The Book of Revelation is not a coded forecast of 21st-century geopolitics. As John writes in verse one, the entire letter is the revelation of Jesus Christ. It is written in the highly symbolic language of prophetic apocalyptic literature and, in keeping with the method of apocalyptic literature, Revelation pulls back the curtain on earthly empires and names them beasts.

The first beast is depicted as having seven heads, which would have reminded John’s original readers of the seven hills of Rome. The second beast (or, false prophet) is the religious propaganda machine for the first beast, looking like a lamb but speaking for the dragon. And the beast’s number, 666, is the number of humanity in rebellion against God. Human empire, under the influence of the dragon (“Babylon”) has intoxicated itself on the blood of the saints (Revelation 17 and 18).

In the imagery of the final two bowls there is depicted a gathering for battle (vv. 12-16) and the final defeat of the dragon and the two beasts (vv. 17-21). Though a final conflagration is never actually described, it is clear that, in the words of the Lord, “It is done!” (vs. 17). When the followers of the beast move to finally wipe out the church they will discover, to their dismay, that they have only brought about their own destruction (20:9).

In the midst of it all there is a word of blessing for the church (the third of Revelation’s seven benedictions). Warning that his second coming will be sudden and unpredictable, the Lord says to his church, “blessed is the one who stays awake,” meaning, those who remain watchful for his coming (vs. 16). They will not be caught naked, as it were. That is, they will not be ashamed at the Lord’s coming but rather will welcome him with joy. All the saints will be finally gathered in by the Lamb who was slain for them.