Apocalypse is a gloomy prediction or good news?

Today we will try to understand what the Apocalypse is: is it a prophecy that will necessarily come true or just a way to intimidate people? Why are people afraid of him? Or maybe this is a good sign for those who remain pure in heart and thoughts? The message, which has come down from the depths of centuries, has a hidden meaning. And to solve it, alas, not yet able to any person living on our planet. Or maybe it should be so?

Meaning and author

First, find out what this complex word means . Apocalypse is the work of John the Theologian, containing a prophecy about the future world, its finale. The very word in Greek means "revelation" because it contains secret information. The book itself is quite difficult to understand, and many variants of interpretation only intensifies the interest of humanity to it.

Teachers of the church believe that the apocalypse is something that will undoubtedly happen sooner or later. Believers await the end of the world, after which the resurrection of the righteous will come. The author of the prophecy is the Apostle John, Jesus' favorite disciple, who also wrote three Epistles and the Gospel. For his fidelity to the teacher and the preaching of Christianity, he was imprisoned on the island of Patmos.

Why was the prophecy written?

The reader already knows the meaning of the word "apocalypse". Now let's try to understand what the author created the work for and where he wrote it. The revelation is written in Greek on the island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea at the end of the first century. Already at that time Christianity was divided into currents, and false preachers were proliferating like flies. John himself indicated the purpose of writing such a complex book in such a way: to tell what the world expects and to predict the fate of the church, to attract more people to the true faith, to strengthen their spirit, as strong persecutions began. The apostle portrayed the struggle of the church with the devil, good and evil, as well as methods that the unclean used to win. This was to help resist the temptation to bring Jesus closer.

Contents and symbols

We figured out that the Apocalypse is a picture of the end of the world, after which there will come an eternal and blessed life. John says that the enemies of the church (the beast from the sea) are secretly making plans for its destruction. To help this beast symbolizing hostile secular power, a false prophet (the beast from the earth) comes and the devil is the leader of this war (dragon). This ancient dragon tempts people and guides them against God. But those who are faithful for their suffering will receive a reward, for at certain times the Lord will judge the evil forces in the Last Judgment and punish them. The righteous will rejoice and triumph. In the war going on all fronts, not only mankind is involved, but also the non-material world - angels, evil spirits, demons.

It is worth noting that some of the prophecies have already been fulfilled (relative to the share of seven Asia Minor churches). This makes one think about the truth of the book and better understand its other parts.

Plan of Revelation

Let us consider from what parts the Apocalypse of John consists, what order the end of the world will have:

• An introduction in which God tells the apostle to write a prophecy;
• 7 letters for seven churches;
• The vision of God, the Lamb and worship in heaven;
• The opening of seven seals by Jesus Christ, which serves as a signal for the outbreak of war. These are the so-called forerunners of the Apocalypse (four horsemen);
• Seven angels blow trumpets, announcing the beginning of disasters on earth. Believers receive a seal on their forehead, which will protect them;
• Seven signs of how humanity will be divided into two tabors, who are at war with each other. There is a conscious global evil in the form of a dragon, two witnesses of Christ fighting with it;
• The appearance of the seven cups (Armageddon) and the beginning of the Great Court;
• The description of the trial of evil, the death of the false prophet and the Antichrist;
• The outcome of the war: the punishment of all the guilty people and spirits, the triumph of the forces of good;
• Description of a new world - heaven and earth after the apocalypse.

Summarize

Apocalypse is the end of that immoral life, godlessness and lawlessness that began with the sinful fall of Adam and Eve. Created at the time of intensified persecution of Christians, he had to give hope that not all this was in vain, suffering would be paid a hundredfold. In some way it is an instruction how to resist the wiles of the devil, the false prophet and the Antichrist, to recognize them, which is given to the believers. It contains information about how the great battle will begin and what will precede it.

But the Apocalypse can not be considered a gloomy book. On the contrary, these are the brightest and most joyful pages in the Holy Scripture, for they speak of the triumph of the Lord God and his faithful servants. The book of John the Theologian predicts a joyful and eternal life for one who does not give up good at a hard time.

In fact, the Apocalypse can be called a picture that reflects the eternal struggle of light and dark forces, contradictions in human souls. And this is the main theme for reflection, the main question of all philosophers.