A vision-filled kind of writing
The word apocalypse comes from a Greek word, apokalypsis, meaning an uncovering or revealing. Revelation opens by calling itself the revelation of Jesus Christ, so its purpose is not to hide truth behind puzzles forever. It pulls back the curtain on the spiritual reality behind the struggles God's people can see (Revelation 1:1).
That is why these writings often begin with someone receiving a vision. Daniel saw night visions while living under foreign rule in Babylon, and John received his vision while exiled on Patmos (Daniel 7:1; Revelation 1:9). The scenes are deliberately larger than ordinary life because they speak about kingdoms, worship, suffering, judgement and God's final reign.
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:
Why use beasts and symbols?
A beast can portray the brutal character of an empire more powerfully than a plain political report. In Daniel's vision, the terrifying beasts represent kings and kingdoms, while the human-like figure who comes with the clouds receives an everlasting kingdom from God (Daniel 7:16-17; Daniel 7:13-14). The image makes a clear contrast: violent powers may look unstoppable, but they do not last.
Revelation works in a similar way. John sees lampstands and stars, then is told what those images signify in relation to churches and their messengers (Revelation 1:12; Revelation 1:20). The book does not leave every symbol unexplained, but it does ask readers to listen closely and connect its pictures with the rest of Scripture.
It spoke hope in hard times
Apocalyptic writing is not mainly designed to satisfy curiosity about a timetable. It gives courage to people living under pressure. Daniel's vision assures those who have watched arrogant rulers rise that God will judge evil and establish a kingdom that cannot be destroyed (Daniel 7:26-27).
John addresses real churches facing compromise, weakness and opposition. He calls those who read, hear and keep the message blessed, which makes the book a pastoral call to steady faithfulness, not merely a code about the future (Revelation 1:3). Its strange images say, in effect, that what looks powerful on earth is not the final word.
I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
How to read it wisely
Start with the main message before trying to identify every detail. Ask what the vision reveals about God, evil, Jesus, worship or faithful endurance. Notice when an angel or the text itself explains an image, and read nearby passages rather than lifting a symbol out of its setting (Daniel 7:16; Revelation 17:7).
Faithful Christians do disagree about how particular visions relate to past events, present patterns and the future. Yet Jesus warns against claiming knowledge of the exact day or hour of his return (Mark 13:32). So read these books with humility. Their central promise is wonderfully clear: God sees, Christ reigns, evil is answerable to God, and believers are called to remain faithful.