Jesus Christ revealed all that would happen in the end-times in the Scriptures – God’s word. A detailed account of it is found in the book of Revelation His Apostle John wrote while he was exiled to the island of Patmos (Greece) as a criminal for his testimony of Jesus Christ. Prophet Daniel too had visions of the future – not only of the Kingdoms of this world but also about the Kingdom of God and the events of the end times.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God 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. – Rev 1:1.

Revelation, the last book in the Bible, is predominantly sign language; the Lord Himself says this without ambiguity. While John would write in his book literally the visions he saw, the things he saw signified a spiritual meaning – much deeper than what they literally are. Thankfully, the Lord Himself interprets these signs in many places – one, right at the outset – His first words in the book, setting a course for us to pursue in our journey towards understanding the book. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. – Rev 1:8. Alpha is not A but signifies the beginning / first and Omega is not Ω but signifies the ending / last which the Lord, the 'IS, WAS AND WHICH IS TO COME, THE ALMIGHTY', in short, the I AM is, is obvious and requires no spiritualization. The seven stars are the angels of seven churches and the seven golden candle sticks are the seven churches. The seven churches signify the entire Church of Jesus Christ – it is relevant to today’s believers. The Lord does seem to say, “Come on, take the cue and interpret the book likewise”.

Can Christians ignore the Book of Revelation and focus more on the gospel and sanctified living? No. It is the word of God for the future and is essential for the believer for sanctification. Why is this in the Bible at all?

Who can understand this book? All who are counted as His servants in the Lord’s Church need to read, hear and keep/obey these things in the book – and there is a blessing for them. Incidentally, every believer is the Lord’s servant – not always the “full-time” minister. It is for the believer for whom Jesus was (crucified and rose again as the Saviour), Jesus is (the Priest and King) and Jesus to come (as the bridegroom for taking His bride home to be with Him forever). Every believer is saved, is being saved, and will be saved!

Why symbolic? A picture is worth ten thousand words! And, with the added details, it would be difficult for the human mind to forget. Again, John’s day would not have had today’s vocabulary in vogue. God wants us to relate to these accounts when they unfold right in front of our eyes.

And what is the timeframe it signifies? Shortly come to pass! The time is at hand! Near! This, even when it was John’s time. Then, it must significantly include our time as well – not sometime in the future. Almost all visions in this book include John’s present perfect, John’s present, and John’s future which eventually becomes our past, present, and future. Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter. – Rev 1:19. There is an imminence element to the visions.

Its reliability? The Lord says that it must come to pass. Well, if it is a 'must' from the Lord, then, its trustworthiness is unquestionable.

What should be the readers’ reaction? Panic? You can remain in peace by the grace of God. Grace be unto you and peace – Rev 1:4.

Apocalyptic? (Showing or describing the total destruction and end of the world, or extremely bad future events –Cambridge Dictionary). No. And, Yes. It is predominantly about the successful triumph of the plan of God and the glorious culmination of the purpose of God – bringing many sons to Glory. But it is also about the ultimate eternal destruction of Satan, the adversary of God and his kingdom. And, the destruction of the current heavens and the earth; Negative! But these will be replaced by new heavens and a new earth. Wonder-filled eternity ahead! Positive!

But prior to this Revelation, there were also a lot more that Jesus prophesied about the end-times even while He was here on earth.