We now set sail on our Wisdom Journey to the last book of the Bible, the book of Revelation.

It is not only the last book in the Bible but also the last one written by the Holy Spirit through His apostolic messengers. By the way, there is a period at the end of this book, not a comma. There is no sequel to the Bible. This is it. This is the final revelation from God.

The opening verse gives us the book’s title: “The revelation of Jesus Christ.” This book is the declaration of the person and the power and the program of Jesus Christ.[1]

This word translated “revelation” is apokalupsis—it gives us our word apocalypse. It means “unveiling” or “revealing.” When most people hear the word apocalypse, they think of the end of the world. In a sense, that is true. Revelation will reveal the Lord’s plans for the final events in world history.

Some see this book as a symbolic picture of conflicts that have already taken place in the early church.[2] Others interpret Revelation as having been fulfilled over the past 2,000 years. Still others interpret Revelation “as a series of ideals . . . related to the struggle between good and evil.”[3]

Well, I believe we should interpret this book just like every other book in the Bible—that is, literally. These are literal prophecies, not spiritual ideals. Revelation gives us a futurist view that takes us to the end of the age.

Of course, a literal interpretation of Scripture allows for metaphor and simile and symbolism—and there is a lot of that in this book. But there is literal meaning behind the symbols and metaphors.

When Jesus said He was the Bread of Life, no one thinks He meant that He would just come out of the oven as a loaf of bread. Likewise, when He called Himself a door, no one thinks He swung open on hinges. Those symbols or metaphors represented literal spiritual truths. In the same way, we are going to find a lot of meaning in the symbolic images of Revelation.

Verse 1 tells us an angel delivers God’s revelation to the apostle John. John is the last of the twelve original apostles still living. He is now an old man, writing this around AD 95.

The revelation is actually shown to John in visions. He gives us eyewitness testimony. More than forty times in this book, John will say, “I saw!”[4]

By the way, did you know that Revelation is the only book in the Bible that explicitly offers this unique blessing in verse 3?

Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

With that, John begins a section that specifically relates, as verse 4 says, to “the seven churches that are in Asia.”  

Before we open their personal mail, John describes each member of the triune God. God the Father is described in verse 4 as “him who is and who was and who is to come.”

Then John refers to the “seven Spirits . . . before [God’s] throne.” This a reference to the Holy Spirit’s perfection.[5] Seven is a number that speaks of completion or perfection.

Finally, God the Son, Jesus Christ, is called, “the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead” (verse 5). That is because Jesus led the way in rising from the dead and conquering death. He is also described here as “the ruler of kings on earth,” and that points us ahead to His future millennial kingdom.

John then sort of pauses and starts a little praise service here in verses 5-6. He praises the Lord, who “loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father.” In verse 7 he rejoices in the truth that Jesus will one day be “coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him.”  

Jesus begins speaking personally in verse 8, saying, “I am the Alpha and the Omega . . . who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Alpha and omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. So, with this expression, Jesus is declaring His eternal existence as God the Son.

Having introduced the book, John now begins describing his own suffering. Ancient sources indicate he had been pastoring the church in Ephesus, but he was exiled to “the island called Patmos” because of his testimony for Jesus (verse 9).

Patmos was a small island, and church leaders like Irenaeus and Clement of Alexandria tell us John was forced to work in the rock quarries on that island. You can imagine how difficult that would have been for this elderly apostle.

John writes that on Sunday—called the “Lord’s day” in verse 10—he was “in the Spirit.” He was having his own little church service, when this amazing revelation from God the Holy Spirit came to him by way of a vision.

The vision begins with John hearing a voice commanding him to write what he is about to see and send it to these seven churches in Asia Minor, or modern-day Turkey. Even though they were literal, active churches, they can certainly present principles of application for any church in any generation.

John first sees “seven golden lampstands” (verse 12). We are told later in verse 20 that these “lampstands are the seven churches.” The lampstands represent their gospel testimony of light in the community.

In the midst of these lampstands, or churches, John sees “one like a son of man” (verse 13). This is the typical messianic title for Jesus Christ. This clearly informs these churches that He has not forgotten them. He is right there in the middle of them all.

John goes on to describe Jesus as wearing a robe and a golden sash, or belt. This is significant because these are the garments of Israel’s high priest; so, this is a reminder that Jesus is our High Priest.

The Lord is described as having snow-white hair, which matches the portrait of the “Ancient of Days” given to us in Daniel 7:9.

Jesus’ eyes are “like a flame of fire” (verse 14), which pictures His perfect perception and discernment. His feet of bronze (verse 15) represent His strength; and His voice, which sounds “like the roar of many waters,” describes the power and authority of His word. And beloved, Jesus will have the final word.

John then writes in verse 16, “In his right hand he held seven stars.” In verse 20 we are told the stars are “the angels of the seven churches.” The word for “angel” (angelos) simply means “messenger.” These messengers might very well be the pastors of the seven churches who will deliver the Lord’s messages to them.

Verse 16 also describes a “sharp two-edged sword” coming from the mouth of Jesus; this symbolizes His indestructible word. To the people in John’s day, who are facing severe persecution, this is a reminder that Jesus Christ is still in control.

Finally, the Lord’s face is shining like the sun in brilliant majesty. No wonder we read in verse 17 that John “fell at his feet as though dead.” Jesus then speaks to John:

“Fear not, I am the first and the last, and the living one. I died, and behold I am alive forevermore, and I have the keys of Death and Hades.” (verses 17-18)

How great is that? Beloved, if you are suffering at the hands of evil people, if you are facing a terminal illness, if you cannot see past today’s problems, be captivated all over again and comforted by your Lord. No person or thing can take your life apart from Christ’s knowledge and permission. And when you leave this world, no one can lock you out of heaven, for He holds the keys of eternal life. Your present life and your future home are in His hands.