Deciphering the Signs of Revelation

DECIPHERING THE SIGNS OF REVELATION

A 40-DAY DEVOTIONAL ON KEY SYMBOLS

IN JOHN’S APOCALYPSE

DR. NOEL WOODBRIDGE

Copyright © 2020, Noel Beaumont Woodbridge

All rights reserved.

All Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) Copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Used with permission. All rights reserved.

DESCRIPTION

Apocalyptic literature is presented in the form of mysterious symbols, bizarre dreams, and fantastic visions. For this reason, this type of literature is not easy to understand. Using a thematic approach, this book helps Christians to interpret key signs in the book of Revelation and provides them with a vision of hope and encouragement during the difficult end times. The book explores the signs and symbols relating to the following eight biblical themes: How to interpret apocalyptic signs and symbols, the symbolic names of Jesus, the symbolic names of the church, the signs of the millennium, the signs of God’s judgment, the signs of the enemy, the signposts of the end times, and the signs and marks of true worship. This book takes the form of a 40-day Devotional Bible Study, which provides six sections for each day, namely, An Introduction, a Bible Reading, Questions for Reflection, Application, a Hymn extract, and a Prayer.

How to Use This Bible Study

Commit yourself to 40 days, for about 20 minutes a day. This will enable you to gain insight into the skill of interpreting the signs in the book of Revelation. It will also equip you to be ready for the Second Coming of Christ, which could be very close. Enjoy these exciting Bible Studies on the book of Revelation.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1.  HOW TO INTERPRET THE SIGNS OF JOHN’S APOCALYPSE

CHAPTER 2.  THE SYMBOLIC NAMES OF JESUS

CHAPTER 3.  THE SYMBOLIC NAMES OF THE CHURCH

CHAPTER 4.  SIGNS OF THE MILLENNIUM

CHAPTER 5.  SIGNS OF GOD’S JUDGMENT

CHAPTER 6.  THE SIGNS OF THE ENEMY

CHAPTER 7.  THE SIGNPOSTS OF THE END TIMES

CHAPTER 8.  THE SIGNS OF TRUE WORSHIP

DEDICATION

Dedicated to my wife, Nola; her love and encouragement kept me writing and to my daughters, Cheryl, and Kathy; their moral support was a source of motivation.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I acknowledge the technical and moral support of Val Waldeck, who provided me with access to the Kingdom Writers course.

I acknowledge the services of Canva’s free book cover maker for helping me to create a beautiful and professionally designed book cover.

INTRODUCTION

Despite numerous books written and movies made on the book of Revelation, it remains one of the most misunderstood books of Scripture. Anyone who reads the book of Revelation comes face to face with many strange creatures and events, such as a beast with multiple heads arising from the midst of the sea. The main question that arises from reading the book is, What does it all mean?

It should be remembered that the book of Revelation is an example of apocalyptic literature, which makes extensive use of figurative language. It is presented in the form of mysterious symbols, bizarre dreams, and fantastic visions. It is usually dualistic, since it describes the battle between two opposing supernatural powers, such as between good and evil. Apocalyptic literature is presented in the form of mysterious symbols, bizarre dreams, and fantastic visions. For this reason, this type of literature is not easy to understand.

This book has good news for the discouraged reader. One does not have to figure out a complicated set of timelines and prophetic theories to understand God’s core message to his people.

CHAPTER 1.

HOW TO INTERPRET THE SIGNS OF JOHN’S APOCALYPSE

The Book of Revelation falls into the category or genre of apocalyptic literature. This type of literature is found in Ezekiel, Zechariah, Daniel, and Revelation but was also popular in Jewish literature between the Old and New Testaments.

Apocalyptic literature is presented in the form of mysterious symbols, bizarre dreams, and fantastic visions. It is usually dualistic, that is, it describes the battle between two opposing supernatural powers, such as between good and evil. For this reason, this type of literature is not easy to understand. Over the centuries the church has presented numerous interpretations regarding the meaning of this cryptic book. The word apocalyptic comes from a Greek word apokalupsis, which means revelation. A major purpose of the apocalypse is to reveal to the righteous why they are suffering and what blessings and judgment are awaiting future fulfilment.

Some of the major themes of the book of Revelation include the following: God’s sovereignty in the midst of coming storms of life; God’s providence in caring for his faithful people, the increasing conflict between good and evil, and the ultimate triumph of the kingdom of God over evil. Nothing in Revelation will contradict anything else in the Bible. Since the book of Revelation is a symbolic means of communication, the literal approach for interpreting an image may actually distort the intended meaning of the text. For example, many believers have gone to Revelation 20:1-11 to suggest that Christ will return to the earth and reign for a thousand years with His saints. However, 2 Peter 3:10-13 clearly states that the earth and everything done in it will be destroyed.

DAY 1

Step 1. Recognise the presence of symbols in the text

The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show [signify] to his servants the things that must soon take place (Rev. 1:1).

The first step is to recognise the presence of symbolic imagery. This implies that most descriptions of people, colours, numbers, places, and events in Revelation carry a metaphorical or symbolic connotation. The Greek word sémainó (Rev. 1:1) used by John conveys the idea of "to signify or to communicate by symbols and indicates the visual nature of the revelation. In Daniel 2:28-30 the word translated signified" also denotes a symbolic communication by means of a dream or vision.  Since the book of Revelation is a symbolic means of communication, using the literal approach for interpreting an image may actually distort its intended meaning.

By interpreting apocalyptic literature symbolically, one does not deny the reality of scriptural truths or historical events. On the contrary, saying something is symbolic does not mean it is not real. In fact, picture language, with its symbols, images, and figures, is quite capable of communicating literal truth and depicting literal events. It is simply another vehicle for communicating reality.

Most of the time we should take God’s Word literally. However, as apocalyptic literature, Revelation should be interpreted with due sensitivity to its symbolic language and imagery. This means that one should avoid taking picture language literally.

For example, what would happen if one tried to interpret Revelation 17:9 – ‘the woman who sits on seven hills’ - literally? It would be foolish to force this image into a literal interpretation. It would result in a very large woman sitting on seven tiny hills. However, when the woman in 17:9 is interpreted symbolically, it does not deny the truth of the Bible.

First-century Christians would have naturally understood that the woman represents Rome, a city built on seven hills. In the Old Testament a lamb was a common animal that was slain for the atonement of sin. New Testament passages mainly refer to Christ as the lamb (replacing the OT lamb), as the ultimate sacrifice for our redemption (Rev. 5:6; John 1:29).

Read

Rev.12:1-6; 14-16; 20:9-10 (see also Gen. 3:15)

Reflection

1. Who is the woman in Revelation 12:1?

2. Who is the male child in Revelation 12:5?

3. Who is dragon in Revelation 12:3?

4. Why does the dragon want to kill the male child? (Rev. 12:4,5)

5. How did God protect the woman? How does God protect his people today? (12:6, 14-16)

6. How did Jesus fulfil Gen. 3:15? (20:9-10)

Respond (Application)

Revelation 12:1-6 is a good example of a passage containing several unexplained symbols. To decipher the signs presented in this passage we should use Scripture to interpret Scripture. The woman (12:1) is God’s chosen nation of Israel, God’s wife (Jer. 31:31-33); the Church is also symbolised as a woman, Christ’s bride (19:7). The dragon is identified as Satan (12:9). The woman is described as giving birth to a male child. It is clear that the male child is Jesus, since it is prophesied that he would strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron (12:5;19:15) and that the male child would be snatched up to God and his throne (12:5; Acts 1:9).

Hymn (extract)

Open my eyes, that I may see

Glimpses of truth thou hast for me

Place in my hands the wonderful key

That shall unclasp and set me free

Silently now I wait for thee

Ready, my God, thy will to see

Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine

(Clara Scott)

Prayer

Open our eyes, Lord, that we may behold wonderful things from your Word.

DAY 2

Step 2. Look for the interpretation of a symbol in