No other book in the New Testament fascinates and yet puzzles today’s Christian reader like the last book of the Bible, the book of Revelation. Alan Johnson writes, “Indeed, it may well be that with the exception of the Gospels, the Apocalypse is the most profound and moving teaching on Christian doctrine and discipleship found anywhere in Holy Scripture.”
Revelation is one of a handful of books which belong to a group of literature known as “apocalyptic.” Revelation appears to be the earliest book to receive this genre label. In this writing the predictive element is dominant in the style. Symbols are often arbitrary and are usually left unexplained. Threads of this style of writing can be seen in the books of Daniel, Ezekiel, and Zechariah.
[su_pullquote align=”right”]Revelation is a unique book. It was written to people who liked to think and who liked symbolism. Readers were expected to hold pictures and concepts in mind as more thoughts were presented. For some readers the symbols in Revelation are made barriers to understanding instead of being a medium through which understanding was intended to come. There is a consistency that is vital in the use of the figures in the message of the book. Numbers, colors, time values, places, events, objects – all have concept that contribute to the whole picture.
Thomas Friskney, “Strength for Victory”[/su_pullquote]
Who Wrote the Book?
Perhaps because of its subject matter, quotes from Revelation present authoritative Scripture by many early Christian writers, including Epistle of Barnabas, Ignatius, and the Teaching of the Twelve, Justin Martyr says that “John, one of the Apostles of Christ, prophesied that those who believed in our Christ would dwell a thousand years in Jerusalem.” Other early attestation can be seen from Irenaeus, Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria and Origen.
Four times in the book the writer calls himself John (Revelation 1:1, 4, 9 and 22:8). Though he does not call himself an apostle, the humble spirit of a servant is not out of character with the New Testament author.
This author was in exile on the island of Patmos (Revelation 1:9). Early church fathers declare that it was John the Apostle who had been banished to the isle. Eusebius, an early church historian, says that the Apostle John was freed from this imprisonment after the death of the Emperor Domitian. Irenaeus says that John remained in Ephesus after his return until the time of his death during the reign of Trajan.
To Whom was the Book of Revelation Written?
The book appears to be written for the believers in seven churches in Asia Minor mentioned several times in its pages (Revelation 1:4, 1:10, 1:11, Revelation 2:1, 8, 12, 18, Revelation 3:1, 7, 14). It was no doubt also intended for neighboring churches in the region and beyond to the church as a whole. The churches in Colossae and Hierapolis had been destroyed by an earthquake since the last days of Paul’s life. Restoration and renovation efforts at the time is not known. There were other churches in this area including Troas and Miletus.
People speculate why these seven churches are singled out. Some find them representative of “eras” of church history, where most scholars always assume their own time is identified with the church of Laodecia. Mounce suggests that these seven churches were chosen because each had a specific relationship with the emperor worship of the times. This order just seems natural. The ancient roads of travel began at Ephesus and continued until finally arriving at Laodicea.
When was Revelation Written?
Linguistic scholars and theologians Westcott, Lightfoot, and Hort hold the book of Revelation was written about AD68 or 69. Two reasons are usually mentioned for the earlier dating. Some see the style and character of the Greek language as inferior, more simplistic than John’s gospel and epistles. This leads them to conclude Revelation was written first. Scholars also point out that in the book kings are mentioned, five already fallen, one was, one was to come, and finally an eighth would appear. The interpretation lead them to identify with the emperors of Rome. If the count begins with Julius Caesar, the book would be written during the time of Nero; if Caesar Augustus, the reign of Galba.
The majority of scholars like Swete, Milligan, Orr, Moffatt and Zahn hold to a much later date, placing it around AD96 or as late as 98. Banishment to the island of Patmos became a favorite sentence from Emperor Domitian who reigned from AD81 – 96. Historians indicate this was John’s fate two or three different times during this emperor’s reign.
What Messages Resonate in the Book?
The approach one uses to interpret the book of Revelation will often dictate the message one will receive from the book. Let’s make a couple of observations then talk about the main approaches to interpreting the book. The writing is called a “revelation of Jesus Christ.” The word means to expose completely what was formerly hidden or secret. It is a revelation of Jesus, a message He wants us to hear rather than a message about Him. It is the only time the word is used in writings by John, although it is used often in the vocabulary of other New Testament writers (Luke 2:32, Romans 16:25, Ephesians 3:5, 2 Thessalonians 1:7, 1 Peter 1:7, 13).
The message of the book was first given to its author, the Apostle John as he was banished to the island of Patmos. The message was “for the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.” John was a “brother and companion in suffering” (Revelation 1:9). How does the believer respond in the midst of suffering, especially if the suffering appears to be getting worse? Notice what John says about the message’s effect on believers. He writes, “Blessed is the one who reads these words, and blessed is the one who hears it and takes the message to heart” (Revelation 1:3). This message gives hope and blessing to the one who suffers.
Methods of Interpretation
There are several methods primarily used to understand the message of this book. Is it possible to look at Revelation and interpret it in a literal way? Many assume that something should be literal unless it cannot be taken literally. While most symbolic interpretations are indeed wrong, a literal interpretation in Revelation is most always wrong. Let’s look at four general ways of understanding the content in Revelation.
- The preteristic method holds the material in Revelation relates to the past. More specifically, they would view things as having taken place in John’s day. This is largely an approach taken officially by the Roman Catholic Church.
- The historical method, sometimes referred to as a dispensational method, sees fulfillment in times of church history. Each church is seen as an age or era of history.
- The futuristic method takes everything to refer sometime in the future, usually just before the second coming of Christ. Two inconsistencies almost always occur in this method, both dealing with literal and symbolic interpretation. Most who use this method take chapters one through three to refer to churches in the first century. They also see chapters four through nineteen as unfulfilled prophecy touching events during a literal 1000 year period of time. The futuristic method is popularized today in premillennialism. For more information on millennial views, follow this link.
- Finally, the prophetic-symbolic method approaches the material as applicable to all periods of time. The language of figures and images is permitted to shine through its symbols. The practical message sees victory for the overcomers of suffering and opposition. Ultimately destruction awaits sin and the enemies of God.
Old Testament Imagery
Revelation uses dozens of symbols, many finding their meaning from the Old Testament: eating scrolls, beasts, marks on the forehead, gold, thrones, sun, moon, stars, candlesticks, dragons, Balaam, Jezebel, Gog and Magog, Sodom, Egypt and Babylon. Simon Kistemaker writes, “The conclusion we must draw is that the numbers, images, and expressions of greatness must be interpreted as symbols that present the idea of totality, fullness, and perfection” (Simon J. Kistemaker, Revelation: Exposition of the Book of Revelation, p.16).
What Do People Say About Revelation?
Many leading Bible teachers make strong comments about the book of Revelation. Their words may encourage you to read the book.
The Book of Revelation is such a dream landscape that you can plug any major conflict into it.
Elaine Pagels
Many hidden truths are often unobserved, not invisible.
Matthew A. Petti
If God did not want us to understand the book of Revelation, He would not have given it to us at all.
Dwight L. Moody
Not for nothing has the book of Revelation been the favourite book of the Bible for Christians under oppression in our time. The “trumpet call to faith” inspires endurance in the kingdom of God living in the spirit of Christ’s bearing his cross and the power of his resurrection, and in the light of the revelation of the kingdom of glory at his coming.
George R. Beasley-Murray
This grand judgment on the sinfulness of humanity shows the seriousness with which God views sin – payment will be exacted from those not covered by the blood of Jesus Christ.
Charles Swindoll