Thank you for the question on understanding of the Bible, “Has anyone read the Bible and made sense of it?”
Absolutely. There are atheists and theists who have read the Bible and understand the biblical text. The difference is that the atheists doesn’t believe the biblical text, but they understand what it is saying. One can read something and not believe it or one can read it and believe it.
The Scriptures reveal that God desires to reveal himself to the created Universe. In that revelation of himself, he desired to manifest his nature and beauty by what he created. God allowed sin to enter into the world so that the holiness and love of God can be seen by the angels and by mankind. It is out of his love for mankind that he set forth a plan of redemption otherwise all mankind will be condemned.
One can read Ephesians 1, Colossians 1, and Romans 8–11 about the plan of God. I hope this helps.
-Kingston