Some Remarks On Divine Revelation In General And On The Mystical Language Of Prophecy With A Synopsos Of The Apocalyptical Visions

The Book of Revelation is a work of profound theology. But its literary form makes it impenetrable to many modern readers and open to all kinds of misinterpretations. Richard Bauckham explains how the book's imagery conveyed meaning in its original context and how the book's theology is inseparable from its literary structure and composition. Revelation is seen to offer not an esoteric and encoded forecast of historical events but rather a theocentric vision of the coming of God's universal kingdom, contextualised in the late first-century world dominated by Roman power and ideology. It calls on Christians to confront the political idolatries of the time and to participate in God's purpose of gathering all the nations into his kingdom. Once Revelation is properly grounded in its original context it is seen to transcend that context and speak to the contemporary church. This study concludes by highlighting Revelation's continuing relevance for today.

Written in a verse-by-verse style, Bullinger devotes major discussion to key problems contained in Revelation.

Where do we go after death? What happens to us? What factors influence our destiny? What will happen to the world in years to come? Is there a controlling divine force in human experience? Is there a plan, or is life a product of random occurrences, of chance? Why is it the righteous who are persecuted and suffer while the wicked seem to prosper? Is there justice in the universe? The book of Revelation offers answers to many of these questions. Since, however, it is one of the more difficult of the New Testament books to read and interpret, it is often overlooked, neglected or even avoided by today’s Christians. Yet it addresses many prophetic issues of importance to those seeking to understand God’s plan for the future. Speaking through its heavy symbolism and sometimes strange visions of heaven, angels, beasts, earthly turmoil and destruction, the Apocalypse offers hope that God will overcome evil and that he does indeed control human destiny.