1. Is Revelation literal or symbolic?
The key for understanding the Book of
Revelation is found at the front doorstep of the Book. Verse 1 says,
"The Revelation
... signified [Greek,
sema
—
a sign] by his angel unto his servant John."
Revelation is a book of signs, that is,
symbolic language.
No wonder, Jesus always spoke in parables!
(Matthew 13:34, 35) He was not talking about literal "wheat" or
"tares." Neither did Jesus speak to John in vision about literal beasts or
"locusts." Only once in awhile are the parables or the symbols of Revelation
translated.
"The waters
... are peoples."
(Rev. 17:15).
But outsiders will not otherwise understand
this symbol language (Mark 4:10-12).
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