Re: Read Rev.
Submitted by F.O.D. on November 29 1999 at 03:41:12
In reply to Read Revelation 13:1-18 Submitted by KPK/PPC on November 27 1999 at 21:55:08
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I think I was 11 when I first read the Revelation. I was amazed at how exciting it was, and best of all how after all these horrible things take place, Jesus finally rides in and with one blow at last does away with the evil. The final picture of heaven, "so more crying or pain", has got to be one of the most beautiful images in the Bible. I never did really understand what this thing about the Beast and his number 666 means. Wise people are supposed to be able to understand it. I guess we are all fools then. The text seems to say it's a man, a world ruler. I can imagine something like world government, say, the United Nations with real power. And the Beast, this man who stands against God, being like the president of that world government. But who knows? Maybe it's not like that at all. At the time Mr. John wrote it down, the Roman empire was at the height of it's power, and there truly was a world ruler, at least over the world that John knew about and lived in. Maybe all he saw in the vision was the Roman Emperor? I always say the best way to read the prophecies in the Revelation is to keep your mind on the main point, namely that there will be flagrant opposition against God, but that his Christ will finally arrive in full glory and power and remove that injustice, and will commence the reign of good and love. I fear if you keep your mind only on the intriguing and bizarre details of the vision, then you might be in danger of missing the real point of the whole thing. Fod |