2007-06-02 11:59:59 · 8 answers · asked by bethybug 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Yes he is one and the same
2007-06-02 12:03:24 · answer #1 · answered by harlin42 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That is perhaps the most direct and primary interpretation to that, although it can refer to any hideously powerful and evil system that sheds blood as a secondary interpretation - the now fallen Soviet Union has been interpreted as that.
The book of Revelation does not have one and only one interpretation, as if it were the task to figure out which is the right one.
The fact is, an infinite number of interpretations could be valid, with the condition that all possible interpretations of a given account be related by the principle of analogy.
For example, when St. John referred to the beast in chapter 13, he was writing about Nero who was raging at that time - however, it also validly refers to Antichrist to come, since the two are related by analogy, Nero being a definite manifestation of Antichrist (remember that St. John in his Epistle saying that there will be many antichrists, but there will be one principle one who will exceed all others in evil).
The book of Revelation was written to console the Christians who were under the boot of the Roman empire with their terrrible injustices and atrocities that they would commit against enemies of the state - it told of the certain victory of God and his saints against that, that terrible persecution must be endured in the interim, and that in the end, all will be healed as God will wipe away every tear and make all things new.
Even though Revelation was written for this express purpose, it is applicable to the battle between good and evil for all time, and will be of help for anyone subjegated to a brutal political system, because exactly the same promises apply.
It is a general template for the battle between good and evil as it can apply to a particular tribulation, the battle between good and evil through all salvation history (Rev. Kramer with his "Book of Destiny" provided that interpretation, as for example, each trumpet signified a particular disaster in history, such as the third trumpet being the Greek schism in 1054), a situation in a particular community, or even the battle between good and evil raging within a particular soul (St. John of the Cross interpreted it in that way).
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2007-06-02 12:16:58 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They worshiped the dragon because it gave its authority to the beast; they also worshiped the beast and said , Who can compare with the beast or who can fight against it? This is Rev, 13:4
explaination of 13:4 Worshiped the beast:allusion to emperor worship which Domitian insisted upon and ruthlessly enforced. Who can compare with the beast: perhaps a deliberate parody of the name Michael; see the note on 12,7 ( I think the dragon was the emporer )
2007-06-02 12:16:46 · answer #3 · answered by Gerry 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a mistake in translation. It was Drag Queen, not dragon and it was Satan's boyfriend Satin, he's evil but in a fabulous way!
2007-06-02 12:04:42 · answer #4 · answered by Jung Lite 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a representation of Satan. Dragon back then also mostly meant tyrant.
2007-06-02 12:02:56 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a silly story written by a man on drugs.
2007-06-02 12:02:22 · answer #6 · answered by fourmorebeers 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Yes.
GOD bless
2007-06-02 12:03:34 · answer #7 · answered by Exodus 20:1-17 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be whatever your brain wants it to be -- it's fiction.
2007-06-02 12:02:39 · answer #8 · answered by Resident Heretic 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋