How do you think the book of Revelations should be interpreted? (click for details)?

Question

should the book of revelations in the bible be interpreted literally, for it's time or metaphorically? and please tell why you think so.

and when I say for it's time I mean do you think the book itself could have been written for it's time only and not meant to be interpreted as something that will happen in the future.

Thanks Paradise and Miracle whip for your answers. I forget it doesn't have an "s" at the end. So for every one else here it's book of revelation.

Answer 1

Historically, the Book of revelations was not written for us; it was written for the early Church in persecution. Hollywood and people with a limited understanding of the Bible have twisted the words of this book for their own purposes and/or have just been completely ignorant of what this book actually is/was. It may not be the sexy answer, but this is the stone cold facts of the matter.

Answer 2

The book of Revelation is not about the end of the world. It's about the Bible itself. The Bible is organized by the pattern laid out in Revelation. It's like a table of contents, or Cliff's Notes. The Beast with ten horns and seven heads is the Old Testament. The four beasts that call the four horses are the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, in that order.

In ancient times, people had an oral history that was organized by generations. (like Alex Haley's roots story) The Old Testament is organized by the seventy generations from Adam, to Jesus. Every tenth generation, there is a story. Every seventh generation, their is a story. (These stories are the ten horns, and seven heads). The only story that can't be remembered this way, is Job. And his story can't be dated.

With only a few exceptions, everybody in the Old Testament (after Noah) is a member of the family of man. So the ancient Beast, is man, culture, society, etc.

All of mankind put Christ on the cross, and all is forgiven.

Answer 3

I can't explain it entirely. It is a book to be understood more as world events unravel.

On the Preterist vs. Futurist debate, I lean toward...BOTH. The reason I say this is clearly, the destruction of Israel DID happen in 70 AD, fulfilling an end-time prophesy. But that doesn't mean it can't also predict a FUTURE attack on modern day Israel in conjuction with Christ's second advent. The fact that Preterists point to events in Revelation that have already been fulfilled does not mean that they do not have a "fuller fulfillment" in the future.

The precedent for this "double fulfillment" is the way certain Old Testament prophecies were partially fulfilled in Christ's first advent. The parts of the prophecies that pertain to his earthly ministry (poverty, his sorrow, the hands being pierced) were fulfilled with his first Advent. But there are some (his millenial reign, every knee bowing in acknowledgment of his Lordship) that have yet to be fulfilled, and the interpretation that makes most sense to me now is this fulfillment will occur at the Second Advent of Christ.

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. Revelation 3:1
(Please note, there is no "s" at the end. Pet peeve. ;)

So people who read and heed the Book of Revelation for themselves (not that it's bad to ask others for help understanding) get a blessing. You might not understand everything the book has to say, but God might have a special word to YOU personally in there.

Answer 4

Dragon dog: Wow. That explanation makes more sense than any I've ever heard.

To answer the question: I don't think the book of Revelation should be interpreted at all.

When God wants something understood, God doesn't need people to wade through a lot of nonsense to figure it out.

The ten commandments are a good example of something God might tell us. Very clear and precise. Nobody has to guess what it means. The book of Revelation is a twisted poetry of very bizarre images and ideas.

When God wants somebody to know something, there is no doubt what it is and what it means.

Answer 5

The book is a prophetic book that talks about events from that time until Jesus comes back. Some of the prophecies that it describes have come to pass and others are yet to come. over 2/3 of the book of Revelation can be found other places in the Bible so in order to understand it you have to compare it with the rest of the Bible.

this site explains prophecy well:

http://www.amazingfacts.org/items/storacle_lessons.asp?tTitle=Millennium%20of%20Prophecy

Answer 6

The whole bible MUST be interpeted for this time.....the earth has not come to an end yet so how could it possibly be for that time.....Revelations is a warning and a look into what WILL happen when the world ends....and it hasen't happend yet

Answer 7

the time is for the time of the endtimes
the bible all ways interpretes itself you just have to look.
Isa 28:10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
THE VERY NAME REVELATION MEANS TO REVEAL NOTICE WHAT THE ANGEL TOLD JOHN;
Re 22:10 And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.
THE BOOK OF DANIEL GOES HAND IN HAND WITH REVELATIONS.

Answer 8

I saw a documentary on Revelations where they said the most likely explanation is that its metaphorical. Armaggeddon is a battlefield in Isreal where many historical battles have been fought. It is thought that John (or Paul, I can't remember which) is referring to the Roman Government in his writings...the only way he was able to write against the government and in favor of Jesus was to write in metaphors.

Answer 9

First of all, I see you have not a clue what it is even about.

There are 2 (R)'s in Revelations. Rapture and Reveal.
Christ is coming 3 times. not 2.

1. His Birth.
2. Rapture.
3. Reveal Himself. (Revelation).

I suggest you study it. You will know more about what it happening to you when it happens.

Good Question.

Answer 10

I do not have a problem with understanding it,
It was meant for the last days, we do not get the bible for the world until the last days.