The Book of Revelation

The Book of Revelation

was written by the apostle John

to Reveal information for Christians

as it was Revealed to John in a vision.

For a Book that was meant to "Reveal" information

it is so difficult to understand that in truth

that it seems to reveal very little!!

That is because of the numerous symbols and imagery 

in this Book make little sense to us today.

Even scholars who spend their careers 

studying this book cannot agree on its meaning.

But I bet it made perfect sense to first century Christians.

This New Testament Book was written during the first century

after the fall of Jerusalem to the Romans in 70 AD.

when Roman persecution of Christians 

was wide spread and horrendous.

Christians suffered greatly at this time.

Some Scholars believe that the Book of Revelation was written 

especially (if not only) for these persecuted Christians.

That is, it is not a prophecy for the future

Especially not the distant future, 

where we are living today---or beyond

Other Scholars look at the symbols in Revelation

in the context of other prophetic writings 

such as in the Book of Daniel or the Book of Isaiah

Read more HERE

and determine that it is written to prepare all Christians

for the return of Jesus Christ---the Second Coming.

Some verses in Revelation seem to suggest 

things that could only occur in present day

For example Revelation 13:16-18 seems to suggest a 

cashless society whose members are "marked" 

to identify who can buy / sell products.

Could such a "mark" be an implanted computer chip?

Another interesting verse is Revelation 11:9-10

which states that the entire world will witness 

the death of two great prophets.

Never before present times did we have the technology 

to allow the entire world to view an event live

in real time.

Revelation 9:15-16 describes an army of 200 million soldiers 

from the kings of the East.

That was the entire population of Rome 

under the Roman empire in the first century, thus an impossible thing.

But today, China is East of Israel

and this nation could easily raise an army of 200 million.

So--who is the Book of Revelation written for?

First century Christians?

Or future Christians---maybe even us?

I believe it is for All Christians

in All Times.

Everything I study in the Bible, I am amazed

that wisdom written literally 1000's of years ago

are still applicable today.

And given that God's truths are eternal,

I truly believe the message of Revelation

was written to comfort 

suffering Christians every where

and 

every when

And to remind us to remain faithful

because in the end,

Even if that end is death,

God wins

and His Good conquers all evil.

And that, I believe,

is what the Book of Revelation

Is meant to Reveal