Rightly Dividing the Word of God

Some Basic Guidelines and Principles for Interpreting the Book of Revelation

“The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants – things which must shortly (soon) take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John…” (Rev. 1: 1 NKJV)

We continue with some basic guidelines for properly understanding the mystical book of Revelation. Previously we pointed out several key factors essential to understanding the message of this last book of the New Testament. They are: (1) determining the purpose (Why?), (2) recapturing the historical context inclusive of date (When?), (3) understanding the literary form as apocalyptic literature, including the message in symbolic language (What?), and (4) the structural organization (How?).

We have stressed that basic principles of biblical interpretation which involve the questions of WHO, WHAT, WHY, T0 WHOM, WHEN and sometimes WHERE are important factors in the interpretative process. Of these, WHO said it, WHAT was said, WHY it was said, TO WHOM it was said, WHEN it was said and HOW are crucial to interpreting the book of Revelation

 

Therefore we make the following observation: a major aspect of this book is the use of symbols and imagery. Only as we understand these symbols can we recover its message and meaning to those early Christians as well as for us today as it is both historical and prophetic in content. The prophetic element is not predictive of far distance events in history, but rather proclamative, revealing God’s coming judgment against an apostate people. Consequently, we must begin with the contemporary meaning of the message in its historical context and then seek its timeless meaning for the church throughout the ages

Since Revelation is full of symbols and imagery we must seek to understand its message to the early church and then draw meanings for us today as it has both historical and prophetic content. We must begin with the contemporary meaning drawn from the historical context, from which we may gain meaning for the church through all ages.

Revelation is apocalyptic in nature and content, a literary form that arose during period between the Old Testament and New Testament. It uses symbolic and figurative language to convey a clear and meaningful message to the intended group while keeping it hidden or veiled from enemies or opponents. Much on this will be said later, but now we share a bibliography of authors who in my opinion give definitive insights crucial to our interpretive task.

Chilton, David, Days of Vengeance, Dominion Press, 2006; Paradise Restored, Dominion Press, 2007.

Currie, David B., Rapture: The End Times Error That Leaves the Bible Behind, Sophia Institute Press, 2003.

Demar, Gary, End Times Fiction, Thomas Nelson, 2001; Is Jesus Coming Soon, American Vision, 2006.

Gentry, Kenneth L. Jr., The Beast of Revelation, American Vision, 2002; Before Jerusalem Fell, American Vision, 1998.

Hanegraf, Hank, The Apocalypses Code, Thomas Nelson, 2007.

Riddlebarger, Kim, A Case for Amillennialism, Baker Books, 2003.

Robinson, John A. T., Redating the New Testament, SCM Press, 1976.

Rossing, Barbara R., The Rapture Exposed, Basic Books, 2004.

Sproul, R.C., The Last Days According to Jesus, Baker Books, 1998.

Wohlberg, Steve, End Time Delusions, Treasure House, 2004.

Of these I highly recommend those by Chilton, Demar, Gentry, and Hanegraff.

More to come.

Pastor Emeritus Rudolph Smith 10-08