Why is it so important to understand what type of book Revelation is? How has what you’ve learned in this lecture changed your understanding of the book of Revelation?

[Austin]

Because there is a great deal of symbolic and metaphorical language in the Revelation which can be easily misinterpreted we need to understand the context in which it was written and the purpose of the author’s intent in writing as he did to the seven churches, and how the readers would have understood the contents and its application for them.

[Austin]

That is not just a doomsday prophecy (which is forthtelling as well) but also an apocalyspe and letter.

[Austin]

It is important to understand the book of Revelation to understand what the author was trying to get across to the people back then, and to us now.
I now understand that the book of revelation is about future events and a letter to the early church.
I also understand now that John’s letter was not all literal but symbolic as well. and know these things helps me better understand what I am reading.

[Austin]

Given that the Book of Revelation is a letter to God’s people, it is meant to be understood by His people. Understanding the historical context helps me to understand that the symbolism had meaning, even for the first-century readers.

[Austin]

1. I personally think it’s important to understand the right context it was written in because that would make us understand the warning better an it would make it easier to apply it to our lives.
2. I now understand that not all that John said was literally meant rather to symbolize and emphasize the importance of the warning that we need to live right for when Christ returns

[Austin]

I would agree with what you have said Patricia. Christians are clearly meant to have a reasonable level of understanding of what is here written. So from me, it is Amen!