Isn't the Book of Revelation just a fable and not literal?

[polonius]

http://www.usccb.org/bible/revelation/0

Introduction to Revelation – New American Bible Revised Edition

This much, however, is certain: symbolic descriptions are not to be taken as literal descriptions, nor is the symbolism meant to be pictured realistically. One would find it difficult and repulsive to visualize a lamb with seven horns and seven eyes; yet Jesus Christ is described in precisely such words (Rev 5:6). The author used these images to suggest Christ’s universal (seven) power (horns) and knowledge (eyes). A significant feature of apocalyptic writing is the use of symbolic colors, metals, garments (Rev 1:13–16; 3:18; 4:4; 6:1–8; 17:4; 19:8), and numbers (four signifies the world, six imperfection, seven totality or perfection, twelve Israel’s tribes or the apostles, one thousand immensity). Finally the vindictive language in the book (Rev 6:9–10; 18:1–19:4) is also to be understood symbolically and not literally. The cries for vengeance on the lips of Christian martyrs that sound so harsh are in fact literary devices the author employed to evoke in the reader and hearer a feeling of horror for apostasy and rebellion that will be severely punished by God.

[bluethread]

[Replying to post 1 by polonius.advice]

I have never adhered to the Rosetta stone theory of hermeneutics. Though similar in the case of the Revelation, it really follows cultural symbolism rather than a straight one to one secret code. I personally do not have an overarching framework to clearly interpret everything in the Revelation, like that antipapists, dispensationalists, Jehovah Witnesses, etc. I choose to use my standard method of looking at it, not as an guide on when and where to build my survival bunker, but as a continuation of the themes found in the rest of the Scriptures.

[JehovahsWitness]

[Replying to post 1 by polonius.advice]

Well the Jehovah's Witness position is that Revelation is indeed not to be taken literally: it is we believe a series of prophetic vision (being fulfilled in our present day) given in symbols and word pictures. For example, Jesus is presented as a lamb in Revelation. We don't believe that Jesus is literally a baby sheep, we believe that is just a symbol or a picture to represent what he did in providing a ransom sacrifice (in reference to the passover lamb that was eaten by the Jews during their annual festival).

JEHOVAHS WITNESS


Further reading: The Book of Revelation—What Does it Mean?
https://www.jw.org/en/bible-teachings/q ... evelation/

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[eldios]

http://www.usccb.org/bible/revelation/0

Introduction to Revelation – New American Bible Revised Edition

This much, however, is certain: symbolic descriptions are not to be taken as literal descriptions, nor is the symbolism meant to be pictured realistically. One would find it difficult and repulsive to visualize a lamb with seven horns and seven eyes; yet Jesus Christ is described in precisely such words (Rev 5:6). The author used these images to suggest Christ’s universal (seven) power (horns) and knowledge (eyes). A significant feature of apocalyptic writing is the use of symbolic colors, metals, garments (Rev 1:13–16; 3:18; 4:4; 6:1–8; 17:4; 19:8), and numbers (four signifies the world, six imperfection, seven totality or perfection, twelve Israel’s tribes or the apostles, one thousand immensity). Finally the vindictive language in the book (Rev 6:9–10; 18:1–19:4) is also to be understood symbolically and not literally. The cries for vengeance on the lips of Christian martyrs that sound so harsh are in fact literary devices the author employed to evoke in the reader and hearer a feeling of horror for apostasy and rebellion that will be severely punished by God.

The prophecies in Revelation are only meant for God to use to show his servants a few things that help them understand who they are in God. It was never meant for the people of the world to understand.

[2timothy316]

It was never meant for the people of the world to understand.

"A revelation by Jesus Christ, which God gave him, to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place." Rev 1:1

The first sentence in the book tells us what the book is for don't you think? Or did God fail in His purpose in giving John the visions found in Revelations? Does no one understand what these events 'that must shortly take place' are?

[bjs]

Revelations is neither literal nor a fable.

A fable is a short story, typically using animals as characters, which conveys a moral.

Revelations is apocalyptic literature. Apocalyptic refers to something being revealed, not necessarily the end of the world. While apocalyptic literature is symbolic by nature, it is very different from a fable.

[eldios]

It was never meant for the people of the world to understand.

"A revelation by Jesus Christ, which God gave him, to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place." Rev 1:1

The first sentence in the book tells us what the book is for don't you think? Or did God fail in His purpose in giving John the visions found in Revelations? Does no one understand what these events 'that must shortly take place' are?

I told you that God uses some of the prophecies in the book of Revelation for his servants and no one else. Not one inhabitant on earth can understand the prophecies written in that book.

[2timothy316]

It was never meant for the people of the world to understand.

"A revelation by Jesus Christ, which God gave him, to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place." Rev 1:1

The first sentence in the book tells us what the book is for don't you think? Or did God fail in His purpose in giving John the visions found in Revelations? Does no one understand what these events 'that must shortly take place' are?

I told you that God uses some of the prophecies in the book of Revelation for his servants and no one else. Not one inhabitant on earth can understand the prophecies written in that book.

So what's the point of the book if not one inhabitant on earth can understand it?

Rev 21:5 says, "Write, because these words are faithful and true.�

Why was John told to write something that no one can understand?

"And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.� Rev 21:4

Wouldn't the above scripture affect everyone on Earth? The above is a prophecy isn't it? I am having no issues understanding Rev 21:4, 5.

[polonius]

[quote="[url=http://debatingchristianity.

So what's the point of the book if not one inhabitant on earth can understand it?

RESPONSE: Perhaps you'd have to ask the writer who may be suffering from spiritual delusions.

Rev 21:5 says, "Write, because these words are faithful and true.�

RESPONSE: Yep! That's what the voice imagined by the writer told him to do.

Why was John told to write something that no one can understand?

RESPONSE: He wasn;t. That's the point. Evidently, he was just a very imaginative person.

"And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.� Rev 21:4

Wouldn't the above scripture affect everyone on Earth? The above is a prophecy, isn't it? I am having no issues understanding Rev 21:4, 5.[/quote]

RESPONSE: then perhaps you would want to talk to someone about your understanding. It's not a prophecy. Just the product of an unstable mind.

[eldios]

It was never meant for the people of the world to understand.

"A revelation by Jesus Christ, which God gave him, to show his slaves the things that must shortly take place." Rev 1:1

The first sentence in the book tells us what the book is for don't you think? Or did God fail in His purpose in giving John the visions found in Revelations? Does no one understand what these events 'that must shortly take place' are?

I told you that God uses some of the prophecies in the book of Revelation for his servants and no one else. Not one inhabitant on earth can understand the prophecies written in that book.

So what's the point of the book if not one inhabitant on earth can understand it?

I told you the reason the book of Revelation was written by you must have missed it. I said that God needed it to show his servants some things in it. A servant is glorified, meaning God takes total control of the body and mind of the servant that he uses to speak through and write words formed in the mind.

Rev 21:5 says, "Write, because these words are faithful and true.�

Why was John told to write something that no one can understand?

I answered this in the above question of yours.

"And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.� Rev 21:4

Wouldn't the above scripture affect everyone on Earth? The above is a prophecy isn't it? I am having no issues understanding Rev 21:4, 5.

The people that wake up on the new earth will not remember anything that happened in the generation that was destroyed on the day of the Lord. This means that the inhabitants of this generation will all be destroyed and won't be used again by created men in the next generation.

Isaiah 65
16: So that he who blesses himself in the land shall bless himself by the God of truth, and he who takes an oath in the land shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten and are hid from my eyes.
17: "For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth; and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.
18: But be glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.
19: I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress.