ABSTRACT
The Book of Revelation, known as the Apocalypse, has undergone many different interpretations over the centuries. Apocalyptic writings claimed to provide insights into a hidden spiritual world and Revelation uses dramatic language, vivid imagery and numerology to convey its message. The text offers a sequence of St John's visions which interweave glimpses of God's power with dramatic scenes of conflict and horror on earth. Opening vision of Jesus speaking to the Churches of Asia Minor is followed by a glimpse of worship in heaven. Here Jesus is shown as the Lamb who has been slain. The book illustrates the cosmic battle between good and evil. It shows the visions of the end of history and the beginning of a new era. At the Last Judgement the living and the dead stand before the throne of God as books revealing their lives are opened and their deeds disclosed. Those whose names are not written in the book of life are condemned.
