Although the book of Revelation is filled with mysterious messages, magnificent visions and astounding, even inexplicable portents, it remains at its heart a letter. In its most basic form, Revelation is simply a letter sent out by a prisoner-preacher, intended to be read aloud to the small and struggling churches scattered throughout the Asian region. Like Paul's letters, John's Revelation begins with a standard formula of greeting and introduction. After all the fireworks and surprises, John's work concludes with a similar literary closing, balancing its prologue with the respectable epilogue of chapter 22. The content and verbal cues within this final chapter further remind us that like the letters of other Christian leaders, Revelation was intended to be read during worship services, p…