Sharon:
The book of Revelation is one of my favorite parts of the Bible. I know it can be confusing, but I believe it tells us exactly what’s going to happen in the end. It’s real. It’s coming. And it’s going to happen just like the Bible says.
Mike:
I believe it’s important too. But I think a lot of what’s written in Revelation is symbolic. It uses images and signs to show us deeper truths about God, good and evil, and what’s going on in the world—not just future events.
Sharon:
But John says he saw these things in a vision, and he was told to write them down. He even describes real numbers—like seven trumpets, four horsemen, the mark of the beast. That sounds very detailed. If it’s just symbols, why be so exact?
Mike:
Because symbols can be powerful when they’re clear. Think about the number seven—it shows up a lot in the Bible. It often means “complete” or “perfect.” I think the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls are showing how complete God’s plan is.
Sharon:
Maybe, but I think it’s more than a picture. I believe the events will actually happen. The moon will turn red. The stars will fall. The beasts will rise. It’s going to be scary for those who don’t believe in Jesus. But for believers, it’s a warning and a promise.
Mike:
I don’t disagree that it’s serious. I just think we have to remember that Revelation is full of visions and symbols. It’s like a dream. Have you ever had a dream that didn’t mean exactly what it showed?
Sharon:
Sure, but this isn’t just a dream. It’s God’s Word. He gave John this vision so we would be ready. We’re not supposed to explain it away. We’re supposed to take it to heart and believe it.
Mike:
I agree—it’s God’s Word, and we should take it seriously. But taking it seriously doesn’t always mean taking it literally. Jesus called Himself the Lamb, but He’s not a real lamb. That’s a symbol. Revelation calls Him the Lamb too, because He died for us.
Sharon:
That’s true. I know there are symbols, like the Lamb and the dragon. But I think the events those symbols point to are real. I think the dragon is Satan. The battles, the judgments, the return of Jesus—they’re all going to happen.
Mike:
I believe Jesus is coming back too. But I think some parts of Revelation are more about how God wins over evil, not just step-by-step news reports. The beasts, the woman, the numbers—they all could mean things that were already happening in John’s time.
Sharon:
But the mark of the beast? People say it could be a chip or something. That sounds future to me. We haven’t seen that yet, so it can’t be just something from back then.
Mike:
Yeah, a lot of people try to match those symbols to today’s technology. But I think the “mark” could mean loyalty. Like, are you choosing the world’s way or God’s way? It might not be a real tattoo or chip. It might be spiritual.
Sharon:
But it says you can’t buy or sell without it. That seems physical, not just spiritual. There has to be a real mark if people are being blocked from living.
Mike:
True, it could be physical. But back in John’s day, people had to say, “Caesar is Lord” or they couldn’t trade. Maybe that was the “mark” then. And maybe something like that will happen again. I’m not saying it’s not real—I’m just saying it could happen in more than one way.
Sharon:
I still believe it’s about the end times. The rapture, the tribulation, the thousand-year reign—all of that is coming. We need to be ready.
Mike:
We do need to be ready. I just wonder if some of the things we think are future might also be happening right now, in spiritual ways. Like the war in heaven, or the persecution of believers. That’s going on in many parts of the world.
Sharon:
Yes, but Revelation talks about a time of great trouble that the world has never seen. That hasn’t happened yet. And we haven’t seen the two witnesses or the rebuilt temple. There’s more coming.
Mike:
You’re probably right about that. But I think if we focus only on timelines, we might miss the bigger point. Revelation shows us that no matter how bad things get, God is still in charge. In the end, He wins. That truth matters every day—not just someday.
Sharon:
I agree, the message of victory is clear. Jesus defeats evil once and for all. But I also think the warnings are clear too. People need to know what’s coming so they can repent. That’s why the book was written.
Mike:
Absolutely. It’s a call to stay faithful. To trust Jesus even when things get scary. But I think the scary pictures—the earthquakes, the fire, the plagues—are there to wake us up, not to give us a list of future disasters to fear.
Sharon:
I think both are true. It is a warning, and it is a picture of what’s to come. And I believe we’ll see these things happen with our own eyes, maybe even in our lifetime.
Mike:
You could be right. And if you are, I’ll be ready, just like you. I just think we can read Revelation with two eyes—one that sees the symbols and one that watches the world.
Sharon:
That’s an interesting way to put it. I guess the real question is this: Are we living like Jesus is coming soon? Whether it’s tomorrow or a hundred years from now?
Mike:
Yes. That’s the heart of it. Live with hope. Stay faithful. Don’t get lost in fear or timelines. Revelation isn’t meant to scare believers—it’s meant to remind us that we’re on the winning side.
Sharon:
Amen. I guess we read it a little differently, but we both see the same ending. Jesus returns. Evil is destroyed. God’s people live with Him forever.
Mike:
Exactly. And maybe the details will surprise both of us. But the ending? It’s better than we can even imagine.
Sharon:
You’re right. No more tears, no more pain. Just being with God. That’s the part I hold on to the most.
Mike:
Me too. That’s why I don’t argue too much about how to read the beasts and bowls and trumpets. As long as I know where I’m going, I can trust God with the map.
Sharon:
Still, I’m going to keep reading it carefully. I think it’s a roadmap, and I want to know every sign along the way.
Mike:
And I’m going to keep reading it with wonder, because I think it shows us heaven’s view of earth. Both ways help us stay close to Jesus.
Sharon:
That’s true. And that’s what matters most.
Mike:
Yep. Whether it’s history written in advance or a vision full of symbols, it’s all pointing us to Him.
Sharon:
And that’s a journey worth taking—however it looks.
Mike:
Amen.