Bible Study: THE key to understanding Revelation

^"Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near."

  

- Revelation 1:3 (NIV)

     The book of Revelation can be very difficult to read for many Christians today. The problem I have with this fact is that the original audience seemed to be expected to understand most of the book. What has changed?

     I believe that even today we are expected to take the time to understand this wonderful book of revelation. I think we must change our attitude about it before this will ever be possible. Instead of simply getting overwhelmed within the first few chapters, try to view the book similar to how we view the parables of Jesus. While reading the gospels you will find that Jesus did not tell the meaning of the parables to the multitudes (He usually only told His apostles/disciples after they specifically asked Him about it). In many ways we are like those multitudes when we read Revelation. 

     The reason for Jesus using parables was to be able to speak wonderful truths about the kingdom of God to open ears while at the same time hiding these same truths from hard-hearted people. Which category do you fit into? I'm not saying we must understand everything in Revelation. I doubt even the original audience understood it all. But we must make an effort today to better understand God's Word (even Revelation)!

     While recently reading Revelation I came across the symbols that are revealed within the text and wrote them down as I read. Realize this is not my interpretation as to what these symbols really mean. This is what the text says they mean. Here is that list.

Symbols Revealed Within The Text

- 7 stars = angels of the 7 churches (1:20)

- 7 lampstands = 7 churches (1:20)

- 7 lamps in front of the throne = 7 spirits of God (4:5)

- 7 horns & 7 eyes of the Lamb = 7 spirits of God (5:6)

- golden bowls of incense = prayers of God's people (5:8)

- 2 witnesses = "the 2 olive trees" & the 2 lampstands (11:3-4) 
see Zechariah 4 for more info about these symbols

- 7 heads of scarlet beast = 7 hills which the women sits

also is 7 kings (5 fallen, 1 current, 1 yet to come) (17:9-10)

- beast = an 8^th king which belongs to 7 above kings (17:11)

- 10 horns = 10 kings with beast yet to receive kingdom (17:12)

- water where prostitute sits = people, multitudes, nations, & languages (17:15)

- woman on scarlet beast = the great city (17:18)

- fine linen for Lamb's bride = righteous acts of God's holy people (19:8)

- the dragon = ancient serpent, devil, or Satan (20:2)

- bride/wife of the Lamb = holy city / New Jerusalem (21:2, 9-10)