Introduction
I find it both interesting and puzzling why so many believers (and for that matter, churches) shy away from the final book of the Bible: The Revelation.
It’s understandable that people in general are afraid of the Book of Revelation – there’s a lot of scary stuff there; but Christians? Who have the Holy Spirit? Who anticipate the second coming of Jesus? Is it because of its complex and often terrifying imagery, its focus on divine judgment, and its apocalyptic themes of the end of the world? It’s severe warnings (and promises) to the Churches?
There are several possible reasons why Revelation can evoke fear or apprehension in people, including followers of Christ:
The Complex and Symbolic Language
Revelation is filled with vivid, symbolic language that can be difficult to understand. The visions of beasts, dragons, angels, seals, trumpets, and bowls, as well as references to cosmic events like earthquakes, bloodshed, and fire, can seem overwhelming and even cryptic. These symbols have been interpreted in various ways throughout history, and without a clear understanding, they can seem unsettling or confusing. For many, the complexity of the text fosters fear of misinterpretation or an inability to grasp its meaning.
The Focus on Judgment and Destruction
A significant portion of Revelation describes catastrophic events that involve divine wrath and judgment. The opening of the seals, the sounding of the trumpets, and the pouring out of the bowls all describe intense, often horrifying judgments upon the earth, such as plagues, natural disasters, and the destruction of cities. For those unfamiliar with the broader message of Revelation or who focus only on these aspects, the book can appear as a portrayal of a vengeful God punishing humanity, which can be unsettling.
Depictions of Evil and Spiritual Warfare
Revelation presents intense spiritual warfare between good and evil. The imagery of the Beast (often interpreted as the Antichrist), the Dragon (representing Satan), and other evil forces can provoke fear, especially when portrayed as actively working to deceive and destroy God’s people. The apocalyptic struggle can seem overwhelming, and many people fear the idea of being caught up in such a cosmic battle, especially if they perceive themselves as unprepared for spiritual warfare.
The End-Times Fears
Revelation deals explicitly with the “end times,” the ultimate final judgment, and the return of Jesus Christ. Many people find the idea of the end of the world to be frightening, especially when combined with natural disasters, the rise of the Antichrist, and the imagery of divine wrath. The unknown nature of what the future holds, particularly in relation to death and judgment, can create anxiety, especially for those who do not fully understand the ultimate triumph of God and the new creation promised in Revelation.
The Fear of the Unknown
The Book of Revelation contains many elements that deal with the unknown—mysteries about the future, the afterlife, and the final destiny of humanity. Fear of the unknown is a natural human instinct, and the apocalyptic visions in Revelation seem to amplify this fear, particularly when people feel uncertain about their own future or their salvation. The book’s portrayal of final judgment, heaven, and hell can heighten existential anxiety, as it challenges individuals to confront their ultimate fate.
The Cultural Depictions and Misunderstandings
Over the centuries, Revelation has often been sensationalized or misinterpreted, especially in popular culture, which sometimes intensifies fear. Movies, books, and TV shows have often depicted the end times in graphic and frightening ways, drawing from the more disturbing imagery in Revelation, conveniently leaving out God’s wonderful plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. These depictions often focus on the catastrophic aspects of the book, without balancing them with the hope and victory which the book ultimately portrays. As a result, many people approach Revelation with preconceived notions of doom and terror rather than with an understanding of its broader message of hope and ultimate redemption.
The Perceived Irrelevance or Inaccessibility
For many, the book’s apocalyptic themes seem disconnected from their daily lives, and the book’s historical and theological context can feel irrelevant or inaccessible. The fear here may not be of the content itself, but rather a sense of being ill-prepared to understand or apply the book to one’s life. Revelation’s obscure nature can make people anxious because they may feel powerless to interpret its meaning or see how it applies to their faith journey.
The Misinterpretations of God’s Character
Some fear that Revelation portrays God as a harsh, vengeful deity, and they struggle with the concept of divine wrath. However, when understood correctly, Revelation is not just about judgment; it is about the ultimate triumph of good over evil, the vindication of the righteous, and the restoration of creation. God’s judgment in Revelation is a response to evil, sin, and injustice, and is coupled with His mercy and promise of a new heaven and new earth (Revelation 21:1-5). Misunderstanding the nature of God’s judgment can lead to fear, as people may focus on wrath without grasping the greater message of hope and redemption.
A More Hopeful Perspective on Revelation
While Revelation certainly contains judgment and terrifying images, the overall message is one of hope. It culminates in the victory of Christ over evil, the restoration of all things, and the establishment of a new creation where God will dwell with His people forever
(Revelation 21:3-4). For believers, Revelation is meant to encourage perseverance, faithfulness, and hope in the face of suffering and persecution.
When understood through the lens of God’s ultimate plan for redemption, Revelation can be seen as a book that calls believers to trust in God’s sovereignty, to endure in faith, and to look forward to the ultimate renewal of all things. Far from a book of hopeless fear, Revelation is a exposé of God’s victory and the final fulfillment of His promises.
One of the main purposes of this prophecy (Revelation) is to prepare God's people for the return of Jesus, and possibly very difficult times.
God loves to hide His truths within mysteries, and His truths are to be wrestled with as they are understood. This forces us to rely on the HolySpiritforhelp. Thereareatleastthreeinstructionswearegiven which create a lot of tension when considering the coming end- times:
First: We are told that the one who endures to the end will be saved. The end of what? Our life? The end of the current Earth?
Second: We are to watch for the specific prophesied signs of His coming so that we are not caught off guard. What are these signs?
Third: Jesus will come at an hour we do not expect. No human is going to figure out when He will return. We are all going to be surprised, in one way or another!
In general, the book of Revelation maintains a sequential order of the prophesied visions concerning Daniel's 70th week. The exception, however, is when the Apostle John is told to 'prophesy again' in Revelation 10:11. At that point, we are graciously and repeatedly provided with many more additional details of the last three and one- half years of Daniel's 70th week (referred to as the great tribulation) and beyond. This “sidebar” is chapters eleven through fourteen.
Therefore, the precise chronological order of Revelation is chapters one through ten, followed by chapters fifteen through twenty-two. The Revelation serves as a guide for those who will be alive at that future time, or for a roadmap for our children and grandchildren. For this reason, God wants us to be prepared and to understand this end- times prophecy. Prophecies concerning the Messiah’s first coming have already been fulfilled, but about half regarding His second coming remain unfulfilled. The Book of Revelation answers the question “What will occur during the last days (Daniel’s 70th week)?”
We may very well be the generation to witness the return of Jesus Christ. Regardless of minor variances in interpretation of Revelation, we can all agree that one day it will be critical for all Christians living in the last days to understand the signs of the End Times. Israel (the people) is back in the land, Jerusalem is the capital, and we should be anxiously waiting the next signs; the ashes of a red heifer, daily sacrifices and the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem. This day may be very soon, or off in the future, but regardless of when it is, one of the overarching messages of the Book of Revelation is clear: watch and be prepared.
Finally, don't be surprised if we are all a little confused on the exact details of the Second Coming. After all, John the Baptist, one of the most righteous men in history, was confused with the details of the First Coming (From prison, he sent his disciples to Jesus asking: “Are You the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?)” The details of prophecy are not easy, and take time and a lot of study to understand. It would be prudent and compassionate to be kind and patient in our teaching and discussions with lots of love and grace for one another. Above all, this should not divide believers. God’s Word isn’t always simple, and He is pleased when we endeavor to understand His Word. Proverbs 25:2 tells us, “It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out.”
If you are familiar with the Old Testament, you will find many references back to that first half of the Bible. For example, the Four Horsemen of Revelation is from Zechariah. The Bowls of Wrath are from plagues in Exodus. The Beast Rising from the Sea is from Daniel. The Dragon is from Genesis. In fact, there are over 500 references to the Old Testament in the Book of Revelation. It might be safe to say then, that if you know the Old Testament, you will thoroughly enjoy the Revelation.
The subject of prophecy encourages us to rely more upon the Holy Spirit and less upon biblical scholars to understand exactly what the Lord wants us to know. Let’s all just be graceful and patient towards each other as we seek to learn of this wonderful topic.
The Book of Revelation is rich in symbolism and imagery, but its primary message is one of hope for believers: the final victory of Christ over all evil, the establishment of God’s eternal Kingdom, and the promise of new creation. It is my hope and prayer that this book will encourage us rather than frighten us. Revelation leads us from our present struggles to the ultimate triumph of God’s will, revealing the heart of God for His people and His creation.
May our Lord Jesus Christ be praised and honored and glorified by all that we say, all that we think, and all that we do.
H.K. Holevinsky