The book of Revelation

[mountainboo]

I was brought up a Catholic but upon reaching adulthood I have become an Atheist. Im now approaching my late 20's and am confused. I beleive that Jesus exsisted and was a very wise man. I don't beleive certain excerpt's from the bible ie the whole walk on water thing and so on. Anyway, I recently read the book of revelation from the old testiment and I'm curious, alot of what it says corresponds with disasters that the world has experienced over time for instance the twin towers and the tsunami. What does it all mean? I feel that I believe some things and not others. And also it mentions about the devil and the 6th day and the 6th hour etc?

[snee]

I was brought up as a christian and still believe myself to be a christian, albeit non-practising.

When in the middle east though, I got into a disucssion with a muslim (I think? - no offence to anyone) who told me that Mohammed was the last true prophet and that Jesus was just one of many - Jesus' word was (allegedly) corrupted by word of mouth etc. and that Mohammed's words as spoken in the Koran (Mohammed was illiterate) are the true words of God.

I'm not flaming...just what I heard and took on board - so many religions, so much in common...

[Upforit]

A most interesting thread. What we have here is a group of people giving their opinions as to the veracity or otherwise of the scriptures. And it has turned into a microcosm of the history of religious, in particular Christian, debate through the ages. As a non-Christian (nor do I subscribe to any established religion) I say debate is not the answer. I am happy to stand corrected by more informed people, but the debate is superfluous. The bible and many other writings are available to be read. We should- dare I say must all decide for ourselves. The writings are there for us to read. As individuals we decide that they are factually true, they are parables to be interpreted or they are complete bunkum. Believe or do not believe. The choice is yours. Whichever you choose, can I ask you to try to do good, help your fellow man (and woman!) where you can and any help you receive, repay it tenfold to others who are needing of assistance. This way, regardless of your belief the world can become a better place for us all.

[Upforit]

To continue from my previous post-

Now I would like to return to the title of the original post. The book of Revelation. Little has been said about this in the thread. The number of the beast is not, as often quoted, 666 (six-six-six) or any multiples of six nor related to eighteen, the sum of these three sixes nor is it any other result of calculation of these three numbers. The Bible, in the book of Revelation, makes it quite clear that the number of the beast is �six hundred and three score six�. ('And he causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he who has the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let he who has understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six'.) That is, six hundred and sixty six. Not, at the risk of being repetitive, six-six-six. So forget Ronald Wilson Reagan or anybody else who �fits the bill�. If the teachings of the bible are to be believed, the devil is a devious entity, at best. While we are looking for the six-six-six beast, the real beast, six hundred and three score six is �doing his thing� and laughing at our misinterpretation of the warning!
Again, looking at the quote from the bible, �he who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name�. Why are we told his number, but not his name? Is it, possibly, because the writer of this text is elaborating on a fable, already hundreds of years old and has no name to give us? Or possibly omitted the name because giving the beast a name might give us a tangible entity and so dismiss or lessen his/its supernatural qualities?
Whatever your belief, may you all walk a happy road and may your shadow never grow shorter.

[Pip N]

Religion as a subject matter has and allways will be a strongly debatable subject. Both fascinating and intriguing and even before we figure out the meaning of God. Most of us are longing to believe in something and followers of many new ideas and the cult of new age thinking (Mind, Body and Spirit), now seem to be returning to the bible because it has at least a more solid foundation and does not cash in on the subject. We live in a world governed by testosterone and ego. Where both positive and negative exists as a natural law, one pulling against the other but not always on equal terms. Love in the true sense has become a lost soul in a sea of technology , demand and greed. Lovemaking has become the creator of our predicament yet it is the product of love. We determine our future, not God

[pugwashjw]

Tiggergirl is not correct in saying that Jesus was an active member of an anti-Roman group. Never once in the scriptures did he advocate any sort of ' rising up' against the Romans. He stated " pay Caesar's things to Caesar, and God's things to God". Jesus kept spirituality and politics completely separate. Jesus did address large gatherings of people and the Jewish religious leaders did not like it one bit, as they felt that they would losed their power and authority. As to whether the whole bible is true. It is.
2 Timothy 3;16�All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, 17�that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.
And God is protecting his 'word' to us.
Revelation 22; 18��I am bearing witness to everyone that hears the words of the prophecy of this scroll: If anyone makes an addition to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this scroll; 19�and if anyone takes anything away from the words of the scroll of this prophecy, God will take his portion away from the trees of life and out of the holy city, things which are written about in this scroll.
And just as a point of interest. Did you know that Jesus had a very long pre-human existence. Proverbs 8;22-31

[m123f]

Jesus made relationship by personal contact (Saul) and he comes to us the same way. He is not in books or endless searching but present to us now. Read Mark's gospel for a short life story and then sit in a darkened church where he is said to be and he should reveal himself to you as to Saul.