The Book of Revelation: Hope in the Midst of Persecution

The author of the Book of Revelation, who identified himself as John, offered Christians the hope and encouragement they needed during a time of persecution by writing a book coded with signs and symbols familiar to his audience yet unfamiliar to the ruling Romans. In writing his book, John used apocalyptic images, symbols, and language. These signs or symbols must be interpreted in their proper literary form and not taken literally. They symbolize a world in spiritual, not physical, turmoi...