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Questions about Revelations

SkepticalScience

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Greetings -

Was wondering if anyone here has any good source material (outside Skeptics Annotated Bible) that could raise some questions about Revelations.

Questions that would lead someone to become a freethinker.

A religious friend of mine suggested I read revelations. I proposed that I'd read it, if she would answer some questions I'd have at the end of it.

She accepted.

Would appreciate any input any one would have.

(Off to read from SAB!)
 
SkepticalScience said:
Greetings -

Was wondering if anyone here has any good source material (outside Skeptics Annotated Bible) that could raise some questions about Revelations.

Questions that would lead someone to become a freethinker.

A religious friend of mine suggested I read revelations. I proposed that I'd read it, if she would answer some questions I'd have at the end of it.

She accepted.

Would appreciate any input any one would have.

(Off to read from SAB!)
Click to expand...

I would suggest that you read it first and see what questions you actually have- especially since that's what you agreed to do.
 
Why does Jesus have a sword sticking out of his mouth, and why don't the pictures of him in churches and religious books show it?

Where are the corners of the earth? The earth of course as to be flat if we are to see Jesus when he returns, because Revelations says everyone will be able to see him.
 
Freethinker said:
Why does Jesus have a sword sticking out of his mouth, and why don't the pictures of him in churches and religious books show it?

Where are the corners of the earth? The earth of course as to be flat if we are to see Jesus when he returns, because Revelations says everyone will be able to see him.
Click to expand...

Jesus is represented with a sword coming out of his mouth as are the four evangelists.

I used a set called, I think, _The Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible_ but that was years ago.

To stick in my 2 cents worth, the introduction to Revelations makes it clear that the author was speaking to seven specific churches in Asia Minor. Much of Revelations must be understood as admonitions about events and people in those churches.

The rest of Revelations can be summed up as: the devil rebels against God (again), God wins. It was intended as a message of hope to an oppressed people.

IIRichard
 
The Revelation of St. John describes Satan and the rebel angels being cast out of the heavens (after the 7th seal and the 7th trumpet). Most “mainstream” Christians believe that Satan and the rebel angels were ejected long ago (in the time of Adam or even before Adam). Ask your friend which account is correct.

Does your friend really believe that the beast of the sea will kill the saints, and that the woman (Babylon) will become drunk on the blood of the saints and the faithful?

Ask them why Jesus is never depicted wear a robe “dripping with blood”.

Do they believe that the “old heaven” will be wiped away and replaced with a new and improved heaven?

Ask your friend where the word “rapture” or “anti-christ” appear in the book. (I know I’ve said this one ad nauseum)

LLH
 
SkepticalScience said:
A religious friend of mine suggested I read revelations. I proposed that I'd read it, if she would answer some questions I'd have at the end of it.

She accepted.

Would appreciate any input any one would have.
Click to expand...

Perhaps you should suggest that she read the rest of the Bible.
 
How about...

Do you believe these prophecies were fulfilled? Will be fulfilled?
Who is going to persecute Christians?
How could there possibly a one-world government in the foreseeable future?
If the rapture happens, what do you think those left behind will think?
Why is it that every generation since 90 AD has insisted that the prophecies of Revelation refers to their time? What time do you think is being refered to?
 
ChristineR said:
How about...

Do you believe these prophecies were fulfilled? Will be fulfilled?
Who is going to persecute Christians?
How could there possibly a one-world government in the foreseeable future?
If the rapture happens, what do you think those left behind will think?
Why is it that every generation since 90 AD has insisted that the prophecies of Revelation refers to their time? What time do you think is being refered to?
Click to expand...
As a christian, I will attempt to give my opinion on this.
Everyone is going to persecute christians. The man in charge (and it will be a man, not a woman, I know some nuts who think Hilary is the devil)
You can't see we are moving toward a one world government? What of Europe?
Those left behind will be sent a delusion, according to the Bible, and will believe this man ruler will be Christ Himself.

Some also infer that chapter 17 refers to Ann Coulter (whore of babylon)
 
SkepticalScience said:
Greetings -

Was wondering if anyone here has any good source material (outside Skeptics Annotated Bible) that could raise some questions about Revelations.

Questions that would lead someone to become a freethinker.

A religious friend of mine suggested I read revelations. I proposed that I'd read it, if she would answer some questions I'd have at the end of it.

She accepted.

Would appreciate any input any one would have.

(Off to read from SAB!)
Click to expand...
The book in question is listed under apocalyptic literature, Daniel being another. The purpose is/was to encourage 1st Century Christians who are being persecuted by Rome--in particular Emperor Nero to whom the number 666 refers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apocalyptic_literature
There is no prophecy or prognostication involved, and it is a shame that too many Christians treat Revelation as the first and most important book of the Bible. To them, Jesus is more like a crusading comic book hero than the suffering servant he chose to be, and this is quite sad because they are so close yet have missed the point entirely--that God is Love--not an airborne Superman/superkiller.
 
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psy kick said:
As a christian, I will attempt to give my opinion on this.
Everyone is going to persecute christians. The man in charge (and it will be a man, not a woman, I know some nuts who think Hilary is the devil)
You can't see we are moving toward a one world government? What of Europe?
Those left behind will be sent a delusion, according to the Bible, and will believe this man ruler will be Christ Himself.

Some also infer that chapter 17 refers to Ann Coulter (whore of babylon)
Click to expand...

Thank you for replying. "Everyone" is pretty vague. Here in the U.S. 85% of the population is Christian. If 85% of the population is raptured, then the U.S. is pretty much depopulated. If a lot less than that are raptured, then "everyone" includes lots of lots of Christians. Even if I am not raptured, I will not persecute Christians. Rather, I will support their religious freedom.

I do not see the EU as a one world government. First of all, Europe is hardly the world. All of Europe together is about the size of the US. That still leaves Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Austrailia--none of which are going to be joining the EU anytime soon.

Secondly, the EU barely qualifies as a government. There is tremendous dissension among the member countries. They haven't yet achieved their common currency goal. They can't come to an agreement about Turkey. The individual member countries are still very much the "real" government in the EU.

This anti-Christ with supernatural powers...

(1) He'll be evil. Lots of us non-Christians don't like evil people, even with superpowers.
(2) He'll have to win the support of people who loathe each other, like Muslim Arabs and Israeli Jews. Somehow, I don't see that happening.
(3) He'll try to make himself a god. That will not go over well with us atheists, Muslims, Jews, and just about everyone else.

Sorry, I just don't see this happening. Well...I guess it could happen if the anti-Christ had magicial mind control powers that only work on non-Christians. But when you start throwing incredible magical powers into the mix you can prophecy anything and have it be believable.
 
I know it sounds implausible, but the bible says God will send them a strong delusion and they will believe the lie. I forget where, but its there.
So, if left behind, you will want all christians dead. I know it sounds odd, but, there it is.
 
psy kick said:
I know it sounds implausible, but the bible says God will send them a strong delusion and they will believe the lie. I forget where, but its there.
So, if left behind, you will want all christians dead. I know it sounds odd, but, there it is.
Click to expand...
So, God's going to take all the Christians away, and then give me an irresistible urge to kill Christians? Man, that's harsh.
 
Isn't John meant to have been inspired to write this when he was out in the desert with nothing to eat except hallucinogenics mushrooms?

Or is this just a post hoc explanation for the more extreme ramblings in there?
 
A lot of it is symbolic. John couldn't understand new fangled things we have now.
He was on the island of Patmos, I don't know if thats a desert.
 
A lot of it is symbolic. John couldn't understand new fangled things we have now.
He was on the island of Patmos, I don't know if thats a desert.
 
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