What Is Revelation?

¹ This is a revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to His servant John, ² who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. ³ God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and He blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says, for the time is near. Revelation 1:1-3 (NLT)

Many biblical scholars classify the book of Revelation as apocalyptic literature, a prophecy, and a letter (epistle). In the very first word of the Greek text, John identifies Revelation as an apocalypse. The word “apocalypse” literally means revelation, unveiling, or disclosure. “Revelation” is an English translation of the Greek word “apocalypse.” Revelation is apocalyptic literature. Apocalyptic literature is unique to Judaism. In apocalyptic literature, the author’s sole subject matter is a description of the coming end of the world, the Kingdom of God, and the glorious future for the faithful. Apocalyptic literature flourished during the Jewish exile in the intertestamental period from 400 BC to AD 100. Other forms of apocalyptic literature include Daniel. Many biblical scholars consider Revelation the New Testament counterpart to the Old Testament apocalyptic book of Daniel.

The book of Revelation has some of the common characteristics of apocalyptic literature – use of metaphors, symbolic language, visions, excessive use of numbers, and supernatural characters to accomplish God’s divine purpose. The book of Revelation builds around the number seven. The number seven occurs 54 times in the book of Revelation. Seven is associated with completion, fulfillment, and perfection. In Judaism, seven had special significance such as the Sabbath (the seventh day) (see e.g., Genesis 2:2; Exodus 20:10-11); the Year of Jubilee (the year of release after seven Sabbatical years) (see e.g., Leviticus 25:8-17, 29-31). The book of Revelation references seven churches and seven spirits (Revelation 1:4); seven lampstands (Revelation 1:12); seven stars (Revelation 1:16); seven seals on the scroll (Revelation 5:1); seven horns and seven eyes of the Lamb (Revelation 5:6); seven angels and seven trumpets (Revelation 8:2); seven thunders (Revelation 10:3); seven heads of the dragon (Revelation 12:3); seven heads of the beast (Revelation 13:1); seven golden bowls (Revelation 15:7); and seven kings (Revelation 17:10).

Second, Revelation is a prophecy (see Revelation 1:3). John states that Revelation is a “prophecy” (see also Revelation 22:7, 18). Prophecy includes not only foretelling the future but also proclaiming any message from the true and living God – whether a command, instruction, warning, history, or prediction (see 1 Corinthians 14:3). Everyone who prophesies speaks with a message from God to people for strengthening, encouragement, and comfort (see 1 Corinthians 12:7-11). Thus, prophets are primarily preachers.

Moreover, Revelation is a letter (epistle) written to the church (Revelation 1:4, 11). Revelation begins with normal salutation in Revelation 1:4 and continues through the benediction of Revelation 22:21. John writes to the seven churches in Asia. The first major section of Revelation in chapters 2 and 3 is written in the form of letters to the seven churches. Thus, the book of Revelation is all three literary genres: an apocalypse, a prophecy, and a letter. 

The first verse of the book, “the revelation of Jesus Christ,” identifies the resurrected and living Jesus Christ as the central figure of this book. Revelation is an unveiling or disclosure of Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:1). From beginning to the end, Jesus Christ dominates. Revelation reveals a different portrait of the living Jesus Christ than from the New Testament Gospels. In Revelation, Jesus Christ (Messiah) is the reigning and ruling King and Lord (see e.g., Revelation 17:14; Revelation 19:16) as well as the sacrificial Lamb who purchased redemption (see e.g., Revelation 5:9-10; Revelation 14:3-4). Even more, Revelation reveals the true and living God, a portrait of heaven, and the presence of the Holy Spirit (see e.g., Revelation 4:1-5:14). Through graphic pictures of Revelation, we learn the final judgment of evil and eternal blessings for the faithful believers of Jesus Christ (Revelation 21:2-22:5).

The book of Revelation is full of hope and God’s mercy. Revelation offers future hope to all faithful believers in Jesus Christ by proclaiming Jesus Christ's final victory over evil and the reality of eternal life Him. Even more, the book of Revelation gives believers guidance as the book teaches about the importance of morality, obedience, and faithfulness to God and His Son, Jesus Christ (see e.g., Revelation 21:5-8; Revelation 22:14-15). John writes Revelation to instruct, chastise, and encourage the church to remain faithful and committed to God in spite of opposition and persecution. Everyone who endures the testing of evil and remains wholeheartedly faithful to God will be rewarded (see e.g., Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26; Revelation 3:5, 21; see also Mark 13:13; James 1:2-7, 12).

Nonetheless, the book of Revelation also reveals sinful usurpation of divine power, which brings God’s judgment. God does not approve of famine, death, and hell, but they are what must follow if a person persists in opposing God’s moral commands. The book of Revelation shows God’s desire not to inflict vengeance on people, but rather God’s desire to bring people to morality and repentance (see e.g., Revelation 2:5, 16, 22; Revelation 3:3, 19; see also Matthew 4:17; John 8:11). Nevertheless, the book of Revelation shows God’s sovereign and permanent power that ends all suffering and reveals an eternal closeness experienced by the faithful.

Moreover, the book of Revelation is filled with songs of praise aloud to God (see e.g., Revelation 5:13-14; Revelation 7:11-12; Revelation 11:15-18; Revelation 12:10-12; Revelation 15:3-4). These great songs of praise to God from Revelation have often influenced anthems and musical works such as Handel’s Messiah. Many of the best-loved sings of the church are based on parts of the book of Revelation such as “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” by Julia Ward Howe comes from Revelation 14:17-20).

In the opening verses of Revelation, John states that “God blesses the one who reads the words of this prophecy to the church, and He blesses all who listen to its message and obey what it says” (Revelation 1:3, NLT). Revelation 1:3 is the first of seven blessings or beatitudes that come to those who read, understand, and obey the book of Revelation (see also Revelation 14:13; Revelation 16:15; Revelation 19:9; Revelation 20:6; Revelation 22:7; and Revelation 22:14). These blessings from Revelation virtually reproduce the words of Jesus in Luke 11:28, “blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice” (Luke 11:28, NLT; see also James 1:22-25). Revelation 1:3 states very clearly that God’s blesses come to those who read and keep (obey) the words of this prophecy. Furthermore, Revelation 1:3 tells us that the author John expected all of Revelation to be read aloud to the church, reaching others through the ears (see e.g., Revelation 2:7, 11, 29; Revelation 3:6, 13, 22).

Many readers of Revelation see a book filled with mystical and disturbing supernatural characters, bizarre scenes and visions, various symbols, and multiple blasts of God’s judgments. However, the book of Revelation was not a mystery to the first readers in the early church. To the first readers of Revelation, the words had meaning and purpose. John wrote the book of Revelation under the leadership and guidance of God's Spirit to help that first century church, and that church understood John’s visions and revelations. The book of Revelation continues to speak to the church today as in the first century. Revelation reveals that God is fully in control, and He rules and overrules in the affairs of humankind. Although there will be persecution in the last days, God remains in sovereign control!

References

ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2008).

Life Application Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Pub., 2005).

Ryrie Study Bible: New American Standard Bible (Chicago, IL: Moody, 1995).

Zondervan NIV Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008).

Loyd, Melton, Ph.D., Senior Professor of the New Testament (Due West, SC: Erskine Theological Seminary, 2016).

Metzger, Bruce. Breaking the Code: Understanding the Book of Revelation (Nashville, TN: Abingdon Press, 1993).

Mounce, Robert H. The Book of Revelation (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1998).