Understanding the Book of Revelation
Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood’
The book of Revelation, incredibly the last book of the Bible, means to unveil or uncover. It contains twenty-two precious chapters God gave to the body of Christ. Many believers view the book of Revelation as a book that is very difficult to understand. Whereas Revelation is all about the lifting up or drawing aside of a curtain, so that all can see what was unknown and hidden but now revealed and known.
When used of writing, it means to reveal or make clear (see Ephesians 3:3). When used of a person, it denotes visible presence as depicted in the following verses:
‘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: Who bare record of the Word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw’ (Revelation 1:1-2).
‘…So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia’ (Thessalonians 1:7).
One important thing to keep in mind while studying the book of Revelation is that much of its content is depicted in form of symbols. However, some of the most precious promises and prophecies in the scriptures are revealed in the book of Revelation.
The Purpose of Revelation
The chief purpose of Revelation is to showcase Jesus, the Son of God and His future reign. God does not intend to keep the content of this book hidden from the body of Christ. Therefore, every true son and daughter of God must read and understand this book. It was previously covered but now unveiled, uncovered, revealing what was behind the veil, which was previously unseen and unknown as written here:
‘Now to him that is of power to establish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith’ (Romans 16:25-26).
It is a great tragedy to be ignorant of the book of Revelation. The word ‘mystery’ depicts something which was concealed or hidden, that has to be revealed before it can be understood. No one would have understood this mystery without a revelation. The truth is that it will be difficult for anyone to understand any book of the Bible thoroughly without the help and guidance of the Spirit of God. That is why believers who have God’s Spirit in them are gifted to interpret and preach the Scriptures. It is a MYSTERY that has been kept out of human reach; a secret kept for ages past, but has now been revealed and must be known. This pointed is stated thus:
‘How that by revelation He made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto His holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit’ (Ephesians 3:3-5).
Jesus Christ, the mediator between God and man was the channel through which God sent this message. The agents used in bringing the 22 chapters were God’s angels and John, the servant and messenger of God.
‘The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John’ (Revelation 1:1).
Above verse established that God transmitted this book to Christ His son, then unto His angel, John and to the church, which involves Christians of all ages. However, it worthy to note that at the time of writing the book of Revelation, the churches were located in Asia Minor as thus stated:
‘Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw… John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits, which are before his throne… I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What you seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. Write the things which you hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter’ (Revelation 1:2, 4, 9-11, 19).
John represents God’s servant, therefore this book contains messages every Christian and the entire body of Christ must study, preach or teach. This is a great privilege and weighty responsibility that must be carried out. John received this message when he was under tribulation, yet he endured and made sure it got to the seven churches in Asia. It is a huge indictment for famous preachers and ministers of our time to fail to communicate the messages of book of Revelation to our generation.
Letter to the Seven Churches
The seven churches were selected among many other churches at the time because they had in their combination all the excellences, defects, needs and duties which represent the universal church, the church of all times and land. They were selected to symbolize the whole church of God of all times. John repeatedly revealed the source of his messages, which is obviously God; the Father, Son and Holy Spirit as revealed in the following verses:
‘Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things says He that holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches; To him that overcomes will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things says the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things says He which hath the sharp sword with two edges;
And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things says the Son of God, who hath His eyes like unto a flame of fire, and His feet are like fine brass;
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things says He that is holy, He that is true, He that hath the key of David, He that opens, and no man shuts; and shuts, and no man opens’ (Revelation 2:1, 7-8, 12, 18, 3:7).
Notice that Jesus introduced Himself as the first and the last, which was dead and is alive. He is the one with sharp sword with two edges; the son of God, who has His eyes like unto a flame of fire and His feet like fine brass. Jesus, the central figure of the book of revelation revealed Himself also as the One who has the seven spirits and the seven stars of God. He is holy, true with the keys of David. The door He opens, no one can shut and the door he shuts, no one can open.
Jesus is forever faithful and true, the beginning of the creation of God, I am that I am, who is without beginning, without change, without succession and without end. He is the one that revealed the book of revelation, of things which must shortly come to pass and yet many ministers of the gospel and Christians at large have abandoned or ignored this vital information to chase after miracles and unprofitable prophesies. What a tragedy! True miracle, blessing and deliverance can only come from Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith; the one who owns the title deed of the earth.
Prayer for Excellent Life
- I remove evil powers that stand between excellence and me by force, in the name of Jesus.
- O Lord, empower me to excel above my equals, in the name of Jesus.
- Any evil character that is pulling my life down, I destroy and cast you off, in the name of Jesus
- Any Goliath that is challenging my life, die in shame, in the name of Jesus.
- I command satanic marks in my life to disappear, in the name of Jesus.
- O Lord, empower me to live a faithful life before my God at all cost, in the name of Jesus
- Every yoke of limitation that was placed upon my life, disappear forever, in the name of Jesus.
- Any person that was assigned to pull me down, I expose and disgrace you, in the name of Jesus.
- O Lord, help me to excel everywhere I go in life, in the name of Jesus.
- Let the power to maintain the best relationship with God and man possess me, in the name of Jesus.