Bible Discussion Thread

I was a pastor and evangelist for many years before an ailment prompted my retiring. During those years I have read and heard just about all the thoughts and theories on the book of revelation. And that my dear friends is all they are. Theories. No one has, or will be, able to precisely explain this book. It is one of the great mysteries of the Bible. I have read it over and over in my eighty-seven years on this earth. I started with my conversion at the age of twenty two. Some parts (few) would seem to be clear, but not enough to preach or teach with complete understanding. In fact, no one can rightly state they completely understand without doubt much of the scripture. We think, and read, with a finite mind. Whereas, the author who revealed these writings did so from his infinite mind. Who on earth is able to declare with absolute truth the mind of god? I have the belief of God revealing at the proper time, the true meanings of this amazing book. At that time the teachers and preachers eyes will be opened, and they will be able to enlighten all who are interested. Reading it will be as easy to under stand as John 3:16. But, of course, as I penned, it is just my belief and theory. Any believer who reads revelation should begin with prayer. Asking god to reveal what is important to their spiritual growth, and thanking him for his blessings for reading it. "Blessed is he who reads the prophecy's of this book" We are living in very perilous times. We should not be overly concerned with any parts of the Bible. Confusing our selves with un-anserable questions. Instead, we should busy ourselves with the importance of living the life god requires of us. I was, and still would be, a preacher of the New Testament, which I know is the most pertinent of all the Bible to read and study. Believers should be pondering how they can help others to come to the realization of their need to believe, and accept, his love and forgiveness. God be with you all.

Amen, well aid, Bob

Hello Bob

I absolutely agree with you. All the events described in the Book of Revelation are symbolic. Symbolic of what? We don't really know, we can make guesses. But even logical guesses may be wrong, BECAUSE we don't know the real events that are going to be. God's people through the ages have made very many guesses that all failed. Revelation is written in a way that people who are going to live at that time will relate the events taking place with what is written and can understand. Nobody can understand beforehand. I don't think God will reveal specifically to anybody (no matter how intense one prays and asks God for) the truth beforehand. He hasn't done that for centuaries to anybody, why would He do it now? Revelation is a book which is primalily written for people who will go through the great tribulation and antichrist. It is written so that they know what would be really happening and know what to expect and what they should and should not do. Also for non beleievers to believe and save their lives.

Just an example. If the mark of the beast is the bar code in a chip embedded in people, as many believe, who could have known that 50 years ago when that technology didn't exist. No matter how hard people may have tried to guess 50 years ago they could have never found out. Today we know because we relate something we see in our everyday lives ( the cashless society) with what is written and can make a good guess which seems to be right. So as the end times are getting closer and closer the more we will understand, but still I think many things will only be known during the last 7 years. So lets read the Book as God asks us to do, but this must be as far as we one must go. No vast time should be spent on trying to interprete it. It is a waste of time which could be spent to read the other parts of the Bible. There will be time when everything is going to be revealed. But I hope at that time none of us is here in this world to live during those events. GBU.

Again, well said, Giannis.