Answered Scripture

There are so many opinions on the Bible, but one seems to get more attention than the others regarding understanding. Some diverse opinions and interpretations can vary from intimidating and misunderstood to historically significant and having prophetic significance. The variety of views stems partly from different ways of interpreting the book. Different approaches bring about different understandings.

Many people find Revelation to be a complicated and intimidating book, often due to its complex and symbolic language. Some are fascinated by its imagery and prophecies, leading to various interpretations about future events and the end times. Others see Revelation as a message of hope, particularly for those facing persecution, reminding them of God’s ultimate victory and the triumph of good over evil. Then there are the scholars who view it as a first-century apocalyptic message addressing the struggles of early Christians under Roman rule, while also recognizing its relevance for believers through history.

Four main approaches to interpreting the book are Preterist, Historicist, Futurist, and Idealist/Symbolic. The Preterist views Revelation as primarily fulfilled in the past, often focusing on events in the 1^st century, like the destruction of Jerusalem. The Historicist interprets Revelation as a symbolic roadmap of history from the time of the Messiah to the end of the Age. Futurists believe that the prophecies of Revelation mainly describe events yet to happen in the future, near the end of time. And finally, the Idealist/Symbolic view of Revelation as an allegory of the spiritual struggle between good and evil, with timeless principles applicable to all ages.

Revelation’s imagery has been adopted throughout history to interpret various conflicts and cultural movements, demonstrating its enduring influence. For example, during the American Civil War, both Union and Confederate supporters used Revelation’s imagery to describe their opposing sides.

Through this wide range of opinions, from those who find it challenging and mysterious to those who find it deeply encouraging and insightful, its symbolic language and prophetic themes have led to diverse interpretations and continue to be a subject of ongoing study and discussion. So, we are going to keep that trend going here. Can we know what the book means? Was it written to just scare people into being good? Will the things in it come true? It all boils down to the fact that Revelation is a little of everything, but mainly a warning for us today.

This is a profound subject, so I’m not sure how much I can cover in just one little blog post, so we will cut this into sections for future blogs. Some of the parts I want to cover are the seven churches, the horsemen, the seven seals, the great deception, the mark of the beast, the day of the Lord, the everlasting kingdom of God, etc., the list can go on and on and I’m sure my list will as I go through it.

But let’s get to what this opening blog is about, an introduction to the book and its warning. The overall message of Revelation is right from the book’s name. Revelation is the translation of the Greek word apocalypsis, which denotes an unveiling or uncovering. Within the name itself, it tells us that it was written to “reveal” something. But what is that message?

To simplify it as far as we can go, it promises that God will institute universal peace, prosperity, and cooperation over all the earth immediately after the return of Yahshua the Messiah. Well, you may say that’s not a warning, but that is not all. There will also be trying times before that. It reveals what will happen in the last days and what we should watch for and know.

This book spans three literary genres: the epistolary (of a literary work in the form of letters), the apocalyptic (describing the destruction of the world), and the prophetic (accurately describing or predicting what will happen in the future). If you wanted to relate it to a type of book we would read today, one could say it’s historical fiction, another would say military fiction, yet another would say it’s like reading a thriller, or adventure fiction.

So, where did it come from, and why is it in the Bible since it is written so differently from other books? Why all the symbolism?

The apocalyptic genre uses vivid imagery and symbolism to convey spiritual realities and future events. This symbolism allowed John to describe transcendent and spiritual experiences that were difficult to express in literal language. The visions John received were beyond ordinary human comprehension, requiring symbolic representation to convey their depth and intensity.

Many symbols in Revelation have roots in the Old Testament, particularly the prophetic books like Daniel. This connection to the Old Testament provides a framework for understanding the symbols and demonstrates the continuity of God’s plan throughout history. The symbolic language is not merely decorative; it points to more profound spiritual truths and the ultimate triumph of God’s kingdom. They reveal the inner reality of spiritual conflict and the final victory of good over evil.

Significant numbers were used extensively, especially seven, representing perfection according to numerology. For example, four signifies the world, six signifies imperfection, twelve is the number of Israel’s tribes or the apostles, one thousand is related to immensity, and so on. It also uses symbolic colors, metals, and garments. One would find it difficult and repulsive to visualize a lamb with seven horns and seven eyes; yet Yahshua the Messiah is described precisely in this way. John used these images to show the Messiah’s perfect (seven) power (horns) and knowledge (eyes). As you can see, this blog could go on forever, but we will stop with this introduction and some explanations concerning the symbolism that most seem to stumble upon when reading Revelation. Hope this brings some understanding, and we will delve more into this book in future blogs. Stay tuned!