Early one morning in December I joined some young men at IHOP to study the book of Revelation. They had been studying for six weeks and had some questions. I was so honored to be asked to come and think with them. It was a great morning, and I ordered pancakes to go for Melanie. Win-win!
One difficulty we find in interpreting this book is knowing which things have happened and which things are still to happen. As a boy, I read Hal Lindsey’s Late Great Planet Earth. Then as an adult, I read Tim LaHaye’s Left Behind series of novels. In both cases, these interpreters left the impression that the book of Revelation would be fulfilled completely in the future. None of it had happened yet.
John tells us this impression was not true. For example, we could read this passage literally for the future and anticipate a prostitute who commits adultery with world rulers. In fact, just this week a story came out about a woman who had been mistress to 1000 men. Reading literally, we might think she is the one who fulfills the prophecy. But a careful reading tells us this is not the case.
The seven heads of the beast are seven hills. Rome is known in literature as the city of the seven hills. But wait, there is more. The seven heads are also seven kings. Five have already fallen. In other words, 5/7 of this prophecy had already taken place as John wrote. It meant something to the first-century readers. They read it like we might read a political cartoon depicting a donkey and elephant pulling on a rope. We would know that this wasn’t a real donkey and real elephant in a zoo, but Democrats and Republicans in a tug of war. They knew which kings John meant.
Further, the beast is the eighth king. The ten horns are ten kings who have not yet reigned. So it also has a future component. The scripture is fulfilled and will be fulfilled again. The Lamb fights the ten kings and wins together with his called, chosen, and faithful followers. This is where we come in. We did not choose the period of history in which we have been born. But like our spiritual forefathers for the last two thousand years, we are called, chosen, and we can be faithful. Finally, John tells us the woman who rides the beast is actually the great city that rules over the kings of the earth. Early readers knew that city was Rome. Emperors were persecuting Christians.
Revelation has continuing relevance for Christians in every period of history by calling us to faithful endurance in difficult times. It meant something to the first readers. We are still learning to persevere in the face of the challenges we see in life. Persecuted Christians in our world may find it most relevant as they seek to survive. In the end, Jesus wins. Be sure you are on his team!
