Ok. I had to come here because I am a "seeker"...Now what I mean by this is that I had an encounter with God recently. No it wasn't a dramatic light where god spoke to me...It also wasn't a dream. It was simply a thought. I have a very hard time believing in God, but at the same time the whole "Big bang theory" dosen't make complete sense to me without believing in a creator. Bare with me please I hope I can thoroughly express my thoughts by typing them because I can't do it speaking. Basically what I'm trying to say is that there HAS TO BE A GOD. But what, who, why, where are the questions that I'm puzzled with. I've researched different religions but I have a hard time with organized religions because I'm too independant. I have no DISCIPLINE wich is exactly why I chose the username...lol. And I have a hard time believing what the bible says LITERALLY. I've never been a "by the book" type of person. Now I recently read "REVELATIONS" and I was completely confused. After much preaching from people of many different religion about how God is love. Then reading "REVELATIONS" I don't understand if it's all symbolic, literal, or if it's both and we are supposed to distinguish each.

With all do respect and I'll probably get banned for this, but after reading revelations I was left with. What is God? Is he love, or is he a shizophrenic, bipolar, lunatic? I have been researching revelations but I'm having such a hard time with it. And I can't go to local churches because I just don't trust organized religions. Can anybody help me here. :B

First I would share I began in a place quite similar to you. I really identify with your post. Don't sweat it:)

Second I would ask you if you have read Matthew, Mark, Luke and John yet?

Third this forum is a great place for you to ask stuff, but the post will be moved to another section for you, don't sweat it. ;)

Peace,
Joe

And... welcome!

I mostly asked my question because until I read the whole bible back to front a few times revelations was not very clear at all. There is lots of symbolic, some literal, some both, and the rest of the scriptures show it's context.

Not saying it is that clear for me now, as I do not profess to say I understand everything in it in fullness, and myself believe that is how it is written.

Jesus' words are much more clear for understanding our heavenly Father.

Peace,
Joe

Ok. I had to come here because I am a "seeker"...Now what I mean by this is that I had an encounter with God recently. No it wasn't a dramatic light where god spoke to me...It also wasn't a dream. It was simply a thought. I have a very hard time believing in God, but at the same time the whole "Big bang theory" dosen't make complete sense to me without believing in a creator. Bare with me please I hope I can thoroughly express my thoughts by typing them because I can't do it speaking. Basically what I'm trying to say is that there HAS TO BE A GOD. But what, who, why, where are the questions that I'm puzzled with. I've researched different religions but I have a hard time with organized religions because I'm too independant. I have no DISCIPLINE wich is exactly why I chose the username...lol. And I have a hard time believing what the bible says LITERALLY. I've never been a "by the book" type of person. Now I recently read "REVELATIONS" and I was completely confused. After much preaching from people of many different religion about how God is love. Then reading "REVELATIONS" I don't understand if it's all symbolic, literal, or if it's both and we are supposed to distinguish each.

With all do respect and I'll probably get banned for this, but after reading revelations I was left with. What is God? Is he love, or is he a shizophrenic, bipolar, lunatic? I have been researching revelations but I'm having such a hard time with it. And I can't go to local churches because I just don't trust organized religions. Can anybody help me here. :B

First of all, don't study Revelation. In order to understand Revelation you really should have a working knowledge of the Old Testament. You would do much better to read the book of John since he gives evidence of who God is, who Christ is, why Christ came and explains what Christ did.

Ok. I had to come here because I am a "seeker"...Now what I mean by this is that I had an encounter with God recently. No it wasn't a dramatic light where god spoke to me...It also wasn't a dream. It was simply a thought. I have a very hard time believing in God, but at the same time the whole "Big bang theory" dosen't make complete sense to me without believing in a creator. Bare with me please I hope I can thoroughly express my thoughts by typing them because I can't do it speaking. Basically what I'm trying to say is that there HAS TO BE A GOD. But what, who, why, where are the questions that I'm puzzled with. I've researched different religions but I have a hard time with organized religions because I'm too independant. I have no DISCIPLINE wich is exactly why I chose the username...lol. And I have a hard time believing what the bible says LITERALLY. I've never been a "by the book" type of person. Now I recently read "REVELATIONS" and I was completely confused. After much preaching from people of many different religion about how God is love. Then reading "REVELATIONS" I don't understand if it's all symbolic, literal, or if it's both and we are supposed to distinguish each.

With all do respect and I'll probably get banned for this, but after reading revelations I was left with. What is God? Is he love, or is he a shizophrenic, bipolar, lunatic? I have been researching revelations but I'm having such a hard time with it. And I can't go to local churches because I just don't trust organized religions. Can anybody help me here. :B

Butch is right, the gospel of John is a better place to start. However, for some reason the Lord seems to have led you to Revelation. I will help you here.

Let's start with the first chapter.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, who testified to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.

Okay, first let me introduce you to the players.

God: the creator and author of all creation. He is the source of all light and goodness. In order to find ultimate human fulfillment, one must find it in God. The Greeks call this "eudaimonea". John, the author of revelation calls this "life". What men are looking for is Life, with a capital 'L'. And John says that God sent his son to offer us that life.

Jesus: Jesus is a man who came from God to bring us this life. He voluntarily gave up his life on the cross so that through him, we might have this life. Having been reconciled to God we have access to the very thing that will bring us ultimate fulfillment and the defeat of death, which robs life of all meaning.

Christ: The anglicized version of the Greek word "christos", which literally means "anointed." To anoint someone is to put a little oil on a person's forehead with the finger. This was done to a new king, a new priest, or a new prophet to symbolize that the man being anointed has been dedicated to serve God. Jesus is called "the Christ" because first, he is the king of Israel, and by extenstion as God's advocate, he serves all three functions to us; that is, he is our king, our priest, and our prophet.

John: A disciple of Jesus who became one of his apostles. An apostle is an emissary who has been given the right and duty to relay the good news concerning Jesus and his free gift offer of life, fulfillment, and absence of death. This is why John refers to himself as a "bond-servant." He has freely dedicated his life to the spread of this good news.

word of God: another way to say "promise of God". When God gives his word, it means something. God's word is good because he never fails to bring about what he says he will do.

Blessing: While our culture likes to sensationalize the book of Revelation, and emphasize the many scary aspects of it, the actual reason for writing the book is to bring a blessing to those who read it. Rather than cause fear and trepidation in the heart, the book is supposed to bring encouragement and courage to those who read it.

If we jump to the end of the book we read that God will remove all tears from our eyes, heal all wounds, cure all sickness, and bring ultimate human fulfillment in a land where war and crime and hatred will no longer exist.

The fact that Jesus survived death is an encouragement to us too.

John, to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace, from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth . .

Revelation is written as an epistle, a personal letter, from John to seven churches in Asia. The letter is also from Jesus Christ himself.

who is, who was and who is to come: another way to say "God" with a focus on his eternal nature. He exists now, in our past, and in our future.

The seven spirits: another way to say "God" with an emphasis on his ability to bring life and truth in every way.

The faithful witness: The New Testament authors describe Jesus as God incarnate, God's advocate, God's exegisis, the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, the divine in bodily form. Jesus himself told his disciple Philip that "If you have seen me, you have seen the father." The idea behind all of these is that Jesus represents God to us in all of his attributes that concern his love, his righteousness, his goodness, and his grace. Jesus represents God with the highest fidelity. If you want to know God, look at Jesus.

Firstborn of the dead: In a patriarchal family the firstborn son is the second in command. Whatever the firstborn son says is what the father would say, especially if the firstborn son is faithful to the father. Jesus is the "firstborn" of the dead, not because he was the first to die, but because he is the one who will bring us all back to life.

The ruler of the kings of the earth: The New Testament understands that God will place Jesus over all other kings of the earth such that righteousness and goodness will win the day over the entire earth. All other powers and authorities will ultimately answer to him.

To Him who loves us and released us from our sins by His blood -- and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father -- to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

released us from our sins by his blood: Jesus bled and died on a Roman form of execution: the cross. He was an innocent man who died at the hands of his own kinsmen for political reasons. In essence, the Roman and Jewish authorities conspired to kill this innocent man because he was a threat to them. Ironically, the man they killed was the source of their salvation and redemption. Fortunately, God did not allow this man to remain in the grave. For his obedience, God gave Jesus the power and authority to forgive our sins and make a plea to God for our reconciliation.


Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.


Someday, this Jesus will return and everyone will see him. We will all face him.



Coming with the clouds: a reference back to a prophecy from the Old Testament book of Daniel, chapter 7, in which God the almighty crowns a "son of man" to be the ruler over all the earth.


Those who pierced him: execution on a cross involves a painful death in which the accused is placed on a cross of wood with nails driven through his hands and feet into the wood. It is a slow form of torture and death intended to intimidate the occupied peoples of Roman colonies. All of those who put him to death will have to face him again.



"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty."

Alpha and Omega: The first and last letters of the Greek Alphabet. Another way to describe God which puts the focus on his involvement in human affairs. His loving guidence shows up throughout human history, which has been orchestrated to the pinachal of human thriving at the end of history.

In these first eight verses of the book of Revelation we are introduced to the main players: God, Jesus Christ, and John. We are reminded of the purposes of God in creation and the central role Jesus plays in this project. We are given encouragement to know that our sins have been forgiven and that God intends to move us forward into our state of bliss at the end of time. The rest of the book will describe these events using symbolic language but the final outcome is clear. Jesus defeats Satan, death, and hades and establishes a place of human flourishing such as we have never seen, which will fulfill every hearts desire.

Hopefully this introduction helps. I want to submit this reply before I lose my connection.

Ok. I had to come here because I am a "seeker"...Now what I mean by this is that I had an encounter with God recently. No it wasn't a dramatic light where god spoke to me...It also wasn't a dream. It was simply a thought. I have a very hard time believing in God, but at the same time the whole "Big bang theory" dosen't make complete sense to me without believing in a creator. Bare with me please I hope I can thoroughly express my thoughts by typing them because I can't do it speaking. Basically what I'm trying to say is that there HAS TO BE A GOD. But what, who, why, where are the questions that I'm puzzled with. I've researched different religions but I have a hard time with organized religions because I'm too independant. I have no DISCIPLINE wich is exactly why I chose the username...lol. And I have a hard time believing what the bible says LITERALLY. I've never been a "by the book" type of person. Now I recently read "REVELATIONS" and I was completely confused. After much preaching from people of many different religion about how God is love. Then reading "REVELATIONS" I don't understand if it's all symbolic, literal, or if it's both and we are supposed to distinguish each.

With all do respect and I'll probably get banned for this, but after reading revelations I was left with. What is God? Is he love, or is he a shizophrenic, bipolar, lunatic? I have been researching revelations but I'm having such a hard time with it. And I can't go to local churches because I just don't trust organized religions. Can anybody help me here. :B

Hi, and welcome to the board!

I'm going to be perfectly honest with you here, and say that Revelation is probably not the best place to start reading the Bible. As you've seen, Revelation is littered with huge amounts of symbolism and there are lots of interpretations as to what that symbolism might mean.

You've drawn a good conclusion that there has to be a God of some description. The next step, of course, is to find more about God and find God himself, and a great way to do that is to find out more about the person of Jesus Christ. You can read all about Jesus in the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - the first four books in the New Testament).

When you say you don't trust "organised religions", is there a reason behind that? When I came to God I didn't trust organised religions either, and a lot of what we call religion simply gets in the way of our relationship with God (you'll see the Pharisees, the religious leaders of the day, get a lot of grief from Jesus as he tells them they've got it all wrong)

Hi there Discipline!

I would say not to start with Revelation. I remember trying to read it before I was a Christian, and it a) made no sense, and b) scared the socks off me. You do need to understand the OT texts for this to make sense ... it's a form of apocalyptic literature that follows it's own literary rules... not the easiest place to start. It's like if you were doing a degree in literature. You'd probably find the twentieth century novel easier to read than anglo saxon poetry.

There are texts in the Bible which are far easier to get a grip of than Revelation. I'd recommend the gospels (depending on your mindset - most people say start with John, but if you're literal minded I'd start with Mark, then maybe Luke, who is a great historian, and very much shows how Jesus was for the underdog.) There are also the letters - I'd start with the letters from James and Jude (two of Jesus's brothers) the letters from John (the longest surviving of His apostles, a witness to the crucifixion) then the letters of Peter before you get started on Paul.

So... here's a reading plan if you like.

Pick a letter, from the list above, read it, ask us some questions. I don't trust organised religion either, but fortunately for us, neither did Jesus. Examine the evidence first, and pray... ask God (even if it's an "are you real, if so please show me") to help you with your reading, and to reveal Himself to you.

Let me know where you're starting. Don't worry, my twelve year old son finished reading the whole bible through from start to finish last year, and by the time he got to Revelations he was picking up on things I'd missed out on.

You don't have to read it the way my son did, but do read it with support from other people. We're here to help. :D

Ok. I had to come here because I am a "seeker"...Now what I mean by this is that I had an encounter with God recently. No it wasn't a dramatic light where god spoke to me...It also wasn't a dream. It was simply a thought. I have a very hard time believing in God, but at the same time the whole "Big bang theory" dosen't make complete sense to me without believing in a creator. Bare with me please I hope I can thoroughly express my thoughts by typing them because I can't do it speaking. Basically what I'm trying to say is that there HAS TO BE A GOD. But what, who, why, where are the questions that I'm puzzled with. I've researched different religions but I have a hard time with organized religions because I'm too independant. I have no DISCIPLINE wich is exactly why I chose the username...lol. And I have a hard time believing what the bible says LITERALLY. I've never been a "by the book" type of person. Now I recently read "REVELATIONS" and I was completely confused. After much preaching from people of many different religion about how God is love. Then reading "REVELATIONS" I don't understand if it's all symbolic, literal, or if it's both and we are supposed to distinguish each.

With all do respect and I'll probably get banned for this, but after reading revelations I was left with. What is God? Is he love, or is he a shizophrenic, bipolar, lunatic? I have been researching revelations but I'm having such a hard time with it. And I can't go to local churches because I just don't trust organized religions. Can anybody help me here. :B

The day they ban someone for asking honest questions is the day they will lose a good portion of members. Don't worry about that. I don't think that will happen. They will move this item to the proper forum though.
I suggest you do follow walstib's advice and read the gospels. While you are reading them pray and ask God to reveal them to you. Ask him the same questions you have asked us. I will be praying he reveals his love to you.

Revlations is probably the best book to study when you start reading the bible. Only kidding. :lol: I agree with all my friends on this topic, you need the gospel message.

You need Jesus. Jesus existed before creation you know. He is God made flesh. He lived a sinless life, was crucified and buried, the Father raised him to life and that same opportunity is open to all of us.

You see non believers, who are genuine seekers, don't need the complexities of every book of the bible. All they need is to hear the gospel message (good news) and accept it. Many like listening to it, like the crowds who rushed to hear Jesus, but when he challenged them to take that step of faith, some turned back.

For now stay in the gospels, my favourite keeps changing, but as they are there to compliment eachother this doesn't matter. Perhaps my best at any time is the one speaking to my life situation at that time? Matthew is speaking to me most at present, though I studied John for the whole of last year and I'm reading Mark with my children.

The gospels are only 89 chapters in total, out of 1189 of the whole bible. My advice is spend the majority of your time in those 4 gospels, read them again and again. Look for the Real Jesus.

On Sunday nights I have been at a free church, running a series of talks on the real Jesus. Erase what people have told you, you've read in books, learned at school, or seen on tv/ films. Go afresh to those 4 gospels and ask God to real himself to you through Jesus Christ.

SofTy.

Hi and Welcome to the Board,

I just wanted to say that your not alone in your thinking and feelings...all of us struggle at times .. Its His Spirit that will lead you and guide you... He is Faithful..

and If you are seeking Him and wanting to Know about Him.. then its Because God the Father is 'drawing' you.. even if its just simple thoughts about Him... His Spirit is gently and patiently drawing you to Him.. God is patient and He will help you to understand.....

He wants you to 'know' Him.. God manifest in the flesh.. in the Person of Jesus the Christ.. Personally I'd recommend the Gospel accounts.. and esecially those chapters which testify of His Crucifixtion and Resurrection. Christ was crucifed for your sins and mine and the sins of the whole world. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life... He is Eternal Life.. The Power of God lies in the fact that Christ was Crucified... He was the Substitute, the Lamb Slain before the Foundation of the World. At the Cross you will find God's Mercy, His Grace, and Forgiveness... and His Love..

How much did He love you? He stretched out His Arms and said..
It is Finished... this is how much He loved you.. and He loves you today!

“There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus Christ" - B. Pascal(1623-1662)

I agree, start with the Gospel of John...but don't rush through it. Take your time and approach it without any preconceived notions if at all possible. In other words, try to let it speak directly to you without being filtered through the prejudices you have built up over the years.

Here are some somewhat cheesy but interesting clips addressing how the God of the Bible goes hand-in-hand with what we have learned through science.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfttQ24L-fY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHsCxT_oECE&feature=related

With all do respect and I'll probably get banned for this, but after reading revelations I was left with. What is God? Is he love, or is he a shizophrenic, bipolar, lunatic? I have been researching revelations but I'm having such a hard time with it. And I can't go to local churches because I just don't trust organized religions. Can anybody help me here. :B

...Is like having the fairest high school teacher giving you an open book test. But the book has 618 answers, and you need to learn it by memorization. The test lasts all the days of your life.
The teacher has your grade card to hand you after the test, but it's really a hall pass. If you complete the test, with a passing grade, you get to hang around. If not, you get sent away from school, and everywhere but school is hot and wormy.

Well, maybe not.

God wants you to know that He is to be worshiped. He wants you to know that it is worth your while to do so. But, He also wants you to realize that there will be tests to make you stronger. He wants you to win, but you are the ultimate determiner of your fate.

MT 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

IS 65:12 Therefore will I number you to the sword, and ye shall all bow down to the slaughter: because when I called, ye did not answer; when I spake, ye did not hear; but did evil before mine eyes, and did choose that wherein I delighted not.

ECCLES 3:1 To every [thing there is] a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
ECCLES 3:2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up [that which is] planted;
ECCLES 3:3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
ECCLES 3:4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
ECCLES 3:5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
ECCLES 3:6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
ECCLES 3:7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
ECCLES 3:8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.