Is the Book of Revelations meant to be completly understood, or is it written in "parables?"?

Question

In the following passage from The Book of Revelation, Revelation: 10:4 is it possible that the entire key to the interpretation of Revelation is contained in this passage so that man will not be able to understand this book?

Revelation 10:4, And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.

Many people have claimed to have interpreted this book, and all have been proven wrong. If we understood this book, Christ could not come "as a thief in the night', and many other points would also be made invalid.Does God want man to fully understand The True meaning of Revelation?

Should we examine many of the passages of this book as symbolism for other Holy events and signs?

Here is my point concerning Christ coming as a "thief in the night". Obviously, no one knows at which hour the thief comes. But do they know his face as he comes while they yet sleep? Would he have the same appearance as 2 millennia ago? Or is it possible he would come as "one of us", and truly come as a thief.

Answer 1

If you knew all of your Gods secrets, wouldn't you be God?

Not sure I believe in all of what the bible says but it stands to reason if you knew when the end took place you could seek your salvation the day before it happened!

Live your life in a good way, be Happy, enjoy your friends and family, everyday, every hour of everyday.

Answer 2

I don't know anyone who fully understands the book of Revelation. I hear many people speak as if they do. The best explanation I have heard so far, is the book is meant to be a template, for a larger volume (call the larger volume, the Bible, for a lack of a better word). The Bible wasn't written all at once, as the thunders imply. It has been revealed in increments, over the centuries.

I look at Revelation, for events, and signs in my own life, that lead me to the end of sin, and the beginning of a new life. I let others worry about the end of the world, and events that are totally out of my control.

This is not the most exciting, or romantic way to think of apocalyptic literature, but I think it is the most relevant.

Answer 3

Be very careful with the LONG answers given you, such as the one by Birdflies. I am not saying they are wrong, I'm just saying if a person tries to use this "shortcut answer" forum for a Bible study, well, it would be unfair to those asking sincere questions but are not familiar with deep study.

The book is meant to be understood, otherwise why would it be called "Revelation". Also, the the WHOLE name is "The Revelation of Jesus Christ" so it is meant to unveil Jesus in a way the Gospels didn't. Last day events are described and symbols are given and some can be understood using the Bible itself, but a knowledge of history and asking the Holy Spirit to guide you is of the utmost importance.

Answer 4

Revelation is in fact written in alot of symbolism and it is meant to be understood otherwise why would God have inspired John to write it. Basically it speaks of the time we are living in now and the world powers that will arise. There will be an end to these powers once and for all in what's called second death which there is no return from. However there is a message of peace for those who have suffered that tears and pain will be no more and paradise on earth will arrive. There will be peace under Christ rule. Do some deep reseatch for more info and check it against different bibles.

Answer 5

God does want his people to understand it. It is the only book of the Bible that says "Blessed is he that readeth"

Yes it is given in parables, with out the Holy Ghost, and the rest of the Bible, we can not understand it. I don't know anyone who know it all. But I have seen over time things being revealed to me that seem so simple to me now. I ask why didn't I see that before? It's because it has to be revealed.

The Bible never says if we know the scriptures that Jesus can not come as a thief in the night. What the Bible does say is those who are watching will not allow the thief to enter. Meaning Jesus will not surprise the righteous saints of God because we don't know exactly when he coming but we do know it is very near.

Those who are not watching Jesus will surprise with his coming.

What the seven thunders uttered has to be given completely to us by God.
The Bible says God will reveal his secrets unto his servants the prophets.

Answer 6

Well, actually there are many times in Revelation that they mention "Happy is he who reads aloud and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and who observe the things written in it; for the appointed time is near." (Rev. 1:3)

This is repeated throughout certain parts, especially when Jesus gives his advice to the 7 congregations. But a close analysis of the book is not impossible. I'm actually analyzing it, verse by verse with the help of Jehovah's Witnesses, since every week they take on 5 to 7 verses and investigate what they mean, of course supported by the rest of the Bible. I wouldn't be such a bad idea to ask them what day and time they get together to do this, since its free, and they don't force you to stay or anything like that.

Answer 7

Yes, it is meant to be understood but gradually. Its time frame takes us from the last days of this wicked system, through Armageddon where wicked forces will be locked up or destroyed, into the 1,000 year reign of Jesus where people and the earth will be brought back to perfection as well as the dead raised back to that earth to learn their choices. Then the short time of Satan being released to tempt for the last time any who want to follow him and hios destruction.

The details must be understood gradually because too much information too quickly would blow our circuits like too much voltage on a circuit trips the breaker. As the Bible says, the light grows brighter as the days draw nearer.

True, he will come as a theif in the night but, are there not warning devices for your home to tell you someone is near? That is what Revelations is.

Answer 8

Friend, Revelations is a LOVE LETTER to The BRIDE ONLY, & ONLY THE BRIDE WILL UNDERSTAND, if you go back to Daniel he too saw many things & was about to write but was told to seal it up until (when) the endtime, The bible says the wise shall understand, I have been studying Revelation for 37 yrs. & it is a very simple book to understand if someone has the Holy Ghost, But it was not intented to be understood until the endtime. In Rev. 10:4 You brought out a very good subject, I know everyone will give me a thumbs down that is OK, because many are not the Bride of Christ. I want you to notice first, Chapter 10 the first 3 verses, You have Jesus Christ sitting on the throne as our mediator, in his hands he had a book open, But in Revelation it is really a scroll, It is sealed with 7 seals, 6 seals has already been open as to what they are, yet the 7th has not, When the 7th is open Christ comes off the mercy seat, & declares that time shall be no more, (no more for who) No more time for salvation to the gentiles. Grace age will then be over. But yet we see that the 6th seal is dealing with the great tribulation, even though the revelation of the 6th seal is now understandable, We know that the great tribulation will come when the BRIDE is in heaven at the marriage supper, Therefore the 6th seal is dealing with the last 3 1/2 yrs of Daniel prophecy. Remember Daniel was also told to seal it up until the end. Therefore in order for the great tribulation to set in, the 7th seal will have to already been opened in order to fulfill the 6th seal, Now you need to find out who these 7 Thunders are, Now first remember Daniel & John the revelator is a type of the Bride, & they both heard what was spoken, & they were about to write what those 7 thunders utter, But God told them to seal it up until the end. So They knew what was said in order to begin to write, no one else knew. Now who is these 7 thunders, Remember Salvation is over, Christ is seen off the mercy seat, But yet the bride is still here for a very short period after the 7th seal is opened, some ask what was that scroll that had 7 seals, it is the scroll of redemption, Now all seals has been open when those 7 thunders begin to sound, The Bride is made ready, as Revelation says The BRIDE hath made herself ready, that took a process of time & not overnight. The 7th seal then is open & salvation is no longer for the Gentiles, So what are these 7 thunders, They are 7 MEN God will annoint to bring the final instructions to the BRIDE ONLY, Listern, I say TO THE BRIDE ONLY, NOT THE RELIGIOUS WORLD, they are blind to it. God will through these 7 men will give final instruction for the Bride to do in order for Christ to come back for his BRIDE, Now don't confuse the 7 thunders with the 7 trumpets, The 7 trumpets is for Israel only, The 7 thunders is for the BRIDE ONLY, & not the religion world, God will give them something to say to the bride & it will not be 7 different things, but one thing used by 7 men to, I will say in my way of talking, they will have the same message, remember now, Christ is off the mercy seat, he is no longer our mediator, therefore his part as the mediator is over. These 7 thunders message will stay here just long enough for it to go around this earth for all the bride to see & hear, because these 7 thunders must yet prophcied to Kings. These 7 thunders will be 7 gentiles & they will have the very same message, Now the reason Daniel & John was told to seal it up, is because it was not time yet to write them & also satan himself will not be able to confuse anyone, Only God knows what they said, & Daniel & John, but at the endtime the BRIDE will also know .

Answer 9

The majority of this answer comes directly from the book at the website below:

1st question:

John personally hid the meaning of his words, using symbolism to present his message.

The books of the New Testament were not selected, edited, and collated until hundreds of years after the death of Jesus. John was still alive then, and in disguise, visited those responsible for its canonization. His writings were profound. He. He delivered his manuscript for his Revelation to the editors, knowing they would never comprehend its meaning because of the symbolic and metaphorical way in which it was written. In this way, John maintained the integrity of the manuscript for hundreds of years.


2nd Question:

In Revelation 10:4 that you mention, John is told to seal up the things which he knows (that being at a time of great wickedness upon the earth in his day), then compare this with 22:10, in which John is commanded to NOT seal them any longer from those who choose righteousness (following the words of Christ) over wickedness (not following his words).


3rd Question:

It is not that God does not want His creations to understand the truth. But for our own sakes these things are withheld when we rebel, so that we can experience what it is like not to follow God’s plan...

I agree that many have claimed to interpret Revelation. For as long as it has been studied by apocalyptic and eschatological students and teachers, there have been numerous attempts to unlock its mystery. Though many would like to take credit for attempting to reveal its mysteries and John’s original intent, all have failed miserably, because John was not the source of their information.

Unlike other works authored to explain the book of Revelation, the book I recently read crushes all the uninspired rhetoric put forth in past and present works, which are full of imaginative prose and interpretation that, when contrasted with the truth, fell significantly.


4th Question:

The passages are symbolic. The book below explains exactly what John intended, and unfolds all of the symbolism he used in the presentation of his message.


5th Question:

When one comes to know the word of God and begins to treat others according to this word, this gives evidence that the person has received the “name” of Christ. Further evidence is given from within as the person begins to feel peace, love, and harmony with his or her spiritual and physical surroundings. Remaining receptive to these feelings is a constant challenge.

In letting down the guard of proper conduct, our personal judgments come quickly, and when we least expect them, cause us to feel the opposite of the peace we once knew.

Christ referred to this as a “thief”coming in the night when we are asleep and unaware of the intrusion. If we do not watch how we treat others, we will be lulled to sleep, figuratively speaking. Surprised by the “thief,” we will be ashamed of how easily our flesh overcomes the “name”of Christ.

The book is for the brave, the honest, the seeker of truth and wisdom. It is a disclosure of truth that has been hidden from the minds of scholars, popes, priests, and kings for hundreds of years. It presents an explanation of the foundation of the human condition that is long overdue in a world that is crumbling under the pressure of its own ignorance.

If you are interested in finding out the truth, the book can be purchased or downloaded for free at the website below. Of Revelation, I knew nothing of myself, but this book explained it all.

Answer 10

If you have the Spirit of God in tour life you will know the true Christ when he comes back. Our God is not a God of confusion.