by Jonathan Bennett
While working in a gas station a customer made a purchase totaling six dollars, sixty-six cents.
The customer quickly grabbed something else to change the total. Why should the total at checkout
cause someone so much distress? Should a number hold that much power over us?
The lack of understanding and misconception applied to the book of Revelation has caused
a great amount of fear. Can’t this be said for many things in life? We fear what we do not
understand. However, a true understanding of Revelation should stir up faith and confidence.
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His servants, the things
which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His servant John…”
(Rev. 1:1). The writer is identified as John, and traditionally this is implied as the apostle John.
The Revelation of Jesus Christ is a significance of Christ’s victory over Satan and His promise to
the saints.
Revelation is a book filled with symbolism. We can see this in the first verse, given that the
word used (communicated) is word “signified.” This is a style of writing, often referred to as
apocalyptic, is meant to reveal things which are meant for a specific audience and not make sense
to those “outside of the circle”.
First, the book was written to show first-century Christians things that must soon take place
(Rev. 1:1b). Many today think these are things that will happen in the future at end of time. If that
were the case, then why would John write to the churches of first-century Asia, that these things
“…must shortly take place”?
Chapters two and three in the book of Revelation are written to seven churches of Asia. The
number “seven” likely represents the greater concept of complete and perfect. A deep study of the
Bible shows many numbers carry special meaning, especially in a book of symbols.
The warnings in John’s prophecy happened within a time appropriate to its original audience,
therefore, we must be careful to always keep prophecies, in their original context. This means that
when it comes to the specific tribulations mentioned, one must continually remember the context
of the entire letter and not “cherry-pick” passages for a personal interpretation.
Second, the book was written to be a blessing to the audience. Revelation 1:3 says, “Blessed
is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep those things which are
written in it; for the time is near.” Revelation is not a message of catastrophe for the end of times
but rather a warning of things to beware of along with a mental picture given of the reward for
those who remain faithful to Christ. In chapters two and three, Jesus promises that if the Christians
overcome the trials and tribulations ahead by remaining obedient, He will reward them with
eternal life (cf. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21).
Christians have no need to fear the tribulations in the book. Those warnings were written
about a conflict long since passed, and Jesus overcame death into victory. He won! Though trials
are certain to come to all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 3:12), we have a blessed
assurance that Jesus will carry us into Heaven if we remain faithful unto death.
Beginning on Sunday, March 2, a class will begin in the multi-purpose room studying the
book of Revelation. Anyone who wants to study this book deeper is encouraged to read through
the book as often as possible and Lord willing, we will see you in class!
