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Just knowing that it can be a controversial and confusing book, I just thought I'd post some of the "rules" that I had thought of for studying Revelation. If anyone else has other rules to add, please suggest them.

1. Don't get too weird.
2. Don't try to read too much symbolism into every single current event.
3. Let your mind be seriously engaged, watching in a state of preparedness (it's good to keep an eye on current events) -- but don't become obsessive, over-anxious, or alarmist.
4. Remember that Revelation was not meant to be interpreted 100 percent literally (apocalyptic literature); it's not intended to be a linear historical (or future) description of events -- direct parallels will almost always be flawed.
5. Revelation was meant to be vague and mysterious! It's not merely a code to be cracked.
6. It's fun to theorize and analyze and envision practical outworkings of Revelation -- but we need to stay humble and flexible in our interpretations. There are hundreds of theories out there. People have been analyzing Revelation for centuries...
7. The main benefits of studying Revelation are developing critical thinking skills, learning to closely consider the Bible and its interpretation -- and most importantly, inducing a state of readiness among Christ's followers!
8. Keep in mind that discussion of Revelation is really just a discussion of secondary issues (not essential to salvation or daily Christian life).

If we can all keep these principles in mind, I think we'll have a very meaningful and enjoyable study of the book of Revelation!