The Book of Revelations

The Book of Revelations is often misunderstood as being about the end times when really it isn’t. While Revelation does include apocalyptic imagery and references to future events, such as the return of Christ and the final judgment, these are not its sole focus. The book is ultimately a "revelation of Jesus Christ" (Revelation 1:1), meant to reveal His glory, victory, and the hope of eternal life for believers. Overemphasizing the apocalyptic elements can detract from its central message of hope and encouragement.

Revelation was written during a time of persecution while under Emperor Nero. St. John, was exiled on the island of Patmos when he received the visions recorded in the book. The primary purpose of Revelation was to encourage early Christians to remain steadfast in their faith despite the trials they faced. The imagery of the Beast and the number 666 is often interpreted as a reference to Emperor Nero (be sure to read next week’s article on 666), a notorious persecutor of Christians. This interpretation aligns with the idea that Revelation was addressing the immediate struggles of the Christian community under Roman oppression.

Revelations also contains warnings to seven Christian churches in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). These churches are addressed in the opening chapters (Revelation 2–3), where John conveys messages from Christ about their spiritual state. Some churches are commended for their faithfulness, while others are admonished for issues like complacency, moral compromise, or loss of zeal.

These warnings serve as a call to repentance and renewal, emphasizing that the book is not just about future events but also about the present spiritual health of the Church.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revelation_11

https://www.catholicculture.org/culture/library/view.cfm%3Frecnum%3D4738

https://www.clgonline.org/sermonblog/2022/3/27/the-end-of-all-things-revelation-1911-2015