A FEW THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK OF REVELATION

The book of Revelation has bewildered Christians and critics alike for nearly 2,000 year, and with good reason. It is a book of highly figurative and symbolic language, written to the seven churches of Asia. The nature of the text lends itself to gross misinterpretations. The book must be interpreted in light of other Scripture, not the other way around.

Also, when interpreting Revelation, it is vitally important to do so with first-century glasses, as we must strive to understand what first-century Christians believed its meaning to be. After all, The Revelation is not tomorrow's newspaper and must not be treated as such. It is unfortunate that countless well-meaning people have mishandled and misapplied the book's truth in favor of an endless myriad of wild and fanciful theories. Consequently, entire false systems of theology have been devised - namely Premillennialism.

One thing is for sure. In the first three verses John clearly defines Revelation's primary timetable. In verse one, the Spirit reveals to John that the book's contents refer to things that "...must shortly (soon - SH) come to pass." Again in verse three, the apostle writes, "...keep those things which are written therein; for the time is at hand." John was warning those early Christians to brace for Roman persecution, for it was near. Yes, there would be victory to those who could endure the onslaught of Rome's aggression, and victory can be ours as well. That's Revelation's message. Keep it in your hearts.

Steve Harris