Is Revelation a Parable?

[saintwalee]

The more I am understanding the book of Revelation,with all of its symbols, I question, "Is the story actually a parable?"

Mar 4:11  And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
Mar 4:12  That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

I know that parables never mention anyone by name. John is only mentioned by name in the introduction and conclusion. Jesus and Jesus Christ are mentioned throughout however by name, but also many times as descriptive names.

If that is the case, that Revelation is in parable form, then any literal interpretation would be moot. The Revelation of Jesus Christ would be hidden except as revealed by the Holy Spirit to those who are diligently seeking Him, or as it is stressed over and over again, "those who overcome" and "those who have an ear to hear".

Joh 16:13  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

[micah7:9]

I, me personally, imo, am given to understand The Revelation of Jesus Christ to be symbols, and yes parables. Jesus spoke in parables. It also, imo, has a literal offering just as the entire Book.

Gen 1:3  And God said.....Joh 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:14  And the Word became flesh, and did tabernacle among us, and we beheld his glory, glory as of an only begotten of a father, full of grace and truth.
1Jn 1:1  That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we did behold, and our hands did handle, concerning the Word of the Life--
Rev 19:13  and he is arrayed with a garment covered with blood, and his name is called, The Word of God.

[eaglesway]

I, me personally, imo, am given to understand The Revelation of Jesus Christ to be symbols, and yes parables. Jesus spoke in parables. It also, imo, has a literal offering just as the entire Book.

Gen 1:3  And God said.....Joh 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Joh 1:14  And the Word became flesh, and did tabernacle among us, and we beheld his glory, glory as of an only begotten of a father, full of grace and truth.
1Jn 1:1  That which was from the beginning, that which we have heard, that which we have seen with our eyes, that which we did behold, and our hands did handle, concerning the Word of the Life--
Rev 19:13  and he is arrayed with a garment covered with blood, and his name is called, The Word of God.

I agree with this, adding perhaps that it contains a series of visions, metaphors, images of aionian spiritual reality- as well as some direct exhortation for believers in every generation until it is fulfilled.

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: My  :2c:.....for me the secret is hid in plain sight in the first few lines......the revelation of Jesus Christ, which John said took place in the temple. He has been revealed, He is being revealed, and He will be revealed, in us, His temple, mankind. The Kingdom does not come with observation, because it is veiled by flesh. The kingdom is not a place, it's a PERSON, the person of Jesus Christ, who IS righteousness, peace and joy in the person of the Holy Ghost. Blessings....

[micah7:9]

Rev 1:8  `I am the Alpha and the Omega, beginning and end, saith the Lord, who is, and who was, and who is coming--the Almighty.'
Then we can, imo, put aside a "second" coming. Who is coming, Who did come, and Who is coming. He, imo, has always been coming...... religion, theologians, and denominations need to keep a "second" coming as the come on for personal lucre reasons.
I imo do not see where John said, "... took place in the temple." Other than interpretation although I understand. Please correct me if I am in error. :Peace2: :HeartThrob:

[saintwalee]

I really am enjoying reading from Young's Literal Translation. I need to look up verses in the KJV because it is easier for me to recall scripture, as I have read that most of my life. However, YLT gives such a better view. In Revelation, KJV mentions "..he that overcomes", but the YLT states "..he that is overcoming". And as micah7:9 points out, "...is coming", not as the KJV says; "which is to come".

[eaglesway]

Who was and is and is to come. As Paul explained on Mars Hill, In Him we live and breathe and have our being.

However, imo this does not negate an actual historic second coming, "in the administration suitable to the completion of times", i.e. "the ages", Jesus was coming before the first coming, since "all things were created by Him.... and He is before all things and in Him all things hold together"(Col 1, Heb 1)

That the teaching surrounding the second coming has been corrupted in order to integrate with the teaching of eternal torment is obvious. The greek uses words like, "epiphanea"(epiphany:an inner revelation) -appearing AND parousia(presence;advent)-coming and another I can't remember right now meaning "bright-shining"

But Jesus most definitely spoke in historical terms of His coming at the end of the age, at which time also(imo)the "epiphanea"(inner revelation) of Himself will become universal. "Every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him".

At the present time that "ephiphanea" is already dawned in those who have seen His face through the portal of their hearts.

[micah7:9]

Who was and is and is to come. As Paul explained on Mars Hill, In Him we live and breathe and have our being.

However, imo this does not negate an actual historic second coming, "in the administration suitable to the completion of times", i.e. "the ages", Jesus was coming before the first coming, since "all things were created by Him.... and He is before all things and in Him all things hold together"(Col 1, Heb 1)

That the teaching surrounding the second coming has been corrupted in order to integrate with the teaching of eternal torment is obvious. The greek uses words like, "epiphanea"(epiphany:an inner revelation) -appearing AND parousia(presence;advent)-coming and another I can't remember right now meaning "bright-shining"

But Jesus most definitely spoke in historical terms of His coming at the end of the age, at which time also(imo)the "epiphanea"(inner revelation) of Himself will become universal. "Every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him".

At the present time that "ephiphanea" is already dawned in those who have seen His face through the portal of their hearts.

:dsunny:

[Seth]

I'm not sure if it's a parable in the traditional sense as it doesn't seem like a straight story to me. Maybe a string of parables all testifying the same thing? A parable usually sounds like an Aesop's fable, with a beginning, middle and end. But I definitely think it is symbolic.

[WhiteWings]

The more I am understanding the book of Revelation,with all of its symbols, I question, "Is the story actually a parable?"

Imo, parable uses earthly things, like a shepherd and sheep, to explain deeper things.
If you agree with that definition, a very large part of Revelation is a parable. The reason Revelation may not sound like a parable is because it uses terminology many don't know. But if you were a first century Jew like John (who was a priest according to Polycrates) you would see lots of Temple related rituals, scenery, etc in Revelation. But there is added complexity. Revelation ant the same time follows all the steps of an ancient wedding. It refers back to the whole history of mankind by linking the churches to Adam, Abraham etc.

On top of all of that, the whole 'story' is crammed with idioms. What is (bitter) water, sea, rivers, ships, trees, mountains.

To understand Revelation you must have good knowledge of Temple rituals, idioms and ancient customs. Then it's suddenly no longer a totally disconnected bunch of riddle verses....

:2c: :gimmefive:

[eaglesway]

I'm not sure if it's a parable in the traditional sense as it doesn't seem like a straight story to me. Maybe a string of parables all testifying the same thing? A parable usually sounds like an Aesop's fable, with a beginning, middle and end. But I definitely think it is symbolic.

I agree with that. Types, symbols, prophetic visions, metaphors, analogies, the pictograms of the Spirit of God.

[Cardinal]

 :cloud9: @ Micah.....John said he was in the temple on the Lord's day.....