The Book of Revelation is one of the most awe-inspiring books in the New Testament, with scenes of cosmic conflict and destruction. Yet, it is called the Revelation of Jesus Christ. As its opening verses indicate, the book is highly symbolic, which lends itself to different interpretations. It includes a recurring sequence of the number seven or multitudes thereof, which gives deep meaning to passages where it occurs. The content spans from before creation to the establishment of the eternal kingdom of God. It closes the circle started in Genesis, which mentions the loss of human access to the Tree of Life, by showing how we will regain access.
Authorship and Date
Tradition holds that John, the beloved apostle, authored the Book of Revelation. Revelation 1:9 states that John wrote it while in exile on Patmos. Many Church Fathers believed John, son of Zebedee, authored the book, though many contemporary scholars claim that it would be an assumption to make such a definite identification. To them, all we can know is that a Christian prophet named John was the author.
Revelation dates to the reign of Domitian (81-96 CE). The most commonly accepted date for the book is the mid-90s CE.
Historical Context
According to Revelation 1:9, John was a prisoner on the island of Patmos when he received the visions of Revelation, and God instructed him to record them (Revelation 1:11). During that time in history, Christians experienced severe persecution and John was likely the only surviving apostle. According to tradition, the other apostles had all been martyred by that time. John found himself in a prison colony on Patmos, a small island in the Aegean Sea, a short distance from the mainland.
The text reveals that God intended the recorded visions for the seven churches in Asia Minor (Revelation 1:11). Considering the symbolic nature of Revelation and the meaning of seven as a number associated with completeness, the seven churches mentioned in the text may represent Christianity throughout the ages.
Structure
Introduction (Revelation 1)
7 Churches (Revelation 2-3)
The throne room and the Lamb (Revelation 4-5)
7 Seals and opening of first 6 (Revelation 6)
The 144,000 and great multitude (Revelation 7)
7th Seals detailing first 6 Trumpets (Revelation 8-9)
The Little Scroll and two witnesses (Revelation 10-11)
The Dragon, the Beasts and the Sea of Glass (Revelation 12-14)
The 7 Plagues and the 7 Bowls (Revelation 15-16)
Babylon the Harlot (Revelation 17-18)
The Coming of the Lamb (Revelation 19)
The Millennium (Revelation 20)
The New Jerusalem (Revelation 21-22:5)
Epilogue (Revelation 22:6-22:21)
Main Themes
Steadfastness and perseverance
Much of Revelation deals with persecution. Several passages refer to those who persevered unto death, remaining true to their faith. Death is not a deterrent to them because they believe in the Resurrection. This principle of perseverance can be seen in Revelation 21:7, “The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be his God and he will be my son.”
The Final outcome
No matter the interpretive method the reader uses, Revelation points to a victorious outcome for all believers. Though this outcome is symbolic according to some methods, it inspires and gives hope to the reader. In the end, God wipes away all tears and establishes his eternal kingdom. Revelation reveals how Christ comes out victorious over the onslaught of Satan against him and his people. It shows how justice prevails in the end.
Key Passages
Revelation 1:1
“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John.”
Most Bibles call it the Revelation of John, which is a misnomer. It is the Revelation of Jesus Christ and shows his actions throughout history from the fall of the angels to the establishment of his Father’s kingdom.
Revelation 1:3
“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.”
Revelation is the only book in the Bible that expresses blessings to those who make its content known to others and to those who hear its content.
Revelation 5:2
“And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?’”
Revelation 5:9-10
“And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood, you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation, and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.’”
In Revelation 5:2, angels ask the question of who is worthy to take and open the scrolls. Four living creatures and the 24 elders answer the song with a couple of verses, declaring that the Lamb of God, Christ, is worthy to open the seven seals.
Revelation 12:7-8
“Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven.”
Revelation has a chiastic structure with the battle between Michael and his angels on the one hand, and Satan and his angels on the other, being the focal point of the book. It highlights the victory of good over evil.
Revelation 19:11-13
“Then I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness, he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God.”
Revelation 11 depicts the coming of Jesus with the heavenly host in tow, all mounted on white horses. The chapter is rich with symbolism of majesty, victory, and holiness while describing the destruction of the wicked.
Revelation 21:1
“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.’”
After the millennium and the final destruction of Satan, his minions, and the wicked, God recreates Heaven and Earth. The original language indicates that it is a renewing of the Earth to its original state, rather than a new creation ex-nihilo (out of nothing). It is not just the terrestrial and heavenly bodies that will be restored. The wiping away of tears represents the renewing of the saints emotionally and spiritually as they set aside the horrors, sadness, and pain that the former things have caused. It will never unsettle them again.
Revelation 22:1-2
“Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”
In Genesis 2, the Bible mentions the Tree of Life for the first time, and in the next chapter tells the story of how human access to the tree was lost. In the last chapter of Revelation, we see how access to the Tree of Life leads to the healing of the nations.
Contemporary Relevance
What the Book of Revelation means to the reader depends on the interpretive model used to make sense of the text. The four primary models used to read it result in four different meanings.
To the Idealists, Revelation encourages them to remain faithful and gives hope in times of trial. It assures the believer that, eventually, good will be victorious over evil.
To Preterists, Revelation provides insight into the experiences of early Christian communities under Roman rule. It shows the reliability of Biblical prophecy but reveals nothing to contemporary believers about their time or the future. All it provides are principles about remaining steadfast in the faith when facing similar challenges.
To Futurists, Revelation calls them to be ready for the imminent return of Christ. They see the imminence of that return in geopolitical events and natural disasters foretold in the prophecies.
To Historicists, Revelation shows how prophecy has been reliable in the past and has played out in events throughout history. That bolsters their faith in the elements of Revelation that have not yet occurred. It highlights the imminent return of Christ to destroy the Antichrist and his minions.
