there are some people like Ian Punnet, that teach the book of revelation was not written by john of patmos for our day but for his generation. i think ch.3 says it in part.
2007-12-16 06:47:20 · 14 answers · asked by Priestcalling 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
It was written for Christians, no matter the time or generation.
2007-12-16 06:50:08 · answer #1 · answered by L.C. 6 · 3⤊ 4⤋
Traditionally, there are four approaches to the interpreting Rev.(1)preterist,(2)historicist,(3)symbolic and (4)futuristic.
Preterist approach places the events and visions in the past, particularly the Roman Empire of the first century A.D.The primary purpose of the book was to encourage the faithful of that time that God would intervene in their immediate struggles. The preterist view was a conscious attempt by the disciple John to hide the real meaning from the authorities and the general public keeping its message available only to the faithful.
The historicist interpretation the Rev.as a panoramic view of history from the first century A.D. to the second coming of Christ.
The symbolic view maintains that the Rev.portrays the conflict between good and evil through out the entire span of human history. Attempts to encourage the faithful to keep up the good fight despite the magnitude of the challenge and depth of the suffering involved in this fight, good will overcome evil in the end and reign forever.
The futuristic view holds that from chapter 4 on, Rev. reveals the event "at the end times", as in Daniel. Rev.chapter 1 deals with the past, 2 and 3 tell of things that were present at and shortly following at the time of its writing and 4 through 22 tell of things that will follow the Age of the Church during the Second Coming of Christ. It should be studied as a kind of road map for the final spiritualization of our bodies and minds. It represents experiences and stages through which we pass in our struggle to awaken again spiritually and regain our close connection with God
and the Garden we once shared.
The seven churches represent the seven spiritual centers within the body. These powerful centers affect the soul and mind inhabiting the human body.
Seven lamps of fire represent the helpful influences that destroy the hindrances to the spiritual awakening. The are inner messengers, aids, who stand between the forces of good a evil and become as powers within the nature of man to overcome.
Four Beast are the four fundamental physical natures(desires), which must be overcome.They are also the four destructive influences that "make for the greater desire for the carnal forces."
The Great Red Dragon symbolizes the powerful urge within ourselves that originally so separated us from the Source of Life that we fought with those influences that would bring the spiritual awakening. Dragon, the serpent in the garden.
Mark of the beast, 666 represents vows and obligations we have made to the work of the beast and how we CONDEMN rather than help any effort to overcome the beast's influence. The beast is our lower nature at our most selfish, self-centered, self-gratifying, self-glorifying point of existence.
New Heaven and New Earth represent a new mind and a new heart. In this process, He will take out the heart of stone and replace it with a heart of
flesh. All of the symbolic emblems are for our purification and processes we will go through until we overcome and become the bride of the Lamb.
2007-12-16 12:51:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It was writen to help the Saints (in all times) to prepare for the second coming, and the events that will lead up to it etc. It was writen for our day, just as it was writen for all generations past. Why? Simple, all we know is that the Lord said he would come quickly but no one knows exactly when that will be so we need to live every day as if He will be coming today.
2007-12-16 07:01:02 · answer #3 · answered by Smudge 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No one knows the time or date that this world is going to end. Jesus said we must keep watch and be ready!
2007-12-16 06:56:27 · answer #4 · answered by danielle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
THere are many, many prophecies that are not yet fulfilled, so YES, it is for our day, too!
Will False Religion End?
Picture the scene. A harlot is sitting on the back of a fearsome beast. The beast has seven heads and ten horns. (Revelation 17:1-4) Whom does the harlot represent? She exerts influence “over the kings of the earth.” She dresses in purple, uses incense, and is exceedingly wealthy. In addition, by means of her spiritistic practice, ‘all the nations are misled.’ (Revelation 17:18; 18:12, 13, 23) The Bible helps us to see that this harlot is a worldwide religious entity. She depicts, not any one religion, but all religions that produce rotten fruit.
The beast that the harlot rides pictures the world’s political powers. (Revelation 17:10-13) False religion straddles the back of this political beast, attempting to influence its decisions and to control its direction.
Soon, though, an amazing event will take place. “The ten horns that you saw, and the wild beast, these will hate the harlot and will make her devastated and naked, and will eat up her fleshy parts and will completely burn her with fire.” (Revelation 17:16) In a sudden, shocking move, the world’s political powers will turn on false religion and completely destroy her! What will prompt this action? The Bible book of Revelation answers: “God put it into their hearts to carry out his thought.” (Revelation 17:17) Yes, God will call false religion to account for all the despicable acts she has committed in his name. In a stroke of perfect justice, he will use her political paramours as his instrument of execution.
What must you do if you do not want to share the fate of false religion? “Get out of her, my people,” urges God’s messenger. (Revelation 18:4) Indeed, now is the time to flee from false religion! But to where can you flee? Not into atheism, since its future is also bleak. (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9) The only haven is within true religion. How can you identify true religion?
How to Identify True Religion
What good fruit should true religion produce?—Matthew 7:17.
True Religion . . .
▪ PRACTICES LOVE: True worshippers are “no part of the world,” are not divided by race or culture, and display ‘love among themselves.’ (John 13:35; 17:16; Acts 10:34, 35) Rather than killing one another, they are willing to die for one another.—1 John 3:16.
▪ TRUSTS GOD’S WORD: Instead of teaching “tradition” and “commands of men as doctrines,” true religion bases its doctrine on God’s Word, the Bible. (Matthew 15:6-9) Why? Because “all Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight.”—2 Timothy 3:16.
▪ STRENGTHENS FAMILIES AND UPHOLDS HIGH MORAL STANDARDS: True religion trains husbands to ‘love their wives as their own bodies,’ helps wives to develop ‘deep respect for their husbands,’ and teaches children to ‘be obedient to their parents.’ (Ephesians 5:28, 33; 6:1) In addition, those entrusted with positions of authority must have exemplary morals.—1 Timothy 3:1-10.
Does any religion meet these standards? The book Holocaust Politics, published in 2001, says: “If more people practiced versions of what the Jehovah’s Witnesses preach and practice, the Holocaust could have been prevented and genocide would scourge the world no more.”
Indeed, in 235 lands, Jehovah’s Witnesses do not just preach the Bible’s moral standards—they live by them. We urge you to ask Jehovah’s Witnesses to help you learn what God requires of you so that you can worship him acceptably. Now is the time to act. Do not delay. The end of false religion is near!—Zephaniah 2:2, 3.
2007-12-16 06:53:56 · answer #5 · answered by ? 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Revelation is written for all people throughout all times (except for those who died before it was written of course). It spoke to the people of St. John's day, it spoke to people in the middle ages, and it speaks to us today. When the end comes, it will speak to those people as well.
2007-12-16 06:51:03 · answer #6 · answered by Dysthymia 6 · 3⤊ 3⤋
Yes, part of the chapters of Revelation applies to what is happening in our world right now!
2007-12-16 06:51:25 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 3⤋
Most certainly it is. If you study it carefully, you will see past the symbolism and see what it really means, which are lessons that can be applied to our day.
2007-12-16 06:54:38 · answer #8 · answered by kclr16 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
It was written to scare the hee bee gee bees out of you so you would believe in a savior, an afterlife and give your money and your loyalty to the church.
they got cha...
2007-12-16 06:53:32 · answer #9 · answered by David P 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
The whole of the Bible has relevance for everyone.
Revelation included. It talks about events in the future which is surely of interest in the present.
2007-12-16 06:51:35 · answer #10 · answered by a Real Truthseeker 7 · 3⤊ 3⤋