What Is The Meaning of the Term Apocalypse in Relation to the Bible?

Last updated on: November 16, 2014 at 9:22 am by Jack Wellman

What Is The Meaning of the Term Apocalypse in Relation to the Bible? 2014-11-16T09:22:47-06:00 Jack Wellman

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Maybe you’ve heard the word “apocalypse” but what does it mean in relation to the Bible?

Definition of Apocalypse

The secular definition of apocalypse or the way in which the world uses this word without referring to the Bible is that it means some event of cataclysmic proportion or some event that causes great destruction or loss or something that creates great fear as a result of a great disaster. Something such as a sudden nuclear war or worldwide destructive war might be considered an apocalyptic event. Even a titanic tsunami could be called one. The Greek word for apocalypse is “apocálypsis” and means a revealing or an uncovering and that is exactly what the word revelation means. It is like a curtain or veil that is lifted so that what is behind it can be seen or the contents are suddenly disclosed. The Book of Revelation has a similar meaning as it is an uncovering or revealing of something that was previously unseen or hidden. The Apostle John wrote the Book of Revelation but the author is actually Jesus Christ at it says in Revelation 1:1-2 “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John.”

The Apocalypse of John

The Book of Revelation is sometimes referred to as the Apocalypse of John but as I wrote before, it is really Jesus’ revelation of what is to come in the end times or “the things that must soon take place” (Rev 1:1-2). Some scholars believe some of this content is related to the 1st century because the churches mentioned in chapters 2 and 3 were actual churches that existed at the time of John’s writing. Others believe that portions of this book refer to the fall of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. One thing for sure is that this book deals with God’s justice and avenging of His saints and the end of death, evil, and sin and the beginning of the kingdom of God finally being established on the earth. It is God’s way of dealing with unrepentant and desperately wicked humans who have grown exponentially sinful and rebellious, even during the cataclysmic events the earth’s inhabitants will experience at these times. All of these events work together for the express purpose and will of God. Some parts of this book is believed to have been foretold hundreds of years ago by the prophet Daniel “to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the later days” (Dan 10:14).

Apocalyptic Writers of the Bible

John and Daniel are not the only authors of so-called apocalyptic writings. Some include the words of Ezekiel (chapters 37-41), Zechariah (chapters 9-12), Isaiah (chapters 24-27) and others in the Old Testament. Many of these authors used symbols or images because the events they wrote about may have been too difficult to explain in so many words. It’s often difficult for the reader of the Bible today to make sense of these because the common things used to express meaning in the biblical writer’s day are not commonly understood or familiar to readers of the 21st century.

Focus on Christ

There is no doubt that since this is actually the revelation of Jesus Christ (1:1-2) the book’s central focus is on Him. It speaks of His reign (Rev 20:4-6), His wrath (Rev 16), His blessings (Rev 1:7), His curses (Rev 22:18-19), His judgment (Rev 20:10-15), and His kingdom (Rev 21:9-27). The entire Bible has as the common theme or some say, an interwoven red thread throughout and that is Jesus Christ. The Bible is called the Word of God and Jesus is called the Word of God. The sacrifices look ahead to Jesus eventual perfect, sinless sacrifice of His own life to take away sins. The book is also called history or His-story and the “Him book” because it’s all about Him and so for all intents and purposes, the Book of Revelation is the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Promised Blessings or Curses

Anyone who keeps the words of this book, regardless of their complete understanding or lack thereof, receives a blessing as Jesus said “Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book” (Rev 1:7). Conversely, if anyone tries to add to this book’s meaning or its content, Jesus says “I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book” (Rev 22:18-19). So this book promises blessings in the beginning, judgment on the unrepentant in the middle, and ends with a curse for those who try to change it.

Conclusion

I heard on pastor years ago say that there are only two kinds of people on the earth today; the saints and the aint’s. A person is either lost or saved. The Book of Revelation gives no middle ground for those who haven’t decided yet to repent and trust in Christ. Jesus says “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters” (Matt 12:30). To make no choice is to make a choice of “no.” Decide today whether you will believe in Him or reject Him because if He returns before you make a choice, you have made your choice already and will have to live with it for all time with no chance to change your mind (Rev 20:12-15; Dan 12:2). Make today your day of salvation (2 Cor 6:2) because tomorrow may be too late.

Another Reading on Patheos to Check Out: What Did Jesus Really Look Like: A Look at the Bible Facts

Article by Jack Wellman

Jack Wellman is Pastor of the Mulvane Brethren church in Mulvane Kansas. Jack is also the Senior Writer at What Christians Want To Know whose mission is to equip, encourage, and energize Christians and to address questions about the believer’s daily walk with God and the Bible. You can follow Jack on Google Plus or check out his book Blind Chance or Intelligent Design available on Amazon

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