3 questions about Revelations

[da_nolo]

i am curious what is ideal reading condition for Revelations?

also; is it true that Revelations speak purely about the ‘end of times’? or is that still unknown to us?

As Catholics do we pure base or Faith/opinion on what is in Revelations or are there other documents that may help understand or carry similar meaning and purpose to Revelations?

 

[Little_One0307]

i am curious what is ideal reading condition for Revelations?

also; is it true that Revelations speak purely about the ‘end of times’? or is that still unknown to us?

As Catholics do we pure base or Faith/opinion on what is in Revelations or are there other documents that may help understand or carry similar meaning and purpose to Revelations?

Check out Scot Hahn’s book The Lamb’s Supper. It presents Revelation and how it relates to the Mass. In fact its entire premise is that Revelation is talking of the Mass. He quotes a lot of Church Fathers in setting forth his premise. It is a unique perspective on Revelation. In the book he says why he feels it may not be addressing end times.

The Church Fathers wrote a lot on Revelation. I would also suggest getting a good Catholic Bible commentary.

Interpretations of Revelation usually follow one of five approaches that seek to explain the book by placing it within a particular frame of refernece.

1. The CRITICAL view held by many scholars today situates the book within the cultural and historical context of its original readers. They tend to see in Revelation a reflection of the struggle between Church and State at the end of the first century.
2. The PRETERIST view likewise maintains that much of the book concerns events within in lifetime of its original readers. Scholars of this persuasion often assert that Revelation describes both the beginning of the New Covenant, sealed by the dying and rising of Christ, and the dramatic end of the Old Covenant.
3. The HISTORICIST view claims that Revelation offers a panorama of the Church’s life as she marches through history The successive visions of the book are said to correspond to successive stages of the Church’s pilgrimage in the world, and its symbols are taken to represent important figures and instituations that determine that history on a grand scale.
4. The IDEALIST view asserts that Revelation uses signs and symbols to dramatize the never-ending struggles of the spiritual life. Its visions of war between good and evil, angels and demons, ect. are said to represent the conflict that rages in every Christain’s life. Though some would allow that Revelation refers to concrete events in the author’s day, these are thought to typify the spiritual struggles between the Church and the world more generally.
5. The FUTURIST view, which seems to hold the greatest fascination in the popular mind, interprets the book s as a preview of the end of history, the return of Christ, the Last Judgment, and the final demise of evil. Advocates thus claim Revelation, either in whole or in part remains a book of prophecy for the Church today, for many visions and promises still await their fufillment in the days ahead.

In the final analysis, all these perspectives have something to offer and draw attention to important aspects of Revelation. What is needed is an INTGRATIVE view that recognizes the presence of multiple themes and perspectives that complement one another and add richness and depthy to the book.

Taken from the Introduction given to the book of Revelation from the Ignatius Catholic Study Bible New Testament, Second Ed.

And to your third question. We Catholics always go with what the Church teaches. That is what the Magesterium does when things such as Revelation is unclear. Thank God for the Magesterium. Sacred Tradition and the Magesterium carry weight as the Sacred Scriptures.

Hope this helps.

Little One0307