The Book of Revelation is one of those books in the Bible that will keep you at the edge of your seat. It's like reading a novel filled with vivid imagery, violence, and symbolisms. At the center of the story is God and what will happen when he returns to Earth. If you're looking for a quick roundup of the important things to know about this book, here are five you should know.
John is the author
There is no better author of the final book of the Bible than John. John considered Jesus as his best friend; he followed him for three years and believed every word he said. He witnesses Jesus' miracles up close like Jesus walking on the water and Jesus raising people from the dead. When Jesus was crucified, John didn't leave his side. John was also boiled in oil, but managed to survive. He lived until 100 years old and was the only apostle who died peacefully. John is known as the beloved disciple and Jesus loved him very much, too.
John wrote Revelation while in exile
John never stopped telling people about Jesus. This led him to be banished to the Isle of Patmos. While there, God talked to him in his dream and gave all the revelations he wrote in the book. This is the reason why the Book of Revelation is filled with vivid imagery and symbolisms that is quite confusing to understand.
The seventh seal
There were seven scrolls mentioned in the book. The six scrolls were opened in the early chapters, but the most important of them all is the seventh seal. This is called the Lord's Day or the Day of the Lord. This signifies that man already had his day. God has let man do what he wants and does not intervene. But once the seventh seal is opened, God will finally intervene, will rule the Earth, and will establish His Kingdom. He will do this until Christ returns and rules for 1,000 years.
You must prepare
Why do you think God revealed all this information to John and instructed him to send this to the seven churches? Did God just want to scare us? Of course, not. The information was revealed so that men can prepare for the return of Christ. Aside from the horrific events that will happen, the Book of Revelation also contains verses that tell Christians to stay obedient and loyal to the Lord. This is made clear in Revelation 22:7, it says "Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book."
Jesus wins
'I am the Alpha and the Omega — the beginning and the end,' says the Lord God. 'I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come — the Almighty One.' - Revelation 1:8
The last important thing you must know is that the Book of Revelation is all about God's victory. While it tells us about the hardships we will face, it also tells us that God knows about the growing wickedness in the world and simply allowed it. Many may think that the devil has defeated God because He is allowing the world to succumb to evil. But in this book, the important takeaway is that God always triumphs over evil at the end.
The Book of Revelation is one of my favorite books in the Bible. For me, it symbolizes hope. It gives me assurance that God will save us all once again and will defeat the devil once and for all. It makes me look forward to a life spent with God forever. Moreover, it encourages me more to persevere on Earth as a Christian because at the end of the hardships, the reward is more than worth all the effort.
