Posted on 03/28/2014 8:18:05 AM PDT by NKP_Vet
The book of Revelation, quipped Ambrose Bierce, is "a famous book in which St. John the Divine concealed all that he knew. The revealing is done by the commentators, who know nothing." And G. K. Chesterton wrote, "Though St. John the Evangelist saw many strange monsters in his vision, he saw no creature so wild as one of his own commentators."
Indeed, the book of Revelation, also known as the Apocalypse, is fascinating and mysterious. Like an enchanting woman, the book attracts admirers of every sort. Many attempt outlandish feats of interpretation in order to gain attention. They usually do more damage than good, their fevered explanations reflecting their biases and presumptions rather than any true insight.
Many popular commentators who obsess over the book of Revelation use it to support both implicit and overt anti-Catholic opinions. Fundamentalists, Mormons, and Jehovah's Witnesses have long associated the famed Whore of Babylon, "the mother of harlots" (Rev. 17:5), with the Catholic Church. Some also link the church of Thyatira (Rev. 2:18-25) with the Catholic Church since her members supposedly "practice immorality" and "eat food sacrificed to idols" (Rev. 2:20).
(Excerpt) Read more at catholicculture.org ...
I read the entire article and it is rather a simplistic view of Revelation, this book must be held up to other scriptures, the whole counsel of the Word of God in order to understand it.
Oh, boy. Another self-deceived “interpreter” dissing all other interpretations.
His disclaiming the biblical literal thousand year reign of Christ from Jerusalem was when the piece went completely off the rails.
Better yet, forget it entirely as the Post-Modern Pope Rick Warren suggests. Ignorance is bliss.
While I do have to scoff at the prevalence of people screaming that the end is perpetually “right around the corner”, I agree with you that Revelation is meaningless without being viewed through the lens of the other scriptures.
Revelation is a multi faceted gem, refracting the manifold wisdom of God. I love the mysterious Living God, made known through his Son!
Lately I’ve seized on the concluding remarks of the letter, which are a reference to Isaiah:
“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.” Rev 22
“Come to the waters” Isaiah cried. Without cost? Take the water of life freely? Those who want to establish a righteousness of their own—“The man who does these things will live by them”—miss the free gift of God’s righteousness.
Come to the waters, people!
You may be interested in this video. I think a paradigm shift is developing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ8C-qe3qSM
More here than I feel like dealing with at present.
Suffice to say that Justin Martyr’s first comment mentioned is correct.
**Debate over the matter existed even in the early Church. When Church Father Justin Martyr was asked in the second century if he believed that there would be an earthly millennial reign of Christ in the future, he stated, “I and many others are of this opinion, and [believe] that such will take place.” At the same time he admitted, “that many who belong to the pure and pious faith, and are true Christians, think otherwise” (Dialogue with Trypho, 70). **
BTTT!
I have a non-mainstream belief that I espouse here on Freerepublic from time to time. It usually gets attacked pretty harshly and the kind of comical (if it were not so serious) aspect of those attacks is the place most of those opposing me go to get their evidence is Revelation, while virtually all of my proofs are from other books in both the old and new testaments.
The very fact that a person must always go to the well of symbolism and mystery that is the book of Revelation to prove a core scriptural principle is very telling about the veracity of the evidence for that specific teaching.
While I do have to scoff at the prevalence of people screaming that the end is perpetually “right around the corner”, I agree with you that Revelation is meaningless without being viewed through the lens of the other scriptures.
Also, I believe that the prophesy in the bible (it’s mostly prophesy) is not there to “predict the future”. Rather, the prophesy is there as warnings as well as proof of the accuracy of the bible. It’s a little like the parent’s prophesy to their teenaged daughter, “if you sleep around you are gonna get pregnant.”
I would say that’s an incredibly accurate comparison.
The Mormons believe Jesus will return to Independence, MO?
Really?
Who makes a “Come Back” from Independence, MO?
Do they even have a local TV station?
I agree with some things the author said, for instance the pre tribulation rapture, although there may be exceptions since with God nothing is impossible, i think every one is going to die.
1Cor 15:50
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.
1Cor 15
36
Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die:
22
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
Verses 35 to 54 = 19 verses which explain the resurrection and in what manner.
Yet the believers in the rapture alive theory have i verse.
1 Thessalonians 4:13
The author also denied the theory of the Adventists and others but does not explain an alternative which i have no doubt would be hard to do.
I suggest quoting the whole phrase in context:
------
To each his suff'rings: all are men,
Condemn'd alike to groan,
The tender for another's pain;
Th' unfeeling for his own.
Yet ah! why should they know their fate?
Since sorrow never comes too late,
And happiness too swiftly flies.
Thought would destroy their paradise.
No more; where ignorance is bliss,
'Tis folly to be wise.
(Last stanza from Thomas Gray's "Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College", my emphasis)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.