We should not be surprised that the final book in the New Testament is prophetic. In fact, it is not just prophetic, but what bible scholars call "Apocalyptic". What this basically means is that the future was explained in terms and terminology that was easy for the readers to understand in the early part of the first century, through the use of visions.

John, the author, had seen multiple visions, many of them relating to or expanding on similar visions in the older books of the bible. All these visions describe not only the details of what is to unfold before Jesus returns, but also concludes all the prophecies in both the old and new testaments.

As there are a number of keys and knowledge required to understand this prophetic book, there are various interpretations of this book. Over the years there have been a number of different interpretations to the book of Revelation; not limited to :

1. Those that believe that most of the prophetic elements of the book was already completed during the 1st century under Nero or Domitian's rule of the Roman Empire. This school of interpretation is referred to as "Preterists".

2. Those that regard the book of Revelation; as historical in nature an is an overview of all events that occur time and again until Jesus returns to the earth. They also believe that Jesus returns once the world has become a better place. These are generally referred to as "Historicists".

3. The Idealist, were those that interpreted the book of Revelation as being subjective and see the book as a mere message of how good overcomes evil.

4. The futurists who believes that the book of Revelation is an account of all events to occur from the time they were written; until the day Jesus finally returns to the earth.

But those are just some of the ways the book is interpreted. And of course; there have also been many debates whether the person who wrote the book was John the Apostle, or simply another "John". Speaking of John, without getting into a theological debate, there is sufficient evidence that John the Apostle was indeed the author of this book. However, we are reminded in 2 Peter 1 : 21 ; "Above all, you must understand that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophets themselves or because they wanted to prophecy. It was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from God."

The various schools of interpretation become mute when you carefully study the book of Revelation. The book of Revelation is rich in imagery, symbols and a story-line that is a mass of all the Old Testament prophecies. It provides the detail of events to be experienced by the church, the world, Israel, the details of ages still to come; given by Jesus in the form of visions. Truly, those that avoid the book because of its difficulty in understanding; are missing out on a treasure and journey of a lifetime.

As this book is written with symbols and visions, its interpretations are subject to a wider understanding of the various symbols in the bible. In fact, one cannot understand the book of Revelation, without understanding the prophecies and visions of at least Daniel, Isaiah and Ezekiel. This is what the various theological schools of interpretation miss out on - The book is merely a continuation of all the old testament prophecies and visions in many respects; of which we shortly demonstrate.

It is often easier to understand a book; when a global summary is given that allows the reader to stand back and obtain an eagles viewpoint. This enables us to remain focused on the main prophecies rather than various interpretations of the minor prophetic details, that perhaps are unimportant. In order to get such a picture; we list the main chapters as themes below:

   Rev 1 to 3 : The vision of Jesus & a message to the 7 churches.

   Rev 4 to 5 : The vision of Heaven & events prior to judgments

Rev 6 to 19 : The Tribulation - A Period of intense suffering

• Rev 6 - The first 6 Seals | Judgments released by Jesus 

• Rev 7 - The 144k sealed and the large multitude seen in heaven 

• Rev 8 - 10 = The 7th Seal, the outpouring of the first 6 Trumpet Judgments and the sealed book 

• Rev 11 - The temple of Jerusalem measured and the 2 witnesses introduced

• Rev 12 - The war in Heaven and satan finally cast down to earth 

• Rev 13 to 14 - Satans' kingdom and relationship to the religion of the last days. 

• Rev 15 - Jesus returning to defend the Jews at Mount Zion.

• Rev 16 - The bowl judgments | wrath of God released on the earth. 

• Rev 17 describes the religion in the world in the last days that introduces the antichrist.

• Rev 18 describes the destruction of Babylon, an Actual city. 

• Rev 19 describes Jesus return with the saints of Heaven at the battle of Armageddon and  1000 year reign on earth by Jesus. 

Rev 20 : The Millennium kingdom is established followed by Great  White Throne Judgment  

Rev 21 : The New Heaven and New Earth is described 

Rev 22 : Final  warnings and exhortations

We believe that this site proves beyond any doubt that the book of Revelation is futuristic in nature; for the following important reasons : 

• Many of the visions portrayed in the book of Revelation are extensions of visions that occurred by the Old testament prophets, some more than 1000 years before the book of Revelation was written. For instance, the beast of Revelation 13 is directly linked to the beasts of Daniel two and Seven; which is explained in detail by the Prophet Daniel.

• The early church fathers, i.e., those alive during the first century themselves believed that the book of Revelation detailed the events to occur in the future. As they were living in and around the periods of the Apostles; there interpretation should add significant weight.

• The book itself contains names of Empires and numerical timeframes that cannot be seen as spiritual or subjective. The book contains many people clearly identified; such as the rulers of the East, Israel, the Holy city - Jerusalem, etc. 

•  Many people have been taught that as a result of Israel persecuting and crucifying Jesus, Israel's place in the scriptures was replaced with the Church. The mere fact that Israel was gathered back into there homelands as prophesied by the prophet Jeremiah, should ring alarm bells for those that interpret Gods word as spiritual or subjective.

The truth is, if you are willing to study the scriptures, the book of Revelation becomes literally, a great blessing!

 

A QUICK GLANCE AT REVELATION REVEALS ...

Facts about the book of Revelation Date of Writing : Between 95 & 97 AD Writer : The similar writing styles and the historical evidence of that century strongly suggest that it was John the Apostle. The word " Revelation" means " to unveil or disclose".    Contents : Details the events that are to fall upon the world before Jesus returns to the earth and sets up His eternal kingdom. Co-ordinates many prophecies that remain to be fulfilled through visions and earlier interpretations by the Prophets. Then he instructed me, "Do not seal up the prophetic words you have written, for the time is near."  [ Rev 22 : 10 NLT ]	The Book of Revelation
	This book was written well over 1 900 years ago and it is the last book to be incorporated into the Bible. Lets not forget the fact that although John wrote the book of Revelation, it is God, that is its ultimate author. We are reminded in 2 Peter 1 : 21 ; " Above all, you must understand that no prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophets themselves or because they wanted to prophecy. It was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from God." The book of Revelation provides the detail of events to be experienced by the church, the world and Israel. The book itself provides the details of ages still to come; given by Jesus in the form of visions. As this book is written with symbols and visions, its interpretations are subject to a wider understanding of the various symbols in the bible. In fact, one cannot understand the book of Revelation, without understanding the prophecies and visions of at least Daniel, Isaiah and Ezekiel.