Reading: Rev. 1:1-20

The Apostle John said “blessed is he who reads this prophesy”, not understands it, and keeps those things which are written in it. This is the only book in the Bible that promises a blessing for reading it, and a curse for tampering with its contents.

There have been many different interpretations of the book of Revelation and hundreds of books have been written upon this book, not one which has been generally considered satisfactory. There are widely diversified opinions concerning its meaning and teachings.

There have been three principal schools of thought which deal with the subject matter:

1. The Preterists, who believe that the prophecies of Revelation have already been fulfilled.
2. The Futurists who hold that the book contains a forecast of universal history.
3. The Eclectics, who lay stress upon the spiritual elements of the book, and do not attempt to dogmatize upon the meaning of the details of the more mysterious visions.

They believe that there are three classes of passages: Those that are very clear in their spiritual teaching; those that are more mysterious, and yet contain an element of truth which is instructive; and finally there are some of the visions that are so veiled that it is futile from our present standpoint of knowledge to give any positive interpretation of them.

I would have to agree that it’s not inconsistent for God to veil prophetic truths in a mystery. It’s also important that we are open and available should the mystery be unveiled in part or whole in our lifetime. That’s why there’s a blessing for reading it.

This unusual book contains not only a message for the first century church, to whom it was written, but also a message to the church through the ages, particularly those living in the “end times” who will see Christ return to the earth. The name “Revelation” comes from the main event of the book: the revealing of Jesus to the world’s inhabitants in the final days. Keep reading and watching!