Revelation is written in a style that would have been familiar to Jewish readers at the time called “apocalyptic.” Written in a style similar to Ezekiel and Daniel from the Old Testament, it’s a series of symbolic visions that reveal God’s perspective on historical events in light of the final outcome. Let us pause there and say: Revelation is complex. The use of symbols and imagery to convey meaning is not easily accessible, especially to us as 21st-century readers. Plus, there are many godly, intelligent biblical scholars who interpret Revelation in entirely different ways. Whose interpretation is right? Whose interpretation is wrong? On top of all that, it seems every year there is someone telling us the end is here (or coming soon) based on how they interpret historical or present events through the lens of Revelation. As we said: It’s a lot. In this guide, we’re going to do our best to offer a way through Revelation, some commentary and reflection from members of our church community, and suggested resources to go deeper. What won’t you find? A step- by-step, day-by-day, exact timeline and guide to the end of the world. Yes, we know that may be disappointing. But we just don’t see Revelation that way. That doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot to glean about the end. In fact, there’s a lot more than you might think that greatly affects how you live today. As we dive in, in the words of Bible professor Mike Holmes, the message that matters most for Revelation: “In the end, God wins.” Let's do this! -Eagle Brook Church
Are we there yet? It’s a question we've all heard—sometimes a blessing, sometimes a burden. Even with technology to pass the time and frequent updates, kids especially always want to know how much longer the journey will take and whether the end is in sight. And if we’re honest, there are times we all wonder the same thing: How long will [insert your thing here] take? Even as we grow up, we never lose this desire to know. There’s something in us that desires to know when we will arrive—when things will be complete—whether this is the end. That’s why the question, "Are we living in the end times?" is one of the most frequently asked questions by Christians. Followed up quickly by, "How will we know that we’re there? What will be the signs that this is the end?" By the way, it’s not just Christians who ask this question. Another devastating earthquake, another war, another senseless and tragic taking of someone’s life—people start to wonder. Are we on a trajectory that’s bound to end in complete devastation and destruction? It all feels like it’s gonna end sometime (soon), right? Revelation is the book of the Bible often at the center of this hotly contested question. Revelation is written by John, one of the earliest disciples of Jesus. Tradition states: Later in his life, well after Jesus had died and resurrected, he settled in Ephesus, where he was later banished to the island of Patmos by the Emperor, Domitian. There, around 90 AD (which makes Revelation one of the latest books written in the New Testament), he receives a series of prophetic visions about “things which must soon take place.” (Revelation 1:1)
Key Themes Revelation, or "apocalypse," comes from the Greek word "apokalypto," which means "to reveal." And it reveals a lot! The book is considered apocalyptic literature, which would have been familiar to a Jewish audience because of a few Hebrew Old Testament Scriptures (ex: certain chapters of Daniel and Ezekiel) and other extra-biblical Jewish texts (ex: Enoch). How can what was revealed back then apply to us today? Well, it's true that every human "kingdom" eventually corrodes. We can do our part by loving people, trusting that God is in control, and doing our best to follow him in the meantime. Jesus will return to make everything pure and whole again!
Key Terms Eschatology is the study of the end times. Its origin is the Greek word eschatos, which means "last." A prophecy is a message or revelation from God delivered through messengers called prophets. These prophecies often revealed future events, spiritual truths, or divine guidance. In the Bible, prophecy isn’t just about predicting the future—it’s also about calling wandering people back to God, revealing his will, and offering hope or warning. The Rapture refers to a future moment when believers will be taken to heaven to be with the Lord. The New Heavens and New Earth refer to the final, eternal state of creation after God restores and renews everything. It's the ultimate hope. In eschatology, the Tribulation is a specific and intense seven-year period of suffering in the last days, often known as the Great Tribulation. The Millennium is the 1,000-year period (literal or symbolic, depending on your view) when Christ will reign and rule on the earth.
Hey, glad you're here! Each week, as we work through the book of Revelation, you can look forward to weekly devotional content, reflection questions, prayer prompts, topical articles, and a five-day Bible reading plan. As for days six and seven—we all need a few extra days to catch up or rest! We hope this journey through Revelation helps you experience the hope of Jesus in a new way.
Apocalypse in Greek: a
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Sign of the Times: A Study of Revelation
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