What is the Purpose of the Book of Revelation?

[Arial]

Dispensationalism tends to treat it solely as an enigmatic dogmatically literal puzzle that, if we can put all the pieces together right, will predict all future events (future to us and to all that came before us, and will come after we are gone) and figure out when Christ will return. Not only that, the way in which they have put the pieces together, has his return primarily pertinent as fulfilling the promises of a son of David on the throne and a restored national/ethnic Israel.

Revelation is seen as chronological and one perspective or view in Dispensationalism. It is as though only the first four chapters are a letter addressed to seven specific churches and the rest serves no purpose for those it was written to. It served no purpose for those who have gone before us over the centuries, and it serves no purpose for anyone who dies before Christ actually returns. It is a book according to the interpretation of Dispensationalism, that is simply fodder for every generation to speculate about how near his second coming is. Ironically, every generation at least since Darby's form of Dispensationalism, has claimed that the signs of the times pointed to his arriving momentarily---in their generation.

Which is not surprising because all the signs given by Jesus in Matt 24 have existed in every generation. In this age iow.

So, what was Jesus' purpose in giving John what we find in Revelation? The very thing Dispensationalism misses entirely.

Internal evidence shows us the seven churches were already dealing with various threats to the gospel and persecution by both Judaizers and pagans. Some of the things mentioned in Revelation they would soon experience. A picture from the perspective of heaven of a war being raged is given---and this is literal, but the images of the reality are symbolic. It was in progress when John penned his book and was affecting Christians then. It is still in progress and has been affecting every generation of believers. It was in progress in the OT times and it is the whole war that is being shown in Revelation.

Revelation was written to encourage believers, to strengthen them, to warn and encourage them to stand their ground. No matter what is going on in our world and life, God has complete control over it all. It is all working for his good purpose. Christ is the victor and his people are victorious too. Not even death can kill us, he has already conquered it for us. and nothing can take us out his hands. And our reward is unfathomable.

Revelation in a nutshell is "Trust God."

 

[Carbon]

Amen sister!
I agree with Hendriksen when he said: The purpose of the book of Revelation is to comfort the militant Church in its struggle against the forces of evil. It is full of comfort and help for persecuted and suffering Christians. To them is given the assurance that God sees their tears, hears their prayers, and that they are influential in world affairs, and their death is precious in His sight.

 

[TMSO]

Dispensationalism tends to treat it solely as an enigmatic dogmatically literal puzzle that, if we can put all the pieces together right, will predict all future events (future to us and to all that came before us, and will come after we are gone) and figure out when Christ will return. Not only that, the way in which they have put the pieces together, has his return primarily pertinent as fulfilling the promises of a son of David on the throne and a restored national/ethnic Israel.

Revelation is seen as chronological and one perspective or view in Dispensationalism. It is as though only the first four chapters are a letter addressed to seven specific churches and the rest serves no purpose for those it was written to. It served no purpose for those who have gone before us over the centuries, and it serves no purpose for anyone who dies before Christ actually returns. It is a book according to the interpretation of Dispensationalism, that is simply fodder for every generation to speculate about how near his second coming is. Ironically, every generation at least since Darby's form of Dispensationalism, has claimed that the signs of the times pointed to his arriving momentarily---in their generation.

Which is not surprising because all the signs given by Jesus in Matt 24 have existed in every generation. In this age iow.

So, what was Jesus' purpose in giving John what we find in Revelation? The very thing Dispensationalism misses entirely.

Internal evidence shows us the seven churches were already dealing with various threats to the gospel and persecution by both Judaizers and pagans. Some of the things mentioned in Revelation they would soon experience. A picture from the perspective of heaven of a war being raged is given---and this is literal, but the images of the reality are symbolic. It was in progress when John penned his book and was affecting Christians then. It is still in progress and has been affecting every generation of believers. It was in progress in the OT times and it is the whole war that is being shown in Revelation.

Revelation was written to encourage believers, to strengthen them, to warn and encourage them to stand their ground. No matter what is going on in our world and life, God has complete control over it all. It is all working for his good purpose. Christ is the victor and his people are victorious too. Not even death can kill us, he has already conquered it for us. and nothing can take us out his hands. And our reward is unfathomable.

Revelation in a nutshell is "Trust God."

The book of revelation is as chronological as progressive revelation (no pun intended) cam be. It predicts all future events just as Daniel did. In fact, some of Daniel's prophecies are present in Revelation but more fully revealed. The only thing to know about the Messiah's return is what is present in the Old Testament. The Messiah is said to save Israel/Jerusalem from their enemies. The religious leaders of Jesus day believed that the Messiah would come and destroy Rome. The Old Testament is clear. God would only save Israel, the Messiah would only come, when all Israel turns their hearts to God in repentance and cries out to Him. God says in Deuteronomy that at that time He would answer. It also says that it would not happen until all the blessings and curses have come upon them.

As for generation, usually about 40 years depending on point of view. So, the signs of Matthew 24 are present ever 40 years? (If we extend to 80 years, is that better?) How many times can the temple and city be destroyed? Consider that Jesus pronounced judgment upon His generation, more specifically, on those who blasphemed the Holy Spirit. That judgment was carried out in AD 70. Even Jospehus recorded that not one believer/follower of the way was present at this time. So only those "of that generation" were present for judgment. Why? Josephus simply said that these followers of the way believed and obeyed the prophet. In Luke 21 Jesus said when you see the armies surrounding the city, run. This happened sometime in 66 AD I beleive, but the Romans withdrew due to some incident/situation. During the time between this and 70 AD, all the believers in Christ left.

What was the purpose of Revelation? To tell the church what was to come. Consider that the seven churches may not have only been historical existing churches, but also points in church history. So it had purpose in John's day, but also purpose throughout the history of the church. If you define the names (such as our names have meaning), things become interesting.

To keep this short I will says that , Revelation in a nutshell is "Revelation". [revealing]. The purpose that the church not be unaware. Perhaps it is also a revealing of those prophecies that were not included in the book of Danile because Daniel had been told to seal them up to a later time. If they aren't revealed at all, then what does that say?
". 8 As for me, I heard but could not understand; so I said, “My lord, what will be the [j]outcome of these events?” 9 He said, “Go your way, Daniel, for these words are concealed and sealed up until the end time. 10 Many will be purged, [k]purified and refined, but the wicked will act wickedly; and none of the wicked will understand, but [l]those who have insight will understand."

Consider that part of the outcome is Jesus coming to Earth, the church, etc. Paul already said that the church is not revealed in the Old Testament. So perhaps these words deal with the church, and since the church is part of the end times (prior to the last days), that is when it is revealed. So in this case, the book of Revelation.

 

[JesusFan]

Dispensationalism tends to treat it solely as an enigmatic dogmatically literal puzzle that, if we can put all the pieces together right, will predict all future events (future to us and to all that came before us, and will come after we are gone) and figure out when Christ will return. Not only that, the way in which they have put the pieces together, has his return primarily pertinent as fulfilling the promises of a son of David on the throne and a restored national/ethnic Israel.

Revelation is seen as chronological and one perspective or view in Dispensationalism. It is as though only the first four chapters are a letter addressed to seven specific churches and the rest serves no purpose for those it was written to. It served no purpose for those who have gone before us over the centuries, and it serves no purpose for anyone who dies before Christ actually returns. It is a book according to the interpretation of Dispensationalism, that is simply fodder for every generation to speculate about how near his second coming is. Ironically, every generation at least since Darby's form of Dispensationalism, has claimed that the signs of the times pointed to his arriving momentarily---in their generation.

Which is not surprising because all the signs given by Jesus in Matt 24 have existed in every generation. In this age iow.

So, what was Jesus' purpose in giving John what we find in Revelation? The very thing Dispensationalism misses entirely.

Internal evidence shows us the seven churches were already dealing with various threats to the gospel and persecution by both Judaizers and pagans. Some of the things mentioned in Revelation they would soon experience. A picture from the perspective of heaven of a war being raged is given---and this is literal, but the images of the reality are symbolic. It was in progress when John penned his book and was affecting Christians then. It is still in progress and has been affecting every generation of believers. It was in progress in the OT times and it is the whole war that is being shown in Revelation.

Revelation was written to encourage believers, to strengthen them, to warn and encourage them to stand their ground. No matter what is going on in our world and life, God has complete control over it all. It is all working for his good purpose. Christ is the victor and his people are victorious too. Not even death can kill us, he has already conquered it for us. and nothing can take us out his hands. And our reward is unfathomable.

Revelation in a nutshell is "Trust God."

it was written to bring spiritual comfort and blessings and future hope to those in the Roman Empire, but ls to all generations afterwards, but indeed still has a final completion of a future hope and restoration for all yet to come, the future hope of the Second Coming and millennial reign of the lord Jesus

 

[Arial]

it was written to bring spiritual comfort and blessings and future hope to those in the Roman Empire, but ls to all generations afterwards, but indeed still has a final completion of a future hope and restoration for all yet to come, the future hope of the Second Coming and millennial reign of the lord Jesus

That IS what the hope is that is being given by that book.