I find it fascinating that the revelators use terms mentioned in the Book of Revelation specifically to describe the unholy trinity. Those terms are mystery, mark, and image: [. . .]
Did the revelators want to draw parallels between the two revelations?
It would appear that the general implication here is that TUB, being associated as a “revelation” and that “Book of Revelation” may have parallels, which may require a stretch in supposition in order to make this argument, if it even can be argued or debated?
In the explanation presented in TUB, regarding the “Book of Revelation” it has presented the author of this work as being John Zebedee, or at least as I read it, even though I thought otherwise in my studies of the “Book of Revelation” in my youth. It also presents information as to its current status regarding validity as it has been presented in text today.
(1555.6) 139:4.13 John was in prison several times and was banished to the Isle of Patmos for a period of four years until another emperor came to power in Rome. Had not John been tactful and sagacious, he would undoubtedly have been killed as was his more outspoken brother James. As the years passed, John, together with James the Lord’s brother, learned to practice wise conciliation when they appeared before the civil magistrates. They found that a “soft answer turns away wrath.” They also learned to represent the church as a “spiritual brotherhood devoted to the social service of mankind” rather than as “the kingdom of heaven.” They taught loving service rather than ruling power — kingdom and king.
(1555.7) 139:4.14 When in temporary exile on Patmos, John wrote the Book of Revelation, which you now have in greatly abridged and distorted form. This Book of Revelation contains the surviving fragments of a great revelation, large portions of which were lost, other portions of which were removed, subsequent to John’s writing. It is preserved in only fragmentary and adulterated form.
(1555.8) 139:4.15 John traveled much, labored incessantly, and after becoming bishop of the Asia churches, settled down at Ephesus. He directed his associate, Nathan, in the writing of the so-called “Gospel according to John,” at Ephesus, when he was ninety-nine years old. Of all the twelve apostles, John Zebedee eventually became the outstanding theologian. He died a natural death at Ephesus in A.D. 103 when he was one hundred and one years of age.
Based on the narrative above in (139:4.14) the “Book of Revelation” would seem to have been “a great revelation”, where it might be implied that that Book contained a great revelation within it from another source or that in itself was a great work of composition. Nevertheless, based on this information one would need to take this into account, when examining its current content. But putting aside what was “lost” or “removed” for now, and looking at what remains as having been “adulterated” or changed, possibly to make it less desirable, would also need to be taken into account in using it as a parallel, to even other narratives within the Bible or TUB.
Upon having read the narrative presented above, a few years ago, which presented itself in a different context, I was somewhat puzzled why it would be presented in the UB, where my extensive and detailed study of the “Book of Revelation” in prior years, should have been altered in any way, so not having read it for some time, I was compelled to read it again to see what was presented in TUB could have been referring too.
To my surprise, what I had originally studied, was truly “adulterated” as mentioned, but from my memory, could recall what was and is now, and how it changed and what was removed or lost, where what was removed is one thing but what was lost would have been the meaning behind that which was removed or changed as having possibly been lost through time. Thereby, having acquired a better understand of temporal mechanics, even as it is presented in TUB. The Urantia Book indicates several reasons why some persons have the ability to remember things which others do or cannot, but being able to remember has given me a different perspective on this subject. It would be difficult to present in detail if there is any kind of parallel between what has been introduced here without having an open mind to other possibilities first.
