An Article of Faith

In order to grasp the relevance of the Book of Revelation you have to understand two things. We covered the first one last week, the historical setting of the book. Today we’ll cover the second, the nature of apocalyptic literature.

Did you know that another name for the Book of Revelation is “The Apocalypse”? The title of book comes from the Greek word, “Apocalypsis,” which is transliterated in English as “Apocalypse.” It means “unveiling, disclosure, or revelation.”

Thus, the book is an “unveiling” of that which otherwise could not be known had God not chosen to “reveal” it: “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants [i.e., to disclose or make known], the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John, who testified to the Word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw” (Revelation 1:1-2).

When it comes to understanding the nature of apocalyptic literature you have to realize that it’s a special kind of writing no longer used today that arose among Jews and Christians between 200 B.C. and A.D. 200 to reveal certain “mysteries” about heaven and earth, mankind and God, angels and demons, as well as this present world and the world to come.

What is the nature of apocalyptic literature? First, it uses “visions” as a way of revealing secrets from heaven about the present and the future of mankind: “And this is how I saw in the vision the horses and those who sat on them: the riders had breastplates the color of fire and of hyacinth [sapphire blue] and of brimstone [sulphur yellow]; and the heads of the horses are like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths proceed fire and smoke and brimstone” (Revelation 9:17).

Here John describes what he saw as a “vision.” The word “vision” usually refers to something actually seen. Thus, throughout the book of Revelation where symbols are used they always represent something or someone very real.

Second, apocalyptic literature is rich in powerful symbolism. When you read the book of Revelation God stretches your imagination! Granted, when the seven churches in Asia to whom it was originally addressed read the book of Revelation (see Revelation 1:4; 2-3), they knew exactly what John meant by the symbolism he used. The purpose of such symbolism wasn’t to confuse, but to inform and strengthen God’s people in the face of persecution.

Finally, apocalyptic literature communicates an important message: The End is Coming Soon! “And he said to me [i.e., the angel who showed these things to John], ‘Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the one who does wrong, still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous, still practice righteousness; and the one who is holy, still keep himself holy.’ ‘Behold, I am coming quickly,’ says Jesus, ‘and My reward is with Me, to render to every man according to what he has done’ ” (Revelation 22:10-12).

“Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”

(Jessie J. Charpentier Sr. is pastor of Jenkins Memorial Baptist Church in St. Martinville.)