Is Revelations a Catch-22?

Question

I've heard many Christians express a desire to see the world end as the Bible describes. Some even approve of influencing world events and politics to expedite the apocalypse.

Meanwhile, God clearly instructed Christians to commit to a peaceful spread of the gospel, and a compassionate attempt to convince others to abandon "sinful" behaviors.

However, the Bible also says that as armageddon nears, humanity will progressively debase their societies and themselves, becoming increasingly sinful in nature.

Stay with me here. If Christians accomplish God's task of witnessing, and Christianity spreads worldwide, then the events that lead up to the apocalypse could not happen. Conversely, the arrival of armageddon means we've failed at God's task.

It's similar to in the Garden of Eden when He forbids Adam and Eve to eat the apple simply because He knew they will. Why would God give a task that He doesn't want completed? Is it a plot device? Can anyone explain this paradox?

Answer 1

I agree it does seem like a catch-22. However, with proper understanding, the apocalypse has already happened, and the way to spread "the gospel" is only by doing unto others as you would want done unto you.

"Apocalypse" in Greek means disclosure. It is a term applied to the disclosure of something to certain, privileged persons that is hidden from the masses. John’s original title is modernly referred to as the "Apocalypse of John." Since Biblical scholars had no clue what was meant in his metaphorical text, they agreed to name it in the English Bible: the Revelation of St. John the Divine, or the Book of Revelation of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

The “disclosure” (or Apocalypse) of what ALL of Revelations means is unfolded and presented throughout the pages of a book cited below. It presents the whole truth.

The commentary explaining what Armageddon is in Rev. chapter 16 is so amazing, you just have to read it for yourself.

Rev. Chap. 19 through 22 describe the events during the Millennial Reign of the One who holds the key to peace, happiness, and eternal truth—the One the world does NOT know, but will recognize as the man called in the English language, Jesus, the Christ.

I have read the book (666...the Apostle John's New Testament Revelation Unfolded) cover to cover. It will explain the complete answer to the paradox you have presented in your question. It can be purchased or downloaded for free at the website below.

Answer 2

The book of Revelations is a description a letter written by St. John about a dream or vision he had. The events he describes took place shortly after he had the dream, and were predictive in that sense. They do not describe events that would occur to us in the future. Jesus did describe the end times -- the time after His death and ressuection and His sending the advocate the Holy Spirit. Therefore this era in God's time after the descent of the Holy Spirit is the end era. There was Genisis, the flood, the enslvament of God's people, their exudos (I realize I'm skipping over some eras here), the establishment of Isreal, it's splintering etc. the time of the great Kings of Isreal (ah yes David), the time when Jesus was actually a human being, His death ressuection and the descent of the Holy Spirt we are in God's final epoch for humanity. The end will come as Jesus describes in Matt 25 (the goats and the sheep) and in other places.

Answer 3

God does not expect worldwide conversion to the one true religion but he does expect that everyone alive at Armegeddon will have had the opportunity to convert to it. He knows that the separation between "his people" (spiritual Israel) and those who do not know God (by their own choice) and do not obey the good news about the Christ will become greater and greater. There is no Catch 22--only an opportunity for every individual person on earth to make a choice for themselves--and then, God's war against the wicked begins, leaving only his true followers as survivors.

Answer 4

I don't think it's a catch-22. While Christians are called to compassionately minister to others the Bible states that in the end days there will be great apostasies and people will not be receptive to the message. What does it matter if witnessing slows down the end of the world? If you're a post-tribulationist like me its not something to look forward to.

Answer 5

Lets be clear about two things: firstly God doesnt need us for anything, just like I dont need my children other than for a loving relationship. I also use my children to assist each other and look out for one another. God needs us to do the same. Secondly, just like Jesus had to go through crucifixion to fulfill God's Word, Armageddon will happen, just as God said it would. It just ties in with the other 300+ prophecies that make up verifiable world events until very recently - all happened how, when and why God said they would. God's Word WILL be fulfilled. Witnessing fulfills God's command as well as His purpose. If you want to sit at the feet of Jesus in heaven, the purpose of being part of the Bride of Christ, then you need to be obedient. Armageddon means that God's Word has been fulfilled and not that we have failed. Witnessing means that we have been obedient and therefore passed the test. Dont worry - EVERY knee shall bow!

Answer 6

God does want us to complete our task. But he wants us to serve Him because we really want to serve Him. Yes, God knows that there will be many who will follow the devil, and this why there will be armageddon because this will be the final battle between good and evil. The devil's days are numbered and that means anyone who follows him will go down with him. This is why the devil tells you lies is because he knows that he has already lost [through the cruxifiction and ressurection of Jesus Christ] he lies and as a result you follow him and go down with him and his demons. If you don't follow the Lord than you follow the devil there are no in betweens. If you follow Satan than all that's left for you is eternal life in a burning hell.

Answer 7

mind spinning ain't it....
Here are some logical conclusions
-the bible can't be trusted as a resource...
-the christians are chasing their tales... they can't claim a god of intelligence and keep twisting their reasoning to prove the bible is the word of god without something going insane..
-that what is god is insane
or we can call it an omen ... a sign that following this path lead to a dead end...

Answer 8

The guy who wrote Revelations was on drugs... And I'm not joking. Can't remember where I read it. It was some kind of scientific journal. Anywho...
If you know your etymology, apocrypha and apocalypse are basically the same thing. Apocrypha is plural. There's also an Apocrypha in the Catholic bible. There's been loads of them in the past. Why is this one that's meant to happen such a big deal?

Answer 9

I dont know whether revelation is a catch-22 or not. it seems like a paradox.
But I dont think that God give them a task to fail. he, of course, want them to accomplish it and because of that he warned them with existing of that tree. he warned them not to eat from its fruits.
that doesnt mean that he doesnt want them to complete the task.
consider the God like a Doc., adam and eve as his patients. he warns his patients to go on with their diet but they dont. so they get sick. he did his job but they didnt.

Answer 10

When ever I get involved with people pushing Revelation, I remember Scrooges answer to a Ghost. This is a nightmare from some bad cheese I ate at dinner.