We are beginning a study on Revelation in our adult Sunday School in March. In preparing for that, I found this very insightful introductory comment on Revelation (in a "Shorter Commentary" on Revelation by Greg Beale and David Campbell, p. 1):
"One of the great tragedies in the church in our day is how Revelation has been so narrowly and incorrectly interpreted with an obsessive focus on the future end time, with the result that we have missed the fact that it contains many profound truths and encouragements concerning Christian life and discipleship. The prophetic visions of Revelation can easily disguise the point hat it was written as a letter to churches, and a letter which is pastoral in nature. The goal of Revelation is to bring encouragement to believers of all ages that God is working out his purposes even in the midst of tragedy, suffering, and apparent Satanic domination. It is the Bible's battle cry of victory, for in it, more than anywhere else in the NT, is revealed the final victory of God over all the forces of evil. As such, it is an encouragement to God's people to persevere in the assurance that their final reward is certain and to worship and glorify God despite trials and despite temptations to march to the world's drumbeat."
This certainly whets my appetite for Revelation, and I hope it does yours as well!
