Understanding Revelation: What’s Genre Have To Do With It?
Revelation is perhaps the most difficult book of the Bible to read and walk away with a clear understanding. Other factors can directly help the average reader to understand the purpose, intent and meaning of this mysterious book. This is why sharing the acronym LEGACY is a great tool to prepare any reader for tackling the Book of Revelation. Answering the LEGACY questions can have a profound impact on the fruitfulness of anyones Bible study.
LEGACY: Location, Essence, Genre, Author, Context and Years
In this post I will look at Author and Genre to help lay a proper foundation for tacking the Book of Revelation.
The author of Revelation is given to us in chapter 1 verse 4. He is the apostle John, son of Zebedee and brother of James. John was one of the original disciples and said to be the one Jesus loved (John 21:20). John’s message in Revelation would be highly respected and revered as instruction coming from the Lord. He was not a distant or removed messenger but instead a father figure who’s words would be highly valued among all the early churches receiving his epistle.
Genre is perhaps the question people consider least when studying the Bible. Understanding which genre the author uses for communicating his message can have a profound impact on a readers apprehending and understanding the text. The genre for the Book of Revelation can be considered primarily Apocalyptic and Prophetic literature. Although this is the predominate genre we also recognize Revelation begins as a letter to seven churches of that time period (Revelation 1:4).
Apocalyptic imagery is rich with symbolism and metaphors to communicate the message of Judgment and future hope. It is the very nature of the imagery found in prophetic literature that can cause confusion with the reader. If we read passages of Scripture which are prophetic images that use metaphor and symbolism to communicate a truth but we evaluate the passage like we would a narrative which tells a story of historical fact, confusion, misunderstanding and misapplication are likely to be the result. Understanding the correct genre can help us to properly understand and apply the passages we read in Scripture.
Revelation begins as a letter written to the Seven Churches of that time. This is the way in which the Book begins but then it switches in chapter 4 to the the visions and images John witnessed. This switch of genre must be interpreted differently than the first three chapters which were primarily a narrative communicated to the local churches of the time with very real and tangible issues which needed to be addressed. Recognition and application of both types of literature help us to understand the need to apply our understanding of both sections in the context of the entire book. The symbolism and imagery used by John to communicate his vision were very familiar to his first century audience. Similar visions and prophecy would have jumped to forefront of their minds as they recalled the Old Testament Books of the Bible. The Book of Daniel and Ezekiel are perfect examples.
Many will throw up their hands with the prospect of trying to understand the tools necessary to interpret the Bible but this is a privilege and responsibility we have as modern, educated Christians of the 21st Century. No time in history have there been more access and opportunity to dig into God’s Word and explore the Truth He gives to us. I recommend looking at Gordon D. Fee & Douglas Stuart’s book “How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth” if you would like to explore these issues further.
Next post: Understanding Revelation: Context & Years
