Many people find the Revelation of Jesus Christ difficult. Let me rephrase that. Everyone who reads the Revelation of Jesus Christ finds it difficult to interpret and understand fully. If you read the commentaries, about six of which I've been thumbing through, practically every author has a new interpretation and idea of what the symbols of the Revelation mean. Some say to take it symbolically and some say to take it practically. I seem to be falling somewhat in the middle as I go through, but don't ask me to give a month of teaching on the interpretation of the Revelation! It's most important not to focus on detail, as it will muddle our minds and make us forget to capture the real purpose of the book.
I close with my two main points to those who may be somewhat fearful of diving into this prophecy:
1. The key to this book is in the title, the Revelation of Jesus Christ. The purpose of it is to reveal Jesus Christ and more about Him. More specifically it's to proclaim the worth of the Lamb who still has the visible marks of His slaughter, the freshly slain Lamb. He is worthy in judgment and in reigning. Enjoy Christ.
2. Just go for it. Read it knowing you won't understand it all. Read it with a prayerful attitude to God that His Spirit would teach you of Christ as you go. Read it with the following seven things in mind for those who read this book:
a. 1:3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
b. 14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
c. 16:15 Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
d. 20:6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years.
e. 22:7 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
f. 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
Find something new to appreciate or something old to appreciate anew of Christ today.
