Revelation Introduction
The Title: The term “Revelation” (1:1) means, “an uncovering, a laying bare” (Thayer). The Greek term here is APOKALUPSIS, thus the English title “Apocalypse”. Therefore the book is designed to uncover and reveal truth, and not to confuse the reader or conceal truth. “Now don’t tell me the book cannot be understood, for that would mean God had mocked us in giving it to us and in adding a blessing for those who ‘keep’ it” (Revelation, Jim McGuiggan, p. 12). “The purpose of the writer was not to cover up his message but to make it increasingly vivid by ‘unveiling’ through signs and symbols the present glory of Jesus Christ and His power to give victory to His faithful saints” (Revelation, Harkrider, p. 1). The Style of the Book: Revelation 1:1 “and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bondservant John”. The term “communicated” is the Greek term SEMAINO, and means to “give a sign” (Vine p. 30). “To give a sign, to signify, indicate” (Thayer p. 573). Thus this is a book that communicates a message by signs and symbols. This style of literature is known as Apocalyptic. “Apocalyptic literature was always relevant to the historical situation of the day. Daniel and Ezekiel were written during the Babylonian exile to comfort the chosen people in their faithfulness and to prepare them for trials, even down to the times of Antiochus Epiphanes and to the Roman Empire” (Studies in the Book of Revelation, Ferrell Jenkins, p. 1). “In approaching an apocalyptic book the rule is: Understand it figuratively unless there is good reason to do otherwise” (McGuiggan p. 15). “There are those who affirm ‘apocalyptic speech’ was used to hide the truth from the hostile authorities. There is no proof whatever for such a view. What’s to prevent an enemy from infiltrating an assembly of believers and hearing the message explained?” (p. 15).
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