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Some Christians admit that the Book of Revelation intimidates them because of the graphic imagery depicted therein describing the Day of the Lord, the Final Judgment, the "winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God" poured out on his enemies, the eternal lake of fire burning with brimstone reserved for the Antichrist, Satan and the False Prophet, plus some of the gory details about the Armageddon War.
But instead of being intimidated, those who love the Lord should rejoice in the fact that he loved us enough to be "dipped in blood" as a sacrificial propitiation for our sins. The fact that He arose from the dead, conquered death and offers eternal life to His faithul believers should inspire eager anticipation for His vengeance against those who would destroy His creation and His people.
After all, He gave everyone more than enough time to turn to rejoicing in His love, to repent, to stop willfully rebelling against His commandments and to accept the gift of eternal life that He offers to anyone who believes in Him. In the spirit of love and rejoicing, here are some reasons not to fear the Book of Revelation:
[1] God Has Not Given Us the Spirit of Fear (2 Timothy 1:7)
“Do not fear” is a major melody in the Holy Bible: Many, many verses and passages discuss the fear topic – most of them pointing to the refrain: Do not fear. Trust in the Lord as your rock and refuge. I’ve Read The Revelation Too Many Times To Get Shook.
Having read, heard and seen the Book of Revelation multiple times has removed the fear factor. Not that The Revelation scared me to begin with. Think about a so-called scary movie. Usually, after the first movie-viewing, subsequent viewing experiences become more and more less frightening.
From what some Christians say, some pastors do not feed their flocks by teaching the Book of Revelation because congregations supposedly become afraid. Well in that case, I want more Revelation – right now!
[2] The Lord Blesses Those Who Read, Hear and Abide by The Book of Revelation
Blessed is he that reads and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein, for the time is at hand (Revelation 1:3).
A blessing from the Lord is something that everyone should appreciate. And we are flat-out told how to be blessed by the Lord - Read, hear and keep the Revelation's prophetic content. As believers, we should all be very appreciative of the outward knowledge that illuminates us on how to receive God's blessings.
[3] Regularly Reading the Book of Revelation is Thrilling
Being gifted from God with the incredible privilege of reading what John the Revelator revealed about his own experiences in seeing, hearing and dictating the prophetic visions from both God and God’s angels is electrifying reading.
There are also intriguing themes that lead to further study outside of the Bible while providing symmetry and synchronicity. For example, the number seven is a popular theme in The Revelation: the seven spirits before God’s throne, the seven churches, the book of the seven seals, the seven angels with the seven trumpets, the seven vials of the wrath of God, etc.
With almost every reading of The Revelation, more details than before are learned, remembered and appreciated. The movie could also be electrifying but the real-life ending will definitely be.
[4] The Book of Revelation is Great, Poetic Literature
Take this passage from Revelation 19:15 describing Jesus Christ as The Word of God dipped in blood, aka "The Rider on the White Horse" who appears in His conquering lion-like emperor character:
And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
There are many more examples of the Holy Bible's generally poetic-literature nature in Revelation. In fact, I believe the Bible's final book is on par with the beautifully situated writing that many scholars praise the books of Isaiah and the Psalms for.
[5] I Want to Learn as Much About Jesus As Possible
Reading or hearing Revelation greatly enhances my understanding about Jesus Christ the Lord. Because Revelation discloses, in detail, a lot of information that no other book does.
After all, the book is titled "The Revelation of Jesus Christ." The Lord refers to Himself as “Alpha and Omega – The Beginning and the Ending, The First and the Last,” “The Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.” He is further referred to as "King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Lamb Who Was Slain."
In the Book of Revelation, we learn a lot about Jesus that we did not know before. Missing persons who were thought to be possibly slain, were once posted on milk cartons, and now the Book of Revelation should go on a milk carton. Revelation is often missing in action. Few broadcasts teach from the Book of Revelation. Some seminaries do not teach the Book of Revelation.
I do not have “Sheeple Syndrome” or “Herd Mentality." That is to say, I don’t fear the Book of Revelation just because, supposedly, a lot of “sheeple-people” fear Revelation. The Lord is the Good Shepherd and I am a sheep of His pasture – not of social media’s pasture.
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