A Revelation to Patricia: Are We Creating Heaven or Hell?

The book of Revelation doesn't say what we've been taught it says. A Revelation to Patricia shares my revelation from reading the book that is the capstone of the Christian Bible, The Revelation to John. Don't miss the discussion and reflection questions that delve into each passage exploring what The Revelation to John really does and doesn't say and explaining how my interpretation more clearly reflects the message that John was actually sharing with his audience nearly 2000 years ago.

What is revealed to me when I read The Revelation to John is not threatening punishment, but beckoning us to change our lives to experience the promises for a better life with more happiness, better relationships, and more love. You will notice that in The Revelation to John, God is not active in any of the catastrophes that are described. God is drawing our attention to the Hell that we create for ourselves and one another, and God is showing us the way to end this Hell we create and instead create Heaven on Earth!

In the Gospels, we read that Jesus himself says plainly that the greatest commandment is to love God and love one another, and that everything else in God's message to us hinges on that commandment. So if anything in the Scriptures does not appear to hinge on that commandment, then we must be misunderstanding the Scripture. If we believe Jesus, we must interpret The Revelation to John in a way that hinges on loving God and loving one another as we love God.

Jesus' ministry is a call to repentance. God does not punish or threaten us; God guides our repentance. Repentance is not remorse or groveling; it is a change in mindset and behavior to change how we are treating one another. God keeps reaching out to us and never gives up on any of us. No matter what we have done in the past, each of us can learn to see the glory and wonder of living our lives the way Jesus revealed to us. Jesus asks us to love one another, to strengthen the ties of community and live as one family with all people near and far, to serve one another, witness to one another, and listen to one another.

God shows us the way to manifest the promises of a better life for ourselves and all people. When we share this message with one another and allow what has been revealed by this message to change how we live our lives, the change in our lives will be the greatest blessing we could ever receive!