The Book of Revelation

The apostle John wrote the book of Revelation when Christians were entering a time of persecution.  Since Roman authorities at this time were beginning to enforce emperor worship, Christians were facing increased hostility.

John was exiled to the island of Patmos (probably the site of a Roman Penal colony) for his activities as a Christian missionary.  This is where he received his revelation.  John wrote to the seven churches and their faithful to boldly resist the demands of emperor worship. 

He informed them that the final showdown between God and Satan is imminent.  Satan will increase his persecution of believers, but they must stand fast, even to death.  They are sealed against any spiritual harm and will soon be vindicated when Christ returns, when the wicked are forever destroyed, and when God's people enter an eternity of glory and blessedness.

Revelation is apocalyptic, a kind of writing that is highly symbolic.  Although its visions often seem bizarre to the Western or modern-day reader, the book fortunately provides a number of clues for its interpretation (ex:  stars are angels, lampstands are churches, 1:20; "the great prostitute," 17:1 is Babylon)

When thinking about the symbolism of Revelation and how to interpret it, readers normally fall into four groups:

1. Preterists understand the book primarily in terms of its historical setting, claiming that most of the events mentioned have already happened.
2. Historicists read this book as a long chain of events from Patmos to the end of times.
3. Futurists place the book primarily in the end of times.
4. Idealists view it as symbolic metaphors of timeless truths of the victory of good over evil.

Fortunately, as Christians, the truths of Revelation don't rely upon choosing  the "right" interpretation.  We must read this book for its overall message and ultimately know that Jesus Christ paid for our sins and God's people will enter an eternity of glory and blessedness when He returns to judge the wicked.