As Genesis is the book of beginnings, Revelation is the book of consummation. The divine program of redemption is brought to fruition, and the holy name of God is vindicated before all creation. It is an apocalypse, meaning “unveiling” or “disclosing,” not so much of secrets concerning the future, what God is bringing about beyond our purview but promised and sure. Designed to provide comfort to a church enduring persecution, it still offers hope to us even twenty centuries later