Why is Revelations so cryptic?

Answer 1

A lot has to do with the embellishments and stylings of the day. It was an important document and without a lot of stylized imagery it would likely not have been taken as seriously. On the other, somewhat more cynical, hand...it's easier to substanciate a prophecy that is filled with whimsical characters like multiheaded bear-lion creatures and gem-armored warriors on firebreathing horses and horse-locusts with scorpion tails. They stick in the psyche and seem to apply to current events.

Certainly a plainer rendition of the future would certainly be more helpful, but then there's the question that if everyone in the world had access to a book that told the future, wouldn't they immediately change their actions and invalidate the vision? I guess you could say its impossible to see the future accurately and have it stay an accurate prediction. So either it must be vague enough that it can only be understood in hindsight, or it must be secret enough that those people who will make the decisions that are prophesied will not be able to see the prophecy and change their actions accordingly.