The First and Last of Revelation
Text: 1:1-3, 22:18-21
Revelation from start to finish is a very unusual book of the Bible, especially of the New Testament. It begins with a blessing upon all who read it and heed it and ends with a call and warning upon all who might tamper with its contents. So, what is this book about?
Very early in the churches history this book of Revelation became a source of struggle. Two early schools of thought formed the lines of distinction in how to interpret the book: Antioch and Alexandria held opposing views. Antioch saw this book as mainly symbolic and spiritualized much of the content taking a less literal view of its message. Alexandria saw this book as mainly a literal prophetic document and were among the first to expect Jesus to return to earth and reign 1000 years. Each school of thought had its arguments well lined out and carefully supported. All this struggle made many put this book into a class of less importance so that some even denied that it was inspired.
But this book always tends to resurface during times of great difficulty for the church. Somehow through its inspired imagery God speaks to the hearts of suffering Christians and gives them hope. When the church finds periods of peace, this same book tends to become less studied and less influential in the churches. Perhaps in this is found its purpose. God has given us a book whose message is like medicine for our faith in times of deepest affliction and darkness.
But, someone will object, what does the book mean? How are we supposed to interpret it? Of the many ways this book has been interpreted, there seems to be these major perspectives.
1. It was all fulfilled in the first century and its message is about the past. This is called the preterist view.
2. It is all about the very end of time and none of it has been fulfilled yet. This is the futuristic view.
3. It began to be fulfilled in the first century and will continue to find fulfillment until the judgment.
4. It was written during a time of intense persecution to encourage the early Christians but it has no real historical connections because it was not intended to have a literal fulfillment. It is merely a spiritual, symbolic expression of the struggle between good and evil.
5. Some other combination of the above.
I personally believe that the best way to interpret Revelation is to simply read it and pray for understanding and use the rest of scripture and perhaps what little historical information we can gather about the times and places mentioned within the book to help us.
It should give us pause to note that many great biblical scholars have studied this book and have decided that they do not know for sure how to interpret it. The ones that do the very best job giving us the most consistent interpretation understand the vast majority of the book of Revelation to have been written and fulfilled in the first century. The fall of Jerusalem in AD 70 and the Roman wars and Jewish opposition to the Church do find connections that fit the book. If this book is not about those things then as Clarke and others have basically told us, “No two biblical scholars can come up with the same understanding about it.” In fact, what tends to happen when people read the prophecy of Revelation and their newspapers, everyone finds parallels that fit! So what happens is that everyone who reads it tends to apply it to his own time.
While there are several orderly things in the book (the groups of seven churches, seals, trumpets, and bowls, etc.) there are so many things that are curiously confusing that Revelation can be compared to life. The only thing that gives meaning to our lives is the thing that gives meaning to the book of Revelation, Jesus Christ, through whom God is ultimately victorious over all enemies that arise against Christ, and we happily discover that those who remain faithful to him share that victory forever. There are things that God allows to happen in this world and in our lives that we may not understand. How do we deal with these things? Revelation has a message that gives us hope.
Many bible students and teachers have noted that the ultimate message of Revelation is this: Christians win! Therefore the ultimate lesson of the book is this: be faithful!
Perhaps this is the best way we can read Revelation today. I am convinced that this is part of God’s word and that the promise for a blessing on those who read and heed what is written within it calls us to do just that. As we embark on this study of the grand finale of the Bible, let us simply rely on God through study and prayer for wisdom and see what blessings he brings to us for taking him at his word.
I make absolutely no claims to have mastered this book, and in fact, that is not my intention as I study it. We are not the masters of God’s word, our goal should be for it to be the master of us.
Let me say a word about biblical prophecy as well. Prophecy from God is not just about foretelling the future so much as it is revealing the heart and will of God for us to live by.
Reading the prophets does indeed reveal things that God purposes for the future, but these things are often not clear. 1 Peter 1: 10 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful search and inquiry,
11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow.
12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven-- things into which angels long to look.
The proper perspective when reading prophecy is to discover things about God and what He wants us to do. Revelation 1: 3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.
Read and heed! Heeding is more about obeying than figuring out how everything will work out.
I believe we can read this book and ask God to show us what He wants us to see and learn from it what He would have us learn. In approaching the book this way we must remain humble and teachable throughout. If you come to some conclusion about the United Nations or Russia or something like that as you read Revelation, that’s ok, you won’t be the first or last to do so, but I would advise you to write out your perceptions and/or predictions in pencil and keep an eraser handy. You will probably need it.
What are some things we can be sure of as we read Revelation?
1. God wants us to read this. 1:3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.
God takes pleasure in blessing us. This is true from the very beginning of time. After God made man and woman he blessed them. God’s word is first of all a blessing. In it is guidance and protection, wisdom and strength. Psalm 19 says: 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; The commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the LORD are true; they are righteous altogether.
10 They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover, by them Thy servant is warned; In keeping them there is great reward.
Psa 1:1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night.
3 And he will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season, And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so, But they are like chaff which the wind drives away.
5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
6 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wicked will perish.
God desires to bless us and his blessing is found in his word. We need to read and heed it all, including the last book of the Bible.
2. God does not want us to tamper with it. 22:18 I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book; 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book.
No one can improve on the word of God. The law of the Lord is perfect. All we can do by making any changes to God’s word is bring a curse on ourselves and our children. This has been true since the beginning and still is at the very end of the Bible. When Satan tempted Eve he did so by adding the word NOT to God’s word. Satan said, “You will NOT surely die…,” but he lied.
When it comes to understanding the book of Revelation, we need to remember this. This book is not to be tampered with. Our interpretations must not be additions or subtractions from its message. God means what he says and says what he means and our first concern should be to listen and learn and seek his wisdom. We must walk humbly before him and let his word rule instead of our interpretations of it.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not upon your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will direct your paths.
May God’s grace keep us as we walk through this amazing grand finale of God’s word.
