The Tribulation Begins

Revelation is often classified as apocalyptic literature, a style of writing that developed after the Jews returned from Babylon. This type of literature often describes the author’s understanding of the end of the world as revealed by a heavenly messenger. The writing typically urges its readers to be patient and trusting for their coming deliverance and rewards. The language of apocalyptic literature is usually symbolic.

Revelation 5 begins the intense apocalyptic portion of the book. It starts by describing a scroll with seven seals and the Lamb who is qualified to break these seals and open the scroll. The terms describing the Lamb show it to be Jesus. The chapter does not reveal if the scroll contains good news or bad news, even though it is clear the contents are very important.

Revelation 6 begins with the Lamb opening the first seal. It immediately is known that the seals represent calamities on the earth. Revelation 6 describes the disasters of the first six seals.

Revelation 7 is a short break from the calamities, describing the sealing off of 144,000 people from the tribes of Israel and the great multitude who come faithfully from the great tribulation.

Revelation 8 describes the opening of the eighth seal, and the revealing of the seven angels with seven trumpets. This chapter describes the disasters of the first four trumpets. Revelation 9 describes the sounding of the next two trumpets.

Revelation 10 talks of the angel and the little scroll. The little scroll is used to get John engaged in the action. His involvement spills over into Revelation 11 where the two witnesses and the beast are introduced. The chapter ends with the disaster of the seventh trumpet.

These seven chapters contain some of the scariest words ever written. The symbolic nature of the language has encouraged countless interpretations. All in all, these chapters are drastic warnings which are used to encourage Christians to be faithful to Jesus.