I have struggled to understand the visions in the Book of Revelation for twenty years. The details may not be difficult to grasp, but I have to admit that putting these details into a coherent picture takes significant effort.
Having taught through this book in both church and educational settings, however, I have made some headway. So I wanted to share four tips for reading Revelation well.
These four insights will not provide everything one needs to read the book successfully. They are only signposts to help readers in their study of Revelation and other literature like it.
First, Know the Old Testament
The most important skill one needs is knowledge of the Old Testament. The majority of Revelation makes sense when one knows this background. For example, Revelation 1:12–16 describes Jesus with imagery that comes directly from the Book of Daniel, and in particular, the Son of Man title from Daniel 7.
The most important skill one needs is knowledge of the Old Testament.
So we can infer here that Jesus is the Son of Man who ascended to take his seat at the right hand of the Ancient of Days in Daniel 7; and in light of the other imagery, that he is draped in divinity.
Second, Watch how Visions are Interpreted in the Book
Pay attention to how visions are interpreted within the book itself. For example, when Daniel sees a vision in Daniel 7, he “approached one of those who stood there and asked him the truth concerning all this” (Rev. 7:16).
A similar thing happens in Revelation 17:7: “But the angel said to me, ‘Why do you marvel? I will tell you the mystery of the woman, and of the beast with seven heads and ten horns that carries her.’”
These interpretations provide keys to understanding the prophetic visions. Pay attention to them.
Third, Work From the Clear to the Less Clear
Work from the clear interpretations to understand the less clear. For example, Revelation 11 talks about two witnesses and then defines them in verse 4: “These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth.”
In Revelation 1, Jesus already spoke about seven lampstands, and he reveals that “the seven lampstands are the seven churches” (Rev. 1:20). It stands to reason then that the two lampstands here are also churches that witness to the Gospel during persecution.
Fourth, Do not Ignore the Numbers
The Book of Revelation is full of numbers: seven spirits, two witnesses, two beasts, the 144,000, and more besides. While we do not tend to attach much significance to numbers and names today, ancient peoples did. So we must pay attention to the numbers and see how they symbolically portray meaning.
For example, the number 666 in Revelation 13:18 is only used one other time in Scripture: 1 Kings 10:14 (see also 2 Chron. 9:13).
There, it refers to King Solomon in his sinful accumulation of money alongside his desire for power and many marriages, which contradicts God’s commands for kings in Deuteronomy 17:14–17. And since 666 seems to refer to the Roman emperor in Revelation, then it follows that 666 here symbolizes the ungodliness of the emperor.
Obviously, much more could be said for each of the above principles. But as noted, I only mean these as signposts. I have not argued for the truth of any of my suggestions above. That is intentional. This article aims to inform your interpretive imagination, so that as you read Revelation, you can reach into your toolbelt to find the right tool to interpret the text in front of you.
“Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near” (Rev. 1:3).
