Reading this book in one setting takes an hour. Understanding this book takes… well, who really understands it? Many have written much about it. These writings explain each author's research and opinions about John's letter to the seven churches. In all the ink spilt over these visions not many students come to the same conclusions.
Did the Holy Spirit throw us a curveball in this, the last letter/ book of the Bible? Was his purpose to leave us guessing as to what he really wanted to communicate? Or are we just slow learners? I believe (opinion coming) that we could answer yes or no to each of the above questions. Thus leaving yet one more enigma.
Someone has said that the Great Apostle John left none more confused about his last book than his commentators. Others have noted that the Revelation is the only book in the Bible which begins and ends with a blessing. Strange but true.
We may have memorized Revelation 3:20 as part of an evangelism class. It's the verse that tells us of Christ standing at the door and knocking. We've even seen the painting depicting that verse. We've been told to note that the door in that work of art has no handle and that the door represents our heart's door. The lack of a handle on the outside shows us that it is we who must open the door to the Savior. Even Jesus' feet in the work are pointing straight ahead, as if to say, I will not wait forever.
However, one theologian makes that whole explanation a farce when he states, "Rather than allowing for the common interpretation of Christ’s knocking on a person’s heart, the context demands that Christ was seeking to enter this church (Leodecia) that bore his name but lacked a single true believer. This poignant letter (Revelation) was his knocking. If one member would recognize his spiritual bankruptcy and respond in saving faith, he would enter the church.
So, what are mere mortals supposed to do when we come to the Apocalipse? Read prayerfully. Read often. Read seeking Jesus. Read asking for the Holy Spirit's help. And read knowing that each time that you complete your reading that you are obeying the Lord. Study the text and realize that thousands before you have studied and written about the same texts. Understand that opinions vary and to be overly dogmatic on any particular doctrinal issue is to take a great risk. Apocalyptic literature is polemical.
The approach that I am taking is to write out my views and cite critical and conservative sources. I am realizing that not even these good men will agree on many points. I need to make my stand on the hill of information that I have gathered, be ready to defend my position and be willing to surrender to other interpretations when my understanding becomes clearer. When you follow these steps you should make less enemies and the Revelation habits learned will make you a better student. Are you up for a good mystery? Then the Apocalipse is your book!
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