In fact, while most of the Bible is plain and straightforward, it freely uses other forms of speech. We might say that God speaks our language, using many of our ways to get His point across. Since God created language, He can use it in any way He thinks best to convey His message to us. His inspired writings use various types of literature. Here are some basic types or genres:
- Narrative reports about historical events and people in plain words (examples: Joshua, Acts).
- Law records God’s rules for Israelites as given through Moses (examples: Leviticus, Deuteronomy).
- Wisdom literature teaches about God and life through brief sayings. This group also includes poems and songs (examples: Psalms, Proverbs).
- Prophecy gives God’s messages and predictions, mainly to His people Israel (examples: Isaiah, Micah).
- Gospels refer to full reports of Jesus’ time on earth (examples: Matthew, Mark).
- Letters or epistles are the New Testament’s messages written to Christians (examples: Romans, Titus).
- Apocalyptic literature uses symbolic language to convey its message (examples: Daniel, Revelation).
Sometimes a book may use more than one genre. For example, Exodus contains both narrative and law. Revelation 1-3 uses the letter form, then Revelation 4-22 uses the apocalyptic form. We learn from such variety not to be simplistic in Bible reading. Rather, as you read, ask, “Which form of speech is being used, and what is the intended meaning?” Learn the various ways in which the Scriptures deliver their lessons.
Revelation draws dramatic pictures, often based on symbols first used in Daniel and Ezekiel, along with items of Old Covenant worship. Such items—called “types” and “shadows”—prefigured the spiritual realities brought by Christ (Colossians 2:17). At times Revelation provides the interpretation (Revelation 1:20; 5:8), but much is not immediately obvious. Nevertheless, Revelation’s main point is plain and practical (Revelation 1:1-3). It repeatedly emphasizes that Christ and His followers “conquer” (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 26, etc.) Cults and sects like to play with Revelation, giving its symbols meanings that overturn the Bible’s clearest teachings. The Bible interprets itself when its clear teachings, given in plain language, guard us against abuses as we try to interpret difficult passages. To exploit Revelation is to invite trouble with its Author.
I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. (Revelation 22:18-19 cf. Deuteronomy 4:2; 13:1; Proverbs 30:6)