Why would someone be scared of Revelations if it's fulfillment would bring peace?
666 WAR and then 777=Peace? >>>>>> These fanciful and contrived interpretations, however, are very different from what the Bible itself says about the mark of the beast, as we shall see in the following article. The Bible does reveal that those with the mark will experience God's wrath when he brings an end to the present system of things.(Revelation 14:9-11; 19:20) Understanding the meaning of 666, therefore, is much more than just solving an intriguing puzzle. Happily, Jehovah God, the very personification of love and the Source of spiritual light, has not kept his servants in the dark on this important matter.—2 Timothy 3:16; 1 John 1:5; 4:8.
WHAT is “Armageddon”? Simply put, the term applies to the condition or situation in which the rulers of the world are gathered in opposition to God and his Kingdom in the hands of Jesus Christ. In the Bible book of Revelation, the apostle John saw a vision in which the rulers gather together and take a stand against God in a figurative place called Armageddon.
The word “Armageddon” occurs only once in the Scriptures, yet as a modern metaphor, its use is widespread. From nuclear genocide to a computer virus, the word has been applied to disasters great and small. Several best-selling books have been based on the so-called end times, or period just before Armageddon. One series of novels on that theme has sold more than 60 million copies over the past ten years.
Some people fear Armageddon. They feel that terrorists, warmongering nations, or disasters beyond human control will lead to a global cataclysm, leaving the earth unable to support life. Others believe that at an appointed time, God himself will angrily destroy our planet and everything on it. These are indeed fearful prospects! But what is the correct understanding of “the war of the great day of God the Almighty” at Armageddon?—Revelation 16:14, 16.
Will the Earth Be Ruined?
Not all humans will be destroyed at Armageddon. How do we know that? The Bible assures us that “Jehovah knows how to deliver people of godly devotion out of trial, but to reserve unrighteous people for the day of judgment to be cut off.” (2 Peter 2:9) We can be confident, then, that God will keep his almighty power under perfect control. Only those who defy God’s sovereignty will face his wrath at Armageddon. There will be no inadvertent casualties.—Psalm 2:2, 9; Genesis 18:23, 25.
The Bible tells us that God will “bring to ruin those ruining the earth.” (Revelation 11:18) Clearly, then, Jehovah God’s purpose is not to destroy our planet. Instead, he will remove the wicked human society that opposes his rulership. This follows the pattern he set at the time of the Deluge of Noah’s day.—Genesis 6:11-14; 7:1; Matthew 24:37-39.
A “Fear-Inspiring Day”
Granted, a number of Bible prophecies of the coming destruction are alarming. For example, the prophet Joel spoke of “the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah.” (Joel 2:31) God’s arsenal includes snow, hail, earthquake, infectious disease, flooding downpour, rain of fire and sulfur, deadly confusion, lightning, and a flesh-rotting scourge.* (Job 38:22, 23; Ezekiel 38:14-23; Habakkuk 3:10, 11; Zechariah 14:12, 13) And the Bible graphically describes a time in which the dead will cover the surface of the earth, left either as manure or as food for the birds and other animals. (Jeremiah 25:33, 34; Ezekiel 39:17-20) Fright will grip God’s enemies during this war.—Revelation 6:16, 17.
Does this mean that obedient worshippers of the true God should be afraid of the astonishing events that will take place at Armageddon? By no means, for God’s servants on earth will not take part in this conflict. Moreover, they will be protected by Jehovah. Still, true worshippers will be awestruck by the fear-inspiring display of God’s power.—Psalm 37:34; Proverbs 3:25, 26.
Significantly, though, the apostle John was inspired to assure us: “Happy is anyone observing the words of the prophecy of this scroll,” including the warning about Armageddon. (Revelation 1:3; 22:7) Can one be happy meditating on Armageddon? How could this be?
God’s Call to Action
When a severe typhoon, or hurricane, is approaching, local authorities provide warnings for the protection of life. To ensure that everyone hears the alert, police might even be dispatched with warning systems or be sent from door to door. The purpose of all of this is, not to terrify people, but to help them to take lifesaving action. Discerning individuals receive the warning gladly, and those who respond positively are happy for having done so.
It is similar with God’s warning message about the imminent “storm wind” of Armageddon. (Proverbs 10:25) Jehovah has provided details about his war in his written Word. His desire is, not to terrify, but to give fair warning and lead people to repent and make a determined effort to serve him. (Zephaniah 2:2, 3; 2 Peter 3:9) Those who take such action will be blessed with survival. Hence, we need not fear God’s approaching war. Rather, we can face the future with confidence that “everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will get away safe.”—Joel 2:32.
"Happy is he who reads aloud and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and who observe the things written in it; for the appointed time is near." Rev. 1:3.
Back in the 1980's, the Australian Government purposed a national ID card. The professed 'Born Again' Christians believed it was the "mark of the Wild Beast" and jumped up and down and complained so much that the Government stopped the proposal.
If THAT was meant to be a fulfillment of prophesy, then why try to stop it? And of course you cannot stop Bible prophesy anyway so why did they protest?
Revelation is mostly figurative or symbolic. It shows in symbols what will happen during the time of the end. But you are right in saying that its fulfillment would bring peace, as can be seen from these beautiful verses toward the end of the book of Revelation:
Revelation 21:4,5 "And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away. And the One seated on the throne said: “Look! I am making all things new.” Also, he says: “Write, because these words are faithful and true.”
Revelation 22:17 "And the spirit and the bride keep on saying: “Come!” And let anyone hearing say: “Come!” And let anyone thirsting come; let anyone that wishes take life’s water free."
Ignorance. And I don't mean that in a derogatory way. It's simply a lack of understanding. The churches surely don't help any with their misinterpretations & false teachings of hellfire yada-yada.
Yet fortunately a lack of understanding is a problem that research & study easily solves. I love the book of Revelations after studying it deeper- it's quite fascinating. And I do not find fault at all in the fact that it requires such deep study due to much of it's symbolic nature- this serves to weed out who is willing to work to dig for the buried treasure of truth, & who is too lazy to look further than the surface & so misses out.
Actually one of my favorite scriptures is there- Revelations 21:3,4- "With that I heard a loud voice from the throne say: “Look! The tent of God is with mankind, and he will reside with them, and they will be his peoples. And God himself will be with them. And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore. The former things have passed away.”
Fear of the unknown. Churches do not teach the Kingdom of God so therefore the masses don't understand the end results of Armageddon and what will then take place. The earth will not be destroyed but will be inhabited by meek and righteous people. Heaven is limited to 144,000 who have been picked by Jehovah to rule with his son.
Revelations is not literal but figurative. I would be petrified if I saw those beasts and horsemen in person but they help us to understand a means to an end of a wicked system and an abundance if peace on this earth. The ushering in of Gods Kingdom at Daniel 2:44.