The final book of the Bible has given rise to much head scratching, especially among modern readers. It tells of great events heralded by trumpet blasts and angels pouring out bowls of wrath on the earth with terrifying consequenc­es. It speaks of a grotesque, adulterous woman, riding on a multi-headed beast and committing adultery with the kings of the earth. Then we have the rider on the white horse, the thousand-year reign and the establishment of the New Jeru­salem. What does it all mean?

Things wouldn’t be so challenging if everyone, or nearly everyone, interpret­ed the book in the same way. If there were such a thing as a standard inter­pretation of the book of Revelation, we would be well on the way to grasping its message. However, the many differ­ent interpretations of the book, especially in the modern period, have made the final book of the Bible controversial for some and an obvious candidate for the “too hard basket” for others.

A Book to be Read and Understood⤒🔗

This situation is hardly satisfactory when we consider what the book has to say about itself. In Revelation 1:3, it is stated that the one who reads the words of this prophecy is blessed. The Greek word translated “read” in the NIV is ana‑gignosko. It means to know again or to know well. When applied to written ma­terial, as it is here, this word means to read in the sense of poring over some­thing, and reading it with understanding. This verse is telling us that the one who reads this book in this way is blessed. Furthermore, those who hear this ma­terial and take to heart what is written in it are also blessed. The implication is that this material was not to be kept secret or hidden away in the too hard basket. It was to be read aloud to the churches and explained so that Christians would be encouraged and blessed by it. Clearly, the book does not say of itself that it is mysterious, frightening, or that it is best to give it a wide berth. Neither does it say that only the wise or intel­ligent can get anything from this book. On the contrary, it says of itself that it is to be read, understood, and appre­ciated. Blessed is the one who reads this, hears it, and takes to heart what is written in it.

The Circumstances of the Book←⤒🔗

The book’s relevance and poignancy become even more striking when we consider the circumstances faced by God’s people at the time when it was written. From Revelation 1:9, we learn that when the apostle John received this information, he was in exile on the island of Patmos in the Mediterranean Sea. He had been placed there “because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus”. In other words, he was experiencing the consequences of persecution. Furthermore, he writes of himself as “your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus.” In other words, those who would receive this message could clearly identify with John in his suffer­ing and patient endurance. They were brothers and companions with him in this hardship. This is the first clue in the book that it was written during a time of hardship and persecution for Chris­tians and that its message was designed to be a blessing and encouragement for believers in difficult circumstances.

Later on, these circumstances are confirmed again and again as the book unfolds. In the letters to the church­es, for example, (chapters 2,3) there are numerous references to hardships and suffering endured by Christians or shortly to be endured (cf. 2:3, 10, 13; 3:10) and a constant call to be patient and to overcome in the face of these trials. In chapter 6:9, 10 we read of the souls of those who had been martyred in service to Jesus asking how long this situation will continue before the Lord judges those who have killed them. In chapter 13:10, 11 we read of people going into captivity and being killed with the sword and again, there is a call for patient endurance and faithfulness on the part of the saints as they live in these difficult times.

So what else does the book have to say by way of encouragement for be­lievers in times of hardship and perse­cution? In the remainder of this article, we will explore some of these themes.

Jesus is Present, not Absent←⤒🔗

In times of trial and hardship, one of the first thoughts that comes to mind is that Jesus is absent and distant. After all, he ascended into heaven and is no longer with his disciples as he was during his earthly ministry. And we are left to suffer here on earth without him.

Chapters 1-3 show that the risen Christ is with his people and knows exactly what they are going through. The opening chapter presents a sym­bolic picture of the risen and glorified Christ. He is the First and the Last and the Living One. He was dead, but now he is alive forever and ever and he holds the keys of death and Hades (vs. 18). Of all the disciples, John was the closest to the Lord Jesus Christ, but when he sees his Lord revealed in his glory, the only appropriate response is to fall at his feet as though dead (vs. 17).

Then we have a symbolic picture of the churches in Asia Minor. They appear as lampstands (1:20). For our purposes, the significant thing to notice is that Jesus appears walking among the lampstands (1:13) and that he holds the stars, the angels of the churches, in his right hand (1:16, 20). The word angel, angelos in the Greek, means angel or messenger. Most likely, this is a reference to the pastors or other spiritual leaders of the congregations who had the responsibility of receiving this in­formation and reading it out to their congregations. The point is that Jesus is present with his churches and is up­holding those who lead the churches. Jesus is not absent and distant from his people in their suffering. On the con­trary, he is right there with them, and as the subsequent letters reveal, he has in­timate knowledge of what the churches are experiencing and of their spiritual state. Jesus does not write “form letters”. He writes individual, personal communications that show just how much he values and understands his people.

God is in Control←⤒🔗

Chapters 4 and 5, in particular, point to God’s sovereignty in the hardships that Christians face. Through a door standing open in heaven (vs. 1) John sees a throne room with God seated on his throne surrounded with heavenly creatures and elders who praise him continuously. It is important to realise that this is not some sort of alternative universe that functions independently and separately from what is happening on earth. Instead, the message is that God in heaven is completely sover­eign over what happens on earth. He both knows, inaugurates and controls the future.

This is brought out in particular with the scroll in chapter 5. John laments because no-one is found worthy to open the scroll and look inside (vs. 4). But then he is told by one of the elders that the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed and he is able to open the scroll and its seven seals (vs. 5). These expressions are further depictions of the Lord Jesus Christ, who now comes forward as a Lamb (vss. 6ff). Having taken the scroll, he begins to open the seven seals (6:1ff) and at each stage of this process, more infor­mation is provided about what is hap­pening on earth.

The message for suffering Christians is that God knows exactly what is hap­pening in our lives because he plans and brings these things about. Espe­cially when disasters occur, Christians commonly want to distance God from these events. This must be something that the devil is doing. How could God ever be involved in tragedy? However, the message of the book of Revelation is that God is working out his sover­eign purposes even in the times of trial and hardship and disaster. We might not know exactly what that purpose is in the short term, but the book reveals that the God who resides in heaven is in complete control at every point!

Christians are Set Apart←⤒🔗

When his people were persecuted in Egypt in the days of Moses, God sent a series of plagues by way of judgement upon the Egyptians. At each point, his own people were protected and spared. This comes out most vividly in the Passover, in which the angel of death passes over the houses of the Israelites because of the blood of the lamb that was sprinkled upon their doorposts. We find something similar occurring in the book of Revelation in chapter 7. 144,000 people (a symbolic number for the entire church) are sealed on their foreheads (vs. 3). This has to be done before the avenging angel pours out wrath upon the earth.

The message for the persecuted church is that God will protect his people from harm. This does not necessar­ily mean that Christians will be spared from any more persecution and that there will be no more martyrdom. On the contrary, the book goes on to speak of enemies who will do their utmost to trample and destroy God’s people. And the number of martyrs is yet to be com­pleted (6:11). However, Jesus pointed out that we should not fear those who can kill the body only, but the One who can destroy both body and soul in hell (Matthew 10:28). And in the book of Revelation, we read that God’s people cannot be harmed by “the second death” (cf. 2:11; 20:6), which is defined in the book itself as the fires of eternal judge­ment (20:14).

Again, the message of the book is one of patient endurance, because God has his protective mark upon his people and even if we are called to pay the ul­timate price in service to Christ, we are safely in the Lord’s hands.

God’s Enemies and Ours will be Defeated←⤒🔗

This is the message of chapters 13 to 18. It would go beyond the scope of this article to identify the fierce and implacable enemies of God and of the Lord’s people that are depicted in these pages. Suffice it to say that they are all judged and destroyed by God in the end. The entire book of Revelation can be summed up in two words: Jesus wins. Ultimately, this is the answer to the cry of the martyrs in 6:10.

When things seem hopeless for the church, especially because of the power and authority of the Lord’s enemies, this is precisely what we need to remem­ber. No matter how strong the enemy appears, his doom is sure and certain. Jesus wins!

No More Tears←⤒🔗

Finally, we have the picture of the New Jerusalem in chapter 21. This is the new order of things, when heaven comes down and subsumes and purifies eve­rything on earth. In this eternal state there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away (vs. 4). Take note especially that God himself will be with his people eternally, and that he personally will wipe every tear from their eyes (vs. 4).

Conclusion←⤒🔗

It was not my intention in this article to try to interpret for you all the details of the book of Revelation. Clearly, that is simply not possible. Although the details are important and fascinating, it is also valuable to stand back and look at the book in broad brushstrokes and themes. Revelation is filled with large and dra­matic scenes and the overall message is one of encouragement and blessing for God’s people, especially when they are going through times of trial and hard­ship brought about through persecution. Blessed indeed are those who read, hear, and take to heart what is written in this wonderful book.