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The word revelation is derived from the Greek word apokalypsis (apok-al-oop-sis), which is where we get the word apocalypse from, which means revelation, or to reveal. Simply put, the book of Revelation means the book of revealing. What is it revealing? It is revealing the incredible vision of the end times, the second coming of Jesus, the Millennium, and the new creation. This vision was shown unto John by an angel sent by Jesus who was first given the revelation by God the Father, as mentioned in the first verse of Revelation:
"The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:" Revelation 1:1
John the Apostle was chosen by God to write down the things which Jesus showed him. John was allowed to see in a powerful vision the events that were to take place in our lifetime, the last days, as well as the return of Jesus and the establishment of the kingdom of God on earth. This vision, however, is heavily encoded in symbols, symbols that signify certain things such as time periods, locations, and spiritual and physical circumstances. Animals are used quite often in Revelation, especially those of the supernatural like the seven-headed beast described in Revelation 13. Colors such as red, blue, emerald green, white, scarlet, black, and purple signify different aspects of the subjects or objects. Numbers play a significant role in Revelation as they help us pinpoint the timing of events, both past and future.
When people attempt to study Revelation, they tend to fail to understand the symbolic aspects of the book. If one does not understand the symbols that are being conveyed in the book, he will most certainly fail to understand what the prophetic events are even about or what they mean. You cannot study the book of Revelation unless you understand the symbols in it and what they represent. For a first-century believer, the symbols are a call back to the symbols in the Old Testament. So a first-century believer reading Revelation would know to go back to the Old Testament scriptures to gain more information about the symbols displayed in Revelation in order to understand the symbols being conveyed. Likewise, we are being called to study the Old Testament and "search the scriptures" as Jesus said in order to understand what John wrote in Revelation.
But where do you start? How do you know what symbols mean what? With there being so many interpretations of Revelation, it is hard to know whether one has completely understood the truth of the prophecies in the book. This is where it becomes imperative to have the Holy Spirit in you. The Holy Spirit teaches us all things and brings to our remembrance the things which Jesus said unto us.
"But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father shall send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." John 14:26
When you have the Holy Spirit in you, you are then able to discern or tell apart, what the word of God says versus what the doctrines of men say. Discernment is a must in these last days, and sadly many people, including Christians, lack discernment. You must pray for the discernment of the Holy Ghost if you want to truly seek out the truth of God and understand His ways, otherwise, you will be prone to believing in false doctrine.
With the Holy Spirit within you, He then guides you into all truth and gives you understanding and wisdom to discern the scriptures. After all, it is by the Holy Ghost that the holy men mentioned throughout scripture were inspired to write what we call the Bible today. The apostle Peter wrote that the scriptures were written by men who were moved, or inspired, by the Holy Ghost.
"Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." 2 Peter 1:20-21
This proves that the holy scriptures were not conceived by random men who came up with an elaborate story about a God who created a world for His creatures to suffer in it. Rather, the scriptures, as explained by Peter, were written by holy men such as Isaiah, Daniel, and Jeremiah, who were inspired by God through the Holy Ghost to tell the truth about Him and the world and the fate of it.
Studying Revelation may seem like a daunting task, but you just have to simply ask God to give you the gift of discernment and ask Him for wisdom and understanding. If you are truly seeking Him, He will give it to you. Once you gain the understanding, then studying Revelation and the Bible, in general, will become an amazing experience, one that never ceases to excite the soul.