Boyleem,
No book of the Bible is more misunderstood than the Book of Revelation. One reason for the confusion is the mysterious images that abound in the book.
For example, there are two beasts, one of which bears the number 666 (Revelation 13:18). That number is usually identified with Nero, the first Roman emperor to persecute the Christians. (Romans assigned values to the letters of the alphabet).
Those of us who hope to find clear meanings for all the images in the Book of Revelation are doomed to disappointment. Not even Bible scholars understand them all.
For the most part, the Book of Revelation is made up of a series of visions, described in images that are confusing to modern Christians, but that were intelligible to ancient Christians.
HOW DO WE INTERPRET THE BOOK OF REVELATION?
The key to understanding the Book of Revelation is to keep in mind the historical period in which it was written. John wrote it at a time when Christians were being persecuted violently for their faith.
Different interpretations of the Book have emerged over the centuries. They may be summed up as the early-history-approach, the sweep-of-history approach, and the end-of-history approach.
The EARLY HISTORY approach holds that the primary audience of the Book is the persecuted Christians of first century Rome. To these Christians it says, “Hold fast in your time of suffering. Christ has conquered; so will you.”
The SWEEP-OF-HISTORY approach holds that the primary audience is Christians of all times. To these it says, “There will always be times of testing and suffering, but in the end, the re-action of the world will take place according to God’s plan.”
The END-OF-HISTORY approach holds that the Book’s primary audience is Christians living in the last days. Describing the end of the world, it says to them, “When you see these things happening, hold your head high. The hour of your glory is at hand.”
Each approach has its own value. The first makes the Book a guide to Christians of early times. The second makes it a guide to Christians of all times. And the third makes it a guide to Christians of the final times.
Perhaps the best approach is to realize that the Book was intended to speak - in its own unique way - to each of the above audiences.
My personal reflection on the Book of Revelation:
Many people, after reading the Book of Revelation, are concerned as to when the world will end. You know, it is not as important for me to know when the end of the world is coming as it is for me to know that I am spiritually prepared, at all times, for judgment day at the end of my life here on earth. The end of the world, for me, is when I die.
Since this book talks of the violent times, the workings of the Devil, and how God overcomes all this by finally throwing the Devil and his bad angels into the bottomless pit and giving Christians the right to His Kingdom, I personally believe what this Book is telling me is that I should have hope; for God will save me from the ways of the Devil and bring me unto Himself.
Someone once said, if the Book of Revelation could be re-titled, it should be titled: “Book of Hope”.
