Expert: Joe Norman - 7/1/2011

Question
Hi, thanks for your time. Can one take revelations literally? I understand it is metaphoric and symbolic. Some people believe revelations already happened to Jerusalem long ago or something like that. Something along the lines of past events in biblical history and that it does not pertain to modern day events. Some others believe most of it has happened and is happening and is going to still happen. What is your thoughts on this book of the Bible and how we should look at it.

Answer
Hi Josh,

Obviously one can take revelations literally because so many do...well I don't know of anyone who takes the whole book literally, but I do know of many who pick and choose what they want to take literally and what to view as figurative. It's kind of funny to me that those who pick and choose don't always agree with each other as to what parts are literal and what aren't.

I have found it helps to carefully examine all the Old Testament books of prophecy prior to studying Revelation. But, I don't think it would be correct to say any of it is metaphoric. The book of Daniel is very similar in the style of writing to Revelation. Both are full of figurative language.

I do believe I understand Revelation fairly well but do not consider myself to be comfortable with teaching it yet. My view is that it was almost completely a warning to the seven churches in Asia of the coming persecutions and destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. and all the millennial teachings are complete science fiction. I do not accept pre-millennialism, post-millennialism, etc.

John the apostle said in the beginning and near the end of Revelation that these things of which he wrote would soon take place or happen. I firmly believe it was written prior to 70 A.D. and most likely about 63 A.D. because one of the oldest parchments which we have found to use for translation has the date 63 A.D. written on it. I also believe John's eyesight was too poor by the time many scholars think he wrote it (98 or 99 A.D.)

If you want a very detailed study that I consider to be among the most easy to understand and accurate of Revelation and more, I suggest you contact the allexpert Ernie Lawrence here in the church of Christ list of experts. He has spent a great deal of time developing lessons on Revelation and related scriptures. His lessons are very well put together and easy to understand too. I have read many other books on Revelation by some of the greatest scholars in the brotherhood but Ernie's lessons have been the most accurate and easy to follow I have seen so far anywhere.

I hope I have at least helped some.

In Christian Love, Joe Norman