There are three things that can give the reader of the book of Revelation a huge advantage when it comes to interpreting and deciphering the mysterious things written in the book. The first and I would have to say the most important is the introduction of the book itself. The message starts out by saying, "The revelation of Jesus Christ." This whole book is a revelation, not a mystery, not hidden messages, but an unveiling, a revealing of things that were once hidden, or not clearly understood. Not only that, but it the revealing of Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus is the focal point of the entire book. Even amidst the fare out, wild things that the book does present the spotlight however is still on Jesus. So, if you can keep that in mind that John the author of the book is actually trying to communicate to us more of whom Jesus is. I recommend reading every chapter and at the end of each chapter ask yourself how does this speak of Jesus, or what did I learn here about Christ. This will help tremendously in your study of Revelation.
The second thing that provides immense help is verse 19 of chapter 1. Some might call it a "divine outline". The verse reads, "write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter." Keeping this outli9ne in mind as you read the book puts events and characters in their proper context. The chapter breaks are as follows; things seen = chapter 1, things which are = chapter 2-3, and the things which will be after = 4-22. Note: this approach to the book is a literal approach. Meaning, you take things at face value unless otherwise stated, or clearly understood as such. John will employ the words "as", "like", and other words that give way to understanding that John is describing something that he hasn't seen and is trying to associate objects, or scenery with things common to you and I and the people living during John's day.
This view is also typical of those who suggest that the events of Revelation 4-22 happen after the church (born again believers in Jesus) is removed from the Earth. Without going in to too much detail the hint for that interpretation (the same interpretation that the left behind series books are biased on) is Chapter 4:1 which uses the same Greek word twice that was used in 1:19 the "divine outline" to help us see the beginning of the new section. Chapter 2-3 deal with the things of the church, the things that "are". from chapter 4 on we are dealing with things that take place after the things that are i.e. the church.
Stick with the outline and it will help with context and chronology. Stay with me because the next step is probably the most important to an accurate disposition of the things John writes so eloquently about.
The final key to unlocking the tangled text that has tripped up many a Christians is... the Old Testament. There are 404 verses in the book of Revelation. 278 of those verses are quotes or illusions to the Old Testament. No wonder many Christian can't understand the book of Revelation; they don't know the Old Testament. That also provides us with insight in to how the early church could get it, how when the ink was still wet so to speak they could understand the major concepts set for in the book or scroll for those in the early church. The early church was well versed in the Old Testament scriptures. One of the main reasons was that a major portion of the churches humble beginnings were made up of Jews that had turned to Jesus as their Messiah. At some point in church history (I'm sure you will find that it was gradual) the church drifted away from studying the Bible as a whole and thus became over time more and more ignorant of the Old Testament Scriptures. The result of not knowing the Old Testament is the book of Revelation becomes a book of mystery, and confusion. Let's put it this way. To the degree that you know and understand the Old is to the degree that you will understand the New. Revelation is a book that unfolds in light of Scripture. I like what someone once said, "The best commentary on the Bible is the Bible."
With these 3 keys you will be able to look at the book of Revelation with a whole new excitement, understanding, and "revelation". May the Spirit of truth guide you in to the truth as you study to show your self approved to Him.