The Book of Revelation is unique in that it presents "word pictures" to convey the message that is given therein. This method
is called symbolism which is based on analogy. This principle must be applied if we are to understand God's mystery revealed.
Why did God choose symbolic language to convey His message? It is because man's languages are arbitrary, meaning changeable.
In God's infinite wisdom, He has chosen to use the images and properties of the natural world that never change. All things continue as God created them from the beginning except...the arbitrary languages of mankind. The certainty of this message is assured by using symbolic language based on analogy. Amen.

I suppose one could call the Book of Revelation the most neglected and misunderstood of all the inspired writings of the Bible.
The "Theories" of a future milleniam both
Pre and Post bring much confusion and speculation in various branches of the church world.
Most Denominations politely overlook this Prophetic Book.
Other Denominations honestly admit that this Book is just too controversial and mystical, so it is set aside.
To the nominal Christian community this Book is placed into the catagory of being...
"Non-essential"
to their salvation and therefore exlude
it from Christian doctrine.

It is interesting to note: God does not hold any one of these views! In fact, this is the only Book within the Bible that pronounces a..."Blessing" upon all who will hear and a "Curse" upon all who take away from this prophecy! The very first chapter of this Book begins with this affirmation...

* The book of Revelation is not written as one uninterupted narrative.
* There are 7 Sealed Scrolls which are opened to reveal the historical events as they happened or in their chronological order.
* These 7 Scrolls are used as an index that give a brief description of what will be revealed in the parallel themes that follow.
* The Parallel themes serve as connecting links to the seals that focus on a more detailed description of the various events that took place.
* There are 7 Trumpets sounded to call attention to those specific events as they happened envolving the conflicts and the triumphs of God's people during this Christian Dispensation.
* There are 7 Vials "poured out" representing the judgements of God as he intervined upon the ungodly civil authorities and nations throughout the past ages.

"The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass."
I am one of His servants...aren't you? I want to be blest, rather than cursed...don't you?
It is written: "Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand." (Rev. 1:3)