Dear friends and readers,
One of the most poignant questions for Biblical scholars for the past 2,000 years is "Can the book of Revelation be understood; and is it a literal document"?
Before we go further, let's take a brief peek at the the author. The book was written by the Apostle John while he was imprisoned by the Romans. He was being held on the Greek Island of Patmos which is located in the Aegean sea off the West coast of Turkey and the continent of Asia.
It is believed John was being held in a cave on Patmos which is a location he verified himself in Revelation chapter 1 verse 9. Although a Greek Island, Rome had long since gobbled it up. The history of Patmos is difficult to nail down, but it is believed the Island has been continuously occupied since sometime after the earliest settlements were established by Noah's descendants.
Patmos is part of the Dodecanese Islands group and is relatively small. It measures a whopping 7.5 miles long and 6 miles wide and probably had several small settlements or towns devoted to harvesting grapes, olives and various other kinds of oils. The meaning of the name "PATMOS" is the source of long standing speculation. An 18th century scholar by the name of Alexander Cruden wrote that Patmos meant "I AM SQUEEZED TO PIECES" which would make sense since all the above mentioned varieties of fruit are squeezed to obtain their oils. Another version of the meaning of Patmos comes from Greek mythology and is believed to mean "to tread or walk". Supposedly, the mythical god of the sea Neptune was thought to have stepped ashore on Patmos.
If interested you can look this Island up on Google and view photographs including of an edifice containing what is believed to be Johns cave.
One way or another, John as an older man was stuck there against his will. Whiling away the hours, John was visited while he was "in the spirit" by the voice on an Angelic being. The verbiage leads us to believe it was the Lord Himself. John heard "a loud voice as of a trumpet" saying " I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, what you see (John---my emphasis added) write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: To Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea".
This document came to be known as the Biblical book of Revelation. It should be noted that although the author is listed as John, the revelations within the book were given to John by the Lord. In this context, the term revelation means to give or impart a "striking disclosure" of things previously not known. The commonly accepted date of this writing is A.D. 95. Since John was a young adult at the time of Jesus Resurrection from the dead (say 20---who knows for sure), that would mean that John was in his 90's while on Patmos.
One of the later followers of Christ was his half brother James who became a believer while witnessing the events of the Resurrection. He rose to eminence as the head of the church in Jerusalem. His nick name was "the man who had camel knees" due to his constant penchant for prayer. I can just imagine that all those who were present during the earth shaking events surrounding the Resurrection, we're men upon who's knees they often fell. At past 90, can you imagine how calloused must have been the knees of John, particularly since he was the last living Apostle and was chosen to write the final book of the Bible?
Two questions; 1). Is Revelation a literal document? There are those who like to read the Bible utilizing a metaphorical or allegorical system of interpretation. That means that anyone reading the Bible is free to attach whatever level of meaning they choose for a particular scripture. That often ends up with " I know that is what Jesus said but that is not what He meant"! How foolish is that? If we do not read the Bible as a literal document, why should we believe there is a God at all, because it is the Bible that tells us He exists.
No, the Bible, including every single book contained therein is literal. Second Timothy chapter 3 verses 16-17 tells us "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work". That's pretty clear don't you think?
But, there is something extremely scary written at the very end of the book of Revelation that should keep anyone awake at night who reads through the fallacy of allegorical interpretation; Chapter 22 verses 18-19. "For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God SHALL (my emphasis added---HE WILL DO WITHOUT DOUBT) take away his part from the book of life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book"!
Want to throw away your salvation? No? Then do not fool around with God's holy word. God means what He says and says what He means. Those are His words not mine.
This article is not meant to explain all that Revelation is. That would require an entire book to do so.
My purpose here is to give a very brief overview and explain why it was written in language that may seem difficult to understand.
Question #2. Why the confusing language? Obviously, the Lord is explaining things to John that will happen at the end of time just prior to and including the Lords second coming to this earth. He is telling John about things that any person in the first century could not possible understand or even have the vocabulary to describe.
How would John describe for example, modern weapons of war that will be utilized in the final battle of Armageddon, when all John has ever seen are horses and chariots, soldiers carrying shields, swords and lances? How would he with his limited vocabulary describe a tank, helicopter or bomb including what may well be nuclear? Chapter 1 verse 19 of Revelation makes it clear that John is seeing a vision and is instructed to write what he has "SEEN". How would you have done that by using terminology in usage at the time of the writing?
Revelation can be understood but in order to do so, the student of prophecy must first understand some basics;
1). Revelation contains major divisions which at first glance can seem to be confusing but in reality are not. This book contains references to things past (the Patmos vision chapter 1 verses 1-20)
2). Things present "the things which are" (the existing churches at that time, chapter 2 verse 1 through chapter 3 verse 22).
3). Things future "things which must take place after this" (events AFTER the church age ends chapters 4:1 through 22:5).
SPECIAL NOTE. One reason many believe in a pre tribulation rapture of the church (among many other things) is because the 7 churches of Revelation are described in chapters 1, 2 and 3. Chapter 4 describes what many Biblical scholars (including myself most strongly) believe to be a depiction of a heavenly scene including the church after Rapture. No where after chapter 4 is the church discussed again until the Bride of Christ is shown to John in chapter 19 and that is in the context of the marriage of the Lamb of God to His wife (the church) who has made herself ready. That is just before the second coming of Christ to this earth. Please do not confuse the Rapture with the marriage or wedding supper which are subsequent events.
A second extremely important requirement for understanding the book of Revelation is the study of the Biblical Prophets. I am always somewhat shocked when Christians tell me that the "Old Testament" is no longer important. It has somehow passed away and been replaced by the "New Testament". Not so, not even close!
The book of Amos chapter 3 verse 7 tells a tale that many in the church today have somehow missed; "Surely the Lord God does NOTHING, (capitals added for emphasis) unless He reveals His secrets to His servants the prophets". God does not want His followers left in the dark regarding their Biblical future. Having said that, the Bible is clear that we will not know the exact days or hours of coming events (Mark Chapter 13 and Matthew chapter 24) . But Jesus was also abundantly clear in Matthew chapter 16 that we (His followers) should be able to see and understand the "signs of the times".
The Biblical prophets and the study thereof are literally the key to the padlock of understanding on the door leading to comprehension of the book of Revelation. You simply cannot unravel these secrets without understanding what Daniel and Ezekiel and Jeremiah and Amos, and several others had to say. A daunting task to be sure. Perhaps that is why pastors world wide are always harping on reading the Bible?
Revelation in Spanish is rendered as the word "APOCALYPSE". That word means "A revelation (disclosure, unveiling) of a violent struggle in which evil is destroyed". After chapter 4 of Revelation, that is exactly what happens during the next 15 chapters leading up to the introduction of the Bride of Christ. An extremely violent struggle to destroy evil. I would like to make a point here. SOOOO many people seem to think this time period is one in which satan releases upon the earth and mankind all the violence of this end times book. Not so.
Chapter 5 of Revelation is a scene in heaven in which ONLY THE SLAIN LAMB OF GOD is found worthy to take a seven sealed scroll from the hand of God. Not satan. The Lamb then systematically releases six seals, seven trumpet judgments and seven bowl judgments. This will not be a fun time on earth. It is described in the Bible as the time of Jacob's trouble. Jeremiah the prophet chapter 30 verses 6-7. Jeremiah is speaking here in chapter 30 about the end times. The great tribulation, the day of the Lord. "Alas! For that day is great, so that none is like it; And it is the time of Jacob's trouble, but he shall be saved out of it. For it shall come to pass in that day, Says the Lord of Hosts, That I will break his yoke (of bondage, my emphasis added) from his neck, and will burst your bonds; Foreigners shall no more enslave them. But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their King, whom I will raise up for them".
David the King in this context is their Messiah, Jesus Christ who is from the tribe of Judah as was the original King David who's throne will someday be occupied by his descendant 2 Samuel 7:12-16 (speaking to the original King David) " When your days are fulfilled and you rest with your fathers, I will set up your seed (offspring) after you, who will come from your body, and I will establish His Kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of His Kingdom forever". As a side note, The house referred to above is not the next Temple the Jews will build. It is the millennial Temple described in Ezekiel chapter 40.
Who is Jacob? God was speaking to Moses at the scene of the burning bush in Exodus chapter 3 verse 6 "I Am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob". Matthew chapter 22 verse 32 (Jesus speaking to the Sadduces), "I Am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, the god of Jacob".
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob the fathers of the Hebrew people. JACOB was renamed by God Himself to the new name of ISRAEL. And from Jacob flowed the fathers of the twelve tribes if Israel.
The reason the final seven years, the tribulation, the time of wrath, the time of Jacob's trouble is scheduled someday to occur is for two reasons. 1). To once and for all, bring the nation of Israel and the Jewish people into right standing and full and complete fellowship with God. And to introduce them to their Messiah. 2). In this process the enemies of God (all who have not already embraced Jesus Christ as Lord and Messiah) will endure torment like never before in the history of the world culminating in their judgment. 3). Also during this time, millions more will accept Christ but the church has already been Raptured. Unfortunately many of these will forfeit their lives at the hands of the anti christ because of their new found faith. You can see a glimpse of these people listed as the martyred remnant in Revelation chapter 6 verses 9-11.
The church is not on the earth during this 7 year time period because the penalty for the sins of all who have embraced the Messiah, both Jew and Gentile, was paid in full by Messiah Himself on the cross at Calvary. The church is the Bride Of Christ.
Realizing that there is a lot of what appears to be symbolism and camouflaged language in the book of Revelation, it can through diligent study be understood. And it is fascinating to behold.
I have no illusions that this article will help unlock the door to Revelation. But I do hope it will inspire people to open their Bibles and read for the purpose of study. ALL the answers are there folks.
Have a great time,
God bless you all,
Pastor Rance.
P.S. If you have not already received Christ into your heart, it is easily done. Romans 10:9 "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved". Just say a prayer to God and ask him to enter your life. And while your at it both Jesus and John the Baptist said, "Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand".
