Revelation, are you ready?

[truthseeker]

Another question is, what is soon? 2000 years later and this has not taken place (yet), However, 2000 years is about to 20 percent of the total amount of "time" that the Bible alludes to man being on Earth.

It was taking place when he wrote it. It has been taking place and it will continue to take place. It will be done when Jesus comes to take his flock. God has always been there and time as we know it is not an issue to Him. We are on His time - though we are getting pretty antsy looking at the clock and all (the measured time between day and night).

Why is there a different set of standards (in blessings) between those who read the words of this prophecy and those who hear and take to heart the words of this prophecy?

Because those who hear it are impressed; those who take to heart the words of this prophesy shall have no fear in believing upon the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior.

Finally, of all the 66 accepted books of main stream Bible, why has this one not really been messed with by anyone?

Because we're scared. The book has already given you warning.
Would anyone like to go up against God? I would lend you mine but my sword is currently out of order and my shield won't hold up.

[lunamoth]

Dear Q, I'm with you, more questions than answers. As we go I think we will see that things can be construed in so many different ways. Big picture what I see in Revelations are 1) a comfort to Christians and as we will see later an encouragment not to lose faith in the face of perils material and spiritual, 2) a warning, and specifically a warning against placing our trust in the world rather than in God, and a warning about being greedy and oppressive, same problems the Israelites had in their wealthy heyday (Isaiah), and 3) a reminder, and ode really, of the power and might of God, and ultimate hope in the victory of God.

peace,
lunamoth

[Bandit]

Originally Posted by lunamoth

Dear Q, I'm with you, more questions than answers. As we go I think we will see that things can be construed in so many different ways. Big picture what I see in Revelations are 1) a comfort to Christians and as we will see later an encouragment not to lose faith in the face of perils material and spiritual, 2) a warning, and specifically a warning against placing our trust in the world rather than in God, and a warning about being greedy and oppressive, same problems the Israelites had in their wealthy heyday (Isaiah), and 3) a reminder, and ode really, of the power and might of God, and ultimate hope in the victory of God.

peace,
lunamoth

i am totally with you on this Lunamoth
i am also seeing it as a chance for those who sit on the fence post to make it during tribulation and great tribulation.

[Quahom1]

Great! Time to get into chapter 1...

[Bandit]

Another question is, what is soon? 2000 years later and this has not taken place (yet), However, 2000 years is about to 20 percent of the total amount of "time" that the Bible alludes to man being on Earth.

yes. I think it is like a crescendo on signs and sounds for the believers. seems like the timeline would be a bit more than 20% for man (modern man anyway)
unless you are thinking the end of the 7000 years of man.

Why is there a different set of standards (in blessings) between those who read the words of this prophecy and those who hear and take to heart the words of this prophecy?

i am not sure on this. i am blessed by the entire 66 books. I am thinking again that these are people who are serious & not playing the cat & mouse games of the world, who truly do love the Lord & His people & want to be a part the bride of Christ and attend the marriage supper & wedding feast...and Revelations is trying to speak to us, but many do not listen. Later we see with the 7 churches...
HE THAT HATH AN EAR LET HIM HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAYS TO THE CHURCHES.

Finally, of all the 66 accepted books of main stream Bible, why has this one not really been messed with by anyone?

Acts went in at the same time. I dont think Rome got the chance to mess with it. (so to speak) unless you are talking about all the new translations today? not sure how it applies but I know the same exact commandment went into the book of Dueteronomy way back with Moses. not to add or take away a word.!.

One question is, who is John? If it is the same "John" who wrote the Gospel of John, then we may have a slight problem, as it is recognized that John could not have possibly written the Gospel (100 years after the death of Jesus). If it is a different "John" then who is this mysterious author? John here is described as a servant, not a diciple or Apostle.

not sure what you mean by mysterious here, i give or take a little on the dates given to us for the writings of the books. Peter & Paul are called servants you know. Jesus was called a servant & so was God mentioned as one as in TO SERVE US, i think in Isaiah.
it could be a different John, but i dont think so. Jesus called them & i think he knew they had a special purpose in all this, that they would fulfill.

Why is this Book described as the word of God, and the Testimony of Jesus Christ? In otherwords why is Jesus and God seperarted here. The term testimony implies witnessing an event. The word of God implies a statement of fact.

well, you know i am one of the few who does not believe Jesus is God (rather excercising the authority) but i dont really see them as seperated here. I see Jesus as the express image of the invisible God... i think Jesus is the living Word of God in testimony. the bible is the written Word, & God is the spoken Word... as in

"And God said let there be..."

IMHO- i dont think we will ever see God, but Jesus is who we will see.
When we get there, we wont be seperate either . i cant explain how.

i am just kind of talking here. i do not have all the answers to these questions.

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by Bandit

I am just kind of talking here. i do not have all the answers to these questions.

Who does? No right or wrong answers here...nothing is set in stone in the future. God said so in this book. Only what could be if we continue in a certain direction...

But you are thinking about it, yes?

v/r

Q

[mee]

hi there, i also like the book of revelation, i like to have an open mind to different thoughts on the interpretations of it .That is why i decided to read a book called REVELATION ITS GRAND CLIMAX AT HAND published by the watchtower bible and tract society of new york,i really enjoyed this book , the publishers said in their book.

Interpreting the Scriptures The mysteries locked up in the book of Revelation have for long baffled sincere students of the Bible. In God’s due time, those secrets had to be unlocked, but how, when, and to whom? Only God’s spirit could make known the meaning as the appointed time drew near. (Revelation 1:3) Those sacred secrets would be revealed to God’s zealous slaves on earth so that they would be strengthened to make known his judgments. (Compare Matthew 13:10, 11.) It is not claimed that the explanations in this publication are infallible. Like Joseph of old, we say: "Do not interpretations belong to God?" (Genesis 40:8) At the same time, however, we firmly believe that the explanations set forth herein harmonize with the Bible in its entirety, showing how remarkably divine prophecy has been fulfilled in the world events of our catastrophic times.

[Faithfulservant]

The blessing is on those who read the words and wait for Christs coming.

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by Faithfulservant

The blessing is on those who read the words and wait for Christs coming.

Git Dor in here...I need someone to jump the gun on and then feel dumm after...

[Dor]

lol....ok where should we start Q???

[mee]

Is not Revelation also called Apocalypse? "revelation" being the English translation of a·po·ka´ly·psis in the Greek text.

But what really is an apocalypse? Though dictionaries define it by using terms such as "an imminent cosmic cataclysm," the Greek a·po·ka´ly·psis basically means "unveiling" or "uncovering." Thus, the last book of the Bible is properly entitled "A Revelation." Here we find, not a mere fatalistic message of world doom, but an uncovering of divine truths

[didymus]

I like that mee. I would be more inclined to interpret it that way. Not every body believes that the end days will be a desrtuction of the flesh and earth. Some believe that the end days will be the end of our current state of consciousness. The flames are symbollic perhaps for a burning away of the old nature.

[mee]

in Revelation chapter 19, we find described in vivid symbolism a war—but not a war between hostile nations. On one side is "The Word of God." You likely recognize that as a title of Jesus Christ. He is in heaven, and this vision depicts him with his heavenly armies. Battling against whom? The chapter mentions "kings," "military commanders," and people of various ranks, both "small ones and great." This battle involves the coming day of Jehovah, the destruction of wickedness. (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10) Moving on, Revelation chapter 20 opens by describing the removal of "the original serpent, who is the Devil and Satan." This sets the stage for considering Revelation chapter 21.

The apostle John begins with the thrilling words: "I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more. we can be sure that this does not mean replacing the literal heavens and our planet, with its watery deep. As the preceding chapters showed, wicked people and their rulerships, including the invisible ruler Satan, will be removed. Yes, the promise here is of a new system of things involving people on earth.

as we move into this wonderful prophecy. The end of verse 3 speaks of the time when God will be with mankind, turning his attention toward people doing his will. John continues in verses 4, 5: "He [Jehovah] will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away. And the One seated on the throne said: ‘Look! I am making all things new.’ Also, he says: ‘Write, because these words are faithful and true.’" What an uplifting prophecy!

[Quahom1]

Originally Posted by mee

in Revelation chapter 19, we find described in vivid symbolism a war—but not a war between hostile nations. On one side is "The Word of God." You likely recognize that as a title of Jesus Christ. He is in heaven, and this vision depicts him with his heavenly armies. Battling against whom? The chapter mentions "kings," "military commanders," and people of various ranks, both "small ones and great." This battle involves the coming day of Jehovah, the destruction of wickedness. (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10) Moving on, Revelation chapter 20 opens by describing the removal of "the original serpent, who is the Devil and Satan." This sets the stage for considering Revelation chapter 21.

The apostle John begins with the thrilling words: "I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the former heaven and the former earth had passed away, and the sea is no more. we can be sure that this does not mean replacing the literal heavens and our planet, with its watery deep. As the preceding chapters showed, wicked people and their rulerships, including the invisible ruler Satan, will be removed. Yes, the promise here is of a new system of things involving people on earth.

as we move into this wonderful prophecy. The end of verse 3 speaks of the time when God will be with mankind, turning his attention toward people doing his will. John continues in verses 4, 5: "He [Jehovah] will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away. And the One seated on the throne said: ‘Look! I am making all things new.’ Also, he says: ‘Write, because these words are faithful and true.’" What an uplifting prophecy!

There is the "one day battle" or day of the Lord to consider. There is the armies of Gog and MaGog, as well as the 200 million man army that crossed from the Yellow River, and all meet up near Haifa, Israel, in the area known as Merigeddon (sp). These must be considered as part of any logical analysis, because today they are very real entities, and places.

One thought is that East finally meets West in the area of the Middle east. Then a third party joins in to put an end to this horrific fighting which would destroy the world. Hail the size of men, Lucifer thrown down, a lake of molten fire created...very real possibilities (in the literal sense). Scientists have dubbed the planet cracker asteroid that could hit the earth one day as the Lucifer stone. "Hail" could be the accompanying meteorites that would come with such a large asteroid. Even if is was in fact a ball of dirty ice (comet), the devistation that a large enough one could cause on the local atmosphere of impact is not pretty. The Middle East is thick with subsurface oil. Such an impact could infact create a "lake of fire". Certainly there would be no battle, after such an impact, as all would be pulverized.

There is a "crater" in the United states that is over a mile in diameter, and 800 feet deep, and it was caused by a 100 ft diameter (at impact) meteor, traveling at 17,000 to 65,000 mph. Just one small little piece of rock...

In 1906, something exploded over the Siberian forests, that leveled hundreds of miles of trees, wiping villages from existence (and it never made land fall).

Perhaps the "symbology" of Revelations isn't so symbolic...?

v/r

Q

[mee]

Originally Posted by Quahom1

There is the "one day battle" or day of the Lord to consider. There is the armies of Gog and MaGog, as well as the 200 million man army that crossed from the Yellow River, and all meet up near Haifa, Israel, in the area known as Merigeddon (sp). These must be considered as part of any logical analysis, because today they are very real entities, and places.

One thought is that East finally meets West in the area of the Middle east. Then a third party joins in to put an end to this horrific fighting which would destroy the world. Hail the size of men, Lucifer thrown down, a lake of molten fire created...very real possibilities (in the literal sense). Scientists have dubbed the planet cracker asteroid that could hit the earth one day as the Lucifer stone. "Hail" could be the accompanying meteorites that would come with such a large asteroid. Even if is was in fact a ball of dirty ice (comet), the devistation that a large enough one could cause on the local atmosphere of impact is not pretty. The Middle East is thick with subsurface oil. Such an impact could infact create a "lake of fire". Certainly there would be no battle, after such an impact, as all would be pulverized.

There is a "crater" in the United states that is over a mile in diameter, and 800 feet deep, and it was caused by a 100 ft diameter (at impact) meteor, traveling at 17,000 to 65,000 mph. Just one small little piece of rock...

In 1906, something exploded over the Siberian forests, that leveled hundreds of miles of trees, wiping villages from existence (and it never made land fall).

Perhaps the "symbology" of Revelations isn't so symbolic...?

v/r

Q

The central figure, or leader, of the earth-wide assault against the Messianic Kingdom and its subjects, according to Revelation, is Satan the Devil. He is the only person in the Biblical record who can be said to fulfill adequately the description and role assigned to ‘Gog of Magog’ in the prophecy given to Ezekiel. The prophecy in Ezekiel concerning Gog therefore points to a vicious, earth-wide assault on God’s people, an assault engineered and led by the abased Satan the Devil. This attack is what triggers the complete wiping out of such Satanic forces by means of God’s awesome power.—Eze 38:18-22.