The book of Revelation reflects this facet of apocalyptic literature. This supernatural revelation given to John is filled with symbols and imagery. Although prophecy comes from God and is a type of revelation, it is most frequently expressed as the word of God rather than as a vision. Another difference between apocalyptic and prophecy is the type of imagery used. Prophetic imagery most often includes easily recognized symbols, like plants, animals and farm tools.
Apocalyptic imagery is often strange and unknown.
In other words, readers are expected to see the hand of God in the future but are not supposed to know the exact sequence of events. Prophecy and apocalyptic both stir hearers to repentance and both encourage believers. Even so, the primary purpose of prophecy is to bring people to repentance, while the principal aim of apocalyptic literature is to encourage. By condemning the nation's sins and seeking Israel's repentance, prophecy pointed the Israelites to their God, just as it continues to point us to God. Likewise, apocalyptic books pointed persecuted believers to God through an encouraging symbolic description of the triumphant, end-time return of Christ.