I propose to do something revolutionary here. What do you suppose would happen if we took John's word about what Revelation is? Perhaps it would change how we understand it. Perhaps it would become less mysterious.

John had a vision while he was in prison. He describes it in chapter one. During the vision he was given a message to each of his seven churches. Those are recorded in chapters two and three.

So what's the deal with chapters four through twenty two? Here's the deal.

Chapters four and five describe creation as it was meant to be: as it always has been, is now, and always will be. God is at the center, humans are empowered (thrones) and centered on God. Between the humans and God are the four powers of creation (see chapter six of the study), and the Lamb is among and with all of them

When the Lamb begins to open the Book of Life by breaking seven seals which are keeping it closed, the actors in the scene of perfect creation begin to be transformed into something less than perfect, and become downright scairy! By the time the seventh seal is broken, we have lost track of God, who in our perfect state is at the center of things. Then we are brought back to the scene of perfect creation.

In my classes I refer to the scene of perfect creation as the "Happy Place." Through the breaking of seals, blowing of trumpets, and pouring out bowls of wrath, our relationships with God, others, and creation itself, are put to the test. We are, between these different series, always brough back to perfection. Finally, at the end, the happy place has changed to the Holy City. All of the same people and powers are there, but we have been changed by the tribulation.

So the deal is this: The vision and message of the revelation can be spelled out fairly simply in the first three chapters, but the knowledge imparted to John is much, much more than can be stated so simply. Multiple dimensions of truth take many passes to begin to communicate to us what the Lord wants us to know.

That's what it is.

FOREWORD INTRODUCTION CHAPTER 1 CHAPTER 2 CHAPTER 3 CHAPTER 4 CHAPTER 5 CHAPTER 6 CHAPTER 7 CHAPTER 8 CHAPTER 9 CHAPTER 10 CHAPTER 11 CHAPTER 12 APPENDIX A, 777 APPENDIX B - The Medicine Wheel REVELATION HOME PAGE