Will the "beast" and other things described in Revelations be literal or allegorical when they actually occur?

Question

Are the persons and events in Revelations just symbols? Or will they be literal?

Will the beast with 7 heads be a group of nations? Or an actual creature?

What do you think?

Answer 1

allegorical.

I believe he will be a walking talking human...

Answer 2

When its symbols, its says so, such as describing the woman as a country. The mark on the hand or forehead sounds like a chip, which in this generation sounds pretty logical. Personally, I think the false prophet is islam, but that's just an idea that seems to fit in today's world. They do seem to like that whole lopping off of heads things, so that could end up being pretty literal.

If there was an actual "creature" rising out of the sea, I would guess a submarine. John would have seen something like that as a beast. I think it will be the convergence of several countries myself.

Answer 3

Their are several different "beasts" in Revelations.

The 4 “beasts” represent the angels of God, and their purpose and actions in fulfilling the commands they receive from God for the benefit of the human race upon this earth.

The opinions, perceptions, and desires of the world are also referred to as “the beast” in Revelation.

The beast with 7 heads represents the governments and democracies (“ten horns”) of the world (“seven heads”/continents) set up to please those whom they govern. When ademocracy reigns with power, its sole purpose is to satisfy the wants of theconstituents who support it.

And believe it or not, the Great Beast presented is the United States of America.

Revelations is symbolic of other literal places and events.

I found out these answers and the answer to what EVERYTHING in Revelations represents in a book online.

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Answer 4

Beasts represent political kingdoms or governments, exercising rulership and authority.(dan7:6,12,23; 8:20-22; rev. 16:10; 17:3,9-12) while these political 'wild beast' vary in symbolic form,all have certain characteristics in common. All are shown as standing in opposition to God's rule by the Messianic Kingdom over mankind and they are also depicted as in opposition to God's HOly Ones, his covenant people, first the Jewish nation , then the Christian congregation All the beast are represented as very agressive, seeking the dominant position over the nations or peoples within the reach of their power. compare da.7:17,18,21; 8:9-11,23,24; rev.13:4-7,15; 17:12-14In the end these beast are reaching down to the arrival of the definite time for Gods holy ones to take possession of the kingdom in the appointed times fo the end. Then the Messiah destroys such beastly opposition for all time. ( da. 7:21-27 8:19-25; compare also rev.17:13,14; 19:19,20

Answer 5

Some are symbols such the beast with 7 heads but would you fall and bow to a dragon? some beasts may take an appearance that makes people more comfortable. AMEN!

Answer 6

The Beast is symbolic. There are actually 2 beasts, The first, Romanism, is the beast out of the sea. The second beast, Protestantism, is the beast out of the earth.

Answer 7

Back in the 70's, I was drug to churches that where fixated on "end times".

Instead of working to spread the Good News and improving their lives by being an example, they would rather sit and dictate about the end of the world.

I distinctly remember being told by one Sunday school teacher that I would not graduate high school, as Russia would invade Isreal before that happened.

Here we are 20+ years later, and I suppose that church is still making excuses...and still waiting.

Fellow Christians, if you want to take the book literally, fine, but do not fixate on it. Jesus said his return would be like "a thief in the night". I always thought that it would be when times are great, rather than depravity. I do not expect it in my lifetime. I believe that the entire book is symbolic.

In the meantime, let us do what we were commissioned to; spread the Gospel, and lead by example...good examples.

Answer 8

It will be so vague that it will seem more like coincidence or twisting the story to make it fit. That's how prophecies work. It's never literal or right on accurate. Otherwise it might actually be considered legit rather than a bunch of BS (which it most certainly is).

Answer 9

Most of Revelations speaks to the fall of Rome and has already happened. It was thinly disguised political rhetoric, not a grand prophecy for the ages.

Answer 10

I think John literally saw these things and described them the best he could. Can you imagine if you had never seen anything like a helicopter and how you would describe it to someone else?

Answer 11

The "beast" is the Antrichrist who has yet to reveal himself and will be a man, controlled by Satan.