The Purpose of an Apocalypse

John's book is called an "apocalypse," which is the Greek word for "revelation." One characteristic of an apocalypse is that it addresses God's people who are living in cultures where people do not worship God (Daniel and Ezekiel are good examples). In those living conditions, God's people face a dilemma: compromise or persecution. On the one hand, the surrounding cultures attempt to seduce God's people by promising prosperity and happiness if they will compromise their faith and accept God-denying or God-ignoring practices. On the other hand, the surrounding cultures attempt to marginalize or eliminate God's people by withholding material needs or killing them. Revelation, like other apocalyptic books, warns God's people of the dangers of compromise, assures them of God's sovereignty and ultimate victory over godless nations, promises them that faithfulness will be rewarded, and exhorts them to remain faithful in the face of hardships. If we miss the warnings, assurances, promises, and exhortations, we miss the primary purpose of Revelation.