The Book of Revelation

T he Book of Revelation by Jeremy Thornton “He which testi_eth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.”

(Revelation 22:20) As we have looked at the previous sixty-_ve books of the Bible, we turn our attention to the book of Revelation. The book of Revelation may be one of the most misunderstood and misread books of all the Bible. There has been a multiplicity of false teaching of this book that has come from those that fail to “rightly divide the word of truth” (2 Tim.

2:15). Why is this book neglected by students of God’s Word? Why is there so much false teaching that stems from this book? Why is there so many schools of thought of what this book teaches (as with all the other books of the Bible)? May we look at this great book given to us and attempt to better understand it.

There is no doubt that when a Christian refuse to live like the world they will begin to face persecution from the world. Peter wrote that when a Christian faces persecution they should not be ashamed but glorify God through the persecution (1 Peter 4:16). Jude reminds each Christian that we should earnestly contend for the faith (Jude 3) even in the face of persecution. Paul encouraged Timothy to preach the Word because false teachers would come and pervert the Gospel. As Jesus was preparing His apostles for the time He would leave them, ascending into heaven to sit on His throne at the right hand of God, He warned them that the world would hate them (John 15:17ff.) but He gives them comfort by assuring them that He has overcome the world (John 16:33). As we read the book of Revelation, we are reading a letter of encouragement that has been delivered from God to the Christians that were living in a present state of persecution. As we read this letter, we read God’s comforting reassurance that if we continue to be faithful, regardless of what we may face, we will receive the eternal rewards of heaven.

The book of Revelation is the words of Jesus Christ, words coming from God, and given to John (1:1). The original audience of this letter was the seven churches of Asia (1:4), but the contents of this letter applies to all Christians throughout the ages. The purpose of the writing of this book was to encourage Christians to be faithful, but also to warn them of the onslaughts of Satan. John wrote Revelation about AD 95, during the reign of the Roman emperor Titus Flavius Domitian. The emperor had demanded that he be worshipped as “Lord and God,” and the refusal of the Christians to obey his edict led to severe persecution. Tradition says that it was Domitian who sent John to the Isle of Patmos, a Roman penal colony off the coast of Asia Minor.

Perhaps one of the difficulties in understanding the book of Revelation is the misunderstanding of the apocalyptic language.

The apocalyptic language makes the message more real and vivid. Through apocalyptic language God would make known to man what had not been previously revealed.

God expects man to be uplifted, strengthened, exhorted, and comforted by its understandable, dependable message.

The inspired apocalyptic language came to man from God (Rev. 1:1-2) and pinned by man (John). Apocalyptic language contains elements of both prophecy and apocalyptic language.

Apocalyptic writings involve dreams, visions, and signs, assuring God’s people that He and His children will triumph over the forces of evil; figurative language is widely used, leading possibly to more confusion and difficulty in interpretation. The person seeking to understand apocalyptic writing is assisted by an investigation into what occasioned its production under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Characteristics of apocalyptic language: 1. It he was from God 2. It was characterized by symbols 3.

Apocalypses are characterized by a conflict, a struggle between God and Christ on the one hand and Satan on the other… 4. Apocalyptic scenes are constantly and abruptly changing (the real and surreal mixed together) 5. The apocalypses were revealed by supernatural means but are real 6. Apocalyptic writing looked into the future when God would intervene on behalf of His people, often even including the general resurrection of the dead, the judgment, and the reward of the righteous and the wicked. The test of a prophet is “did their prophecies come to pass” 7. Biblical apocalyptic has a moral urgency, a demand for repentance and for reformation of life in preparation for judgment 8. The sovereign God of heaven always protects His people and comforts them and triumphs over His enemies (it can be no other way).

Johnny Ramsey wrote, in his book “Cover to Cover,”: “the book of Revelation speaks of the hope we have as Christians. The victory that overcomes the world is our faith (1 John 5:4). Jesus promised the crown of life (Rev. 2:10) if we but overcome Satan, self and sin (Rev. 3:21).

In the midst of shame and sorrow we can die in the Lord (Rev. 14:13) and partake one day of the tree of life in the garden of God (Rev. 22:14). Paul summed it up well in 2 Corinthians 5:1- “For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” (2 Corinthians 5:1) Let us truly press on to glory as we allow the Lord to control our lives (Phil.

1:21). The honor of serving Christ is our greatest blessing.”

Also found within the book of Revelation is seven Beatitudes (“states of blessings”). 1. Revelation 1:3, “Blessed is he that readeth and those that hear” 2. Revelation 14:13; “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord” 3.

Revelation 16:15; “Blessed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments” 4.

Revelation 19:9; “Blessed are they who are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb” 5. Revelation 20:6; “Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection” 6.

Revelation 22:7; “Blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book” 7. Revelation 22:14; “Blessed are they that do His commandments.”

Revelation speaks of the victory that we have in Jesus Christ. As we continue to study this great book may we always remember the victory given to us through Jesus and continue to be faithful regardless of what we may face in this world!

Jeremy Thornton is minister of Highway 77 Church of Christ.

Jeremy Thornton