Study
0 From the Book of Revelation is: Introduction
to the Book of Revelation
Many
have been put off the study of the book of Revelation by fears of its
difficulty, or the intricate nature of some interpretations. But no book of the
Bible will more surely reward the student who approaches it for its present
relevance rather than as an eschatological enigma. It is important to remember
that the visions which occupy so large a part of it are not to be regarded as
literal pictures: the book is written in the literary form known as
‘apocalyptic’, which expresses heavenly and spiritual realities by means of a
conventional and elaborate symbolism.
It
is generally agreed that it was written by John the apostle, and in days of
persecution, as his exile proves (1:9). Some thing that his exile was suffered
under Nero, who died in AD68; Some under Domitian (81-96). The later date seems
more probable. The struggle between the people of Christ and the power of Rome
had now reached a state more advanced than that which is reflected in the Acts
of the Apostles. Emperor worship became common from Nero’s reign outward, and
the outlook was dark and threatening.
The
reference to Rome in chapter 17 is but thinly veiled. Some interpreters
(Preterist’) regard all the references as being to contemporary events, so that
for us the book speaks of things already past; some (Historicist’) have seen in
chapters 2:19 references to Christian history before and after the fall of
Rome, and to the conflict of evangelical religion with the Roman church, so
leading on the times of the end; other (‘Futurist’) regard chapters 2 and 3 as
an epitome of Christian history, and the rest of book, as prophecy looking
forward to events at the time of the Lord’s return.
A
true interpretation may well find something of value in all these points of
vies. It is best to study the book with the assurance (1) that it had a real
message for its own time; (2) that its lessons have been illustrated by the
history of the Church; and (3) that it contains prophetical reference to the
future. The readers should not be so troubled by the obscurities that he cannot
rejoice in the message of what is clear. We can learn lessons of tremendous
value about the place of Christ’s people in the purposes of God and the
glorious future awaiting them, the heavenly nature of our earthly
conflict, which can be carried on only
with divine aid, the need to overcome in the struggle, the eternal judgment of
God upon Satan and sin, and the certainty of the complete victory, the lordship
over history and second doming of Jesus Christ our Lord.
