why cant anybody seem to understand revelations?why did st. john made it so hard?

Answer 1

It the book that is the "revelation of Jesus Christ", as expressed right at the opening of the book. It was written in symbolic language to help protect it throughout the ages, but the Bible is great about interpreting itself for those who will seriously study it - here are a few examples:

Babylon=Religious apostasy/confusion
Genesis 10:8-10; 11:6-9; Revelation 18:2, 3; 17:1-5
Beast=Kingdom/government/political power
Daniel 7:17, 23
Harlot=Apostate church/religion
Isaiah 1:21-27; Jeremiah 3:1-3; 6-9
Heads=Major powers/rulers/governments
Revelation 17:3, 9, 10
Horn=King or kingdom
Daniel 7:24; 8:5, 21, 22; Zechariah 1:18, 19; Revelation 17:12

Well, that's just a few examples. If you want to study more in a way that makes Revelation so clear, check out the websites below:

Answer 2

It's Not A Matter Of It Being Hard To Understand Or Not. It's Just That Only Some People Are Bound To Know And Comprehend The Meaning Behind His Scripture. That Go's For The Rest Of The Bible....

Answer 3

Revelation is considered one of the most controversial and difficult books of the Bible, with many diverse interpretations of the meanings of the various names and events in the account. Protestant founder Martin Luther considered Revelation to be "neither apostolic nor prophetic" and stated that "Christ is neither taught nor known in it" [2].

In the 4th century, St. John Chrysostom and other bishops argued against including this book in the New Testament canon, chiefly because of the difficulties of interpreting it and the danger for abuse. Christians in Syria also reject it because of the Montanists' heavy reliance on it. In the 9th century, it was included with the Apocalypse of Peter among "disputed" books in the Stichometry of St. Nicephorus, Patriarch of Constantinople. In the end it was included in the accepted canon, although it remains the only book of the New Testament that is not read within the Divine Liturgy of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Let's face it -it's all made up anyway! I have trouble understanding the plot of the last Guy Ritchie film, but I don't moan about it. (Much!)

Answer 4

What is there to understand? It's a book of vague prophecies whose vivid imagery can be applied to any era and any set of situations, which is exactly what the church has done ever since they forged this stupid book. That's why there are tons of books on the subject, and every single one of them has a different interpretation.

Remember "The Late, Great Planet Earth," by Hal Lindsey? If you're younger than 40, probably not. I read this book back in the mid-1970s, when Hal predicted, based on the Book of Hallucinations, that Jesus would arrive in 1988....and guess what?? Here we are, the year 2006, and no Sweet Jesus! Yet you will STILL see books put out every year making predictions based on that idiotic book by "St. John", who likely never even existed.

People need to quit believing in all that "prophetic" claptrap and get on with living this life, right now, instead of fretting over some future life that is never going to come. Jesus Christ never existed, and that's why he isn't coming back.

Answer 5

The book of revelations was written by John, a madman who lived in a cave. It takes a lunatic to understand the rantings of another lunatic.

Answer 6

It's simple to some, and seemingly complex to others... especially if you've been listening to endless theological debates on the subject instead of just reading the book. Also remember that scripture is intended to be read with the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Here's something Jesus said that might be relevant...


The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?"

He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. This is why I speak to them in parables:

"Though seeing, they do not see;
though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:

"You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
For this people's heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.

"But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."

-- Matthew 13:10-17 (New International Version)

Also, there is online a VERY good (and free) introduction to Revelation by Jon Courson...

Answer 7

Because some read the Kings James Version and not the 200 other translations. Most of which are in modern English.

Others have their eyes closed and their hearts locked so understanding of the word of God just flies over their head.

Answer 8

Based on the fact there are over 10,000 different Christian cults in the US alone, it is obvious the entire bible is incomprehensible.

It isn't just Revelations.

Answer 9

The book of Revelations was not written to be understood by everyone.

This I believe;
http://homelessheart.com/testimony.htm

Answer 10

Because you have to know its author!

1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
In Christ in Love,
TJ57