What are your opinions on The Book of Revelation?

Question

The following is my opinion on the book of revelation. i hope others with an interest in religion will enjoy this, then comment, so we can get some interesting discussion going.
Revelation is the center piece of modern Judeo-Christian apocalypse mythology. It was originally written by John (not the baptist) as a letter to other christians of his time. John wrote this letter while imprisoned by the romans (for being a christian) on the island of patmos.

In such situations people have a tendency to either go insane from isolation or tap into their subconscious for company. and im not just saying that to be funny. if any person, even a mentally healthy person, is deprived of sentient stimulus, then they will hallucinate (both auditory and visual) simply because the brain becomes bored and seeks entertainment.
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A lot of the symbols in the book of revelation are not original. In fact, some say that those symbols were used deliberately by John to convey a hidden message to the christians he was writing to, that the romans wouldn't understand. Most likely a message to reassure his fellow christians, as any good leader would do.
John was counting on people from his time to understand just what his letter meant. now in our modern age it is regarded as a great mystery from god because it is rare that this generation of christians would think in terms of those arcane symbols. symbols like dragons in the sky and the signifigance of numbers. so modern theologians try to associate the symbols in johns letter with things like armies and war machines because we, like every generation, believe that the end is near.

today christians often interpret the book of revelations as describing a horrible opression that christians will have to face that weren't saved before the tribulation. but i believe it is important to note how much oppression christians were facing when the book was written. it is more likely that the angel of the lord that revealed all these things to John was actually a hallucination that John created to calm his own doubts.
given the circumstances that john was enduring as one of the leaders of a religion that was costing people their lives, and as a prisoner, mental collapse should not be ruled out as a possibility.
i will say here again, believing that the world which hates you for your beliefs would be destroyed by the god you believe in, would be a quenching emotional release.

i feel that theologians can give so much creedence to the book of revelation because it was written by a man who was familiar with the jewish mythology which had been building up over the past 4000 years. the jewish religion is rich with fundamental archetypes that are synonymous with countless other religions. most religions are essentially telling the same story, but there are few (i would say) as well developed as the old testament and new testament. with that rich resevoir of information influencing John (the old testament), his subconscious would have a lot to draw from to create hallucinations and dreams. the well developed old testament also would give john a clear depiction of human nature. clear enough to write a poetic prose about his idea of how man's world would end, which could continue to mystify theologians for generations to come.
the symbols of revelation were nothing new when john wrote them. that's why i'd say this book wasn't inspired by the divine

as much as it was by previous religious concepts, symbols, and philosophies.
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Answer 1

Writen by a Monk and put into the Bible as an after though

Answer 2

I have seen the answers that have been posted.
It is unfortunate that most feel the way they do.
I feel that it is faith (belief ) that each one has that brings enlightenment. It is an inner thing.
Not beating you over the head with the Bible and quoting it's verses. It has to do with living your belief.
If you do not have faith, you will answer the questions about religeon in a matter of fact way . In the answers you; will reviel your unbelief.
As to the book of revelations, it was in my opinion a vision of future events, now events, and past events. This was happening because he was seeing time as God sees it. All time is in the now to Him. We live in time, God does not. A concept that I have a hard time grasping.

You answered another question. It had to do with the most hated religeon. Yes it is unfortunately Christianity. And your answer was again correct. They have the most hateful people.
However, most people who call themselves Christian are not Christian. They think that if they go to church, they are Christian.
True Christians have actually had a life changeing experience.
Believe it or not there are not many real Christians.
For the most part a real Christian, lives his or her religeon.
It isn't what you say, it is what you do. Words are cheap, anyone can say them.
I understand that people have met up with the leagalists of the Christian religeon. It is a very bad experience.
You got to, you should not or should do whatever.
These people think they are Christian but they are not.
I thought that I would write down my views.
I hope that they were not offensive.

Answer 3

"now in our modern age it is regarded as a great mystery from god because it is rare that this generation of christians would think in terms of those arcane symbols."

Those symbols can easily be understood if you study the WHOLE Bible. God meant it to be understood by his people under the guidance of the Holy Spirit as they study the entire book.

Answer 4

The book of Revelation is very symbolic. It is the history of Christianity from the resurrection until the second coming.

Answer 5

It's the other half of the book of Daniel. To get a complete picture, study both Daniel and Revelation together. Your opinion is exactly that: merely an OPINION. In my opinion, you are way off base.

Answer 6

You and I differ on one MAJOR point. I believe that the entire Bible is the inspired word of God. Therefore I completely disagree with you and your interesting, yet misguided explanation.

Answer 7

I think its for the insane people charles manson read it and look how he turned out. I read it and my mom almost had me committed to an insane asylum after I believed it was true for several months.

Answer 8

To stand still is to lose, To move is to gain, To change is to grow.
I think its pretty powerful...people can take it many different ways obviously, I hope people take it easy one you. It's just a question and not meant to offend.

Answer 9

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Have you ever wondered about the reason of our existence? Have you ever wondered why we die, and where we go after death? What will happen to us in the end? Have you ever asked yourself why God made the earth and all that is in it under man’s dominion? Why were the night and the day, and the sun and the moon created? What are we supposed to do during our lifetime? Were we created just to eat, drink, and enjoy ourselves before we die? As one poet put it:
“I do not know whence I have come.
I saw my feet walking on the road.
As they please I go and stop.
What am I doing here?
How did the road find me?
I do not know! I do not know! I do not know! ”

God has emphasized in many verses of the Qur’an that He did not create us without purpose. He said: “What! Do you think that I created you simply in jest? And that you would not be returned to Me?” (23:115) He also said: “What! Does man think that he will be left to roam at his will?” (75:36) In addition, He said: “Do people think that they will be left to say: “We believe,” and they will not be held accountable?” (29:2)
Indeed, God Has created human beings for a purpose and with a purpose: TO WORSHIP HIM ALONE (Monotheism). He said: “I have not created the Jinn and humankind except only to worship Me. I don't require provision or feeding from them. Surely Allah is the All-provider, the Possessor of all strength, the Firm.” (51:56-58) In fact, all prophets told their people to worship God alone (Monotheism) and shun worshipping His creation (Paganism). God said: “I assuredly sent among every people a messenger with the command: Worship Allah and avoid worshipping false gods.” (16:36)
Prophet Abraham, for example, believed in One God, who had no partner. Anyone who holds a different understanding of God than this has contradicted the religion of Abraham and follows falsehood. God says in the Qur’an: “Those who reject the religion of Abraham make fools of themselves.” (2:130)
Prophet Jesus was reported in the Gospels to have said: “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only’.” (Luke 4:8)
Prophet Jacob also said (in the Qur'an) to his people: “Indeed, those which you worship besides Allah are only names that you and your forefathers have established, for which Allah has sent down no authority. The command belongs only to Allah. He has commanded that you worship none but Him. That is the right religion, but most people do not understand.” (12:40)
Read more about the TRUE BELIEVE which supported by the Miracle Holy Quran :
http://www.islam-guide.com/islam-guide.pdf

http://www.harunyahya.com

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Real happiness and peace can be ONLY found in submitting to the commands of the Creator and the Sustainer of this world. God has said in the Qur’an: (Truly, in remembering God do hearts find rest.)
(Qur’an, 13:28)

On the other hand, the one who turns away from the Qur’an will have a life of hardship in this world. God has said:
(But whoever turns away from the Qur’an, he will have a hard life, and We will raise him up blind on the Day of Judgment.) (Qur’an, 20:124)
This may explain why some people commit suicide while they enjoy the material comfort money can buy. For example, look at Cat Stevens (now Yusuf Islam), formerly a famous pop singer who used to earn sometimes more than $150,000 a night. After he converted to Islam, he found true happiness and peace, which he had not found in material success.
To read the stories of people who have converted to Islam, please visit

http://www.islam-guide.com/stories

At this web page, you can read the thoughts and feelings of these people, who are from different countries and have different backgrounds and levels of education.
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God, the Most Compassionate, didn't leave man to go astray without an unadulterated reference. Indeed, He revealed the Qur’an and promised to preserve it as the final revelation for humankind for all times. It is the word of God which He revealed to Prophet Muhammad (mercy and peace of God be upon him) through the Angel Gabriel. It was revealed in parts over a period of 23 years. The Quran deals with the basis of creeds, morality, history of humanity, worship, knowledge, wisdom, God-man relationship, and human relationship in all aspects. Comprehensive teaching on which, can be built sound systems of social justice, economics, politics, legislation, jurisprudence, law and international relations, are important contents of the Quran. The Prophet Muhammad (mercy and peace of God be upon him) dictated the revelation to his companions who wrote it down during his lifetime on palm leaves, parchments, bones, flat stones, etc. In addition, the Qur'an was committed to heart by many of Prophet Muhammad's companions. One year after the death of Prophet Muhammad (mercy and peace of God be upon him), the first Caliph (Ruler), Abu-Bakr, instructed the Prophet’s companions to collect the whole Qur’an in one volume. The third Caliph, Uthman, prepared several copies from the original text and sent them to the major centers of Islamic Civilization. From that time onwards, more than 1400 years ago, the same Qur’anic text has been in use with the exact wording, order and language (Arabic). Not a single word from its 114 chapters has been changed since it was revealed. Indeed, God promised in the Qur’an to preserve it forever. He said: “Verily, I have sent down the Qur’an, and indeed, I will guard it from corruption.” (15:9). An essential point to understand about the Qur’an is that it is a miracle both in its revelation and content.
I advise you to see the following links which show the evidence that the Holy Qur’an is a miracle.

http://www.jalyat.net/

www.miraclesofthequran.com

At the time of the revelation and since, there have been those who have denied the divine and miraculous nature of the Qur’an saying that Muhammad (mercy and peace of God be upon him) was either taught by others or that he wrote it by himself! In order to counteract this claim, God lays down a challenge to the whole of humankind saying: “ If you are in doubt concerning what I have revealed to My slave (Muhammad), then produce one chapter like it and you may call on your helpers beside Allah, if you are truthful.” (2:23) .These are from the prophecies which the Qur’an foretold as no one from the time of the Prophet (mercy and peace of God be upon him) until this day has been able to produce the like of one chapter or even a verse of the Qur’an.

This link for the Holy Quran translated in English language:

http://www.harunyahya.com/Quran_translation/Quran_translation_index.php

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