The difference between my preconceived notions of what the book of Revelations was and what the book of Revelations actually turned out to be very surprising. What had initially figured to be a linear prophecy of the end of the world turned out to be much deeper and more nuanced structurally, politically, and in its message to the faithful. The author of the book John attempts to subvert a very real Roman imperial force through the text of his book that is easily lost today without the context that he was writing in.
The books structural complexity is much deeper than it appears at first glance. “An outline of the book looks like a spiral, with each loop consisting a series of visions” (Koester 39) While many modern Christians attempt to read the book as a linear narrative or a simpler a leads to be leads to c type of prophecy it seems as though that is not what John seems to have intended. His work references back heavily on the rest of the bible and his descriptions of events seem to be heavily metaphorical for the world he was living in at the time rather than a direct prediction of the future.
Through the code word of Babylon John criticizes the Roman empire and his fellow Christians complicit in the Roman system. “And the Kings of the Earth, who committed fornication and lived in luxury with her will weep and wail over her when they see the smoke of her burning”(Rev 18:9) “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!”(Rev 18:2) In addition to this he predicts a coming time of triumph over it for Christians in the form of the celestial kingdom of God. “Blessed are those who wash their robes...Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices false hood.”(Rev 22:14)
Johns book is a radical message of non participation with the Roman Babylon and a message to the faithful and unfaithful alike that God's power is more potent and overreaching than any earthly pleasure or might.