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David_A_Reed · #2 (**permalink**) 02-20-2008, 12:58 PM

The best and simplest approach is to take them into Revelation itself, and show them that it says it consists of "signs" or symbols.

You might show them first Isaiah 55:12 where "the trees of the field" are said to "clap their hands." Explain that this is poetic language designed to convey a time of happiness. It would be silly to think trees will actually grow hands and then clap those hands.

Rev. 1:1 says the whole Revelation was "signified" to John, or presented using "signs and symbols" as Barnes Notes explains it.

John was told to write down "what you see." (Rev. 1:11)

Concerning the section the children were discussing, you could then point out, "A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven." (Rev. 12:1) "Then another sign appeared in heaven." (Rev. 12:3) "And I saw another sign in heaven." (Rev. 15:1)

You could ask the children for examples of "signs" they are familiar with that warn of actual things that are coming. For example, a road sign that warns "road narrows" -- sometimes by a graphic illustration rather than words. Then explain that the sign is just a picture of something that lies ahead.

The children can be assured that Revelation is true, and that they should believe it, but that they must understand the difference between the "signs" Revelation uses and the realities that those signs picture.