It is the 21st Century Christians should discard the book of Revelation

[ippy]

That sounds like a pretty strong argument for LR's proposal. The book was written using symbolism we don't understand for people who were persecuted by an empire that no longer exists and who are, themselves, long dead. It seems to me that its only use now is for historians of the period.

I would have been a bit more blunt than you jp,  but I think your post about sums it up for me too, good one.

Regards ippy

[Dicky Underpants]

IO don't think NM ever preaches hellfire.

In fact, he does. There are numerous references in his posts to "The Lake of Fire" in Revelation, and he certainly believes that this is the fate of those who do not follow "righteous science" (yeah - your guess is as good as mine). In this he differs markedly from his friends the Jehovah's Witnesses, who believe that after final judgement the wrong'uns die a final death. This is perhaps their only redeeming feature. NM believes in some sort of continual existence in extremely unpleasant circumstances for the ones who don't measure up. 
Not sure what is the best approach to persuade someone who thinks they are a prophet of God that they are not. As has been suggested, leaving them to their own devices is probably best.

[Shaker]

Not sure what is the best approach to persuade someone who thinks they are a prophet of God that they are not. As has been suggested, leaving them to their own devices is probably best.

I quite agree. Others have said similarly. In which case: why are you still feeding this fool?

[Spud]

Revelation, which very nearly didn't make it into the Bible, is open to a myriad of interpretations, many of which are completely off the wall. They would be amusing if it wasn't for extreme Biblical literalists who use that book to bolster their crazy end time and hell fire threats.

The moderate Christians of my acquaintance don't buy Revelation at all, and share my thoughts on the topic.

What do posters on this forum think about ditching that book?

I could recommend a good series of talks on Revelation, but you have to pay to download it so instead I'll give you an example. When it says in Revelation 13 that a beast with 7 heads came out of the sea, remember that in Old Testament prophecy, the sea symbolizes the Gentile nations, and the land symbolizes the people of israel. The beast from the sea is a world empire: beasts from the sea in Daniel 7 represent the Babylonians, Persians and Greeks. So the book of revelation should definitely remain part of the Bible, as it clearly refers back to the old testament.

[Roses]

I could recommend a good series of talks on Revelation, but you have to pay to download it so instead I'll give you an example. When it says in Revelation 13 that a beast with 7 heads came out of the sea, remember that in Old Testament prophecy, the sea symbolizes the Gentile nations, and the land symbolizes the people of israel. The beast from the sea is a world empire: beasts from the sea in Daniel 7 represent the Babylonians, Persians and Greeks. So the book of revelation should definitely remain part of the Bible, as it clearly refers back to the old testament.

Yeh right. I reckon the author of that crazy book was as high as a kite when he wrote it.

[ippy]

I could recommend a good series of talks on Revelation, but you have to pay to download it so instead I'll give you an example. When it says in Revelation 13 that a beast with 7 heads came out of the sea, remember that in Old Testament prophecy, the sea symbolizes the Gentile nations, and the land symbolizes the people of israel. The beast from the sea is a world empire: beasts from the sea in Daniel 7 represent the Babylonians, Persians and Greeks. So the book of revelation should definitely remain part of the Bible, as it clearly refers back to the old testament.

I dare say if they knew about the South American Myahans someone would have found a way of including them too, how about the New Caledonians?

[Roses]

It's of no consequence to me if you all finish up in the fiery lake of sulphur...you will be quickly forgotten about, but those who make the effort to be saved in the accurate way Jesus taught us are like brothers and sisters to me and  will be eternally grateful to Almighty God's and Jesus Christ's righteous science...You could be one of that number...but it requires reading the Holy Bible.

NM certainly preaches the hell-fire garbage, this particular post of his gives the impression that daft scenario gives him a thrill. I wonder if he had one hand it a southerly position on his anatomy whilst he was typing it?

You know me Nearly Sane, I don't go round and round in circles with anyone. Your opinion is your opinion...I have qualified what I said and you don't accept it...shame, but there we go. Whilst we are debating a point about what causes suicide many people are hurting inside because of the mechanics I allude to...no one has the answers it seems, but I have offered an answer...avoid wasting our emotional strength because all advertising and all propaganda, all bullies and all evil intent uses the tactics mentioned here and only Jesus Christ fully understands this fact.


A truly SICK post. I am most concerned that someone who is considering suicide could be tipped over the edge if they read it. About five years ago a cousin of mine, who has mental health issues, was preached to by a hell-fire breathing Christian, two days later he attempted to take his own life. He told me his mental state was such that sermon drove him to it

[Anchorman]

Yeh right. I reckon the author of that crazy book was as high as a kite when he wrote it.

Then you are in all probability mistaken.
He wassimply writing in the style of apocalyptic wringings both in the Old Testament and in the Apacocrypha...Daniel, Joel, Ezekiel, Enoch, Baruch, etc.
Just because you don't employ that style or read authors who do, does not imply their state of mind in any way.

After all, many of the 'histories' we revere from Greco-Roman times were actually written in verse, rather than prose; again, a style we do not employ today - does that negate their value?

[Roses]

Then you are in all probability mistaken.
He wassimply writing in the style of apocalyptic wringings both in the Old Testament and in the Apacocrypha...Daniel, Joel, Ezekiel, Enoch, Baruch, etc.
Just because you don't employ that style or read authors who do, does not imply their state of mind in any way.

After all, many of the 'histories' we revere from Greco-Roman times were actually written in verse, rather than prose; again, a style we do not employ today - does that negate their value?

Whatever the case that book does a lot more harm than good in the hands of people like NM.

[Anchorman]

Whatever the case that book does a lot more harm than good in the hands of people like NM.

I suspect the Ladybird book of "How to do absolutely nothing" would be a serious danger in the aforementioned hands.

[SteveH]

If NM really believes that the unsaved suffer eternal torment, he'ds be remiss not to warn people of the danger they faced, would he not?

[Roses]

If NM really believes that the unsaved suffer eternal torment, he'ds be remiss not to warn people of the danger they faced, would he not?

Oh for pity's sake don't encourage him!

[SteveH]

Oh for pity's sake don't encourage him!

[ippy]

It's of no consequence to me if you all finish up in the fiery lake of sulphur...you will be quickly forgotten about, but those who make the effort to be saved in the accurate way Jesus taught us are like brothers and sisters to me and  will be eternally grateful to Almighty God's and Jesus Christ's righteous science...You could be one of that number...but it requires reading the Holy Bible.

NM certainly preaches the hell-fire garbage, this particular post of his gives the impression that daft scenario gives him a thrill. I wonder if he had one hand it a southerly position on his anatomy whilst he was typing it?

You know me Nearly Sane, I don't go round and round in circles with anyone. Your opinion is your opinion...I have qualified what I said and you don't accept it...shame, but there we go. Whilst we are debating a point about what causes suicide many people are hurting inside because of the mechanics I allude to...no one has the answers it seems, but I have offered an answer...avoid wasting our emotional strength because all advertising and all propaganda, all bullies and all evil intent uses the tactics mentioned here and only Jesus Christ fully understands this fact.


A truly SICK post. I am most concerned that someone who is considering suicide could be tipped over the edge if they read it. About five years ago a cousin of mine, who has mental health issues, was preached to by a hell-fire breathing Christian, two days later he attempted to take his own life. He told me his mental state was such that sermon drove him to it

Dorothy Rowe, the Ausie psychologist's views on religion will confirm the things you say in your post L R, religious belief causes loads of harm where people are made to feel guilt in loads of areas where guilt isn't needed or necessary.

Regards ippy