The Revelation of John, the final book of the Bible, is the single most misunderstood and perverted book in all of the sacred scriptures. Its purpose, background, and language is largely ignored in order to promote an agenda that has profited many in the religious and entertainment world billions of dollars. However, regardless of how profitable and widespread the errors taught from a confused outlook of Revelation, this book does not teach nor support the rapture, the war of Armageddon, the thousand year reign, or the earthly kingdom theories so popularly promoted by the fatal doctrine of dispensational premillenialism. Rather this book promotes a single message which is the victory of Christ and those who are in Christ. That essentially is it. Now, the reason most of the world is confused by the book and what it is realistically teaching is because of how it is written. The opening verse of the book reveals a significant truth about the remainder of the book:
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John” (Revelation 1:1).
Two things of significance from that verse come to mind. First, the word “Revelation.” It is not just the name of the book, but it is a description of what is written. The word originally was “apokalupsis” or “apocalypse,” as it is transliterated. This word literally means “something not concealed; an uncovering, a laying bare, making naked.” And as Winton stated: “The book uncovers (unveils) by the use of symbols, signs, imagery, and visions. It seeks to prepare the people for the persecutions that were then impending.” Well it might be asked, “why not just come out and say it rather than masking the words?” Apocalyptic language, when it was used throughout the Bible, was used for particular reasons. It protected the writer and readers from their enemies and it hid the message from those enemies, but revealed it clearly to those who loved the truth. Thus, the title of the book indicates its purpose of using a language that could not be interpreted literally because that would defy its very purpose. Then, second, the word “signified” indicates a similar point. The book is filled with signs and symbols that must be interpreted as such, not literal figures. So from the very outset, John explains what is about to be read so that his readers would know that its contents would have to be interpreted accordingly.
Christianity in Rome had practically turned into an outlawed religion. It was not the religion, necessarily, in and of itself, but rather the dedication of Christians to Christianity that made it that which was outlawed. Domitian, the ruler of Rome at the time, enjoyed being deified and worshiped, and because committed Christians refused to submit to his expectations, they were prone to persecutions of all degrees at any time. And these persecutions often resulted in deaths of the most brutal type. Thus, given the hostile environment in which first century Christians had to live and serve, many were tempted to give it up and compromise with Rome’s religious demands placed upon them. Because of such a mentality, John writes to encourage them not to give in, but to withstand because in the end, victory would be theirs’. As Johnny Ramsey wrote:
“Looking earnestly for a city with everlasting foundations (Hebrews 11:10) made life in the evil Roman Empire more bearable for loyal servants of Christ. If you had been a Christian in a prison cell in Rome in the last decade of the first century and realized that persecution and death hovered over you, would not a message of hope, comfort, and victory have been a blessing to your soul? Such a treatise is the brilliant closing refrain of Scripture known as Revelation.”
Generally speaking, the book of Revelation can be broken up into three sections that help in understanding its overall structure. First, in Revelation 1, John discusses things that had been seen . In that chapter, he refers to the power and authority of Jesus Christ to which they should submit to ensure their victory. Second, John refers to things that were currently occurring, specifically among seven congregations of Asia Minor, in Revelation 2-3. The churches in Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea each uniquely represent certain reactions to Rome’s demands at that time. And each congregations activities received a response by Christ to indicate His pleasure or displeasure with them. Then third, in Revelation 4-22, John expounds on things that were to be. Persecutions would persist and suffering would not subside, but ultimately the judgment would come and the righteous Savior would take His faithful home, to Heaven pictured by unspeakable beauty and glory.
The Bible is the song of redemption, and the book of Revelation serves as the final stanza of triumph. Sin will be vanquished, Satan will be defeated, and souls will be saved according to the divine promise. “Even so, come, Lord Jesus” (Revelation 22:20b).