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It’s very important that we know how to read the book of Revelation. As I have said, Revelation is not a continuous historical narrative. Its focus is not on events past, or even present, but on events yet to come, events fraught with promise, hope, and glory. Revelation uses language specially chosen to capture and engage the imaginations of readers from all times, cultures, and stations in life. We must be willing to begin our reading of Revelation with John and his readers, and we must be careful, with some exceptions, not to force the images and events of Revelation into particular places and times.
In a sense, the way to read Revelation is always from above, toward the then and there, and into the here and now. I’ll not say much more about that here; each week’s lessons will follow this regimen in our approach to working through the texts for each day.
Second, we must read Revelation through the lens of all preceding Scripture. Revelation pulls images, quotes, prophecies, and events from the past forward, making them relevant and instructive for the present. The better we understand all such references as they were originally given in Scripture, the more light they will shed for us on the message of hope in the book of Revelation.
Third, we will encounter a good many numbers and symbols in the book of Revelation. We can say almost categorically, these are not to be taken literally. This is a common mistake many people make in reading Revelation: They want to take some numbers and images as figures and types, while picking and choosing others to be taken literally. Such lack of consistency in reading Revelation will certainly cause us to stumble over its main message in an attempt to grasp meanings of our own devising.
Finally, we should, following the Lord’s counsel to Habakkuk, read Revelation “to run” (Hab. 2.2). Revelation is not intended to terrorize us into merely “hunkering down” against the encroaching darkness of unbelief and sin. Its purpose is to motivate us to hope, steadfastness, and witness for our coming King. Thus, in this study, we will concentrate, in each Glory to Glory section, on specific outcomes and steps of faith the Lord directs us to from the passages under consideration.
When it comes to gaining the most benefit from the book of Revelation, everything depends on how we read Jesus’ words to John.
Read Revelation 6 and 7
Here is the third facet of the Lord’s engagement ring to His Bride. Continue making observations and other notes and jotting down any questions you might have. Be prepared to share from these in your group, if you’re working through this study with others.
Glory to Glory
Four horsemen ride out at the beginning of this facet. With which of these will you ride today? How will that be evident?
Closing Prayer
Taken from Psalm 45.2-5:
Lord Jesus, You are fairer than the sons of men;
Grace is poured upon Your lips;
Therefore God has blessed You forever.
Gird Your sword, the Word of God, upon Yourthigh, O Mighty One,
With Your glory and Your majesty.
And in Your majesty ride out prosperously on the white horse of Your Spirit, for truth, humility, andrighteousness;
And Your right hand – we, Your people – shall show You awesome things in Your power.
Let Your arrows – the Gospel – be sharp in the heart of the King’s enemies,
So that many peoples fall under You today.
Each week’s studies in our Scriptorium column are available in a free PDF form, suitable for personal or group use. For this week’s study, “Revelation: Introduction and Overview,” simply click here.
T. M. Moore
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.