Can the mysterious book of Revelation—the last book of the Bible—be understood today? What does it mean for your future?
The last book of the Bible is titled “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.” It is often shortened to “Revelation” or the “Apocalypse.” These titles come from the Greek word apokalupsis (meaning “disclosure” or “revelation”) used in the first verse of the first chapter. The title thus conveys the idea of uncovering or revealing.
Many perceive this book to be the most mysterious of the Bible and the hardest to understand because of the symbolism used. Yet when one understands the terms as used in other sections of Scripture, the book reveals what will happen before and after Christ’s return to earth. In other words, this book is intended to reveal information rather than conceal it.
Indeed, there are many prophecies, images and symbols contained in this book that are all part of this “uncovering” or “disclosure” from God.
- Among these are a beast with seven heads and 10 horns;
- two witnesses;
- “Mystery, Babylon the Great”;
- a great harlot;
- seven churches;
- seven golden lampstands;
- three angels;
- four living creatures;
- 10 kings;
- 24 elders;
- the 144,000;
- the Great Tribulation;
- a scroll with seven seals; (Revelation Ch-5: This section of Scripture pictures Jesus being honored as the One worthy to open these seals. While this event clearly occurs prior to the opening of the seals, other events in this chapter seem to be more of an overview of events, including things that will happen later. For example, Revelation 5:9-10 speaks of redeemed humans, who will be kings and priests on earth; and verse 13 speaks of “every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea” praising God the Father and the Lamb.)
- four horses (each a different color); (White(religious deception), Red(nation will rise against nation), Black(famines) and Pale(beginning of sorrows - to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth) colour Horses)
- seven trumpets;
- vials full of plagues;
- locusts;
- a Great White Throne;
- New Jerusalem;
- 1,000 years (the Millennium);
- the first resurrection;
- the second death;
- Gog and Magog;
- a lake of fire;
- 1,260 days;
- a great dragon;
- the Book of Life;
- a mark of the beast;
- and the number 600 & 60 & 6(The mark represents disobedience to God) .
