Do you interpret the Book of Revelations as literal or symbolic and why?

Question

Oh, and if you interpret it symbolically, what do you interpret it as? (Sorry, forgot to add that!)

Oh, wow...pardon me for making a typo. "Revelation," then.

Jeez, you Christians bash everyone in every way you can, don't you?

Answer 1

Symbolic where I determine, literal where I determine... the work was written before "Beowulf" that was written in English, we can barely translate that into modern English.

What makes us in all our pretension THINK we know ancient Greek, Egyptian, or any other language from that far back?


Yes, we can figure out how things were back then, but history distorts; look at contemporary accounts of the Civil War and look at "The Birth of a Nation" and compare the two with what we know of the south in those days..

Don't tell me you have all knowledge of this literary work from two THOUSAND years ago, and can correctly determine the author's intent.

Answer 2

How does the book start out? It says it is written in symbols. The key is to understand those symbols and put into application today.

Besides, it's Revelation...not revelations, it's not plural.

Answer 3

The book of Revelation was the last book to be accepted into the Scriptural canon. Its nature is largely symbolic and it it's difficult to analyze and to say whether it talks about past or future events.

Answer 4

what's corn pone? Is that something like porn? Why could you be conversing a pair of minister and porn interior the comparable sentence? Btw, there are some relatively reliable books out with regards to the tip situations. I won't call any to be honest to all, basically examine your community e book shop, although. Oh particular, do you be responsive to what a grit is?

Answer 5

I interpret it as symbolic, because it's clearly not literal. It refers to horseman flying across the skys releasing death and plagues, and beasts with horns and eyes, giants of bronze with feet of clay, etc. It's a vision about Armageddon and the end of the world.

Answer 6

Definately symbolic. If one part it symbolic, the WHOLE THING is.

Why? Because I read the book that explains what ALL of Revelation means--every single verse. It is ALL symbolic, and once you understand what it all represents, you will never be the same again:


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. They gave the editors a different view of Jesus’ ministry than that which had been passed down from one generation to the next. John also 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.


...Upon reading John’s message with the plain and precious meanings properly revealed, it truly becomes the greatest and most important given prophecy ever written for the end of times. It is necessary to understand that John prepared his words knowing they would be fulfilled in the latter days.

...To fully and properly comprehend his message, one must approach it from John’s point of reference. John has two main points of reference from which he formulated his thoughts and words into the presentation of his message: 1) The truth, or reality, and 2) The Old Testament. From these two points of reference came John’s entire message, as all the symbolism and figurative expressions used by him can be found in Old Testament writings, which were the only form of written scripture available in his day.

...In order to understand the hidden meaning of John’s words, one must be endowed with the gift and power of prophecy. To expose the unworthiness of those who have tried to teach and explain his words, John uses the riddle of various literary forms, and excerpts of scriptures familiar to him, in ways only known to those given the proper authority to teach the people. In this way, when the clear, simple, and literal common sense explanation is given to the people, allowing them to understand as a child would, they will recognize the authenticity of the true prophet of God chosen to bring John’s words to light.


The proof is in the pudding. I read the book. It set me free. And amazingly, IT is free at the site below:

Answer 7

Haven't heard from you in a while........
I see the book of revelation, not as a way that you should stay on without faltering, look at me=), I see it more as a helpful nudge in the right direction.
And it wasn't written by god, it was written by roman catholic priests, that believed that those were the rules that you had to follow, I dont follow it excessively

Answer 8

It's symbolic, it says so. Here's an example:

Revelation 17:7 When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. Then the angel said to me: "Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns.

Answer 9

Literal where intended, symbolic where intended. Take a course in Biblical Hermeneutics. Learn the historical, grammatical, literal method of interpretation.

Answer 10

Symbolic...For Instance we read that Death is to be thrown into the " Lake of Fire"..which means the 2nd Death. How is Fire going to destroy Death which cannot be seen but only Experienced?
There are many but one from me will suffice.