Neglect in Reading the Apocalypse?

Through the years when I have tried to talk about the Book of Revelation with lay church members I have often found a large majority of them say "oh it frightens me to read it" (or something similar) or perhaps say "I have read it once, but it is way over my head" (so they quit reading and studying it). 

In an article at Crossway by Nancy Guthrie titled "4 Reasons We Avoid the Book of Revelation" (See here) she lists these four reasons for neglect of reading the final book of the bible:

1. We’re afraid we won’t be able to understand it.

2. We know there is lots of disagreement about Revelation.

3. We think Revelation is mostly or completely about the future with nothing practical for us today.

4. We know that there is a lot about persecution of believers in Revelation, and that makes us uncomfortable.

Others add more to this list of reasons for neglect of reading and musing upon the book of Revelation which is called "the words of this prophecy." 

It is highly ironic and significant that the inspired book is neglected when it begins with this word of introduction by the risen Lord Jesus Christ himself:

"Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near." (Rev. 1: 3 nkjv)

No other book of the bible has such a stated introduction to it. Of course it is true that every book of the inspired canon of scripture contains a blessing for those who read it and heed its teachings but none offer such a direct and emphasized promise as this. That makes the scrolls of the Apocalypse special and in some ways superior. Has it not been called "the capstone of revelation"? 

That it is mostly prophetic of future events is most undeniable. However, it nevertheless also deals with first century times, and even of things between then and "the time of the end." 

It ought to be interpreted in light of the old testament's language, including its figures, symbols, idioms, etc., as well as in light of what Christ and the apostles taught about what lies ahead for the church and for the world, both for the aion and for the cosmos. It tells us of God's program for the future, for only God has foreknowledge of it, and has ordained it, saying "so let it be." It tells us of his providence, yea, his meticulous providence of all things that are occurring. It tells us that things will get worse before they get better, that the saints "must through much tribulation enter the kingdom" (Acts 14: 22)

Guthrie also commented, saying (emphasis mine):

"Revelation presents a past, present, ongoing, and future reality that servants of Jesus living in between his ascension and return need to see. It sheds light on history as it has unfolded in the past and is unfolding right now. It serves as a corrective to any assumptions we might have that the status quo will continue, and that resistance to the world’s system is futile."

She also said in the same article:

"Revelation is actually less about when Jesus will return and more about what we are to do, who we are to be, and what we can expect to endure as we wait for Jesus to return to establish his kingdom."

I think that is true. It reminds me of Peter's words when talking about the second coming of Christ and of his Apocalypse and judgment of the world. Wrote the apostle:

"11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.[b] That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells. 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him." (II Peter 3: 11-15 NIV) 

Reading and meditating upon the Book of Revelation (or "Apocalypse"), as in reading all the prophetic oracles of God concerning unfulfilled prophecy of things to come, should stir us who believe it to strive for greater holiness, a closer walk with God, less sin and disobedience, etc. The doctrine of the second coming and of the coming day of divine judgement, wrath, and vengeance ought to provoke us to reverential fear and awe and see more clearly our need of God's salvation, to patiently endure any and all crosses for his name's sake.  

Guthrie also said:

"Revelation has everything to do with how we invest the capital of our lives, what is worth getting excited about, or being afraid of. Revelation speaks to our big and little compromises with the world around us, how we view political and governmental systems, and what we expect our money can provide for us."

She also said:

"Enduring in our allegiance to King Jesus even when it costs us, and living as if we do not expect this world to applaud us, approve of us, or satisfy us, is subversive. It’s shocking. And at the same time, it is the ordinary Christian life. It is what is expected of a citizen of the kingdom of heaven living in the kingdom of the world."

Agreed.

The book of Revelation, though having parts of it that are symbolic, has much of it that is very literal. Scholars often debate on which parts are literal and which parts are symbolic. But, the same is true of all other books of the bible. Many don't take the story of Jonah and the mega whale literally. Many other such things in the bible are believed to not be literal by some. Revelation is not unique in that sense. I myself believe that there is a right way to approach this important issue. It involves "hermeneutics" which deals with ways to interpret the bible (or as in other texts, such as the USA constitution). But, even symbolic language, or similes and metaphors, are used to present a literal truth fact or proposition. 

I believe that every prophecy given in the bible, and which has clearly already been fulfilled, was fulfilled literally. Christ was prophesied to come into Jerusalem as God's anointed king in the old testament riding upon a colt (Zech. 9: 9), and how was that fulfilled? Literally or spiritually? (Matt. 21: 1-5)

Amillennialists will say to Premillennialists - "you take things too literally in the book of Revelation."

Premillennialists will say to Amillennialists - "you take very few things literally in the book of Revelation."

Don't let the devil distract you or encourage you not to read the book of Revelation. He is keeping you from a blessing and keeping you from oracles God delivered for the salvation of your soul.

The text at the head of this posting gives the warning to those who add to this final revelation and who take away from it. Fellow Christian, do you not realize that your failure to read and meditate upon this last capstone of inspired scripture and to teach it to others is one way to "take away" from that revelation? Do you also know that to belittle its importance is to take away from it? 

Not only is it wrong to neglect reading and heeding the book of the Apocalypse of Christ but it is wrong to interpret it incorrectly, especially so as to turn people away from properly understanding it. If the devil cannot keep you from reading this capstone of revelation he will lead you to say as the Masons say to initiates about their Masonic symbols and their meaning - "interpret them as you want." But, the book of Revelation is not a code book of symbols, enigmas, coded messages, esoteric language, and the like. No one is at liberty to make the symbols to mean whatever he wants them to mean; And, that is true of the symbols in the other books of the bible. 

For myself, I have always been blessed by my studies of this book and by my musings upon it. I also can say that just as I find much pleasure in studying theology, soteriology, ecclesiology, etc., I find as much or more in studying eschatology. Further, I find myself being irritable at errors in eschatology as much as in other branches of biblical science. 

I also get irritated (and must exercise self control) when I hear or read Amillennialists and Postmillennialists say about the Book of Revelation - "it is written in apocalyptic genre, and that means it is written in symbolic terms." That is simply a falsehood. There is so much in "apocalyptic" literature that is literal! In fact, the theme of the Book of Revelation is what its divinely chosen title says it is, that is, the book of the second coming of Christ, and of the day of the Lord, or day of judgment, or day of wrath and vengeance, etc., that is connected with it. That being so, does Jesus come back literally or not? 

Further, as previously stated, all prophecy has been literally fulfilled and I challenge anyone to deny it. It is true that the prophecies may make use of symbolism (as Daniel did in referring kings and kingdoms to wild beasts or to various metallic body parts) and yet the message of what would happen to these kings and their kingdoms was fulfilled literally.