The last book of the Bible is the Book of Revelations authored by one John from Patmos, an island of Greece in the Aegean Sea. The book is unique in its style of presentation and also the material involved. The book brings together narratives about heaven, earth, and hell in a final battle between the forces of good versus the forces evil. Its characters and images appear to be real yet symbolic, spiritual yet material, and it is challenging to know which is which. This article and a few more to follow will review word for word the narrative of the text and raise important questions. As always readers are encouraged to comment and provide counter claims.
Chapter 1 001 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 002 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. 003 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. 004 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 005 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
COMMENT: First begotten son of the dead? And prince of the kings of the earth. Hmm, in another Book we are told he is not part of this world or system of things.
012 And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; 013 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. 014 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 015 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 016 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. 017 And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 018 I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death. 019 Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;
COMMENT: So cloths shoes, girdles etc are the dress code in heaven? And keys are also needed to enter places up there. Sounds very much like down here then. And this individual can open his mouth and a sword comes flying out? Hmm any machine guns or hand grenades? Or those are yet to be invented at the time this book was written?
020 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches.
Chapter 2
011 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. 012 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 013 I know thy works and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 014 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. 015 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
COMMENT: These are supposedly sinful ?cults? and groups at the time of the writing of this work. But we are told the message is timeless so how come we don?t hear specific other organization being mentioned for example Nazis, Ku Klux Klans, FOX News paranoia, Charles Manson, Communism etc or those were later additions beyond the scope of this narrative.
016 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 020 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 021 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 022 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 023 And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.
COMMENT: Very bold personality, actually bragging they will kill somebody. Very disgraceful indeed. And what does this have to do with people?s hearts? The Heart simply pumps blood, it has nothing to do with any human emotion or thinking process as previously believed by ancient peoples. Why not say the ?mind? or brain, why is this work encouraging ignorance and using false and discredited analogy?
Chapter 4
001 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter. 002 And immediately I was in the spirit; and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne.
COMMENT: How did you know that? 003 And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. 004 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.
COMMENT: Again, chairs, tables, white clothes, jewelry, doors etc all in heaven? Wow, and who made those, who washes those cloths, clean those chairs and tables etc? So will some be working there as janitors? Just a thought.
005 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 006 And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. 007 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. 008 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 009 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
COMMENT: So thunder and lightening in a heavenly abode? This author must certainly not have known that thunder and lightning are only present where clouds are present. This can be confirmed by visiting any desert in the world. So does it rain up there too? No clouds no thunder, none. And these beasts are apparently the pets of the one sitting on this crystal throne. As to whether these beasts had parents, mated and offspring of their own, I will leave for another time. And we have 24 people sitting around this individual on the throne. Ooooh kaaaay.
Chapter 5 001 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 002 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 003 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
COMMENT: Well we are in heaven now so how can anyone in earth be present to even answer this question and then attempt to open this document? And by the way what language was this book written in, and what alphabet was use used?
004 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 005 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. 006 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
COMMENT: What? A slaughtered lamb, like baby sheep? So where was the dripping blood and all, and no one was irked by this poor creature in that manner? And god has seven spirits? What? Hmm wow so what happened to the trinity? Now we have seven spirits in addition to our well known holy spirit?
007 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 008 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
COMMENT: So now musical instruments were also up there, as well as perfumes. Wow. And the perfumes in bottles are the prayers of saints? Now this is getting delusional.
009 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 010 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. 011 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; 012 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. 013 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. 014 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
COMMENT: So these beasts apparently also talk human language. And there and thousands and thousands of angels up there too. Wow. And what do they do specifically?
Chapter 6 001 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see. So the blood soaked slain lamb zombifies in heaven to open the seals of this book. 002 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer. 003 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say, Come and see. 004 And there went out another horse that was red: and power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth, and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a great sword. 005 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. 006 And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not the oil and the wine. 007 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. 008 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth. 009 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 010 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 011 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
COMMENT: White robes are worn in heaven? Why? And these servants can now rest for a little season. Seasons in heaven? Like winter, spring, harmattan etc? So there will be earth type weather up there too? But after that rest more killings are to take place.
012 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; 013 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.
COMMENT: All false statements. How can stars fall to earth? Stars are many million times bigger than the size of the earth so they cannot simply ?fall? here. And the sun becomes black? Like a black hole? No way it is not correct, our sun does not have the mass to become a black hole when it dies. It will become a white dwarf star. The moon became blood like in red? Maybe when our sun dies in 4 billion years but that will be due to the expansion the sun undergoes as it becomes a white dwarf star and in that scenario the sun cannot become a black hole. That is false.
014 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 015 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;
COMMENT: So if there are bondmen aka slaves why does this god simply not end slavery? So we are to expect slavery to continue to the end of the world? Does this personality have any ethics at all? Or is the vision because in the era it was written slavery and perpetual servitude was acceptable?
016 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 017 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
Chapter 7 001 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree.
COMMENT: No there are no four corners of the earth. The earth is a spheroid in shape like a ball, how can it have corners. This is the ranting of an uneducated and ignorant ancient person. Corners only occur on objects that have flat surfaces that intersect one another. Rubbish.
002 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 003 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. 004 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
COMMENTS: So 144,000 humans exclusively from Israel will be branded on their foreheads for some special assignment we will hear about soon. OK
009 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;
COMMENTS: Very False. This book is being narrated by an ancient Greek. Ancient Greeks did not know all the nations of the world so he is just imagining what he thinks as all nations, maybe the ones in Europe and the Middle East. For example at that time no European knew of the existence of Chinese people, Australian aborigines, native Americans or even San and Khoisan until after the 15th century. Remember Marco Polo, Vasco De Gama, Amerigo Vespucci, captain Cook, Christopher Columbus etc etc?
010 And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. 011 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, 014 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
COMMENTS: More white robes and now palm trees. Hmm well we ill see what special purpose is being arranged for some to be branded and others to wear white robes and hold palm leaves. This sounds a James Bond movie with palm trees symbolizing some sort of ?paradise?. So washing the robes in blood made them turn white, I see.
015 Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 016 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. 017 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
COMMENTS: No more hunger or thirst. Well hunger and thirst are no more in many parts of the world so what is special about this? No more tears. Now this is getting interesting. It appears the human condition and the challenges that go with it are being used to tell a story of a future where we will have all our hearts desire and much more, more food, more to drink, etc etc. Now no sun light on them nor any heat sounds quite weird. So sunlight and heat are bad? Without them any location in the physical world at least will be dark and cold from a human perspective.
Chapter 8 001 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. 002 And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. 003 And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. 004 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. 005 And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. 006 And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. 007 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. 008 And the second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; 009 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. 010 And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; 011 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter. 012 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise. 013 And I beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!
COMMENT: Amazing. So these beings gathered on the periphery of the earth in outer space and then threw down these objects which caused havoc on earth. It reminds us of Genesis where it was mentioned certain windows in heaven were opened and then water was released from up there to flood the whole world . This is simply baseless. We know how storms, rain volcanoes, earthquakes etc form and operate. None of them involves the intervention of beings standing around the outside of our planet and throwing things inside. Not true. Also it claims a star fell to earth and burned up the rivers. Very funny any star that collides with earth will destroy it to atoms, no star can fall and land on earth. Stars are several million times larger than the earth.
Chapter 9
001 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. 002 And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. 003 And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power. 004 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. 005 And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. 006 And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them. 007 And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. 008 And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the teeth of lions. 009 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle. 010 And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to hurt men five months. 011 And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.
COMMENT: So a star fell to earth and created a bottomless pit. Out of this pit came locusts the size of horses with human faces with long hair and wearing gold crowns, and had scorpion tails that were used to attack and sting the humans of non-Israeli descent left on earth, for five months, continuously tormenting and torturing them. And by the way these locusts had a king over them, and I am that locust king was speaking Hebrew right, Chinese or Twi?. Is this author on drugs?
012 One woe is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter. 013 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 014 Saying to the sixth angel which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the great river Euphrates. 015 And the four angels were loosed, which were prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay the third part of men. 016 And the number of the army of the horsemen were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them. 017 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone. 018 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. 019 For their power is in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt. 020 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: 021 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.
COMMENT: So now an army of 200,000 attacks these humans and kills one third of them using the fire and brimstone that came out of the mouths of the horses they were riding. And by the way these horses had the heads of lions. So at this point we shall pause to ask ourselves, is this work inspired by a living omnipotent creator being, or is it the ranting and ravings of drug induced lunatic? From the review so far the claims of divine inspiration are in serious question. To be continued kwabu ba ?August2010
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