As the written Word of God was being completed, opponents of the Church inflicted severe persecution on Christians. As a means of hope in a difficult time, the last book of the Bible speaks to the consummation of God’s redemptive program. The title Revelation means “unveiling” or “disclosure.”
In order to speak words of comfort and hope while protecting the persecuted Church from enemies, God’s Word to His people was encrypted, meaning much of it was conveyed using symbolism. For one thing, this made it difficult for opponents to “get the message” by deciphering the symbolism. Thus in Revelation we find the Lord’s words of hope and assurance couched in a variety of symbols. We read of animal figures such as the frequent picture of a Lamb that signifies Christ. We also read of a red dragon and a beast; one arises from the sea and one arises from the earth. We find quite a few symbolic numbers such as two witnesses; four living creatures; seven seals, bowls and trumpets; and 24 elders. There also is symbolism expressed in precious jewels such as when speaking of the heavenly Jerusalem. We encounter vivid and almost grotesque figures such as a dragon with 10 ears as well as a scarlet woman on a scarlet beast that has seven heads. We get the drift: God’s completing Word of Scripture is an encrypted Word.
The result of all the symbolism is that through the centuries devout students of the Bible have sought to decode the encoded message conveyed by the various images. The results of these efforts vary greatly, yielding a variety of theories or explanations of end time events. So varied are interpretations in their details that someone quipped, “If you want a book about the meaning of Revelation with which you can totally agree, you’ll have to write it yourself.”
However, no one can read Revelation without finding its message of hope. This message finds expression through visions that promise “a new heaven and a new earth” or “a new Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God” (21:1–2). A loud voice from God’s throne also declares for all time and eternity, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God” (21:3).
God’s encrypted Word in Revelation becomes a straightforward Word at the end. In language that abandons encryption, believers have this word about God, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (21:4).
Message of hope
While detailed meanings may seem elusive and sometimes puzzling, the overall message of hope for the people of God and the doom of His enemies comes through clearly. After one has made a valiant attempt to decipher the encrypted message of the Bible’s last book, it also is noteworthy that its final message is simply stated in an invitation to eternal salvation, expressed in God’s favorite word to His wayward world, “Come.” Thus we read, “The Spirit and the Bride say ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price” (22:17).
When the written Word has been read to its end the takeaway message is one of saving grace.
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