The book of Revelation is one such book that more people are interested in studying than ever before, yet one that often scares people more than any other book in the Bible. Why? Inside this book is found cryptic imagery of beasts and dragons. There is the 7 last plagues, the 4 horsemen and that terrible depiction of locusts coming out of the bottomless pit! There is that awful imagery of demonic entities coning out of the 3 unclean frogs, as well as a lamb-like beast that speaks like a dragon! This is just to name a few! No wonder many find this book either confusing and impossible to understand, or downright scary!
However, such who come to this conclusion need not be so dismayed, because a simple reading of the opening of this incredible book shows that there is much more to this book than weird, crazy-looking beasts and dragons! Revelation chapter 1 verse 1 reads:'
"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified [it] by his angel unto his servant John:"
Note this apocalyptic book opens by saying it is the "Revelation of Jesus Christ," not the revelation of beasts and dragons! In other words, whilst beasts and dragons do exist in this prophetic book and contain very important symbolic messages for the last days, the most important emphasis of this book is Jesus Christ! You see, Bible prophecy, properly studied and understood, ultimately points to Jesus and His work of saving His people from sin and the evil powers of this world, into a new world to come.
God has given us bible prophecy so that we may better understand what Jesus is doing and will do as a part of His plan to save His people! The symbolic representations of beasts, etc., exist for the purpose of warning His people of the various powers, entities and earthly kingdoms that will attempt to deceive and destroy them in the last days. Yet, the book of Revelation shows that Jesus will triumph over these powers in the end, and all who put their trust and follow Him in obedience to His commandments will come out triumphant!
Those who will be saved in the last days during the perils of the Antichrist and the Mark of the Beast, are described as thus:
"Here is the patience of the saints: here [are] they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus" Revelation 14:12.
Jesus Himself is described in prophetic imagery as a Mighty Warrior conquering the powers of evil as depicted in Revelation, and coming to take His people home:
Rev 19:11 "And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. 12 "His eyes [were] as a flame of fire, and on his head [were] many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. 13 And he [was] clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies [which were] in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.16 And he hath on [his] vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS" Revelation 19:11-16.
Today He stands friends, knocking at the door of our hearts (Rev 3:20), begging that we would let Him into our lives, that He may forgive our sins, help us overcome our sins, and prepare us for that mighty day when He comes back (Rev 1:7). Won't you today give your life to Jesus, and make Him Lord and Saviour of your life, that you may be ready for that great day when He comes back? Won't you choose to study the mighty prophecies of the book of Revelation that you may have a greater appreciation of Jesus Christ and be better prepared for when He comes soon?
