Who interprets Revelation?

• A. The Apostles
• B. The Magisterium
• C. The Prophets
• D. The Saints

Answer: (B)

Interpreting Revelation is about who provides the official understanding for believers. Revelation is full of symbolic imagery and complex images, so it needs careful guidance to read it in a way that stays faithful to what God revealed through Jesus and the whole Bible.

The Magisterium, the Church’s teaching authority—the Pope and bishops in communion with him—offers that authoritative interpretation. Guided by the Holy Spirit, this teaching office helps readers see how the symbols point to Christ, salvation, and the Church’s mission, and it keeps interpretation in line with Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. In this way, Catholics can understand Revelation consistently across time and cultures, without individual speculation leading to misunderstanding.

Think of the others as parts of the faith story: the Apostles proclaimed and handed on the Gospel; prophets spoke God’s messages; saints model and deepen how to live the faith. But when it comes to the official, universal interpretation of Revelation for all Catholics, the authority rests with the Magisterium.