Living by the Book/Living by the Book Workbook Set (112 page)

Now go back and put the parable into context. Read Judges 8:28–9:21. What additional information do you discover about the meaning of the story? (If you have questions about names, places, etc., you should know by now how to deal with them.)

Why do you think figurative language was used in this instance?

Do you think the impact of this passage would have been the same if the speaker had used facts in place of his symbolism? Why or why not?

TODAY’S PASSAGE:

Revelation 17

TIME COMMITMENT:

20 minutes

“God does not shroud Himself in unknowable mysticism. When He wants to tell us something, He tells us. He doesn’t confound us with nonsense. However, He often uses symbolism to make His points. Yet He expects us to read them as symbols, not absurdities” (p. 266).

P
erhaps no portion of Scripture is as challenging to interpret as the book of Revelation. The various opinions and speculations about the meaning of this book are numerous. We may never figure out all the symbolism to our satisfaction. Yet at the most basic level, the message of Revelation is usually reasonably clear.

For example, read Revelation 17. As you do, list the symbols and the figurative language you find. After you compile your list, add any of the interpretations you can be sure of. You may have a few blanks remaining, but you should have much of your list filled out. If you read closely, several of the symbols are explained within the text. Others (such as the beasts, the Lamb, etc.) are defined elsewhere in Revelation.

You may not understand everything that’s going on, but in the space below, list everything that is clear from reading this chapter.