Hi Saved by grace 2,
Who says Revelation is just about Jesus? Sure, there's Jesus stuff in there, but that book is wild! It's like a crazy dream with monsters and angels, all mixed with messages about the future. Some people, mostly Christians, see Jesus as the main character, the big hero coming back. That makes sense, right? But others see different meanings in the symbols. I remember going door to door and always had at the ready Revelations 21:4. Tip of the tongue and still think about it. (I know so many verses by heart and also commercials like Mr. Clean... )
I think the bible is open to interpretation, especially Revelations. I also was raised reading different versions of the bible and trying to grapple with the varied interpretations of some verses. (I have read a few versions but not my cup of tea. I like comparing verses but am happy to let AI do that for me)
I hope all is well.
You are correct Seeking Balance! THERE IS A WHOLE LOT OF Spectacular EVENTS, GOOD AND BAD, HAPPENING IN REVELATION!
As for Revelation, Revelation says that! Please read the scriptures in Revelation 1:1-2 AND the end of the book to show that Revelation starts with Jesus and ends with it.
If One understands that, then it is very easy to see Jesus as the One appears in White,(RIGHTEOUS LORD) with fire in his eyes, and a sword coming out of his Mouth ( THE ONE WHO WILL JUDGE ALL MANKIND) Who has the seven Stars in his hand ( THE CHURCH who then in the next few chapters admonishes HIS Church and warns them to repent of certain ungodly acts).
Then you find all creation bowing before the Throne of God and the LAMB that WAS SLAIN
Revelation 5:13-14
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:
“T
o him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
be praise and honor and glory and power,
for ever and ever!”
14 The four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshiped.
I could go on show that Jesus ( the Lamb) that was slain, is the only one worthy to open the scrolls that brings forth Judgement upon the earth.
Revelation 5:6-11
Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits[
a] of God sent out into all the earth. 7 He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign[
b] on the earth.”
I could point out that in Chapter 7, that all creation are bowing before the Throne of God and the Lamb again worshiping the Father and the Son
Revelation 7:9-17
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:
“
Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”
11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. T
hey fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying:
“Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!”
13 Then one of the elders asked me, “These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?”
14 I answered, “Sir, you know.”
And he said, “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore,
“they are before the throne of God
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne
will shelter them with his presence.
16 ‘Never again will they hunger;
never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them,’[
a]
nor any scorching heat.
17
For the Lamb at the center of the throne
will be their shepherd;
‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’[b]
‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’[
c
We can go on about Chapter 14 where the Lamb, seals protects the 144,000, which by the way are all those have been purchased by the Blood of the Lamb are redeemed from the earth.
And in CHapter 17 where Jesus (THE LAMB) is CALLED The KING of KINGS and the LORD of LORDS!! and rightfully so for he alone purchased those who would become the Firstfrutis of the Kingdom of God.
Rev. 17:
They will wage war against
the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.”
( These are The 144,000, the Church, the redeemed, as those who were purchased by the Blood of the Lamb!)
As for the BIBLE!! The THEME and the ultimate purpose of Genesis to Revelation is the Prophesy, point to, direct and Glorify the Son of God, who ( Before the Foundations of the world (according to scripture) was pre-planned ( predestined to be crucified) I DO NOT MEAN EVERY VERSE , Neither I nor any Christian is claiming that.
Revelation 13:8
And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him (Satan), whose names are NOT written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
This plan of God to provide salvation, and this salvation being available thru the Son of God coming to earth, taking on the form of a man, then dying for our sins was already established before God's creation ( mankind) would choose to reject God, and die (spiritually) per God's warning in
Genesis 2:17
But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it:
for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.
In Genesis, after the fall, Jesus Christ is already prophesied to come, when God pronounced judgement on the Serpent ( Satan)
Genesis 3:15
And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; (Jesus)
He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”
The woman can be easily understood as Israel, and even more specific Mary. The seed is Jesus Christ whom was also prophesied as being the seed that would fulfill the promise to Abraham.
Galatians 3:16
Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ.
But we also see the means by which God would provide forgiveness for mankind in
Genesis 3:21
Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.
Here is another theme from Genesis to Revelation.......A life given for a life. In (typology, and by means of creating a temporary means of forgiveness for man's sins, the sacrifice of an animal was temporarily established BY GOD and was acceptable to forgive man and give him a temporary and limited, but not eternal ,relationship with GOD. But every animal sacrifice was meant to point us ALL to the ONE TIME sacrifice Jesus would provide for ALL MANKIND. Therefore animal sacrifices are NO LONGER acceptable.
There now (Forever) is no need and no other way for us to be restored to the Father. For Jesus, The ONLY BEGOTTEN SON of the FATHER
WHo took on the form of a man, came as the LAMB who takes away the sins of the world, that any who would Confess Jesus as Lord and accept the sacrifice he made for us, Will be forgiven of sins, Declared Righteous, and brought into the Family and Kingdom of God.
John 1:12
But to as many as did receive
and welcome Him, He
(Jesus) gave the right [the authority, the privilege] to become children of God,
that is, to those who believe in (adhere to, trust in, and rely on) His name—
AKJV
