Why is the book of Revelation incomprehensible if it is really "not sealed" (Rev 22:10)? Why are the prophecies in the book of Daniel actually easier to understand, if they are sealed (Daniel 12:9)?
2006-09-20 10:11:13 · 9 answers · asked by tandypants 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
i am geniunely curious about this
2006-09-20 10:28:19 · update #1
Both are apocalyptic literature. This has a tendency in scripture to be strongly symbolic.
Almost everyone misinterprets Revelation. It was NOT WRITTEN to tell us about the next few years, as many would have you believe. Rather, it was written to Christians who were suffering severe persecution to tell THEM that Jesus would SOON rescue them from that persecution.
Revelation begins and ends with mention of a Greek phrase, "en tachei." "These things which must HAPPEN SOON." This phrase describes events expected to happen immediately or at most in a few months. - The same phrase is used when an angel appeared to release Peter from his imprisonment, he was told to leave immediately. (Acts 12:7)
It is a disservice to the text to search Revelation to find passages which can be twisted to seem as if it is speaking of recent history, yet people have been teaching it that way for about 1900 years now. If you want to TRULY understand the book, leave it in its historic setting rather than twisting it to fit into ours.
On time in Revelation, it speaks several times of 3.5 years/42 months/1260 days/... Study it from that perspective and see what you discover.
2006-09-20 10:13:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
this is what Rev. 22:10 means "The Angel continued, "Don't seal the words of the prophecy of this book; don't put it away on the shelf. Time is just about up. Let evildoers do their worst and the dirty-minded go all out in pollution, but let the righteous maintain a straight course and the holy continue on in holiness.""
and this is what Daniel 12:9 means "'Go on about your business, Daniel,' he said. 'The message is confidential and under lock and key until the end, until things are about to be wrapped up. The populace will be washed clean and made like new. But the wicked will just keep on being wicked, without a clue about what is happening. Those who live wisely and well will understand what's going on.'"
the reason they are easier to read in Daniel is becuase it is past tense meaning it has not happened yet and the reason that Revelation is a lot harder to read is becuase that it talking about our days now but because they did not know half of the stuff we have now be name they had to give a discripton of it the best way they knew how too...
2006-09-20 17:20:53 · answer #2 · answered by Christine S 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The book of Revelation is a revelation. It was not written to be a lock mistery. Indeed, the book starts saying, "The revelation of Jesus Christ" (Revelation 1:1). The main message of Revelation is of victory. It shows us that though evil sometimes may seem to win, at the end God is going to win and His people is going to be released. This was the message the early christians needed --since they were being persecuted--, and it´s the same message we need too.
Many keys to unlock the misteries of Revelation are found through the whole Bible. After all, the book of Revelation is part of the Bible, so it needs to be understood by the rest of the Scripture. For example, there are prophecies in Revelation that are parallel with the book of Daniel.
--Why cloak Bible prophecies in Symbols?
Luke 8 :10 And He said, "To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is given in parables, that 'Seeing they may not see, And hearing they may not understand.'
--Many of the apocalyptic prophecies were given while the prophets were in a hostile foreign land. One reason God cloaked the prophecies in symbols was to protect the messages.-- (1)
God wants us to understand what He meant in the Bible. That´s why we should always pray before opening the Bible, so the Holy Spirit may teach us what He meant when He inspired the Scriptures.
Check up these websites, am sure they will be very helpful:
http://www.prophecycode.com/meeting-list.asp
http://www.prophecycode.com/
http://www.amazingfacts.org/items/storacle_lessons.asp?tTitle=Millennium%20of%20Prophecy
You may also see these two for Bible answers:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/media/radio/question_archive.asp?tName=Prophecy
http://en.bibleinfo.com/
Hope this might help. Keep studying you Bible with God´s help. God bless you!
2006-09-21 04:08:43 · answer #3 · answered by Cachanilla 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Prophecy in the book of Daniel was for a period of time that has already happened. It's understandable to us now because we already know what happened and how it fulfilled the prophecy. It still has application for us today because it is a "parallel" prophecy to Revelation which is for a time that hasn't come yet. As for the prophecies in Revelation, if you want to understand them, I highly recommend the book "Revelation - It's Grand Climax at Hand". By reading it you'll be able to understand what's going on a whole lot better. You can get a free copy at any Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, or you can ask a Witness (if you know one or if one stops by) to get you a copy.
2006-09-20 17:27:28 · answer #4 · answered by Kelly L 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Neither book is sealed in the technical & physical sense, I beg to differ having read through Revelations many times myself; the book is very comprehensible.
I think the confusion comes when the holy spirit is not guiding the inquiry, as the bible state that true understanding of scripture is a gift to those that Love and have a relationship with God, and having a born-again (through Christ) relationship with God gives us the Indwelling of the Holy Spirit which comes in through our spirit man and into our physical hearts & minds to bring Comfort, understanding and revelation of scriptures (all scriptures).
So the reason that you may feel that the book of Revelations is incomprehensible is because you haven't prayed to God first and asked for wisdom & understanding of the scriptures before opening the bibe to read or search.
James 1:5 says: If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given.
James 4:2......... yet ye have not, because ye ask not.
(Just ask him and he would make all scripture comprehensible to you)!!
I hope that this information is Helpful to you!
2006-09-20 17:29:55 · answer #5 · answered by Just My Thoughts... 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you're somewhat confused. "Sealed" isn't talking about the ability to understand it. In these examples "sealed" vs "not sealed" is referring to actual sealing or closing/hiding the text. People would seal important documents with wax and a seal (stamp). Once the wax cooled the document was sealed. And that is what these two texts are talking about.
2006-09-20 17:24:31 · answer #6 · answered by blizgamer333 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not incomprehensible. He who has an ear let him hear, The Holy Spirit gives the comprehension.
Love in Jesus' name
2006-09-20 17:14:41 · answer #7 · answered by oaluvslife29 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Which part of it is incomprehensible to you? Ask specifics and you will get an answer.
2006-09-20 17:14:05 · answer #8 · answered by Pearly Gator 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they are not ment to be understood untill the right time
2006-09-20 17:15:30 · answer #9 · answered by Mim 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋