How can I understand Revelation?
Introduction. The Book of Revelation presents some study challenges because of its very nature. Many approach the book without a good Bible foundation and are totally confused by its style. A number of false teachers easily pervert Revelation and mislead the untaught.
The design of revelation. John is the human element in the writing of Revelation (Rev. 1: 4). Christ, God, angels, and the Holy Spirit were also involved in the writing (Rev. 1: 1, 10; 3: 22). The book was originally written to the "seven churches of Asia" (1: 4)identified in verse eleven. While a percentage of Revelation is plain language, a portion of the book is figurative. Most of the message is now history and was "signified" or conveyed by signs (1: 1, 3). Jesus is often "signified" as a lamb (5: 6; 6: 1). Jesus is said to have "seven horns and seven eyes" (5: 6). A portion of the figurative is explained. The seven horns and seven eyes are the "seven Spirits of God" (5: 6). "Seven" is a number signifying perfection; hence, the perfect Holy Spirit (1: 4).
Figurative language must be compared to plain language. We know, for an example, Jesus is not an actual lamb in heaven when we compare Revelation 5: 6 with verses such as John 1: 36. Jesus is a lamb in that He is our sacrifice (see Heb. 9 and 1 Pet. 1: 18, 19).
In order to profitably study Revelation in any serious depth, one must have a good knowledge of the Bible in general. Many of the signs in Revelation can be better understood when one has studied the book of Daniel. However, the basic lesson of Revelation is that good shall triumph over evil. Seven times the book presents events leading to the end (the seven seals, 5: 1ff.). There are set-backs and temporary defeats, but ultimate victory is assured for God's people (Rev. 6-19).
The design of revelation. John is the human element in the writing of Revelation (Rev. 1: 4). Christ, God, angels, and the Holy Spirit were also involved in the writing (Rev. 1: 1, 10; 3: 22). The book was originally written to the "seven churches of Asia" (1: 4)identified in verse eleven. While a percentage of Revelation is plain language, a portion of the book is figurative. Most of the message is now history and was "signified" or conveyed by signs (1: 1, 3). Jesus is often "signified" as a lamb (5: 6; 6: 1). Jesus is said to have "seven horns and seven eyes" (5: 6). A portion of the figurative is explained. The seven horns and seven eyes are the "seven Spirits of God" (5: 6). "Seven" is a number signifying perfection; hence, the perfect Holy Spirit (1: 4).
Figurative language must be compared to plain language. We know, for an example, Jesus is not an actual lamb in heaven when we compare Revelation 5: 6 with verses such as John 1: 36. Jesus is a lamb in that He is our sacrifice (see Heb. 9 and 1 Pet. 1: 18, 19).
In order to profitably study Revelation in any serious depth, one must have a good knowledge of the Bible in general. Many of the signs in Revelation can be better understood when one has studied the book of Daniel. However, the basic lesson of Revelation is that good shall triumph over evil. Seven times the book presents events leading to the end (the seven seals, 5: 1ff.). There are set-backs and temporary defeats, but ultimate victory is assured for God's people (Rev. 6-19).