If the book of REVELATION from the bible is from God, then why isnt it straight forward?

Question

Now I know some will say, but it is straight forward, so here is what i mean.
Why doesnt it just name names etc? It could just mention the names of the antichrist and the false prophet. It could just mention dates.
I dont see that if it is a book from God, that it would be written with the same ambiguity as other fortune telling books are written.

Answer 1

I have read it several times and it is utterly incomprehensible.

Lawyers and belivers both share one thing: very ambiguous language can make any interpretation plausible.

Answer 2

Actually, the book of revelation isn't from the bible. It is the preface for the 1988 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition. We here at SI would like to apologize for any confusion this may have caused. On a side note, the antichrist is an 84 year old woman named Rosita Alvarez of Gallup, New Mexico, that is an active member of her community's rotary club. The false profit is a fella by the name of Mark Walsh that is the lead singer of a "Village People" cover band called "The Townsfolk" from Sandusky, Ohio. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

The book of Revelation isn't a book from God. It's a man's interpretation of a vision sent by God. Subtle difference I know, but it explains the ambiguity. You wouldn't know a man's name just by looking at him, you know?

As with the other prophecies in the bible, it talks about things in a way that is understandable to the culture of the time, hence many references to Babylon, and monsters, etc. The first coming of Jesus was prophecied in a few old testament books, in pretty much vague terms -- reminds me of "the Life of Brian" actually: There will come a man...and...er...he will have only one shoe...and it will be a time of great confusion...and...er..." etc.

You've got to love prophecy, because I could prophecy that sometime soon, maybe this year, maybe within the next ten, there will be an incidence of great import in the middle east, and this will impact greatly on the doings of America. A ship will sink and cause an international outcry, and terrorists will take advantage of it...

As vague as it is, I bet you anything you like I can find something in the next ten years that fits.

(The prophecy above was brought to you direct from God to my mouth)

Answer 4

Well, first of all, it is quite apparent, this is an opportunity to put the Bible down, etc. To understand Revelations, you have to study it, the same as you would study your homework. This was a dream, that these things were being revealed. Just know that the end will come eventually, and the main thing is that you want to be on the side that lets you go to Heaven, so get down on your knees and develop a relationship with your Creator. If you do that, then maybe you won't be as concerned. Just think of it as a atomic bomb that is going to be dropped, but you don't know when. You just get your house in order. It is real, and it will happen, it is just a matter of when. . . .

Answer 5

Dear C-Junk,

What an interesting question. If one looks at the Book of the Apocalypse(Revelations) from a literal stand point, one sees events of Saint John's day, in clear light. Each of the Churches in the Book correlate with Communities Saint John and his contemporaries are familiar with. The events, Nero destroying the Temple, etc, are events of the day.

If one looks to the format of the Book, one sees it is an outline for the Christian Worship known as the Missae(which most Christians celebrate to this day). Half of the Worship is reading from the Scrolls(Scriptures). Half of the Worship is the Lamb's Supper(Consecration and Communion). Their are seven torches before the Throne, just as there are seven candles before the altar. The prayers of the faithful are combined with the prayers of the angels and the saints in heaven.

If one looks at the Book as Prophesy, then it becomes a little more metaphoric, but in time, all things will be made clear. One would do well to read the Apocalypse in it's Historic context, in it's liturgical context, and in it's prophetic context, to obtain a fuller meaning then just looking at it from one stand point.

I have references to the Liturgical format at home, as I am on the road currently. If anyone asks Monday, I would be happy to post them then.

Embrace the Grace,

Answer 6

To understand Revelations, read the book written after it. Revelations was the first book John wrote, so he already knew what was in it when he wrote the book of John and the rest. As for being straight forward, the very first sentence says that it was presented in symbols. As for naming the Anti-Christ, Jesus said there were many anti-christs, not just one.

Answer 7

All True Holly Books's were transcribed by the arch Angel Jabriel(Gabriel),True pronunciation in ancient Aramaic and Arabic is Jabriel. The book of revelation is an admitted dream by a man named John. Christ comes from CHRISTOS-,Greek for mustafa,or Prophet of Allah. Even as Isa was from a Virgin-he is still a man-How much easier would it be for Allah to cause an impregnation just by wishing it. Salam Alaycum, Jeffrey Evenson

Answer 8

The Book of Revelation can be confusing to the modern reader because much of it was written using a symbolic style of language that is not used today. Sincere Bible scholars, in fact, disagree about the meaning of some of the symbolic passages. But that should not keep us from reading it and understanding its main message.

The key for the reader is to try to see beyond the details to the main themes, which are tremendous truths. For example, the book of Revelation underlines the fact that this world is doomed, and our hope must never be in this world or its political systems and philosophies. It also points us to the great truth that some day God through Christ will triumph over death and evil, and Satan will be utterly defeated.

The Book of Revelation emphasizes that Christ will come again some day in great glory to establish His Kingdom of perfect justice and righteousness, "and he will reign for ever and ever" (Revelation 11:15). Some day those who know Christ will be secure forever in Heaven, and "there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away" (Revelation 21:4).

Most of all, the Book of Revelation (like all of the Bible) points us to Christ. He is the Savior and Lord of all who trust in Him, and some day we will see Him face to face. Are you ready for that day? You can be, by repenting of your sin and giving your life by faith to Christ today.

Answer 9

It is prophesy given to the apostle John. John was shown things that he could not understand in his time; therefore, he had to relate what he saw in terms that he could understand in his time. The prophesy was not meant for his time, but for our time. It makes more sense to us today because it applies to us. Theologians have pretty much figured out Revelation and there are a number of good books in Christian bookstores on the subject. Also, there is a lot of prophesy that goes along with Revelation that is scattered throughout the Bible, particularly in Daniel and the gospel accounts. It is interesting stuff and it would be worth your while to investigate it through a good book that pulls everything together. Off hand, I cannot reccommend one to you as escatology is not my specialty. Jesus loves you.

Answer 10

First thing the bible is not a fortune telling book, fortune telling is witch craft and is the devils work! Secondly why would it name names? The anti Christ by the way is Geroge.W.Bush his the one that will end this world and all that's in it

Answer 11

I would really like the book to be specific. I doubt when it comes to naming names that the Antichrist would keep the same names so to speak. It can't be too specific