A lot of Christians want to understand the book of Revelaion. Motivations can be different. Some of us might feel empowered to know the future in advance. Some might be curious. It can be for some of us that we think by understanding the book of Revelation we can serve our Lord better. Contrary to those who say understanding the book of Revelation is so difficult or it might be left to those who are expert in theology or similar fields, Jesus himself several times encourages anyone has an ear to listen and understand (Revelation of John 2:7, 2:11, 2:17, 2:29, 3:6, 3:13, 3:22 in chapters about the seven churches and 13:9 specifically about prophesies of the future). I assume all who read this article now understand that we must do our homework to understand the book.
But understanding the book comes with its burden:
Revelation of John 10:9-10
- So I went to the angel, telling him to give me the little book. And he said to me, “Take it and eat it; it will make your stomach bitter, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.”
- I took the little book out of the angel’s hand and ate it, and in my mouth it was sweet as honey; and when I had eaten it, my stomach was made bitter.
It seems like to be the reaction to any knowledge of future. It might feel sweet at first, but it comes with stress and worries. Remember when you last had an illness. Let’s say six months before that, did you know you will have that illness? Imagine someone had told you in six months you will have that illness. Could that cause you stress and worries?
Even with good happenings in life. For example, people never know when they find their marriage partner. But those who did, in the days before their marriage ceremony, now that they know in advance that this is going to happen, they feel stress!
Also with this knowledge of the future from the Revelation, there comes the responsibility:
Revelation of John 10:11
- And they said to me, “You must prophesy again concerning many peoples and nations and tongues and kings.”
We must listen and understand. But we must also be ready for the burden and for the responsibility.