What is the best interpretation of the Book of Revelation?

Answer 1

In seeking the best interpretation of the Book of revelation it is useful to know that it was not always considered by early Christians as inspired. For example, Eusebius (260-340 CE) called Revelation spurious. It is useful to know that the authorship of Revelation was not attributed to the disciple John until late in the second century, by which time this was only speculation, because it is signed by a person called John. Many biblical scholars and some theologians prefer to refer to its author as "John of Patmos".

Having established that Revelation was written by an otherwise unknown Christian, we have no reason to interpret the book as inspired or to try to interpret it as containing prophecies. It is likely that it was written in layers, with some of the material being pre-Christian and based on Jewish apocalyptic books like Ezekiel. The material with definite Christian meaning consists of the messages to Christian churches, in which the author reviews their performance and comments on the divine view of their pastoral needs.

Answer:

The best interpretation of Revelation is in knowing and understanding that it isn't "John's" revelation... but:

"THE REVELATION OF Jesus Christ, which God [the Father] gave unto Him, to shew unto His servants things which must shortly come to pass; and He sent and signified it by His angel unto His servant John: WHO BARE RECORD OF THE WORD OF GOD, and of the testimony OF JESUS CHRIST, and of all things that he saw." (Rev.1:1-2)

The best interpretation of Revelation, then, is Jesus' "private conversation" with His disciples in explanation of these same "end time events," which is found in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21.

Revelation is a prophecy written as a "parable"... which is intended to hide the meaning from the masses. But Jesus always explained His parables to His disciples "in private" when the masses were gone.

"...the disciples came unto Him PRIVATELY, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be?"

(Matt.24:3)

The best interpretation of Revelation is to let Jesus interpret it for you... privately... from your Bible. All we have to do, is choose to "believe Him."