Revelation In Its Original Meaning

The Book of Revelation often seems so mysterious and confusing when presented in its traditional context, as a writing from the end of the First Century AD. Yet, Revelation is composed using more Old Testament quotations and illusions than the Book has verses. Furthermore, there is almost nothing in the Book about the public life of Jesus as described in the Gospels. Finally, while the promise of Jesus in Revelation is to come “very soon” and that the “time is close,” nineteen centuries have passed, which is hardly soon. This commentary attempts to remove the confusion surrounding the Book of Revelation. When a context is used that is consistent with only Old Testament quotations and no Gospel knowledge, it is early in the first century and, of course, Jesus did come as promised. Using that early first century context, the meaning of the rest of Revelation is much different than when using the late context. Babylon or the “Great City in which their Lord was crucified” is Jerusalem as we know and it was destroyed as described in Revelation. Revelation doesn’t talk about Domitian’s persecution but about a vision that opens up the whole plan of God and introduces the Messiah to a waiting Jewish audience “soon” after that vision. Many Christians hardly read the Book of Revelation and part of that can be blamed on the wild speculations that show up in most commentaries, which are hardly believable. This commentary produces an interpretation that comes from that early context which eliminates the mystery and confusion. Suddenly Revelation fits in with the rest of the New Testament message. Instead of an unfulfilled prophecy of terror, it is a Revelation of Jesus’ great victory and the glorious message of hope for all people.