The Book of Revelation is a book of symbolic language. We ought not to literalize symbols.  Unless the Lord opens the eyes and ears of our understanding, symbolic language leaves us confused and prone to misinterpretation. For that reason, we need a God-anointed ministry to explain the meaning to us. "Because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge" (Ecclesiastes 12:9). The wisdom required to teach God’s knowledge does not come from human intelligence, seminary studies, or reading books. It comes as gifts given unto men (given unto the church), in the form of the five-fold ministry. (Ephesians 4:8).