Part 4. How is it Interpreted?
David Pawson regards the book of Revelation as “probably the most important book in the New Testament for the Church to be studying right now for the very practical purpose for which it was written”, namely, to be “a manual for martyrdom”. Jesus provides encouragement to Christians facing persecution, exhorting them to endure and overcome. The book has present and future relevance for believers, and while it is addressed to the believers in the first-century AD, Jesus’ words and the prophecies (some yet to be fulfilled) speak just as powerfully to Christians and the Church today.
The many competing interpretations have caused confusion, particularly in relation to prophetic symbolism and the timings and nature of future events. If there are “as many riddles as there are words” here, then David demystifies and solves the book’s riddle by explaining the more controversial, widely debated, and variously interpreted middle chapters, while also advocating reading Revelation in the plainest sense where possible.
Jesus, in his compassion, has warned believers to prepare for his Second Coming. They are to remain faithful by upholding morals, resisting corruption, and identifying and opposing deception (false teaching), and, if necessary, enduring persecution. David unpacks Revelation’s symbolism while addressing divisive subjects. Regarding the (Secret) Rapture, he argues that the book prepares believers to live through the Big Trouble (Tribulation), and adopts a pre-millennial position.
Jesus promises to return to avenge the blood of the martyrs, while warning that backsliding believers will lose their place in the Book of Life and the New Jerusalem. Yet faithful overcomers will receive their inheritance. God is in control and Christians must ready themselves for Christ’s return. Revelation’s message is not just that “Jesus wins” but that he wants every believer to win” with him.
