The book of Revelation continues to hold a fascination for people from all walks of life. Even some who don't believe the message of the book write whole books about the fascination believers have with the prophecies and images portrayed in the last book of the Bible. And those who do believe in its message turn out more books with new theories to decode its intricate prophecies.
A few months ago in this space I reviewed a book called A History of the End of the World. The book chronicles the many fabulous ideas and interpretations of Revelation by armchair prophets. I showed that the world will not end as the doomsayers predict. Human life is not going to evaporate in a nuclear Armageddon. Last week I walked through my local bookstore and saw yet another new title promising the "code" to unlock the book.
I think if more people sat down with their Bibles and began reading Revelation, they would come up with more basic understanding than they would with all these "helps" provided by authors who want to make a profit from their ideas. Solomon's words are ever truer today: "Of making many books there is no end" (Ecclesiastes 12:12).
Revelation does have a message for us today, and you can understand what it is! Our world is approaching one of those crossroads of history where we are about to see massive changes in the existing power relationships that have shaped our world. America, the present world colossus, is being challenged by nations that want their time at the center of the world stage. China is moving relentlessly to counter American influence wherever it can. At the same time, China finances a huge portion of America's massive trade deficit. The dollar has weakened and could be replaced as the leading world currency, possibly by the euro. If that happens, America will see prices rise dramatically, with a reduction in its standard of living. The time of the dominance of the English-speaking peoples is coming to a close. Other nations are striving to lead the world, and Revelation has specific things to say about this.
