It’s easy to see why people associate Revelation with “battle.” The book gives a graphic portrayal of an epic, global clash of kingdoms. This battle rages in the heavenly realms, pitting Christ and His angels against the devil and his demons. But heavenly battle spills over and plays out on the earth. It all culminates on the plains of Armageddon where “the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies” gather to “make war” against Christ “and his army” (16:16; 19:19).
There’s another reason Revelation gets linked to battles. More than any other book in the Bible, Revelation has become a battleground for conflicting interpretations. Preterists, Dispensationalists, Premillennialists, Post-millennialists, and Amillennialists fight about how the book should be understood. (Pan-millennialists avoid the interpretive battle by affirming things will all “pan out” in the end). As you feel the ferocity of the debates between the various viewpoints, you could conclude these camps are more enemies than allies.
But while the word “battle” captures a key theme in Revelation, there’s another word God wants us to associate with this book. That’s the word “blessed.” This book of battle opens with a blessing: “Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near” (1:3).
Jesus gave this revelation to bless all who will read it and live in light of its message.
In the first half of 2026, I spent a week studying each of Revelation’s twenty-two chapters. For each chapter, I prepared a succinct summary of its contents. Then I highlighted what this chapter reveals about Jesus and how I (and other believers) could apply its teachings today.
Starting on September 1st, I’ll post one chapter summary each Tuesday. The series of posts will be called Tuesdays in Revelation.
If you want the blessing Jesus promised to all who read and keep what is written in Revelation, I’d invite you to study along with me as we work through this life-changing book.