Searching the Prophecies of Revelation

Revelation is probably the least read book of the New Testament even though it is the one in which a blessing is promised to those who read and listen to the words of the prophecy. The problem stems from several things. The unusual symbolism makes the message difficult to understand, a difficulty increased by the multitude of interpretations, some of which are hard to comprehend.

The basic approach in this study is premillennial and tends to dispensationalism, although some questions are raised about some of the assumptions of traditional dispensationalism. The study also tries to distinguish between what will be literally fulfilled and what is symbolic. Since the message was made symbolized by John, we expect to find many symbols. Our task is to try to understand their meaning.

In writing this prophecy, John used a literary device of making reference to something being opened in heaven. If we take these references as the beginning of each division after the first, we find a theme in each section that enables us to gain a better understanding of the message of Revelation. As we read through the six sections and consider the struggle between God and Satan, we will see the ultimate victory of the Lamb. With the hosts of heaven, we also will shout hallelujah!