Why Revelation Matters: Judgment, Glory, and the Dawn of Eternity

Why study the book of Revelation? Why is it important?

Revelation is an important book to study if for no other reason than it is the capstone of God’s self-revelation to man. Revelation is the book of consummation. It tells us the ending of the story that began in Genesis 1. The greatest value of Revelation is what it teaches us about the future. It discloses that this world is headed for a devastating seven-year period of divine judgment; the rise of a final world ruler; a global government, economy, and worship; the great war of Armageddon; the second coming of Christ; the 1,000-year reign of Christ on the earth; the final judgment; and the new heaven and new earth. Revelation tells us where this world is headed, and where we are headed.

Revelation is also important because it reveals and reaffirms many of the great doctrines of Scripture. Revelation is theologically thick. It displays the sovereignty and holiness of God. It teaches us that God is in control, that He has a plan that He is bringing to fulfillment. It reveals that God alone can foretell the future and that He does so with 100 percent accuracy.

The Christology (doctrine of Christ) is glorious in Revelation. Jesus is the Lamb (28 times) who was slain, yet is alive forevermore. He is God (Revelation 1:17; see also Isaiah 44:6). He is worshipped as God (Revelation 5:13). He is the focus of all history and prophecy (19:10). Salvation comes through Christ alone by faith alone in His death on the cross (1:5). Only His blood can wash away our sins (5:9; 7:14). He is the Lion of Judah who is coming again as King of kings and Lord of lords (19:16).

Revelation unveils the total depravity of man, who deserves judgment, and shows man’s desperate need for the grace of God. Nowhere in Scripture do we see a more awful picture of man’s depravity, rebellion, and blasphemy. The book of Revelation provides a divine view of history. We see that no human empire can endure. Man’s day will come to a tragic end.

In the 404 verses in Revelation, there are about 278 allusions to the Old Testament. Revelation is saturated with the Old Testament. John believes the Old Testament Scripture is the Word of God, and he claims that his own message is divinely inspired and authoritative (1:2).

Revelation has a great deal to say about angels and demons. In fact, it talks about angels more than any other book of the Bible. Angels are active throughout the chapters, especially in bringing God’s wrath to the earth. The reality and evil of Satan and his demonic host is also evident. Satan accuses and persecutes God’s people, hates the Jews and tries to destroy them, empowers the Antichrist and the false prophet, and finally, is doomed to the lake of fire.

One final reason to study Revelation is that it’s the only book of the Bible that contains a special blessing for those who read it and keep the things written in it (Revelation 1:3). For this reason, Revelation has been aptly called “the Blessing Book.” I pray that the Lord’s rich hand of blessing will rest upon you as you study the book of Revelation and strive to understand and apply its truths to your life.