One of the difficulties that many people have with this last book of the Bible lies in the fact that they do not begin with the text itself but with a particular scheme of interpretation. Then they try to superimpose that scheme of interpretation on the the text of Revelation. The author has made in this volume a conscientious effort to begin with the text in its own original context as a series of messages to seven first-century churches. This approach does not in any way entail that all of the events described in Revelation were fulfilled in the first century. That obviously is not the case. What readers need to do is to understand how those seven churches would receive what the apostle John had to say and then derive principles for practical application as we get closer and closer to the return of Christ. This is the only book in God's Word that specifically promises a blessing to those who read it and heed its message. The closer we get to Christ's return, the more important the book of Revelation will become. So we trust that readers of this volume will find biblical principles that can help them face the events and turmoil of the last days with, as one old hymn says, "Loyalty to Christ."