of those left alive from the Tribulation, they were non-believers at the second comming of Christ. After that we will be with Christ forever. So when you make a decision for Christ now here on earth you are sealed forever and nothing can take you away from God's hand.

 

[Hobo No More]

Thanks Andre . What will happen to Satan after we live with Jesus forever. I know it's not incredibly important but it's interesting to know about the future.

 

[Andre]

He will be locked up in hell again and hell will be sealed up forever.