The three keys to interpreting Revelation that I am suggesting will help us to have a framework for understanding this book and give us keys to help spot abuses of this inspiring and challenging book.
Key #1 – Revelation is full of symbols; key #2 – Revelation deals with events to happen shortly after the book was written…
KEY #3 –
Revelation is a letter written to the seven churches of Asia Minor who were being persecuted and killed in the first century; some were giving up on their faith in Christ or were being so tempted and they needed desperately a message of encouragement. This point emphasizes that the message of Revelation had to resolve their problems in the first century, at that time, in that culture.
Back to chapter 1:4 – “John to the seven churches that are in Asia…” The word “churches” is found twenty times in the book of Revelation!
What is going on with them? Well, look at 1:9 – John writes that he is a “fellow partaker in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance which are in Jesus.” The Christians were experiencing tribulation at that time, in that culture. “Tribulation” is found five times in the book of Revelation.
These Christians were suffering then, at that time, and their suffering was immense and fearful. In one congregation, Pergamum, they already had a fellow Christian killed for his faith, Antipas (2:13). Look over at 6:9; these Christians had friends and family members killed for their faith in Christ and because of their dedication to the word of Christ. The word “killed” is used ten times in the book of Revelation.
Look over at 17:6: “And I saw the woman drunk with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the witnesses of Jesus.” This woman is identified as “the great city” in 17:18 and she is also called “Babylon” in 16:19. Well, the great city that was dealing such hardships on these Christians in the first century was Rome. The Roman Empire. Now, we know who the great enemy of these Christians were!
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So, when John writes to them the special letters in chapters 2-3, every time, he promises them something special, to those who would “conquer” (ESV; NASV has “overcome”) “Victory” is the key word in Revelation and it is related to the word “conquer.” The word “conquer” (ESV) is found 17 times in the book of Revelation!
The Christians can conquer, but only through the blood of Jesus! The blood of Jesus is mentioned in 1:5 and the blood of Jesus is found throughout the book. The word “blood” is found 19 times in the book! Sometimes it refers to the blood of the saints, sometimes it refers to the blood of God’s enemies, sometimes it refers to the blood of Jesus.
But the Christians are victorious, they can conquer only through the blood of Jesus! That’s why they must not fear man! 1:17 – “Do not be afraid!” The word “fear” is found nine times in Revelation! “Do not fear what you are about to suffer!” (2:10). “Fear God and give Him glory” (14:7). Those who are afraid will have their part in the lake of fire that burns forever and ever (21:8).
You can overcome! Through the blood of Jesus Christ! Stay faithful and do not fear! “Persevere,” John tells the Christians nine times in the first century, who were persecuted to death by the Roman Empire. Nine times in the book of Revelation, John urges the Christians to keep the word of God (cf. 1:3; 22:9).
How beautiful and wonderful and challenging and inspiring the book of Revelation is! It’s not about the end of the world! It’s about the end of evil. For the first century Christians, it was about the end of the Roman Empire.
These things were written first and foremost to the seven churches of Asia Minor who were experiencing severe tribulation and possible death. “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things for the churches. I am the root [figurative language] and the descendant of David, the bright morning star” [more figurative language] (22:16).
But, God has given us three keys to help you and me in the 21st century to understand this book. Let us read it, study it, obey it, and hope in it. Because, Jesus is coming again and we need to say, “Amen, come, Lord Jesus” (22:20).
