Can We Understand the Book of Revelation?
The answer to this question is “yes.” The book of Revelation is a letter about the church built by Jesus Christ (Mt. 16:18). John (Rev. 1:12-20) said Jesus “walks” in the midst of His church (Rev. 2-3) while reigning from heaven (Rev. 4-5). When discussing the seven seals, John spoke about “preaching” the gospel (Rev. 6:9). Those who obey this gospel access the benefits of Jesus’ shed blood (Rev. 1:5) and thus receive “washed robes” (Rev. 7:14). Those freed from their sins by the blood shed on the cross are not only “sealed” (Rev. 7), Jesus personally adds them to His church (Acts 2:47).
The members of Christ’s church do not always have an easy life on earth (Rev. 8-9), but they are comforted and helped by God’s powerful word (Rev. 10) as they work to share the gospel which is the “good news” (Rev. 11). God’s people face an evil and crafty enemy who is called the devil (Rev. 12-13), but they find great joy in being able to “stand” with Jesus Christ and be victorious (Rev. 14-15).
Not all appreciate the gospel message and God’s offer of salvation (Rev. 16). Some prefer a life of sin and even flaunt their wickedness (Rev. 17). Living in sin versus following Jesus guarantees absolute ruin and destruction (Rev. 18). At the end of time, both the saved and the lost will, figuratively speaking, have a seat at a great “supper” (Rev. 19). This will be a feast of joy for the saved and a feast of terror for the lost.
Satan’s days are numbered; the Lord’s next and final return will condemn him and all the unsaved (Rev. 20). Avoiding judgment is possible, if accountable people will turn to Jesus and become part of His beautiful “bride” (Rev. 21:9), the “church” of Christ (Rev. 21-22; Eph. 5:25-32). All who reject the Lord’s church are guilty of spurning the Lord’s blood because the church was purchased with the blood from the only begotten Son, the Lamb of God (Acts 2:28; Rev. 5:12-13; 6:1, 16; 7:9-10, 14, etc.).