“Introduction To Revelation”

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

The book of Revelation has to be the most misunderstood and maltreated book of the entire Bible. Because of its highly figurative and fascinating nature the tendency has been for most people to take a very unbalanced approach to “The Apocalypse of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 1:1). Since it is so cryptic and difficult to understand, the one extreme is to avoid the book as much as humanly possible. On the opposite end of the spectrum, droves of people tend to base the entirety of their religious belief system on Revelation because it is so easy to manipulate the signs and symbols to suit their own views and desires.

In his “Truth Commentaries” publication on “Revelation” by the Guardian of Truth Foundation, Robert Harkrider quoted Homer Hailey as writing the following: “To the literalistic mind, lacking the power of imagination, Revelation will forever be a sealed book; to the speculative and visionary mind the book will provide fuel to inflame far-fetched assumptions and conjectures which totally miss the truth. But to the mind prepared by the rest of the Bible for reality in picture and action, impressions of truth will be made that give strength for victory in every conflict of life.” (“Revelation: An Introduction and Commentary” by Homer Hailey)

The book of Revelation is required reading for every serious Bible student (as is every other book of the Bible), even though some things are very difficult if not impossible to accurately interpret with absolute certainty. At the very least, concerning those very controversial verses and visions, we can correctly conclude what they DO NOT mean in order to rightly refute false doctrines and farfetched perspectives. When reading and interpreting Revelation it is important to give great consideration to the objective of the writer and the particular experience of the original recipients of the letter. The author wrote to encourage suffering Christians to faithfully endure the persecution of heathens and non-believers, not to send some encrypted messages 2,000 years into the future about the geo-political condition of the 21st century world, or even when the world would come to an end.

It is also of utmost importance when interpreting this book to consider the specific genre of literature in which it is included. Revelation is communicated in the “apocalyptic” style of writing. When the author wrote in the very first verse that Jesus “signified it by His angel to His servant John,” he indicated from the start that this letter was written in the figurative language of signs and symbols typical of “apocalyptic” literature. God employed this style of writing during times of intense persecution of His people, and it was designed to conceal its truths from the oppressors while revealing (the Greek word “apokalupsis” means “an unveiling”) its message of encouragement, strength and promise to those suffering for the sake of righteousness. The “apocalyptic style can also be found in other parts of the Bible including the books of Ezekiel (chapter 37), Daniel (chapters 7-12), Zechariah (chapter 14), and even in the Gospel accounts (Matthew 24).

Here is what Harkrider wrote about “How To Study Apocalyptic Literature” on pages lvii and lix of his introduction to Revelation:

“Revelation is sometimes described as God’s picture book because it is written in a specialized style of sings and symbols. One should read Revelation by first visualizing in his mind the scenes depicted, and thereby try to feel the emotions portrayed in the book. After this, determine the lessons that perceivably match the context. Many scenes in Revelation are portrayed in an exaggerated form, on a grand scale, in order to illustrate the cosmic war between God and Satan. But the point is clear that God is always finally victorious over all the forces Satan can muster.”

“Three Rules for Studying Apocalyptic Literature (1) Picture: Read the context; close your eyes and visualize the scenery described. If you do not see the picture, you will never understand the point. (2) Principle: After feeling the emotions depicted by the symbolic language, then analyze what point is intended. (3) Practice: Upon determining the principle lesson intended, then make the application first of all to those who originally received it and then determine its abiding lesson throughout the ages.”

The greatest preponderance of internal and external evidence suggests that the Apostle John wrote this letter around 95-96 A.D. during the Reign of Emperor Domitian, while banished to the prison Island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea (Revelation 1:9). This book is very prophetic in nature, but evidence also strongly indicates that the vast majority of the prophecies already found their fulfillment many centuries ago with the destruction of the Roman Empire because of its hostilities toward faithful disciples of Christ. Without question the prophecies of chapters 21-22 look forward to the consummation of the ages, and the eternal reward in heaven that awaits faithful children of God. But, all the seals and trumpets and bowls of wrath appear to represent God’s judgement being poured out upon the tormentor of His people: the Roman Empire.

God was letting His distressed, first-century saints know, as He also does all Christians of all ages, that the battles being fought on earth between the forces of righteousness and evil are actually being waged in heaven between God and Satan. The devil was attempting to destroy the church by using the Roman Empire to do his dirty-work. But, no matter how bleak things looked or what hardships His children may have been going through, if they remained faithful to the Lord to the very end they would receive the eternal crown of life (Revelation 2:10). We can rest assured that the same promise is made to us as well. No matter how bleak things may look on earth, “the King of kings and Lord of lords” will ultimately reign victorious (Revelation 17:14)!

One more critical point about proper interpretation of the book of Revelation, and also with all other highly figurative and symbolic sections of Holy Scripture: Always, but ALWAYS interpret the meaning of any vision or dream or word picture in light of what is clearly written in the rest of the Bible. Never, ever allow your interpretation of this or any other book to contradict the bedrock truths, commands and principles that constitute the “sound doctrine” of God’s word (1 Timothy 6:3-5)! Happy reading!!!

Please read Revelation 1:1-3 for tomorrow.

Have a blessed day!

-Louie Taylor

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