Background
The Bible is the world’s most-published book with over 5 billion copies in circulation. It is made up of 66 books, divided into two parts: the Old Testament, with 39 books, and the New Testament, with 27 books. The last book of the Bible is Revelation, which is found in the New Testament. Revelation is in many ways the most enigmatic and controversial book of the Bible, for it contains prophecies that continue to perplex readers. It is written in symbolic language, but the message of Revelation is clear: God will ultimately triumph over all of creation’s enemies.
Understanding Revelation
Revelation is the only apocalyptic book in the New Testament and it is full of vivid images and descriptions. It is believed to have been written by the apostle John around 95 AD, and its main theme is a warning to the early church of the dangers of various forms of apostasy and worldliness. In Revelation, God has sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to test the faith of “those who dwell on the earth” and “judge all things” (Revelation 1:7). The writing of Revelation is interspersed with a series of visions and events that set the stage for the ultimate showdown between God and Satan.
Symbols and Imagery
The book of Revelation is full of symbols and imagery. A major symbol is the Lamb, which symbolizes Jesus Christ and His atoning work on the cross. Other symbols include a great dragon, a woman clothed in the sun, and a seven-headed beast. In the book, the four horsemen of the Apocalypse are representative of death, famine, pestilence and war. In addition, there are the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven bowls, all of which symbolize the events leading up to the last battle and Jesus Christ’s triumphant return.
Get Ready
The book of Revelation is ultimately a book of hope and encouragement. The author encourages readers to “keep yourselves in the love of God” (Revelation 14:12), and to “stand firm and you will win life” (2:3). A number of passages throughout the book of Revelation also call us to “get ready” for Jesus Christ’s return (1:3; 22:7, 12). Ultimately, Revelation’s main message is clear: God is in control and will eventually prevail over all of His enemies.
Interpretations
Interpretations of Revelation vary. Because of the variety of interpretations, some readers may be tempted to dismiss the book of Revelation as being too complex to understand. However, Revelation does not need to be approached with fear. Revelation invites us to approach its contents with reverence, faith, and humility, to study its meaning and message, and to ultimately understand that the future is in God’s hands.
Significance
Despite the difficult language and imagery, Revelation is filled with promises of hope, comfort, and assurance. It reminds us that God is sovereign and that our future is in His hands. Furthermore, it reminds us that no matter what our current circumstances may be, Jesus Christ is coming soon and His return will bring with it justice and peace to a world that is often filled with darkness and despair.
Eschatology
The study of the last book of the Bible, Revelation, is known as eschatology, which is the branch of theology that focuses on the study of “last things.” From a Christian perspective, eschatology is primarily concerned with the ultimate destiny of humanity and the world in view of the sacraments, teachings, and works of Jesus Christ. It delves into the events that will occur at Christ’s return and the end of time, such as the resurrection of the dead, the final judgment, and the establishment of the eternal kingdom of God.
Contextual Interpretation
In order to properly interpret Revelation, it is important to pay attention to the context in which it was written. While Revelation contains prophecy, prophecies did not always indicate specific future events in history. Instead, they often had moral, religious, and political applications that were relevant to the original hearers. Hence, it is important to pay attention to the social and political context of the original readers in order to better understand the symbolic messages contained in Revelation.
Genre
The book of Revelation differs from the other books of the Christian Bible in that it falls under a unique genre called “apocalyptic literature.” This type of literature uses symbolic language and imagery to portray a message, often of a moral and religious nature. The symbolism and imagery of Revelation can be interpreted in various ways, depending on the reader and her or his background and beliefs. The most important thing to remember is that Revelation is ultimately a book of hope, encouraging readers to stand firm in their faith and to remain faithful in the face of adversity.
Historical Context
In order to properly interpret Revelation, it is important to look at it in its historical context. The first century was a tumultuous time, with the Roman Empire actively persecuting and marginalizing the early Christian church. The book of Revelation was written directly to this Church, with the intent of offering comfort and hope to the readers in the midst of their suffering. As such, it is important to consider the original intended audience when studying Revelation, in order to gain a better understanding of its main themes, message, and meaning.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, Revelation is a book of last things and promises of ultimate hope and victory for humanity. Its imagery and symbolism should be interpreted in light of its historical context, in order to gain a better understanding of its ultimate message. As its last word to the Church, Revelation provides a reminder of God’s ultimate power and the victory that Christ will ultimately achieve. In this way, Revelation provides readers with a source of comfort and assurance in the midst of their struggles, no matter their current circumstance.
