I think that the meaning of this song, at least generally, is quite clear. It is talking about the Book of Revelations of John in the Bible; my evidence for this is the use of the phrase 'John the Revelator', revelator being some sort of derivation from revelations, and the reference to "seven angels with seven trumpets", which are an important feature of the end of the world as we know it foretold in the Book of Revelations. There is also the fact that it is referred to as a "BOOK of lies" and the fact that the song seems to encompass all the Abrahammic religions ("Israelites" and "Muslim"). This is consistent with the fact that a belief in some related form of Armageddon runs through all three of these religions.
As for Depeche Mode's take on the Book of Revelations, it seems to be quite negative. They refer to the Book as lies, they think its writer should be ashamed and they think that we need to really examine John and his teachings (probably a representation of the Christian acceptance of the Book of Revelation's teachings). I take this to mean that they think that the Book of Revelations and its teachings (which include the destruction of almost all of humanity by God) are not worthy of belief, that these teachings are inconsistent with the image of a loving god that most Christians, Muslims and Jews hold dear, and that those who believe should consider whether they really believe that God is going to destroy us all.
I think that the meaning of this song, at least generally, is quite clear. It is talking about the Book of Revelations of John in the Bible; my evidence for this is the use of the phrase 'John the Revelator', revelator being some sort of derivation from revelations, and the reference to "seven angels with seven trumpets", which are an important feature of the end of the world as we know it foretold in the Book of Revelations. There is also the fact that it is referred to as a "BOOK of lies" and the fact that the song seems to encompass all the Abrahammic religions ("Israelites" and "Muslim"). This is consistent with the fact that a belief in some related form of Armageddon runs through all three of these religions.
As for Depeche Mode's take on the Book of Revelations, it seems to be quite negative. They refer to the Book as lies, they think its writer should be ashamed and they think that we need to really examine John and his teachings (probably a representation of the Christian acceptance of the Book of Revelation's teachings). I take this to mean that they think that the Book of Revelations and its teachings (which include the destruction of almost all of humanity by God) are not worthy of belief, that these teachings are inconsistent with the image of a loving god that most Christians, Muslims and Jews hold dear, and that those who believe should consider whether they really believe that God is going to destroy us all.