The last book of the Bible is a fantastic journey into the future. Yet, many are fearful of wading into its depths.
I started a sermon series last Sunday evening through the book. My introductory message was a reminder to me that there is a special blessing to those who read, hear and keep the words of the prophecy.
Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand. (Revelation 1:3)
There are three concepts that will help you understand this great book of the Bible…
Revelation is an unveiling, not a mystery.
Far from being a mysterious, incomprehensible book, Revelation’s purpose is to reveal truth. The word ‘revelation’ describes something or someone formerly hidden, but now made visible. The real, central, message of Revelation can be understood without the help of any background knowledge drawn from beyond the limits of the Bible itself.
The book of Revelation isn’t hard to understand – it’s hard to believe. The main reason why so many have resorted to fanciful interpretations is that they have found the literal meaning of its prophecies difficult to accept and have tried to explain them on some less offensive basis.
Though there are many symbols and signs in the book that can lead to confusion, they are often explained somewhere else. For instance, twice in the opening chapter John talks about the ‘testimony of Jesus Christ’ (Rev. 1: 2, 9). Yet, according to Revelation 19:10, the ‘testimony of Jesus Christ’ is defined as the ‘spirit of prophecy. The ‘stars’ and ‘candlesticks’ of Rev. 1:12, 16 are explained in Rev. 1:20.
Revelation is from God, not John.
Though John may have written the book, the real author is none other than Jesus Christ. According to the first verse, it came from God, to the Son, to angels, to John, to us. No book in the Scriptures opens in such solemn terms; none makes so uncompromising a statement of its own direct inspiration.
Revelation is the only book of the New Testament claiming to come directly from Jesus. Few books of the Bible provide a more complete theology than that afforded by the book of Revelation. The objective is to reveal Jesus Christ as the glorified One in contrast to the Christ of the Gospels who was seen in humiliation and suffering.
Jesus appears in chapter 1 as the glorified, risen Savior. In chapters 2-3 He is Lord of the Church. In chapters 4-5 He is the Lamb of God. In chatters 6-11 He is the Judge of all mankind. In chapters 12-13 He is the miracle-born male child. In chapters 14-19 He is the coming King. In chapters 20-22 He is Lord of heaven and earth
Revelation is a prophecy, not a history.
There are 4 main views of Revelation:
Preterist – Believe that the events of Revelation were fulfilled in AD 70 with the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans.
Historist – View the Book of Revelation as an overview of church history, describing various times of persecution and tribulation. (7th day adventists)
Idealist – Interpet Revelation symbolically, as nonliteral depiction of the cosmic battle between God and the satanic forces of evil.
Futurist – Understand Revelation 4-22 as a prophetic account of actual future events, specifically focused on the end of this age. This view is the natural result of a straightforward reading of the book.
I follow the last view. I believe most of Revelation is prophecy. John was an eye-witness of future events yet to happen. Bible Prophecy is not to be relegated to the fringe of Christian thought. The purpose of Bible Prophecy is to authenticate the truthfulness and inspiration of the entire Bible. But it also has a practical purpose to speak ‘edification, encouragement, and comfort to men’ (1 Cor 14:3).
I hope you will read and study the Book of Revelation to bolster your faith in the truths of the Bible and encourage you to live a godly life in anticipation of the soon return of Jesus Christ.
The book of Revelation tells us that Jesus is coming again, how He is coming and what the condition of the world will be when He comes. The concept of our Lord’s soon return is emphasized 7 times in Revelation by the phrase ‘come quickly’ (1:1; 2:16; 3:11; 11:14; 22:7,12,20). This phrase refers to suddenly or shortly. The first meaning implies speed, as in an instant. It indicates a rapid-fire sequence of events. The second meaning implies in a short period of time, as in soon.
Get ready….. He’s coming!