The Book of Revelation is a unique and fascinating text that has long been the subject of intense scholarly debate. While its true authorship and date of composition remain shrouded in mystery, there are a few key facts we can be sure of.
First, the book was most likely written sometime around 96 CE in Asia Minor, making it one of the latest written books in the New Testament canon. Second, the author was almost certainly a Christian from Ephesus, known as “John the Elder.” And finally, the book itself is primarily a collection of prophetic visions, supposedly revealed to John by Jesus Christ himself.
While the precise meaning of these visions has been hotly contested throughout history, they nonetheless provide a fascinating glimpse into the early days of Christianity and the tumultuous times in which it was born.
To date, the Book of Revelation remains an essential document for Christians. It is a reminder that our faith will constantly be tested but that we can endure anything as long as we stay united in Christ.
How Should We Read the Book of Revelation?
The Book of Revelation is a text that has been both intensely studied and fiercely debated for centuries. One reason for this is the book’s intricate and unusual symbolic language, which can be difficult for modern readers to understand.
However, it is essential to remember that the people of the ancient world would have been much more accustomed to this type of literature than we are today. Many other examples of apocalyptic literature were available in the past, making them less strange and cryptic to ancient readers.
Additionally, apocalyptic literature was almost always intended for “insiders” – people who already had some knowledge of the situation and of the symbols used to portray it. Naturally, the Book of Revelation would have been much easier for them to interpret than it is for us today.
Indeed, the Book of Revelation is full of symbolism and imagery that can be difficult to understand. However, a basic structure to the book can help readers make sense of it.
The book is divided into five major visions, plus a prologue and an epilogue. Each vision contains a message from God to help believers understand what is coming. The visions are full of symbols representing different things, but they all point to the ultimate goal of God’s plan: the salvation of his people.
By understanding the structure of Revelation, readers can gain a better understanding of its message:
- The Prologue (1.1-3)
- John’s “Cover Letter” (1.4-20) and The First Vision
- The Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia (2.1-3.22)
- The Second Vision: In the Throne Room of Heaven (4.1-11.19)
- The Seven Seals and the Seven Trumpets
- [Third Vision] Three Great Signs In Heaven: The Cosmic War (12.1-16.21)
- The Beasts, the war, seven plagues, seven bowls of wrath, and the Battle of Armageddon
- The Fourth Vision: The Judgment on Babylon [=Rome] (17.1-21.8)
Part I: The Allegory of the Great Whore – (17.1-18)
Part II: Babylon [Rome] is Fallen! (18.1-8)
Part III: Heaven is once again opened: the 1,000 years (19.11-21.8)
Part IV: A New Heaven and New Earth (21.1-8)
- The Fifth Vision: The New Jerusalem (21.9-22.5)
- The Epilogue: (22.6-21)
Each vision in the Book of Revelation is different, but they all have one thing in common: a literary device that helps to move the viewer from one vision to the next.
In Vision I, for example, we see the seven lampstands and are told to write letters to the seven churches of Asia. This propels us into Vision II, which begins with the scroll with seven seals. And as each seal is opened, we are given new information about what is to come. This progression of shorter to longer visions builds suspense and anticipation, culminating in the final vision of the New Jerusalem. Using this literary device, the author of Revelation creates a powerful and evocative experience for the reader.
The end of Vision II marks a turning point in the book. Until this point, the focus has been on the earth and the various woes that have befallen it. However, with the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, God’s heavenly throne room is again opened, and we are given a new scene. This is the opening of Vision III, which consists of the three Signs (or Portents) in Heaven. These signs are vital as they explain why the Earth is experiencing all of the suffering described in Vision II.
In Vision III, we see the description of the Great Whore sitting on the Beast with seven heads. This is an apparent reference to Rome, known as the “seven hills of Rome.” The Beast is a symbol of the Roman emperor, and the seven heads represent the seven kings who ruled during that time.
In Vision IV, the ancient Christians are given a glimpse of how God will ultimately triumph over the evil forces of the Roman Empire. The faithful are told they will be spared from the final judgments against the Emperor and his cohorts.
This extensive description provides crucial context for everything that happens in the book and helps to cement its religious themes further. Essentially, the war on Earth is merely a continuation of a cosmic war that started in Heaven between God and Satan. Satan is eventually thrown down to Earth with his evil angels, and they begin to make war on the saints.
Interpretations of the book of Revelation often focus on a linear progression of events, with each successive vision building upon the last. However, it is essential to remember that the various visions in Revelation are not meant to be read as a strict chronological narrative. In many cases, later visions are intended to explain the events of earlier visions.
For example, the events described in chapters 12-13 help to explain the circumstances depicted in chapters 5-11. This cyclical approach to time is one of the key ways that Revelation conveys its message to its readers. By understanding this element of the book, we can better understand its overall themes and purpose.
The Roman Empire and the Seven-Headed Beast of Revelation
The majority of scholars now agree that the central issue was around the inauguration of the Flavian imperial cult in Ephesus. The imperial cult was a way for people in Ephesus to demonstrate their loyalty and respect for the Emperor, and it was considered their civic obligation. This representation is described as the two “beasts” in Rev. 13.
The first, which we will call “the beast from the sea,” is given strength by Satan himself. The beast from the sea has “seven heads and ten horns,” and he is worshiped by humans (Rev. 13.1-4). The Roman Emperor Domitian, considered a despotic ruler, was said to be the one that the beast was symbolizing.
The second beast, called as “the beast from the earth, ” is likely a reference to Ephesus’s high priest of the Flavian imperial cult. This individual would have been responsible for promoting and maintaining loyalty to Emperor Domitian.
From Revelation, it is evident that there was significant opposition to these two men within the Christian church of Ephesus. As we will see, however, many Christians in Asia Minor would suffer persecution and death due to this opposition. The passage below provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of early Christianity, and its relevance to our own world is still keenly felt today:
9 “This calls for a mind that has wisdom: the seven heads are seven mountains on which the woman is seated; also, they are seven kings,
10 of whom five have fallen, one is living, and the other has not yet come; and when he comes, he must remain only a little while.
11 As for the beast that was and is not, it is an eighth but it belongs to the seven, and it goes to destruction.
12 And the ten horns that you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but they are to receive authority as kings for one hour, together with the beast.
13 These are united in yielding their power and authority to the beast;
14 They will make war on the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them…” (Rev. 17.9-14).
One of the most controversial passages is Revelation 17:9-10, which describes a woman sitting on a beast with seven heads. According to some interpretations, this passage references the Roman Empire and the persecution of Christians. The woman is said to represent the city of Rome, while the seven heads represent the seven Emperors who ruled when Christians were being persecuted.
The passage says that five of these Emperors have already died, while one has recovered from a mortal wound. This is thought to be a reference to Emperor Nero, who died in 68 CE but was resurgent in popular legend.
By portraying the Emperor and his provincial authorities as “beasts” and henchmen of Satan, the author was calling on Christians to refuse to participate in the imperial cult. This technique was common in apocalyptic literature and provided insight into the social and political climate of the time when Revelation was written.
What Can We Glean From the Book of Revelation and Its Prophecies?
The Book of Revelation is often compared to the Book of Daniel when discussing the topic of persecution. Scholars believe that both books were written in response to oppressive measures against a certain group of people.
In the case of Revelation, it is believed that the book was written in response to the persecution of Christians by the Roman Empire. The Book of Daniel, on the other hand, is believed to have been written in response to the persecution of Jews by the Seleucid monarchy.
There are several similarities between these two books, including the fact that both refer to martyrs who were killed for their faith. In addition, both books also refer to a multitude of saints who have suffered persecution. However, there are also some differences between these two books.
Overall, both books provide an interesting perspective on how different groups of people dealt with persecution. For example, the Book of Revelation includes much more information about the afterlife than the Book of Daniel. This is likely because the author of Revelation was writing to Christians who were facing persecution and needed comfort in knowing there was a place for them in Heaven.
Bottom Line
When John the Elder wrote the book of Revelation, he was exiled to the island of Patmos. He wrote the Book of Revelation around AD 95. The book is a prophetic message from God, given to John, that reveals the end times.
The Book of Revelation is the last book in the Bible. It’s full of symbolism and imagery and can be challenging to understand. Therefore, people who read this book need to exercise caution and be careful not to interpret it too literally.
While it’s true that we are now living in a fallen world, the good news is that God is in control. He will one day make all things right. In the meantime, we need to trust Him and follow His lead.
