9 Crucial Reasons to Read Revelation

Revelation has 22 chapters. The first three chapters (Revelation 1-3) introduce the book. We are shown a vision of Jesus through the eyes of John, one “clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash around his chest” (Revelation 1:13). His hair is white like snow, and his eyes like fire, his feet like burnished bronze, and his voice a roar. We’re told, “In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength” (v. 16). Next he offers messages to the seven churches. Many read these as messages to all churches today. They address behaviors he appreciates and condemns.    

Revelation 4-8 gives a detailed look at the throne of God. Christ is identified as worthy to open the book held by God with “its seven seals.” As each seal is opened, much violence and terror occurs. 

Revelation 8-11 details the blowing of the seven trumpets. Like the seals, this brings violence and terror. The sixth trumpet brings global destruction. After the seventh, we’re told, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever” (Revelation 11:15).

Revelation 12-14 covers the woman and the dragon, Satan thrown to earth, two terrible beasts, the fall of Babylon, and the predicted harvest of the earth, as “he who sat on the cloud swung his sickle across the earth, and the earth was reaped” (Revelation 14:16).

Next, Revelation 15-20 cover the seven plagues and the seven bowls of God’s wrath, along with events leading to the defeat of Satan. 

The final chapters, 21-22, describe the new heaven and earth, the New Jerusalem, and the river of life. The book concludes by reminding us Jesus is coming, so we must understand what is to come so we can be prepared.

Here are the nine key reasons why we should read the Book of Revelation.

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We’re told right away, in the first sentence of the Book of Revelation, that this message is “of Jesus Christ” and something important that “God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place” (Revelation 1:1).

That alone is reason enough to read the Book of Revelation. We know Jesus Christ — Emmanuel, God with us — was born of the Holy Spirit to the virgin Mary and lived among us. He pointed the way to the Father, and those who believe in and follow him are promised eternal life with God in heaven (John 3:16-17). The four Gospel accounts detail his life and earthly ministry, as well as his crucifixion and resurrection. At the start of the Book of Acts, we’re told how he ascended to heaven. After this, the Holy Spirit came to live in the hearts of his followers, guiding them and enabling them to do his work until his return. 

Now, there’s more — a new message, given to the apostle John, after all of this. It’s a message Jesus wanted us to have. As followers of Jesus, we need to hear what he has to say, even if the book is difficult and talks about uncomfortable or upsetting topics like plagues and hellfire.

Also, what we learn about Jesus in Revelation is different information, a new perspective about him than the others. 

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If the fact that Jesus, our savior, has a special message for us isn’t enough, let’s consider what Jesus called it: a revelation. The word in the original Greek here is apokalypsis, which translates to unveiling, uncovering, revealing, and revelation. It’s something that was hidden but is now revealed.

This is important information. Jesus wanted us, his beloved, to hear it. He felt we needed to know what was coming. To honor him and honor what he foretells, we certainly should do our best to receive his message.

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We know that angels are divine messengers; indeed, their very name means “messenger.” They are sent to earth to carry needed information and important truths. An angel told Mary she would conceive the son of God by the power of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1). An angel told the shepherds of Jesus’s birth (Luke 2). An angel told the women at Jesus’s tomb that he had risen from the dead and commanded them to share the news (Matthew 28:6-7). The Bible contains many more examples of important moments when angels were sent by God to share divine messages with people. 

Also, John was commanded by an angel to write down the vision he was shown (Rev. 1:19).

Given all this, it seems clear: We should pay attention. We need to read the Book of Revelation.

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As well, we’re told that whoever reads the Book of Revelation is blessed. As Revelation 1:3 says, “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.” We are blessed when we read it, hear it, heed it, and read it aloud so others can benefit from it, too.

“Blessedness” refers to being in favor with the Lord. This is a beautiful and wonderful thing. At the end of the book, we’re further told those who not only read the book but keep the words of the prophecy are also blessed (Revelation 22:7).

God’s blessing is not something trivial to be taken for granted. Jesus says those who heed this are blessed — certainly, we should do what he asks and heed his words.

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When Jesus finished relaying this information, he closed by telling John, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place. And behold, I am coming soon” (Revelation 22:6-7). 

A few lines later, John tells us Jesus urged him not to seal up the words of the prophecy of this book. “For the time is near,” Jesus reiterated. “Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy. Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done” (v. 10-12). 

The information was given as a way to help followers of Jesus prepare — those who, as the book states, “wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life” (v. 14).

Make no mistake: The material we are given is meant to be put to good use. It is to help us be ready for the end of days, the time when Jesus returns and the old world ends, passing into the new. 

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The Book of Revelation contains frightening information: plagues and famine and pestilence. Earthquakes and swordfights. Dragons and sea beasts. Burning mountains and a sea of sulfur. All of it leads up to the ultimate Harvest of the Earth (Revelation 14:14-20) and the judgment before the Great White Throne (Revelation 20:11-15).

Heaven and hell are real, Revelation tells us in no uncertain terms. Justice is coming.

7. God Wins

But while all of these things are awful, Revelation is also clear that we need to stand strong and pick the right team: God’s team. God is sovereign and all-powerful. He wins in the end, though many will be lost along the way. We must choose, we’re told, “And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).

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Jesus told us how to pray: simply and earnestly, without show or fanfare (Luke 11:1-13). And praise has been an important part of honoring God, something people have done since the earliest days, complete with dancing, songs, and musical instruments (2 Samuel 6:5).

But another wonderful aspect of the Book of Revelation is that it teaches us what it looks like to worship from a heavenly perspective. Here, we get a glimpse of heaven.

John describes living creatures giving glory, honor, and thanks toward the Lord upon his brilliant throne (Revelation 4:9), elders clothed in white (4:4), singing and incense and loud voices proclaiming over and over again things like, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing” (Rev. 5:12).   Angels and all sorts of heavenly beings fall on their faces in humble, complete worship. Trumpets and thunder and massive celebration fill the air. We will have a New Jerusalem and a New Earth, and God will be with us forever. “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (21:4).

What a scene!

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Finally, above all, the message of Revelation is clear: Trials will come. Suffering will occur. But the reward is great for those who persist, for those who surrender the self and follow the Lord. This message was intended to offer hope, encouragement, and inspiration to those who follow Jesus, urging them to stay the course and remain true to their faith. It’s worth it in the end, and the alternative is even worse than we can imagine.

While Revelation isn’t an easy book, it’s important and worth our attention. If you haven’t yet read Revelation, consider which of these reasons resonate with you the most. Then pray, asking God to help you understand what you read. 

Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross for us all. And then he gave us another gift in the Book of Revelation, helping us to understand what is to come so we can prepare.

Let’s honor his gift with our time.

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