If you are New To Revelation and it has scared you off because of the writing style, know you are not alone. I will try to help you understand by showing you others who have this understanding that Revelation is written in Layers.
Our understanding of the kind of prophecy the Book of Revelation is will be enriched if we take note of the type of writing in the Bible called “apocalyptic.” “Apocalypse” (Greek ἀποκάλυψις, “apocalypsis” in the Latin of the Vulgate) is the self-designation of the Book of Revelation in verse 1, though in English we often call it “revelation.” Both words contain the idea of the drawing back of a veil. A form of this word is used in the Book of Daniel (Dn 2:22 and 2:28) to describe what Daniel does, or rather what God does through Daniel.
If you are not familiar with the genre of apocalyptic literature, an excellent way to learn about it is to study the Book of Daniel closely. There are many books of this style produced by ordinary human authorship without divine inspiration, but Daniel is the Old Testament’s outstanding example.
The more familiar you become with the characteristics of the Book of Daniel, the more you will notice that there are other books in the Bible that have apocalyptic qualities or passages, such as Ezekiel, Isaiah, and Zechariah.
In apocalyptic literature, hidden meaning abounds, concealed behind strange imagery. There is often a heavenly messenger who mediates and sometimes explains the message. The book may be rooted in historical events, but the future looms into view, and the discourse is directed toward the consummation of history in the “day of the Lord.”
In Matthew 24, Jesus gives his interpretation in the context of an apocalyptic discourse that itself has multiple referents. Historical scholars will tell you, quite correctly, that the immediate historical referent of Jesus’ speech is the impending destruction of Jerusalem. Since this involves the destruction of the Temple, considered by Jews to be the most important thing in the world and a ‘microcosm’ of the universe, this is rightly considered an ‘end of the world.’ But it is not difficult for a reader reading with the eyes of faith to perceive that this apocalyptic discourse of Jesus is applicable to the end of the world properly speaking as well.
Jesus’ apocalyptic prophecy interpreting Daniel’s apocalyptic prophecy creates a text remarkably dense and rich in meanings, layer upon layer upon layer, none of which can be opposed to the others. All of these meanings are present at once in the original vision of Daniel, but can only be understood through the steady unfolding of divine revelation, received and responded to in faith.
What are These Layers?
The First Layer—the Gospel and Salvation of God
In the Bible the first layer of the divine revelation is the gospel and salvation of God. When Adam fell, God came to preach the gospel to him, saying, "Her [the woman’s] seed..shall bruise thy [Satan’s] head" (Gen. 3:15). After Adam fell, he both hated and feared the serpent. God promised Adam that the seed of the woman, Christ, who would be born of a virgin, would bruise the head of the serpent, Satan. At the fullness of time, Christ Himself took on a body of flesh and blood to destroy him who has the might of death, that is, the devil (Heb. 2:14).
The Second Layer- The Blessing And Prosperity of God
In the Old Testament, God promised blessing to those who honor their parents, saying, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be extended upon the land which Jehovah your God is giving you.” (Exo. 20:12). In Deuteronomy 28:3-6 we see the blessing promised by God to the children of Israel: “Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your animals, the offspring of your cattle and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl. Blessed shall you be when you come in, and blessed shall you be when you go out.”
The Third Layer—the Economy and Dispensing of God
The third layer of the divine revelation in the Bible is the economy and dispensing of God. Most Christians can readily understand and accept the first layer, God’s gospel and salvation, and the second layer, God’s blessing and prosperity. In preaching the gospel, most people tell others that if they believe in Jesus, their sins will be forgiven, and they will enjoy blessing and peace in this life and eternal bliss in the life to come. Most believers remain in the second layer, but God does not want us to remain there.
After we believe in the Lord, we may experience blessing and peace initially. But gradually, the situation will change. All those who have believed in the Lord can testify that the Lord is indeed with us and is keeping us. But at the same time we also experience many trials, sicknesses, and sufferings. With every blessing there is also some amount of vexation. Without the blessing there would be no vexation. Having children is a blessing; however, it is also a vexation. Does anyone continually enjoy blessing, prosperity, and peace? If a man desires only blessing without desiring God, in the end all the blessings will become bitter. We must turn from God’s blessing and prosperity to God Himself. We are not here for blessing and prosperity but for God Himself and for His economy and dispensing. Romans 8:28 says, “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” All things here refers to all men, all events, and all matters. It includes the good things as well as the adverse things. It includes the good children as well as the bad children. All things work together for good to those who love God. Good here, according to the context, does not refer to physical people, events, or things. Rather, it refers to the increase of Christ within us, with the result that we experience a metabolic change and are conformed, ultimately, to the image of the firstborn Son of God, which is the entrance into the full sonship.
The book is not a secret code that allows believers to decipher the timeline of Jesus's return. Instead, it shows that every human kingdom eventually becomes Babylon and must be resisted. Jesus, the slain Lamb who died for the sins of the world, will return one day as King with His followers to prompt repentance.
He will remove evil permanently and make all things anew. That promise motivates every generation of God's people to remain faithful in the midst of persecution until their King returns.
Persecution of the Remnant is Happening Now
1. Nigeria, India and China are countries where Christians face increased persecution in the coming year, warns Release International.
Jeremy Hunt has ordered a review into an estimated 215 million Christians who face violence and discrimination. According to official figures, violence against Christians is rising, with 250 killed each month.
‘Release warmly welcomes this review into what is a worrying upward trend in persecution against Christians,’ says Paul Robinson, the CEO of Release International. ‘And we back the call for the UK to do more to support the suffering Church worldwide.’
2.Abortion Up To Birth
In New York and Virginia, Democratic state governments are working to loosen restrictions on abortion late in pregnancy, far past the stages at which fetuses can survive after birth. The controversy over this expansion of abortion rights presents an opportunity for the anti-abortion movement to make the point that every abortion—no matter when it is performed—ends a human life. https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2019/02/new-york-and-virginia-push-expand-abortion-rights/581959/
3.Laws beign Defeated To Protect Christian Persecution
Following an emotional debate, the Idaho House on Wednesday defeated a resolution “to recognize the fundamental rights of Christians to practice their faith without persecution or fear of death, rape, imprisonment, forced marriage, or physical violence.”
Rep. Priscilla Giddings, R-White Bird, told the House that her bill “declares its support for the fundamental rights and religious freedom of all people. And it includes Christians globally and in the United States. And it calls for an end to Christian persecution. ... The primary basis of this resolution is to bring awareness to Christian persecution that is happening all over the world.”
Revelation 12:17
And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.
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