A Revelation Invitation

(The “How to Read Revelation” series begins here.)

Principle #4: Literary Context of Revelation

When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. (Revelation 6:12-14)

Have you ever assembled a large jigsaw puzzle? As you comb through the pieces, you see a medley of colorful details, but not much of it is recognizable. You pick out a puzzle piece and have little idea what it represents. Only after painstakingly locating its place within the puzzle are its features discernible. When you step back from the individual puzzle piece to take in the whole picture, suddenly the image becomes clear. Revelation can seem like a giant puzzle, and in some ways it is. However, by keeping the whole picture in view, the particulars of individual details slowly come to inform you of the full picture.

Revelation’s vivid, frightening and even grotesque imagery (see passage above) is one of its most striking features. It’s not like anything you would read in a history book or novel. You certainly wouldn’t write an email like that. While John’s mode of expression seems foreign to us, this literary style, known as apocalyptic, was well-known to Jews of John’s day. Throughout Israel’s history apocalyptic books were written during times of adversity. We see early examples during the Babylonian exile (Daniel and Ezekiel contain some of the best). The churches John addressed were living through a similar time of adversity. Instead of Babylonian oppression, the church was enduring Roman persecution. An apocalyptic message was fitting.

Thematically, apocalyptic literature promised that present suffering and persecution would give way to future deliverance and victory through God’s intervention in human affairs, bringing judgment on the unrighteous powers. Through a vision, a common apocalyptic literary device, John pointed to a shining day of release from the dark conditions of the ominous present, the ultimate vindication of God’s people and the establishment of an eternal kingdom ruled by God. In the midst of its suffering, the church needed a message of a glorious future hope.

The Jewish Christians understood this literary style; they were familiar with the language, its symbols and mental images. Additionally, for John predominately illiterate audience, the public reading of Revelation in all its apocalyptic imagery presented its message in the most vivid way possible. The following contrast demonstrates how effective it can be. Modern readers might prefer to read:

Then Jesus revealed the coming judgment against Rome. God was going to shake their world. The Empire would crumble around them. Chaos would reign across the realm. War, disease, natural disasters, political upheaval and famine were all signs of Rome’s impending ruin.

Instead John wrote what we read in Revelation 6:12-14 (quoted above). While my interpretation may be clear and concise (and prosaic), John’s apocalyptic style imprints a picture on the mind that will not be easily forgotten. It arouses emotions. It stirs the imagination. This is the purpose and power of apocalyptic literature.

Understanding that Revelation was written as apocalyptic may not clarify its message. But knowing that you need to read it differently will help. Embrace the mystery and wonder. Don’t sweat the details. Step back and take in the whole picture. You’ll be on your way to a rewarding study.

Lord God, I confess that I find Revelation challenging and sometimes frustrating to read. Help me to appreciate the care with which you conveyed this vision to John. Spark my imagination to comprehend Revelation’s images for the purpose that you present them. Enable my mind to understand this way of communicating that is foreign to me. Thrill me with this message of glorious hope and deliverance in the midst of suffering. Amen.

(Part 6 of “How to Read Revelation” is here.)