"Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches." -Revelation 2:7
The book of Revelation is a wild book, full of angels and dragons, fantastic beasts, cryptic numbers and impending judgment. Because of all the mystery surrounding this book and the many interpretations (some of them scary), most of us tend to avoid the book altogether.
But John’s Revelation is not meant to be a guidebook for the end of the world. It is not meant to explain the sequence of all end-times calamities. It’s not a codebook for pinpointing the mark of the beast, the antichrist or the timing of the rapture.
Revelation contains three types of literature within it. First, it is an apocalypse, which means “unveiling”. Apocalypse is a type of literature that records a vision of a prophet or seer that unveils the true nature of things. It helps readers see the world in a new light, so they can live rightly.
Revelation is also a prophecy – one that is not so much concerned with predicting the future but with comforting, exhorting and warning God’s people.
Finally, Revelation is a letter, written to seven churches in Asia Minor. Revelation is not written with a hidden code related to today's events. It is written with an ancient audience in mind. It is a letter from John to these seven churches, urging them to remain faithful despite persecution and temptation to compromise their allegiance to Jesus.
From April 24-June 5, our sermons will focus on Jesus’ message (through John) to each of these seven churches in Revelation 2-3. What do Christ’s instructions and exhortations for these ancient communities mean for our church and our city today? We look forward to exploring that question with you during our Sunday Service at 10:15 AM. See you soon!
Questions about the book of Revelation? Send them to questions@delawarecityvineyard.org.
But John’s Revelation is not meant to be a guidebook for the end of the world. It is not meant to explain the sequence of all end-times calamities. It’s not a codebook for pinpointing the mark of the beast, the antichrist or the timing of the rapture.
Revelation contains three types of literature within it. First, it is an apocalypse, which means “unveiling”. Apocalypse is a type of literature that records a vision of a prophet or seer that unveils the true nature of things. It helps readers see the world in a new light, so they can live rightly.
Revelation is also a prophecy – one that is not so much concerned with predicting the future but with comforting, exhorting and warning God’s people.
Finally, Revelation is a letter, written to seven churches in Asia Minor. Revelation is not written with a hidden code related to today's events. It is written with an ancient audience in mind. It is a letter from John to these seven churches, urging them to remain faithful despite persecution and temptation to compromise their allegiance to Jesus.
From April 24-June 5, our sermons will focus on Jesus’ message (through John) to each of these seven churches in Revelation 2-3. What do Christ’s instructions and exhortations for these ancient communities mean for our church and our city today? We look forward to exploring that question with you during our Sunday Service at 10:15 AM. See you soon!
Questions about the book of Revelation? Send them to questions@delawarecityvineyard.org.

Recommended Reading
As we explore this complex book together, here are some resources to go deeper in your study of Revelation:
THIS HALLELUJAH BANQUET, Eugene Peterson
REVERSED THUNDER, Eugene Peterson:
READING REVELATION RESPONSIBLY, Michael Gorman
REVELATION FOR EVERYONE, NT Wright
THIS HALLELUJAH BANQUET, Eugene Peterson
REVERSED THUNDER, Eugene Peterson:
READING REVELATION RESPONSIBLY, Michael Gorman
REVELATION FOR EVERYONE, NT Wright