David R. Helm
RESOURCES
Commentaries and Other Reading [pdf, 396kb]
An Approach to Apocalyptic Literature: A Primer for Preachers [pdf, 4mb]
Sermon Series Suggestions [pdf, 67kb]
OVERVIEW
Apocalyptic literature is often avoided, and perhaps with good reason. It is a different kind of literature—complex, symbolic, and challenging. I once read a humorous observation by John Barton:
“We instinctively know that a sentence beginning, ‘The stars will fall from heaven, the sun will cease its shining, the moon will drip blood…’ is not going to end with *‘…and the rest of the country will be partly cloudy with scattered showers.’”
That captures the uniqueness of apocalyptic writing. It is different, difficult, and often divisive. Perhaps you’ve avoided Revelation because it becomes little more than a battleground for debates about the millennium or timelines of the end.
But let me encourage you: there are excellent reasons to preach Revelation. For one, we live in an image-based society, and Revelation is filled with vivid, movie-like images. If a picture is worth a thousand words, and if people today are drawn to visual stories, then your congregation may be more ready for Revelation than you think.
Revelation was written to seven churches, each facing its own challenges. Some were faltering under persecution. Some had lost their first love. Others tolerated false teachers or sexual immorality. Some were lukewarm. Yet others were persevering, holding fast to sound doctrine, and overcoming.
The book is meant to exhort the faltering, encourage perseverance, and assure believers that God’s power in the gospel can sustain them. Like your own congregation, the original readers were a mixed bag—struggling, tempted, but also persevering.
Revelation is saturated with allusions to earlier Scripture. As a colleague once said, “All the prophets rendezvous in Revelation.”
Example: In Revelation 19, the victorious warrior appears with garments stained in blood. Whose blood is it? Christ’s blood shed for forgiveness? Or the blood of his enemies? On its own, Revelation 19 leaves it open. But Isaiah 63 clarifies: it is the blood of God’s enemies, trampled in judgment. Bible words have Bible meanings. The Old Testament controls the interpretation.
Revelation is both prophecy and a letter. Chapter 1:3 calls it “prophecy,” while 1:4 begins like an epistle: “John, to the seven churches in Asia: Grace to you and peace…”
Think of it this way: Revelation is prophecy cast in apocalyptic imagery but delivered in the form of a pastoral letter. That literary awareness helps you preach it faithfully.
The Son of Man (1:9–20)
Christ is risen, exalted, and reigning—walking among the lampstands (the churches).
This vision governs chapters 1–3, where Christ addresses the churches.
The Lion and the Lamb (chapters 4–18)
Christ is the Lamb (29 times named in Revelation), worthy to open the scroll.
His reign unfolds through seals, trumpets, and bowls.
Here Christ is not only ruling the church but reigning over human history—executing God’s will and wrath.
The Victorious Warrior (chapter 19 onward)
Christ returns as the conquering King.
The vision leads to the consummation of His kingdom and eternal reign.
These three visions give the book its framework.
“The revelation of Jesus Christ…” (1:1)
This can mean about Jesus Christ, from Jesus Christ, or even belonging to Jesus Christ (since the Father gave Him all authority). Revelation is ultimately a kaleidoscope of Christ’s glory.
The challenge is to preach the fullness of Christ—not just His return, but His incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, present reign, and final consummation. Revelation portrays the entire scope of His redemptive work.
For example, Revelation 12 depicts the woman giving birth to a male child who will rule the nations—a vision of Christ’s incarnation, not just His return. The book highlights the fullness of the gospel across time.
The Supremacy of Christ – He is central and exalted.
Blessing – Seven times the book pronounces blessing, often tied to obedience and perseverance (1:3: “Blessed are those who keep what is written…”).
Faithfulness – The call to “keep” Christ’s word and not compromise, even amid trial and opposition.
Imagery – The book is filled with symbols. Preachers must discern when imagery is literal and when it is symbolic.
Identification – Be cautious about pinning every symbol to one fixed meaning. For instance, the woman in Revelation 12 could be Eve, Israel, or Mary—all are valid layers of meaning. Apocalyptic visions often work in this “trans-temporal” way.
Itinerary – Does Revelation unfold chronologically, or does it use recapitulation (repeating cycles of history)? The seals, trumpets, and bowls all end with similar cosmic upheavals (lightning, thunder, earthquake), suggesting repeated visions rather than strict sequence.
As you preach it, you’ll be giving your people a vision of Christ that sustains them now and prepares them for His return.
Remember: getting started right will help you cut it straight.