Real Bad Theology: Revelation, pt 1

The Book of Revelation, the last book in the New Testament, is roughly 2,000 years old and highly symbolic. This makes it ripe for misuse. There are several really bad doctrines currently floating around that have roots in Revelation. Here’s an introduction to three. 

In part two of this post, we’ll look at why these misinterpretations are important for believers and non-believers alike.

AntiChrist 

The AntiChrist is a person/creature appearing on earth as a spiritual or political force as part of the End Time (the end of the created world).

PROBLEM: The term is often applied to the image of the "Beast of the Sea" or the "Beast of the Earth" (Revelation 13, often compared to Daniel 7). But the word "antiChrist" is not used in the Book of Revelation. Not once. Never. 

To find the term AntiChrist, you have to go to 1 John 2:18-23, where the term refers to individuals who have left the fold of believers. John goes on to call these people liars and deniers. And note ... there are many antiChrists.  

The connection between the people in 1 John and the beasts of Revelation is nonsensical. One refers to real people whom we know and used to share a religious bond, the other refers to a spiritual force/person who torments the faithful.

It's helpful to remember that "anti" in Greek means "against," not "opposite." So an anti-Christ is opposed to Christ, not some spiritual power opposite of Christ. [Unlike in Star Trek, where badly-named anti-matter is actually the opposite power from matter.]

The antiChrist discussed in Christian circles is not from the book of Revelation and is merely a boogyman. 

Rapture

The Rapture is when Christ will return to raise the faithful dead and "rapture" both them and living faithful to heaven. Back down earth the unfaithful are subjected to tribulations by Satan, who is unleashed to wreak havoc. Key passages: Revelation 4:1, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Daniel 6.

PROBLEM: The word rapture does not appear in the book of Revelation (actually, not in the New Testament at all in this sense). To put it sarcastically: tHe woRd "RAptUre" iS nOt In tHe BIblE. So much for being "Bible believers."

The doctrine takes one prophetic passage in 1 Thessalonians and reads it into the highly symbolic End Time scenes in Revelation. This is not a good way to read separate biblical letters by different authors with difference rhetorical goals. 

If the highly detailed book of Revelation wanted to spell out a specific rapture experience, there is plenty of opportunity. 

The Battle of Armageddon

At the end of the world a great, decisive battle between good and evil will take place. The battle or the place of the battle is called Armageddon. Key verse: Revelation 16:16; 19:11-21; 20:7-10.

PROBLEM: The term Armageddon is an Anglicization of the Hebrew har megiddo, which simply means Valley of Megiddo. Megiddo is an area in northern Israel. The term is geographic, not theological.

At the Battle of Megiddo, there is no battle. Armies assemble, but they don't fight. They don't end the world, and stuff happens afterward—so much for the end of the world.

There are two other battles at the end of Revelation, and those are not ever referred to as Armageddon. When people read the book, they often combine the gathering of the armies at Megiddo with those later, separate battles. 

Armageddon has taken on a fantastical life of its own, even in popular culture. But any connection to the gathering of armies at Megiddo Valley is dubious. 

Why is this even a thing?

In part two of this post, we’ll explore why these mis-readings have played an important role in the conservative church and even American culture.