My name is Rachel Obanubi. Welcome to my blog on Christianity and autism. I am a Christian and autistic. Main blog- https://www.racheltestimony.com

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Understanding what is litreal versus Symbolism allegorical in the Book of Revelations

 

Hi i everyone, I decided to write this post to try and help those of you who do not understand end times revelation to understand it. The main scripture in the Bible used for end times is Matthew 24. I have written a couple of brief posts about end times on my blog and one was about the Rapture and I will link to those two posts at the end of this post.

Some people struggle with the Book of Revelations. The Book of Revelations was a vision given by Jesus Christ to John about prophecy. Some people do not understand some portions of this book about what is symbolic, allegorical or litreal. I have selected those most likely to confuse people to untangle. This is agreed thought by those who understand. Hope this helps you to understand it more.

The 1st resurrection of Christ has been done (Revelations 20:40) and we await now the Rapture and then the 2nd resurrection and the second Coming of Christ to judge the earth and the second death.


Question-

Does John really eat the Book? (Revelation 10:9).

Answer-

This means that prophecy has been done and no one as told in Revelations eats a Book litreally.

Question-

Daughter of Blasphemy explain-Is this a literal woman or do they represent something different?

Answer-

The daughter of Blasphemy is not a literal woman but is a tool of Satan and is one of his devices that is used to infect the world with corruption and immorality which is judged as grievous to God. She is a symbolic figure. Look at the name she wears. It is made public and stamped on her forehead so there need be no misunderstanding concerning her true character. Her name is a compound one. First, she is “Mystery.” This indicates what has been kept or hidden and only those who have the mind of Christ can understand (Philippians 2:5). She should have stood for God and His truth but she stands for eternal wickedness. Second she is named Babylon the Great. The great system, in its worst condition just before the return of Christ. She is the culmination of all evil which we will arrive at.

Third, the last terminology is the most descriptive. “The mother of harlots and the abominations of the earth.” Her offspring is not better than she is. She is the mother of all systems and doctrines used by Satan to turn people from God. She is the parent of all that is morally loathsome. She is the Devil’s counterfeit of the true church. It is one vast system of evil. She proclaims error by corrupting truth which results in confusion. Paul represents them as being a chaste virgin (2 Corinthians 11:2). This harlot is therefore symbolic of an apostate religion. She is seductive and has made all nations drunk. She is appropriately characterised by idolatry and corruption. The true church needs to stand against this.

The above has been sought from my most detailed Bible which is out of print today.

Question-

Another one Jezebel isn't a single woman in (Revealation 2). It may appear it at first. She is though symbolic of the immorality of others in Revelations of how they undermine and cause immorality to men and women servants of God members of Christ. Your views?

Answer-

Jezebel: (Rev. 2:18-29) is the letter of Jesus to the church in Thyatira and this is where 'Jezebel' is mentioned. Thyatira was an important centre for trade and had powerful trade guilds, each being under the patronage of a pagan diety. The letter commends the church generally for their faith, service and endurance, but condemns their tolerance of 'Jezebel'. Now in the OT Jezebel was a Baal worshipper and sought to kill God's prophets. She enticed her husband King Ahab to idolatry mixed with worship of Yahweh.

So Jezebel generally represents idolatry, sexual immorality and unrepentence. I believe she isn't an actual person here but a representation of evil. 'Her children' would be those who indulge in idolatry and sexual immorality. Just as Jezebel in the OT was unwilling to repent, so these latter will also not repent and as such God will judge them harshly. This letter serves as a warning to all the churches not to tolerate these practices.

Question?

Marriage to the Lamb-(Revelations 19:7) Is anyone getting married for real, or does this symbolise something else?

Answer?

This is symbolic and let me explain and start with a scripture-

"Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God."

To explain this further- this is when a new moment has come for God's people. The lamb which is Christ-is pictured to come for his bride .Christ's bride is represented as being his people members of his church. He comes to take them to occupy the mansions in HIS Father's house (John 14: 1-3). Christ has symbolised his relationship to His people by the use of the marriage institution. In the New Earth it's occupants the people will be seen as the lamb's bride.

Question-

It would be helpful as many people are here to point out what is literal and symbolic in (Revelations 12)- the woman sent out who was pregnant-symbolic or literal to you?

Answer-

Moving on: The pregnant woman and the Dragon (Rev 12) - the woman represents Israel (relating to the OT concept of Israel as the wife of Yahweh), the Dragon is Satan. The 12 stars are the 12 tribes of Israel. This is first seen in Joseph's dream in (Genesis 37:9-11) where the Sun represents Jacob, later re-named by God as Israel. The vision of the woman about to give birth is the nation of Israel just prior to the birth of the Messiah. The 7 heads and 10 horns of the dragon represent the final form of the fourth Gentile world empire under Satan's authority.

The 7 diadems point to a concept of conquest. The dragon's tail sweeping down one third of the stars refers to one third of Heaven's angels falling with Satan. Satan tried to prevent the Messiah from surviving and fulfilling his destiny but as we know that failed and the child (Jesus) went on to fulfil that destiny and ascend to Heaven. The woman fleeing to the wilderness (Rev 12:6) represents the flight of the remnant of Israel into the wilderness mid-Trib where God will protect them for 3.5 years. Up to that time Satan persecutes Israel (which we can see today and over the history of the world). Verse 15 refers to a 'flood' which usually symbolises military invasion. This is yet to come.

Question

Two witnesses to you in (Revelations 11)-symbolic or literal to you?

Answer-

Two witnesses will be real people. Who they are exactly is open to speculation, some think Elijah, Moses or Enoch. Others think maybe people born at that time with a special annointing. Don't know! Their purpose is to witness to the Jewish people in Israel (mainly Jerusalem) and they will possess miraculous powers so they can't be killed or stopped till the appointed time (mid-Trib) when they will be killed. After 3 days they will be resurrected and ascend to Heaven, everyone will see it .


Question

Why to you was there not a Holy person enough to open the Book of Seals in Heaven or Earth. (Revelations 6). Interesting to hear your thoughts.

Answer-

Opening the scrolls - only Jesus was holy enough to do so because he is the only one without sin. None of us are, so no human could ever open the scrolls, only the Lamb can.

Question-

Do you think it will be difficult to have prayers answered towards the end as they say woe to pregnant women at this time and when it is in winter it will be difficult to live..The Abomination of Desolation
(Mark 13:14-23;  (Luke 21:20-24)

Answer-

The section in Matthew you are referring to (Matt 24:15-21) refers to the time immediately following the setting up of the Abomination of Desolation in the Temple (mid-Trib). The references to winter are connected to the climate of Israel. In winter the rainy season makes flash floods very likely and so escaping from Jerusalem will be much harder. Also being pregnant or with a baby would similarly be more difficult. Sabbath would also be harder as transport in Israel stops over Sabbath. I see Matthew's exhortation to pray as something that believers should do in those times to hopefully avoid winter and the Sabbath.
 

Question-

Who were the 24 elders seated on the thrones round about God thrones? How did they get into the heavenly court?

Answer-

How did they get to heaven a head of all of the rest of the redeemed of the earth? Matthew tells of a special group who were resurrected at the time. Christ arose after His death (Matthew 27; 50-53). Paul says Christ “ led captivity captive.” Ephesians 4.8. So it is possible the 24 elders were resurrected at the first time of Christ’s victory.

Question-Will God be Praised in reality for his judgements (Revelations 19: 1-6).

Answer-

God simply be praised for his judgements on earth and not judged in a case by his elders, but simply worshipped for being great. John pictures here those who escape God's wrath. He records them as singing a song triumph over Babylon and ascribing praise to him who has given the victory. In six verses the term Alleluia is used which means "Praise ye the Lord" God's people have reason for using this terminology. It is an expression of great joy. In the lives of his His people God has experienced as a present help.It speaks of salvation, the righteous judgements of God. God's greatness, and the fact that the time has arrived for the reign of God again for his people without Satan.

Question-How do you imagine yourself New Earth and the city New Jerusalem to be like?

Answer-For me New Jerusalem which will be the home for Jesus' people-his lamb will be spectacular. God the Father will remain the Creator and New Jerusalem will be a city in New Earth where people will live without sin and in close relationship with God again and they will see his face. Those who have suffered previously their faces will be lit up like light and they will seem radiant as they will be from sin-as did Moses face when he saw God and then removed his veil.

Question

How about UN as being a One world government (Matthew 24:14).

Answer-

One world government (Daniel 7:23-24),( Ezekiel 38:1- 39:16) - "The fourth beast shall be a fourth kingdom upon earth, which shall be diverse from all the kingdoms, and shall devour the whole earth, and tread it down, and break it in pieces'. Sounds fun! Currently we have an east-west axis of power but one day the eastern power will collapse with the fall of Russian forces and the destruction of Russia. This will open the way for a one world government. It could be connected to the UN, or maybe not, but it will take over the entire world.

Question-

Do you think we have antichrists out there now?

Answer-
Yes many antichrists are already present but THE Antichrist has yet to be seen - he may be alive already, we don't know.

Keep working in the field till he comes- "Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left."
" (Matthew 24:20).

https://www.racheltestimony.com/2014/06/the-book-of-revelations.html

https://www.racheltestimony.com/2025/08/yesterday-and-today-vision-of-church.html


Hope this can help you understand this more.

In loving service to Jesus Christ-