As we have already discussed, this apocalyptic literature is similar in type to some books in the Old Testament: Daniel, Ezekiel, and parts of Zechariah. The Greek word, “apocalypsis,” is translated “revelation.” And so there in Revelation, chapter 1, verse 1, depending on your translation, it will say, “The Revelation of Jesus Christ.” Well, that word there is “apocalypsis.” It literally means an “unveiling,” or a “revealing” of something that has not been known before. Sometimes this book is simply referred to as the “Apocalypsis.” Apocalyptic literature also refers to a type of literature represented by a group of writing that is not found either in the Old Testament or the New Testament. Now, I’m not going to go into this, except only to mention that there are some other writings. These writings were not part of the “canon,” and they were not incorporated into the Bible for various reasons. They are not “inspired” writings, but nevertheless, there are a number of other writings, such as—and some of you may have heard of some of these—the “Book of Enoch,” the “Ascension of Isaiah,” the “Assumption of Moses,” and the “Psalms of Solomon.” So this “type” of writing was common in its day.

Well, all apocalyptic literature deals with the coming of the judgment and the end of all things. The point of view in this type of writing is “future.” However, the predictions that it makes are not in plain language, but, rather, they are in visions, visions that are highly symbolic, drawing upon the nature of mankind, on the nature of the world itself, and so on. These symbolic words then convey in a symbolic way the lesson of the vision. Angels are guides and interpreters, and through these visions we see the foreshadowing of the struggle between good and evil. We also see the triumph of God and His people.

The book of Revelation shows not only that God is in control of history, but that right and Truth will triumph and that God is at work in the affairs of history to bring about that triumph. God will finally bring all evil under judgment and confront all men with His absolute righteous judgment. By means of the symbols used to represent this great struggle, the struggle between good and evil, the church there in the 1^st Century, who was experiencing that struggle in a way that we could never understand, could be cheered and encouraged by what they read. The outcome that we read about in Revelation in this apocalyptic language, this highly symbolic language, is guaranteed through Jesus Christ, our Lord.

So the book is apocalyptic, but it’s also prophetic. The author claims to be the “prophet” of God, chapter 22, verse 9 [“Then he said to me, ‘See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the Words of this book. Worship God.’”]. A prophet is one who speaks on behalf of God, and, therefore, among other powers of his prophetic office, is able to predict the future and the outcome of all things. That’s what we read—that’s what it says here—that’s the claim that is made in Revelation, chapter 10, verse 11 [“And he said to me, ‘You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.’”], and chapter 19, verse 10 [“And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, ‘See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.’”].

In fact, this book is called “prophecy” in several locations: Chapter 1, verse 3 [“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the Words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.”], chapter 22, verses 7, 10, 18 and 19 [verse 7: “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the Words of the prophecy of this book.” verse 10: “And he said to me, ‘Do not seal the Words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand.’” verse 18-19: “For I testify to everyone who hears the Words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the Words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”]. As “prophecy,” Revelation sees all men and nations subject to God’s righteous purposes and calls them to repentance and obedience.

So, the book is apocalyptic, prophetic, and it is also written in the form of an epistle. It actually contains seven letters, each one addressed to one of the seven churches of Asia. Now there is no evidence and no indication that these were ever seven “separate” letters; but, rather, that the letter would have been sent to each one of the seven churches. Following the blessing for its being read aloud, chapter 1, verse 3 [see above], it begins with the conventional salutation of a letter. You see there in chapter 1, verse 4, “John, to the seven churches [which are] in Asia.” Well, that was the typical fashion for the way a letter—an epistle—was written. It also closes in a characteristic way, as well. The very last verse, chapter 22, verse 21, says, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”

So Revelation is a remarkable book, combining the pictures and imagery of apocalypsis, with enough prophecies to make it truly prophetic, written in the form of an epistle.

Let’s talk a little bit about symbolism. We know that this letter, this book of Revelation abounds in rich imagery and that imagery is drawn from all over—from nature, from human life, the world around us, and so on. Some of the images, the symbols, that we will see as we go through the book will include the horse, the lion, the leopard, the bear, the lamb, the calf, the locust, the scorpion, the eagle, the vulture, fish, frogs, trees, and the harvest. There will also be depictions of various aspects of human life, particularly the life and the trade of great cities, and so on. While there is no direct quotation from the Old Testament, there are many allusions to imagery that are contained in the Old Testament. As a matter of fact, one scholarly commentator went through and estimated that out of the 404 verses in the book of Revelation, 278 of those verses contain references to Old Testament Scriptures. I haven’t verified that—we’ll just have to take his word! H. B. Swete was his name—that’s “S-W-E-T-E.”

In addition, there are many figures that occur only in this book, such visions, for example, as the woman and the “man child” in chapter 12 [verse 5: “And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to His throne.” King James’ Version]. In no other place does this image—this symbol—appear.