Beasts with 7 heads, and 10 horns coming out of the earth and sea. Water turning to blood. A dragon, multi colored horses. Armageddon, the Abyss, Death and Hades. 24 elders, 4 living creatures, myriads of angels, and a multitude of numbers to decipher. 666, 42 months, 7 churches, 4 horsemen, 1,000 years, just to name a few. And, by the way, the world as we know it is going to end soon! It sounds like a scene from the movie “Independence Day” doesn’t it? Can you imagine going to church and hearing your pastor read this letter to the congregation?
The book of Revelation, the last book of the New Testament, is probably the most read, most fascinating and most misunderstood book of the Bible. Admittedly, it is packed full of symbols, numbers, and future events that can quickly seem overwhelming to the reader. The sheer magnitude of its subject has mystified readers for 2000 years and been the source of conjecture as to the when, what, and how of the world’s future, our future, our children and grandchildren’s future.
For over 30 years of ministry, I have read, seen and participated in a plethora of studies, presentations, sermons and movies concerning some element of the book Revelation, many of which were complex, confusing, overwhelming and frightening at some level. The purpose of this study is to offer an interpretation of Revelation that is faithful to the Scripture, understandable and celebrates the ultimate and final victory of God and His people.
First Things First
Revelation is a Non-Fiction Audiobook- In verse 3 of the letter, the writer issues a blessing to the one who reads the book aloud and admonition for the hearers to take to heart what is read aloud because the time is near. The vast majority of the ancient world was illiterate. Only the nobility and the clergy could read and write. Hence, Revelation was designed to be read aloud by a narrator and heard by a congregation. In today’s world, it would be called an audiobook.
Type of Literature- The book is a vision composed in an Apocalyptic style of writing whose main purpose is to obfuscate the message with symbolic, encrypted language in order to maintain confidentiality from the ones persecuting the churches The word Revelation is a translation of the Greek word, "αποκαλυψις", which is transliterated, "Apocalupsis" which means to reveal something that was formerly hidden. In recent times, it is commonly used to mean the dramatic and violent conclusion to the world or an event, however, its basic meaning is a revelation of hidden things.
NOTE: Much of the imagery and meaning of Revelation is connected to the book of Daniel in the Old Testament which was written in a similar style and will be discussed as we go through John’s vision.
Background and Purpose- Revelation is primarily a call to worship the eternal, almighty triune God. It is designed to show in a vision what must soon take place by means of a circular letter of warning and encouragement sent to 7 Churches in Asia Minor written during a time of Jewish and Roman persecution in the final years of the first century. Again, it is written with encrypted language to be read aloud, in order to protect the confidentiality of the information shared.
The Author- His servant, John via His angel. (The identity of John will be discussed below)
Time of Writing- circa A.D 90, over 50 years since the resurrection of Christ. There are other views on the time of writing, but given the circumstances of the author and the letter, this date seems to be the most reasonable.
Place of Writing- Island of Patmos
1.9 “I, John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus."
Interpretation- The principle of interpretation adopted in this study will be based on the admonition of Martin Luther who said, “Scripture interprets scripture”. That is to say, it is wise to avoid interpreting Revelation in a vacuum ignoring other scriptural sources about the same subject. Preeminently, there are the words of Jesus concerning the last days recorded in the Gospel of St. Matthew, chapter 24. In addition, there are the writings of St. Paul, St. John, and St. Peter. Lastly, we will include references to Old Testament prophecy, especially that of Daniel. Our goal will be to present an interpretation that is clear and consistent with the rest of Scripture.
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