Question 1: Is the book of Revelation metaphorical or will all those things really happen?

I think this is an excellent question. Everybody wants to know what will happen when Christ returns. Will he come back before the tribulation or afterwards? Are there seven literal trumpets, bowls, and seals? The unfortunate thing is that these questions are hard to answer. In fact some of them may go unanswered until Christ actually returns. But the good news is that we do know a few things....

First, we know that John wrote the book as he is identified as its author in the book 4 times (Revelation 1:1,4,9; 22:8). John was discipled by Christ personally, thus making him a credible source because of that relationship.

Second, The book itself was probably written around the 94-96 A.D. So roughly 60 years after Christ's death on the cross. John wrote the book in exile on the Isle of Patmos.

Third, in all actuality the book was written to encourage the 7 seven churches (Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea) that are addressed because he, John, could no longer minister to them in person. John wanted to reassure the churches that God was in control and ultimately Sovereign. We need to receive this book the same way and be encouraged by this showing of the power of God.

Fourth, the book has a very clear structure. First are the things that have already been seen, then John writes about the things that are (to him), and then he writes about the things which are to come (the judgements of mankind). This clear structure shows that John wanted to make sure what he was saying was clear and not difficult to understand.

Fifth, every single one of the hundreds of prophecies in the Old Testament about Jesus Christ and His coming came true to the smallest and most miniscule detail. This tells us that the Bible takes prophecy seriously.

Finally, the Bible says that "all Scripture is God-breathed" in II Timothy and so we know that the stuff that was seen by John, all the judgments, the description of the throne room, the millenium, the Great White Throne Judgment, and what John describes as the rest of eternity, he actually saw and that what John says will happen. Not only will they happen as the Bible prophesied, it will be even better than how John describes the Throne Room of God or spending eternity in the presence of the Almighty God. This, in my opinion, is not a metaphorical book by any means. I have not found anything in the book to suggest otherwise. However, some have suggested that its structure is metaphorical (i.e. there aren't actually 7 seals, bowls, or trumpets), but no one disputes that the facts and events that are prophesied will take place. I personally believe that everything that is written in this book will happen. Every word of it. It is also my opinion that there are 7 literal bowls, 7 literal seals, and 7 literal trumpets. If they didn't exist why would John write about them? Know that God will Judge this earth and its inhabitants. Be sure of that fact. We will ALL stand before the throne of God and if our name isn't in the Book of Life than we will surely spend eternity in Hell.

So check yourself today, have you accepted Christ as your Lord and Saviour? Are you living like you have? Are you ready to answer for yourself and your actions to God Himself?

If you are curious about the Bible or just want to read it check out this link to an online Bible that is a really great tool for me and others so check it out and glance over its pages.

http://bible.logos.com