This study is for those who desire to take up a study of Revelation, but who are not sure precisely as to how to proceed. Perhaps you have attempted a studied Revelation before but were unable to make heads or tails about it or you simply avoided the book altogether because it appeared too complicated. Adding to the confusion is the fact that there are numerous commentaries written on the subject, each being presented from a different perspective based upon the individual writer’s religious background and viewpoint.

Regardless you should not allow any of these obstacles to inhibit you from a personal study of the book of Revelation, remember it is written, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim 3:16, 17) The Lord did not conclude the Holy Scriptures with this particular book for no reason. Although it was written for the whole Church throughout the gospel age it was especially written for the Church at the end of the age, especially written “for our admonition upon whom the ends of the Ages have come” (1 Cor 10:11)

So how then shall we proceed?

In this study we will be following along (more or less) with a little pamphlet which was put out by the New Albany Ecclesia entitled, “Revelation How to Study it and Have it Make Sense”. Remember this is not a study OF Revelation, but rather a study of HOW TO STUDY Revelation. Once we have concluded this segment, and with incites gained we will be in a better position for a study of Revelation itself.

The first a question is asked, why?

“Why do you want to study Revelation? This is an important question. Some people seek this information to look knowledgeable to others. Some like to discuss it because they enjoy frightening others with colorful prognostications of coming events (much of which they don’t rightly understand themselves). Others look into it because it is now fashionable to know about Revelation (as many believe we are in the “End Times”, which the true bible chronology confirms that we are). Revelation was not written for the skeptic nor for the mere curiosity seeker but only for the sincere and humble servants, called of God, who seek to learn what He has been doing, is doing, and will be doing, and to such and such alone He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him in faith. (Heb 5:6)”

“The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever” (Deut. 29:29; Compare Matt. 13:10–12).

“No explanation of the prophetic and highly symbolic Book of Revelation and its “secret things” can be heartily received with assurance, nor accepted by discriminating minds, unless all its component parts are taken into consideration and given a complete and harmonious application. This necessitates a step-by-step approach, that is, a verse-by-verse treatment and analysis of the content. Such an investigative pursuit in understanding helps to minimize both conscious and unconscious evasiveness on the part of the expositor, who is thus required to face up to and address the intricacy of detail.

The purpose of our study of Revelation (that is when we begin it), therefore will be to satisfy the truth-seeker who, being less interested in a smooth, fiction-style, sermonizing rendition, is more concerned with receiving an explanation of the vision in all its minutiae.”(As taken from the preface of “The Keys of Revelation”, by Brother Frank Shallieu)

“The title of this last book of the Bible is taken from its first verse: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John” It is important to consider the meaning and implication of this title.

When John received this message from God, Jesus had been gone from the earth for about 60 years. This was the last written message to His Church, all of whom wanted to know about his return. Revelation, while it does deal with Jesus’ return, also does much more. It tells about the nearly 2,000 years which would intervene before the Lord’s Second Advent. Note the words again in the first verse: “…things which must shortly come to pass.”

Revelation is a history in advance of the events in the religious world starting in John’s day and leading into the time of the return of Jesus. Many seem to think that Revelation is only about events when the Lord returns. Much of the book, however, is about history which, in our day, has already past.

“The Revelation (or revealing) of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass…”

This phrase has another implication in it. If you read it carefully, it says: “This book is about the way the understanding of Jesus will gradually be given to his church beginning with the time of his departure, and continuing through many years as the events of history clarify to all of his servants the prophecies concerning him.” In other words, Revelation is not primarily about how Jesus will be revealed when he returns, but rather it is primarily about how he will be revealed to his Church while he is yet absent — how the events of history will gradually allow the church to understand Jesus’ power and presence with them before his personal return. Understanding this major concept will change the way this book is interpreted. The book does deal with his personal return, of course, but verse 1 cautions us against stressing this one event.

Does It Mean What It Says?

You may have noticed in verse 1 another peculiar phrase: “…he sent and SIGNIFIED it by his angel…”

Many people quickly fall into erroneous interpretations of Revelation because they fail to note this phrase. “SIGNIFIED” here means “PUT INTO SIGNS (OR SYMBOLS).” It is mandatory that we believe the first verse and realize that this book is in symbols or a code language. When it says “beast,” it does not really mean a beast; when it says “heaven,” it may not mean the literal heavens; when it says “angel,” it may not refer to an actual spirit-being.

Difficult? Yes! Once the symbols are unlocked, however, the results are, indeed, beautiful — as we might expect from a book By God, GIVEN to Jesus, SENT through an angel, and WRITTEN by the Apostle John.”

“The greatest source of error in understanding the symbols of Revelation is a too literal interpretation. It is read as though it were a statement of facts, instead of a statement of symbols.”

Generally those most inclined to impose a literal interpretation upon the Book of Revelation are those who are not spirit begotten despite any professions otherwise. How do we know this? It is self-evident viz. the natural man comprehends not the things of the spirit therefore he has but one option and that is to attempt to force, more or less a literal interpretation on most of what he sees. The fact is many of the leading commentaries written on Revelation were written by such individuals, thus only adding to the confusion in the Professing church, i.e. Babylon.

Another problem is that many of the Lord’s true children, those who are spirit begotten, but who have not yet progressed beyond the “milk of the Word”, have ill-advisably attempted to both interpret and to teach it.

Last For a Reason

“Revelation is placed last in the Bible for a reason. Not only was it the last book written, but it presupposes that its readers will have a working familiarity with all of the other books of the Bible which come before it. Revelation does not stand alone. In it are quotations and references to other parts of the Bible. To study Revelation without knowledge of the rest of the Bible is like trying to study calculus before learning arithmetic.

A successful appreciation of Revelation relies on a solid background of Scriptural information and principles. In our next post we will attempt to summarize the Biblical story. Without this information, going further will be fruitless. The study of Revelation will require scholarship, faith, and prayer, but “blessed is he” who knows and lives by what he finds.” (Rev 22:7)