The Revelation of John — the last word?

Revelation is the last book in the Bible collection. Few ever read it, and even fewer still understand what it is about.

Rumors about the book’s meaning abound. A vocal, relatively small group of modern seers say it is a road map of the world’s destiny right up to its very ending. Where the apocalyptic writer uses a few words, the elite few who claim final knowledge write volumes.

What is this strange book all about?

While there are other short passages of apocalyptic writing in the New Testament, Revelation is the great example of the apocalyptic genre in the New Testament. This highly symbolic form of writing was widespread at the end of the first century. It is notable that only John’s Revelation made it into the collection that we now call the New Testament.

What is this book of the bizarre?

Apocalyptic literature is a special form of mythology. The message is always straight from God to a faithful servant. The message is delivered by some heavenly messenger, usually an angel or angels, or in this case by Christ himself. The message is coded and not good news for the world. The world is in such a mess that God is giving up on his creation and is moving on to “new heavens and a new earth” especially prepared for the faithful few.

There is a clear distinction between prophetic writings and apocalyptic writings. The great prophets were certainly critical of the world and those who were running the affairs of the world; however, in the final analysis, even though they were at times discouraged, the prophets spoke to people about what they needed to do to be right with God. They ended up offering messages of hope. The hope they offered was for all the sons of Abraham and even for all of mankind.

Apocalyptic writers also were critical of the world and its leaders, but there the comparison stops. Gloom and doom is central. Judgment is on its way. This world is scheduled to pass away and only a small band of the faithful will be allowed to escape to the new heavens and new earth prepared just for them.

Bands of Christians through the ages have turned to the book of Revelation during bad times. Over and over again they dismiss other human beings and claim deliverance for their special group of believers. From my perspective, they need to set the book of Revelation aside and renew their vows to follow Jesus of Nazareth.

I have argued in my writings that the Bible contains more than one point of view. The contrast between prophetic writings and apocalyptic writings is a prime example. I have maintained that the Bible reader best understands the Bible writings as a religious argument that has gone on for centuries and that continues to this day.

Jesus was a part of the prophetic tradition of the Bible. He was extremely this world. He taught his disciples to pray for the kingdom of God on earth. He taught us how we should live in order to facilitate the kingdom of God on earth. Jesus offered hope to everyone.

Should the book of Revelation be included in the Bible? When the early Church was arguing about which writings should be included in the Bible, there were those who argued against the inclusion of John’s Revelation.

The attempt to exclude failed and the yes vote won. I am glad that Revelation was included. It is a part of the argument about life, people and the character of God. It is masterfully written. Revelation is a classic presentation of the conflict between good and evil, and as such is relevant commentary about life.

I continue to believe that the doing and living of the good has the power to overcome everything that is wrong with our world. I do not believe that God is planning to abandon our world. Jesus never suggested that his followers should abandon the world.

John Wesley advised, “Do all the good you can by all the means that you can in all the places you can at all the times you can to all the people you can as long as ever you can.” That is very good advice.

The Rev. Howard Bess is pastor of Church of the Covenant, an American Baptist church in Palmer. His e-mail address is hdbss@mtaonline.net.