Also, in virtually every Bible I have ever studied, the book of Revelation is mistitled as The Revelation of St. John The Divine. The actual title is given in the very first verse as The Revelation of Jesus Christ. The title used is misleading for at least 2 reasons.
1. It does not reveal the Apostle John, but reveals Jesus Christ. 2. The apostle John was human, not divine.
You don’t have to be afraid. The Bible makes it clear that those who are born again, will be raptured out of here before the Great Tribulation begins. However, this easy to understand book, would help you understand the book of Revelation so much better. It’s at Amazon.com. I plan on getting one, too.
Oh no. Not at all. Maybe I didn’t make myself clear. There are UNBELIEVERS like now, who COULD have accepted Jesus as Lord, but REFUSE. Therefore....when the rapture comes, they’ll be left behind. They shall go through the Great Tribulation period, shall be given a chance to repent after hearing the gospel again. Some may accept. Some will not. That period in history, presents them with the ability to repent, be saved, then inherit eternal life in heaven when they die. @GJOFJ3
@GJOFJ3 Here, when Jesus is talking about the “elect”, he means those who were CONVERTED DURING THE GREAT TRIBULATION PERIOD. That period shall be so violent the last 3 1/2 years of the 7 year Tribulation, God is saying that for those who were converted during that time...for their sake....he shall shorten the day, itself, lest no one survive.
Also, did you see my article on the Rapture? https://similarworlds.com/19-Spirituality-Religion/2649270-How-I-Wish-Wed-All-Been-Ready-Dear-friends-while
yes it makes sense , this book is written in Spiritual concept , things in this do not pertain to the laws of Physics and Time as we know it , and the stories written like this are seemingly very weird but needs to be interpreted correctly as to understand it
@LadyGrace if the rapture of the living and dead believers occurs before tribulatiion what is the point of the tribulation and the suffering. Such as refusing to take tske the mark is not a problem if all Christ's followers are gone?
Thanks for asking such an important question. The purpose for the seven year Tribulation period after Christians are taken out of here, is because God is merciful and doesn’t want any to perish, so those left behind will still have a chance to get right with God during this time, since the Second Coming has not yet occurred...but will, after the 7 years are up. However, they waited too late and rejected Him too long, so as you’ve said, they will have to suffer through a time of God’s judgement on the earth. This is to wake people up, so they will be saved. If that’s what it takes, God will do it, because that is how much He loves them and doesn’t want any to perish. The first thing that people do when fearful, is cry out to God. Some will be stubborn and still not listen.
It’s not cruel, it’s merciful, after they cursed Him and mocked Him. God will not be mocked. Yet...He is still willing to save such people. Otherwise, they would all go to hell. He didn’t have to do that, but He did. That’s not a God out for revenge. That’s a God ready to give mercy, even though hated. They won’t be able to say they had no chance to have their sins forgiven. The followers of Christ already had their sins forgiven, so they had God’s protection from “the wrath to come”, and were raptured out of here, which then ushered in the tribulation period.
@Crystalmom Sorry, I just now saw this. The refusing to take the Mark of the Beast, takes place AFTER God's people are taken from earth, for their own protection. Those left behind AFTER the rapture, shall be expected to worship the Beast and False Prophet by taking his mark, or be killed. There shall be witnesses God shall send to proclaim the Word of God. Some shall accept Jesus as their Savior. They'll refuse the Mark. They'll not deny Jesus as Saviour, and shall willingly suffer for their beliefs and Christ. Those shall be saved and are sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise. Jesus promised He will save His people today, from the "wrath to COME." Thus, comes the rapturing of His children BEFORE the Great Tribulation takes place. The wrath to COME IS the Great Tribulation period.
Actually, the easiest and best way to understand the book of Revelation is to study it in conjuction with the Old Testament book of Daniel. The two books interpret each other. Always allow the Bible to interpret itself, since it is its own best interpreter. Prayer is, of course, always important, as Paul said "Pray without ceasing". Most people, however, misunderstand what prayer actually is according to the Scriptures. It is not a monologue, but a dialogue or a conversation.
@BiblicalWarrior That isn't a bad idea, I started studying it parallel with various other biblical prophecies of the end times, it DOES clear a lot of things up.
Revelation cannot be understood by the natural mind, much if it has to be discerned by spirit and understanding gained from reading other parts of the Bible.
It really is scary, terrifying, until the end. Once you reach the end, it's all just ok and you know it's all worth it to get to that end.
I've had someone pointing a gun at my head and I wasn't even scared, I was talking calmly to him and even talked to him about God (believe it or not he brought back what he stole) but when reading revelation I put it down 30+ times shaking in terror and fear, until I got to the end, and then my faith was stronger than it had ever been and I wasn't afraid anymore.
I did understand most of it, and I was so scared the first time I read it through from beginning to end. It was so scary that I kept having to put it down, I was shaking in fear. It's the most terrifying thing I've ever read in my life.
It was when I got to the end that my fears were relieved, and I knew it was all worth it, and I found peace in the ending.
@th3r0n It seems we are living in an age of change right now, things are happening (unless you know about Revelation) that are confusing. Things not being reported by the media especially are very interesting.
@cherokeepatti you are correct indeed. That is why I was so scared, I realized we will go through it and believed every word, and was terrified down to my very soul -- until I read the end!
@SomeLikeItHot Amen!!! The end and our future IS known, and IN GREAT DETAIL. ONLY by God's infinite wisdom, given through His inerrant Word, could our future be described with such accuracy!!
The book of Revelation can only be understood with the Holy Spirit of God, it is a book of prophesy written of visions and things yet to come, but there are many clues to understanding the meanings of these things in the book of Daniel, which also spoke of the end, and other places in the bible also.
@Carver that much is true, I put it down shaking in fear over 30 times before I got through it, because I knew every word is true, and I've had a gun pointed at my head being robbed and I wasn't even scared just talking calmly
