Dr. Couch, Why should I study the book of Revelation? It seems so difficult to understand, and there is such controversy about the book!
ANSWER: While the early church had trouble fully getting a fix on the book, in
time, the book was fully accepted as part of inspired literature.
Because the church begin around 250 AD to move into allegorical and
amillennial theology, Revelation became more difficult to understand,
since the book was constantly mysticized, “spiritualized,” and made into
an allegory rather than seeing it at its root as literal prophecy.
Liberals long ago junked the book of
Revelation, but now even Evangelical “scholars” are seeing the book in
“apocalyptic” literary genre and are downplaying the full prophetic
message of the letter. Because of the false teachings of Covenant
Theology, and its allegorizing of the Bible, the normal interpretation
of Revelation is rejected. Of course the book is written in illustrative
language, but behind illustration, types and figures, is literalness.
What the book predicts will take place, will take place!
Is it not interesting that even the world sees
the book of Revelation as a prophecy of “things to come”? Hollywood did
a movie entitled “The Four Horses of the Apocalypse”! It is interesting
too to note that as we move closer to the terrible events described in
the book, people are more and more tuning the book out, and going asleep
concerning the terrible events coming on the earth.
Thanks for asking,
Dr. Mal Couch
