A passage should be read and studied in its entirety. If there is a quote from or allusion to an Old Testament passage in the New Testament, the Old Testament passage is understood to give the meaning of the New Testament passage. Catholics should look for the meaning of a passage at its beginning, ending or at its high point. Scripture should be read with the understanding that the text was written in a historical period, for a specific audience for a particular purpose. The purpose of Scripture is to pass on the faith.
Scripture is here to talk about faith.
If we try to use it to do anything else, we will get in trouble. Revelations was written in a time period when a great deal of apocalyptic literature was being produced, especially among the Jews. Christians in particular were experiencing extreme persecution by the Roman Empire when Revelations was written. Christians, along with the Jews, refused to do so. They were hunted down as traitors and rebels.