By Dr. Anne Davis

The Book of Revelation offers essential information for the Church of God. You may be surprised to learn that it is the only book in the New Testament that is addressed specifically to disciples. If you are a dedicated follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, then you are a disciple. Therefore, you have the responsibility, indeed the obligation, of understanding a depth of meaning that Revelation offers.

Unfortunately, the Book of Revelation suffers from neglect. Many Christians feel inadequate to read it, preachers shy away from it, and most Bible teachers will teach anything other than Revelation. Even if you have studied the Book of Revelation, to what extent do you fully understand its numerous messages?

What makes Revelation so difficult? Well, there are two main reasons. First, it is written in a literary style that was popular in the ancient world but is no longer used today. Our western minds try to grasp a literal understanding, which is the exact opposite of what we should be doing. To explain prophetic spiritual matters and events, apocalyptic literature uses highly provocative and figurative language, so much of Revelation simply cannot be interpreted as a literal narrative. For example, you will find that this apocalyptic genre often does not portray real people or places, nor does it follow a linear timeline. In the online self-grading course on Revelation, I will help you understand this puzzling apocalyptic language.

The second reason Revelation is so difficult to understand is that almost everything has its origin in the Hebrew Scriptures. For the people of ancient Israel, the Hebrew Scriptures were their Holy Writings because the New Testament had not yet been written. But for us today, even those who have studied the Hebrew Scriptures, we have barely scratched the surface of its depth of meaning.

Perhaps the difficulty of truly penetrating the mysteries in Revelation is why John received, in his vision, instructions to share what he had seen only with the disciples of Yeshua because they are the ones who are willing to roll up their sleeves and do the work required to fully appreciate the cryptic messages. But, you don’t have to do this work alone. I will be with you in our online course, not only with video lessons but also with a detailed study guide for each session. Furthermore, the last question on the quiz for each lesson prompts you to write a paragraph and, if you copy, paste, and send it to BibleInteract you will receive a guide for Digging Deeper.

So, do you know who will be in heaven with God at the beginning of the Great Tribulation? Did you realize there are not one, but two resurrections during the Great Tribulation? Are you aware that “the beast [Satan’s political representative] will make war with the saints and overcome them” (Rev 13:7)? Do you know how an account in the Gospel of John explains why this happened and what will occur next that will lead to the victory of God’s army? Revelation is packed with intriguing information that disciples are urged to unravel.

What, then, is the purpose of John’s apocalyptic vision? It is not simply to portray future events. Instead, if you truly understand this apocalyptic presentation then you will be able to stand in the face of great trials in your life today. In this way, you will be preparing for the Great Tribulation that is still future. I often say we are now in “boot camp”. Scripture does not disclose when all these future events will occur, so we are supposed to live today as if the Great Tribulation is already beginning. Maybe it is, and maybe it isn’t. But do you want to be ready when the time is upon us? Then consider taking the online course on Revelation.

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