7 Easy Tips for Reading the Book of Revelation

It is easy to get lost in the hundreds of details.  However, if you understand that the primary purpose of the book is to reveal Jesus, it will help you have clarity as you study the other aspects of the book.  The word revelation means to make known or to reveal.  The word picture is to unveil something like a painting.  Chapter One makes it clear that it is the unveiling of the Lordship of Jesus in all things.  It is not the unveiling of the Antichrist or what the Mark of the Beast is, but the unveiling of Christ.

The words of this book are so important that a special blessing is promised to those who will take the time and effort to read and understand its pages (Revelation 1:3).

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One of the keys to understanding Revelation is to constantly go back to the Old Testament.  The book sounds mysterious to us because we are not as strong in Old Testament teachings as we should be.  While there are 404 verses in Revelation, there are over 800 allusions back to the Old Testament.  When you understand this important fact, the book will not feel as mysterious. 

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From 2020 to 2021, I taught chapter-by-chapter through Revelation.  I was surprised at the clear pattern and rhythm we discovered.  In my view, Revelation is laid out in perfect chronological order.  Chapter one lays the foundation for the Lordship of Jesus, while chapters two and three explain the Church Age.  I believe the Seven Churches of Revelation were historical, literal churches, as well as a prophetic representation of each church age leading up to Laodicea, which I believe is the current and final Church Age.  Chapters four and five show us around the throne of God, which I believe is the Bema Judgment Seat of Christ.  The rest of the book focuses on the seven-year tribulation period, which will include seven seal judgments, seven trumpet judgments, and seven bowl judgments.  The pattern you want to look for is the various scenes between Heaven and Earth.  Mark Hitchcock compares it to a theatrical play with a curtain going up and down to set the scenes.  For example, when we see scenes happening on the Earth during the tribulation period, after each set of judgments, the curtain goes down, and we are shown scenes in Heaven.  At the beginning of each set of judgments, the curtain goes up to show us what is happening on Earth.

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Numbers matter to God and have significant meaning.  The most predominant number in Revelation is seven, which means completeness.  Notice how there are Seven Churches, stars, years of tribulation, seal, trumpet, and bowl judgments, and many other sets of seven.  Simply identifying how many different numbers and the meaning of the numbers is a fascinating study of its own.

5. The Sights and Sounds of Heaven Recorded in Revelation

Another fascinating study is to read and think through the various sights John saw and the sounds he heard.  I think of J.C. Ryle, who said, “How dull and earthy the mind must be that never thinks of Heaven.”  When you pay close attention to the descriptions John gave, Heaven will not feel so foreign, and you will find your soul longing for that world.

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This was one of the greatest discoveries for me when I preached chapter-by-chapter through the book.  I was not aware of how many categories of people God has.  If you can understand the different categories, you will not get lost in the narrative.  Here is a quick breakdown of who to pay attention to:

Old Testament Saints 

Those who died in the Lord before the Church Age.

New Testament Saints

The elders (The Church Age).  I believe the elders John saw represent the New Testament Church (from the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 to the Rapture).  During the Church Age, representatives of local churches were called elders, and I believe John saw the New Testament Church Age around the Throne of God.  Note that the Church is never mentioned again from the end of chapter three until the end of the Tribulation period in chapter nineteen.  Why is the Church missing from the Earth?  I believe it is because we are raptured before the Tribulation begins.

Tribulation Saints

An interesting question is why John did not recognize Christians who would die during the Tribulation.  I believe it is because they are not part of the Church Age.  Can people be saved during the Tribulation?  This category of God’s people proves that they can and will be.

Israel

While chapters one through three focus on the Church Age (Every name for Christ is a Greek name, like Alpha and Omega.), the book shifts its focus to Israel.  From chapter four on, every name for Christ is Jewish, like the Lion and the Lamb.  This is the time period described in Romans 11 when the blind eyes of Israel will be opened.  The close of the Church Age will be the end of the times of the Gentiles, and the eyes of Israel will be opened.  This will also include the one hundred forty-four thousand sealed Jews who will be God’s worldwide evangelists.  

The Two Witnesses

Could these witnesses be Moses, Enoch, Elijah, or even John the Baptist?  Space does not allow me to elaborate; however, I carefully preached this text of Revelation 10-11, and I give my opinion of who I believe these two witnesses will be that will literally shake the Earth.

Angels

The ranks of angels and the four living creatures play a prominent role throughout the entire book of Revelation.  An isolated study of angels, their work, and their role in the last days is a fascinating study all of its own.  For example, when Satan is bound with a chain for a thousand years, it is not Christ that binds him, but simply an angel.  What does this tell us?  It says that Satan is no equal to the Lord Jesus.

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The book of Revelation can feel overwhelming to any believer, so it is imperative that as you study the complexities of the book, you do not listen to twisted interpretations.  It can be easy to fall into error or to get distracted by sensational speculations. You can avoid this with trusted spiritual teachers. Scripture reminds us to hold everything accountable to the truth in God's Word. Pray for discernment as you study, and listen to teachers on any subject. Of course, I invite you to watch or listen to my study of Revelation by clicking the links in this article.  My study is provided in three series:

• The Seven Churches of Revelation (Revelation 1-3)
• Things to Come (Revelation 4-12)
• All Things New (Revelation 13-22)

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