{"id":3914,"date":"2025-08-12T23:36:33","date_gmt":"2025-08-13T03:36:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/?p=3914"},"modified":"2025-08-13T14:22:42","modified_gmt":"2025-08-13T18:22:42","slug":"beware-of-the-book-of-revelation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/slentz.org\/blog\/teachings\/end-times\/beware-of-the-book-of-revelation\/","title":{"rendered":"BEWARE of the Book of Revelation!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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BEWARE of the Book of Revelation!<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

It’s common to hear Christians shy away from the book of Revelation. The reasons often sound logical at first:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00abWhy study scary, distant future events? Jesus said, \u201c\u2026do not worry aboute tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things\u2026\u201d (Matthew 6:34).\u00bb<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00abI\u2019ve been born again, saved from hell, and my name is in the Book of Life. Rapture, or no Rapture, I\u2019m going to Heaven and that\u2019s all I care about. As the saying goes, \u201cIgnorance is bliss.\u201d\u00bb <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00abRevelation is so symbolic and confusing that it’s difficult to understand, and the many conflicting interpretations make it even harder. I’d rather focus on what Paul emphasized: knowing nothing except \u201cChrist and him crucified\u201d (1 Corinthians 2:2).\u00bb<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These arguments may seem logical and even Biblical, but they’re actually a misinterpretation of Scripture. If God, the Author of the Bible, saw fit to “breathe” the book of Revelation into existence through John\u2019s pen and include it in His Holy Word, then our only response as born-again Christians should be, “Yes and Amen!” (2 Corinthians 1:20). It\u2019s our Heavenly Father’s Word and a love letter written directly to us. We will read it, study it, pray it, and treasure every word within it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Years ago, someone brilliantly summarized a believing Christian’s attitude toward God\u2019s Word, the Bible:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“God said it.<\/em><\/strong>
I believe it.<\/em><\/strong>
That settles it!”<\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n


Here\u2019s why we should NEVER avoid this powerfully blessed book of Revelation and all the many other End Times teachings in the Bible:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Point 1: “Don’t Worry” Does Not Apply <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When Jesus said, \u201cDon\u2019t worry about tomorrow,\u201d He was talking about the anxieties of daily life\u2014not about ignoring Biblical prophecy. The proof of this is found in the Gospels which are filled with Jesus\u2019 teachings on the End Times. While Revelation does contain some very dark gloom and doom prophetical descriptions of the future, it also proclaims the brightest and clearest message of hope in the whole Bible. It gives us a future glimpse of Satan\u2019s defeat and Jesus\u2019 ultimate triumph. It even describes our future home for all eternity! Wow!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studying the future events described in the Bible, especially in Revelation, is definitely not about worrying; it’s about preparation, eternal rewards, and our glorious hope in Christ:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that HE IS A REWARDER of those who diligently seek Him.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Revelation 22:12
And behold, I am coming quickly, and MY REWARD is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
2 Timothy 4:8
Finally, there is laid up for me the CROWN of RIGHTEOUSNESS, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Point 2: Ignorance Is NOT Bliss<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Bible is a Christian’s guide, much like a GPS. Imagine you’re in a car with a lost driver who refuses to use a map or ask for directions. How frustrating that would be, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Apostle Paul did not tolerate ignorance. He said in several epistles: \u201cI do not want you to be ignorant.\u201d To the Thessalonians, he referred specifically to the Rapture:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1 Thessalonians 4:13
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
And Paul must have done an excellent job of teaching them. Look how he commends this church:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1 Thessalonians 5:1-2\nBut concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write to you.\nFor you yourselves KNOW PERFECTLY that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
The Apostle Peter also spoke against ignorance concerning Jesus\u2019 Coming:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2 Peter 3:3-9 (KJV)
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming?
For this they WILLINGLY ARE IGNORANT of\u2026
But, beloved, BE NOT IGNORANT of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Instead of being ignorant, God wants His followers to seek out and study his Word. He even calls this desire “noble-minded,” as it’s a quality He highly values:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Acts 17:11 (NASB)
Now these were more NOBLE-MINDED than those in Thessalonica, for they received the Word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so.<\/pre>\n\n\n
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Jesus said that He used parables to the multitudes so that His message would only understood by them who chose to approach Him and ask questions like we see the disciples doing (Mark 4:10-11, 33-34).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those who are NOT \u201cnoble-minded\u201d will just skip right over portions of the Bible they don\u2019t grasp right away without even thinking of asking Jesus for more understanding. But the \u201cnoble-minded\u201d study and search, and always have many questions for Jesus!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Look at this challenge to \u201ckings\u201d (the \u201cnoble-minded\u201d):<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Proverbs 25:2
It is the glory of God to conceal a matter,
But the glory of kings is to search out a matter.<\/pre>\n\n\n
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Yes, God hides things \u2013 NOT FROM<\/em><\/strong> US, but FOR<\/em><\/strong> US \u2013 for the “noble-minded” Christian who values and cherishes every word in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. They know that all Scripture is “in-breathed” by God and is “…profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness…” (2 Timothy 3:16).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Point 3: God Delights to Answer Questions<\/h3>\n\n\n
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The idea that Revelation is “too confusing” is a poor excuse to avoid studying it. As the Apostle Peter acknowledged, some of Paul’s teachings, including those about the end times, are indeed “hard to understand” (2 Peter 3:15-16). However, the difficulty of a topic is not a reason to stop seeking truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As we “consider” (read, study, and meditate on) God’s Word, He will provide clarity. Paul’s promise to Timothy is an encouragement to us:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2 Timothy 2:7
Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in all things.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
God so delights in those who ask questions that He sent the Holy Spirit, a personal Teacher, to live inside the believer. Jesus promised, “the Spirit of Truth…will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13) and “the Holy Spirit…will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all things that I have said to you” (John 14:26).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, to receive this assurance of guidance into “all truth,” we must:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(a) Study the Whole Bible, Not Just Parts<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
The Holy Spirit cannot bring something to your remembrance if you’ve never read or heard it. This is a practical and logical prerequisite for the Holy Spirit’s work of recalling Scripture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
(b) Be Willing to Do His Will<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Jesus said, “If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself” (John 7:17 NASB). This verse highlights that spiritual understanding is connected to a person’s desire and readiness to obey God. Without the willingness to do God’s will, a person may not be able to discern what is God’s Truth from what is a human “private interpretation\u201d \u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2 Peter 1:20-21\nKnowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,\nFor prophecy [all Scripture] never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
The Bible is not a product of human invention but a divinely inspired revelation. By extension, this principle applies to our own reading of Scripture: true understanding comes from seeking God’s intended meaning, not imposing our own ideas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Point 4: Mature Faith Is Built On The Seven Foundational Doctrines<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Paul’s teaching did not stop with “Christ and Him crucified.” While that message is absolutely central, he went on to instruct believers in many other essential doctrines, especially the details concerning the Events of the End Times. Hebrews 5:11-15 reprimands believers who only want to have \u201cmilk\u201d teachings and not the \u201csolid food\u201d of the Word. The next chapter continues by laying out seven foundational doctrines needed for Christian maturity:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hebrews 6:1-3
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,
Of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
And this we will do if God permits.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
The last two of these seven doctrines \u2014”resurrection of the dead” and “eternal judgment”\u2014 are directly about the End Times and would therefore, by necessity, include the Book of Revelation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Christ is the Rock of our foundation (1 Corinthians 3:10-11), and all SEVEN of these teachings must be precisely laid upon that Rock BEFORE any building work above ground can commence and grow to \u201cperfection\u201d as Hebrews so challenges us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Bonus Point: God\u2019s Blessing \u2013 Another Reason!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
It’s no surprise that Satan works so hard to keep people from reading the Book of Revelation. This book is incredibly important for Christians, and its message about the ultimate defeat of evil is a direct threat to our adversary, the devil. It’s likely because of Satan\u2019s intense hatred for Revelation that the Holy Spirit inbreathed a special promise in its very first chapter:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Revelation 1:3
BLESSED is he who READS and those who HEAR the words of this prophecy, and KEEP those things which are written in it; for the time is near.<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Amazing! The only book in the Bible that pronounces a special blessing just for those who READ, HEAR, and KEEP [cherish and treasure] the words of this precious book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Let\u2019s embrace this precious book for all the blessings purposed for us therein! This blessed Book is a guide for preparation, not a reason for worry. Reading it is essential for a mature faith and a deeper understanding of God’s complete Word and His Eternal Purpose for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, clearly, it’s not “BEWARE<\/em><\/strong> of the Book of Revelation,”
but “BE AWARE<\/em><\/strong> of the Book of Revelation!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Revelation 22:20
He who testifies to these things says,
\u201cSurely I am coming quickly.\u201d
Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus!<\/pre>\n\n\n\n
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