Problem: Critics of the Bible note that John writes of “the four corners of the earth” (Rev. 7:1). They argue that this demonstrates that the authors of Scripture believed in a flat earth. Is this the case?
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Problem: John speaks here of the “four corners of the earth,” which implies that the earth is square. But modern science teaches that it is round. Isn’t this a mistake in the Bible?
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Problem: Throughout the Gospels Christ is presented as merciful, healing the sick, blessing the poor, comforting the sorrowing, and forgiving sinners (cf. Luke 9:56; 19:10). But the Book of Revelation speaks of “the wrath of the Lamb” (6:16) and the judgment of Christ on the whole world (Rev. 19:11–15).
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Problem: In this prophecy, Jesus is depicted as a Lion, the king of beasts. This fits with the fact that He will come as King to reign over all the earth (Rev. 19–20). However, the main symbol of Christ in the Book of Revelation is the Lamb, mentioned some 27 times.
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Problem: Both Jesus (Lk. 23:34) and Stephen (Acts 7:60) prayed that their persecutors would be forgiven—not judged. Jesus himself taught, “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Mt. 5:44). How then could these believers pray for judgment, rather than forgiveness for their enemies?
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Problem: Who are these 24 elders? Humans or angels? There are two predominant views regarding the 24 elders:
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Problem: Jesus tells the church in Laodicea, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth” (Rev. 3:15-16). Christian preachers often claim that Jesus is speaking to the “pew sitter” here, who neither wants to live radically for God (i.e. “hot”) nor wants to walk away from God (i.e. “cold”). Is this the proper interpretation?
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Problem: John writes that Jesus was “the Beginning of the creation of God” (Rev. 3:14). Jehovah’s Witnesses claim that this means that Jesus was a created being, and therefore, not God.
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Problem: Jesus said, “Because you have kept the word of My perseverance, I also will keep you from the hour of testing, that hour which is about to come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth” (Rev. 3:10). Students of eschatology debate how this passage relates to the rapture. Is this descriptive of the pre-tribulational rapture or not?
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Problem: Jesus said, “He who overcomes will thus be clothed in white garments; and I will not erase his name from the book of life” (Rev. 3:5). Does this mean that believers can potentially lose their salvation?
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