The book of Revelation has been sparking quite a bit of discussion lately. Suppose you haven’t studied Revelations to gain understanding. In that case, it often gets a reputation for being mysterious and a little scary, filled with apocalyptic imagery and symbolism that fuels all kinds of debates.

Yes, by definition, the word “revelation” comes from the Greek word “apokalypsis,” which means “an unveiling” or revealing.

So many of us find ourselves flipping to those final pages, seeking answers or just feeding our curiosity about what’s coming at the end. Sure, we hear about the antichrist and the mark of the beast, but there’s so much more to it!

Revelation isn’t just a collection of scary stories for coffee shop debates; it’s a powerful study tool that encourages us to trust God and live in His truth daily.

We must remember that symbolism is meant to point us toward something greater—the symbol itself is just a hint of the underlying reality.

Some key symbols we see throughout Revelation include seven, which signifies completeness or fullness, and twelve, representing the perfect government, order, and unity of the tribes of Israel or the apostles. We also see colors like emerald green, which symbolizes eternal life. Emerald is one of the 12 foundational stones of the New City.

When you read of the Lamb, it represents Jesus, our Passover Lamb.

The slain Beast symbolizes the false prophet, the antichrist, or oppressive governmental powers. 

Then there are the Four Horsemen, representing conquest, war, famine, and death.

You see lampstands that symbolize the church and the oil fueling the lamps, which represent the Holy Spirit, indicating divine authority and power, and the oil that keeps their spiritual “light” burning. Understanding these symbols, which are heavily drawn from Old Testament imagery and Hebrew “Gematria,” a numerological system linking Hebrew letters to numbers, is essential. But we must recognize that their meanings are often rich, contextual, and sometimes literal.

So, how do we truly embrace this incredible book?

In Revelation 1:3, we find this great promise: “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.” 

Did you notice the word “keep”? 

We’re called to read and hold this message close to our hearts. Jesus promises a special blessing to those who cling to these truths (Revelation 22:7).

Through Revelation, we see God’s extraordinary control over history. Nothing slips through His fingers; everything is under His care. Even in tough times, Everything is for His purpose.

I absolutely love the moment when John, representing us, is lifted into heaven and sees the earth’s future. Revelation 4:1 captures it beautifully: “And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, ‘Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this.”

As I took this picture of the clouds, I only thought of hearing the trumpet call for home.

The trumpet-like call signifies the rapture, when we are caught up to Christ Jesus in the clouds. 

After addressing the churches in chapters 2 and 3, Jesus calls John up to heaven, like a beautiful prelude to the great wrath described in Revelation 6. While he sees chaos unfold on earth, John, our representative of what’s to come, is safely watching from heaven.

Revelation 4:11 reminds us, “Our Lord and God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power…” It’s essential to see Jesus through the Gospels and as the living Christ in His resurrected glory. John’s vision on Patmos shows that God’s word is powerfully working for us today (Revelation 1:8-20).

Yes, Revelation has its daunting aspects, but at its core, it proclaims “Jesus’s Victory Over Evil”! He’s our reigning King, conquering darkness and establishing His eternal kingdom. Revelation 17:14 assures us: “The ten horns ten-nation confederation (as in Daniel 2:24-45 image of ten toes), will make war as they join with the Antichrist against the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them…” That’s the peace we need, especially during difficult times. 

Jesus is undeniably the Messiah and Savior prophesied throughout all of Scripture. He is the unwavering foundation of our trust, affirming that Jesus reigns and God remains in complete control, regardless of this world’s circumstances or what we might observe that suggests otherwise.

To truly understand Revelation, we should turn back to the Old Testament, which is rich with connections that illuminate the final chapters of the Bible. Characters and themes from the Old Testament set the stage for this breathtaking book.

Think about it:

– The four horsemen echo themes from Zechariah.

– The bowls of wrath recall the plagues of Exodus.

– Daniel introduces the beast from the sea.

– And the serpent? His roots trace back to Genesis.

Revelation harmonizes beautifully with Daniel’s visions that resonate with John’s messages.

Revelation further encourages authentic worship and teaches us how to praise God genuinely. The majestic angelic beings surrounding God’s throne cry out, “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God, the Almighty…” (Revelation 4:8). When we worship, we join that heavenly chorus, lifting our eyes above worldly troubles to eternal truths.

Read this scripture, as it best describes this beautiful worship song! “Come Jesus Come”

Revelation 22:19-20

19 And if anyone cancels or takes away from the statements of this prophecy, God will cancel and take away his share in the tree of life and the holy city, which are described and promised in this book.

20 He who gives this warning and affirms these truths says, Yes, I am coming quickly. Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

The book of Revelation is truly significant, but let me tell you, the most incredible thing of all is knowing that your name is written in the Book of Life. 

I’m excited to share this summary with you! You might wonder why I kept it so brief. I hope it encourages you to explore the entire book of Revelation more deeply. Trust me, there’s so much more to discover; studying it will further enrich your understanding, faithfulness, and perseverance through this book’s prophetic vision of the culmination of God’s plan. Amen!