Bible Handbook, Part 12

A Little Bible Handbook
Online Version

Revelation

This is possibly the most controversial book in the entire Bible. So much of it is cryptic, so much is filled with symbolism, that anyone who wants to may use it to find and proclaim wonderful hidden meanings.

The important thing to know is that this is an “Apocalypse,” an acknowledged style of writing of the era. Just like we read about “Spider man” today, or watch movies of “Superman,” without feeling that these adventures must be literally true, so the readers of the New Testament era also knew that they were reading, in Revelation and in all Apocalypses, a type of literature that they were not expected to take completely literally.

There are two main sections to Revelation:
(1) a series of letters to the “churches” (chapters 1 to 3), followed by
(2) a cosmic vision (chapters 4 to 22).

Selected Readings
from
the Revelation to St. John the Divine
Revelation

Revelation 1:8 “I am the alpha and the omega”(the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. In other words, “I am the ‘A’ and the ‘Z’”).

Revelation 3:14-16 The letter to Laodicea warns about being “lukewarm.”

Revelation 3:20 The origin of a popular religious painting.

Revelation 4 A vision of Heaven.

Revelation 7:4-8 The source of the Jehovah’s Witness belief that heaven must contain only 144,000 people.

Revelation 7:13-17 The victims of persecution have “washed their robes and made them white” and God will “wipe every tear from their eye.”

Revelation 12:1-6 Is this a cryptic reference to the Virgin Mary?

Revelation 12:7-12 The war which drove the fallen angels out of heaven - source of the idea that Satan was once a heavenly being.
This passage is the root story of John Milton’s epic poem: Paradise Lost.

Revelation 13 The Beasts of the Apocalypse.

Revelation 13:18 The number 666.

Revelation 14:2 An example of how Revelation is responsible for the image of playing harps in heaven.

Revelation 17:3-6 The whore of Babylon.

Revelation 19:11-21 A powerful image of war at the end of time, with the Word of God on a white horse utterly defeating the forces of evil.

Revelation 20:4 A sign that the book is about the Roman persecutions.

Revelation 20:9 The “seven hills” may indicate that the “woman” is the city of Rome, and that “Babylon” is a code name for Rome.

Revelation 20:10 How Revelation helped give us the picture of “hell fire.”

Revelation 21:1-5 The new Heaven and the new Earth.

Revelation 21:9-22:5 The golden city.

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Now that we’ve done all that... what next?

You may have used this resource just to get a basic familiarity with the contents of the Bible. If so, then you have now accomplished what you set out to do, and will no doubt go on to other things.

However, this could be the start of a lifetime of joy in the Christian Scriptures. You may even be feeling a little disappointed that all the work of following this resource has now come to an end.

What to do?

Two possibilities:

using a lectionary, you could begin a practice of regular Bible reading and reflection,
and
using more detailed study helps, you could begin a study of the books of the Bible which you found most interesting.

Lectionary use

A “lectionary” is any orderly system of regular Bible reading. Many churches print lists of readings which they use Sunday by Sunday, and some provide readings for weekdays as well. Check it out!

As well, there are Bible Societies in almost every country of the world which produce lists of daily Bible readings which you can follow. Your telephone directory may have a listing for “American Bible Society,” or “Canadian Bible Society,” or just “Bible Society.”

Then there’s the pastor of your church. He or she can direct you to several publications which suggest a Bible reading for each day, giving a small comment and prayer for each selection.

Detailed Study helps

If there were passages which you found particularly interesting or enlightening during your use of this online resource, it is a very good idea to begin a careful study of the books in their social and religious context. Bible book stores carry commentaries where each book of the Bible is examined in detail. Go to the store - or even a public library - in your area, and read a few pages of the various commentaries available. Pick one which is both simple enough and technical enough to give you the depth of information you need, and get one for home use.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
-Psalm 119:105, NRSV

The following sections have been included on this page:

The book of the Revelation
Now that we’ve done all that... what next?

... Complete Contents section
... Author’s home page