In 2011, the baptist messenger produced this original series entitled exploring the book of revelation. The book depicts him as the risen, glorified son of god ministering among the churches 1. It fittingly has the last place ending the scriptures and gods revelation to man. Understanding revelation waitara seventhday adventist church.
The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. Watch our overview video on the book of revelation, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The book of revelation cannot be adequately understood except against the historical background that occasioned its writing. The book of revelation is the only book in the bible, that i know of, that has a blessing associated with it for those who will read itnot once but twice. Interpreting the symbolism in the book of revelation. I have spoken with this deacon about the book of revelation and he wanted to be sure i understand the catholic church s interpretation. For this reason the church held it necessary to issue special decrees on the subject in the vatican council. Dec 14, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of revelation, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. John, or the book of revelation, is the last book of the bible, and in most traditions is believed to cover those events which surround the end of the world, and the last judgement.
The book of revelation has always appealed to people. Some christian scholars in later centuries questioned its authorship, objected to some of its doctrines for instance, its teachings about the millennium or its teaching that people would be judged according to their works, and. Revelation, written by john toward the end of the reign of emperor domitian a. Like daniel and other apocalypses, it was composed as resistance literature to meet a crisis. The last book in the biblical canon of the new testament is the book of the apocalypse revelation, written by john toward the end of the reign of emperor domitian a. Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator. We owe it to ourselves as gods people to become familiar with this part of our religious heritage. The book itself suggests that the crisis was ruthless persecution of the early church by the roman authorities.
While there is only one old testament apocalyptic book daniel and one new testament book that demonstrates some features of this type revelation, it was a common form of writing in the two. Map of the 7 churches of revelation revelation was written as a. Some read the book of revelation as entirely symbolic. Apocalypse, from the verb apokalypto, to reveal, is the name given to the last book in the bible. The book of revelation is part of the church s scriptures. However, its true meaning is an unveiling or revelation of things known only to god. Letters from jesus to 7 churches in asia minor and each church. Understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation. The interpreters of revelation are divided into three main schools. Joseph smith and the book of revelation the church of jesus. The following is the forward and a portion of a chapter from a forthcoming book which, in my view, falls in the latter category. Even some of the churchs greatest and most philosophically sophisticated saints stated that some passages were. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. It is only when we start to overallegorize it or to force its interpretation according to our preconceived ideas or doctrines about the end.
With the release of the new left behind movie, christians once again are discussing the end times. The book of revelation concludes with the angels testimony and additional counsel from the lord. There is a good reason why the book is less than clear. The spiritual decline of the 7 churches chapters 2 and 3, also argues for the later. Those events are subject to interpretation but they are not a salvation issue. The interpretation of the book of revelation is not that of the restored church of god, or any person within it, including me. The revealing is done by the commentators, who know nothing. And by this time in history, 95 ad, it has been only 62 years sense the death of christ, and already these churches are beginning to. Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. Revelation 1 metaphysical bible interpretation truthunity. Its antagonists may be divided into two classes according to the different standpoints from which they. Jan 02, 2020 a simple outline for the book of revelation is found in revelation 1. Aug 15, 2018 a surface reading of revelation 20 seems to lend itself to chiliastic interpretation, and so, beginning in the third century as the church pushed back against montanism, it also pushed back against chiliasm, and in the process, against the book of revelation. Doyle tries to clear up the confusion over the interpretation of the last book of the bible.
As the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth 1. In the 1970s there was an extremely popular book titled the late great planet earth which allegedly interpreted the book of revelation. I wanted to share it with all of you, because this was significant in helping me to properly understand what the word of god has to say about this controversial subject and because students of bible prophecy absolutely love charts and timelines. The word revelation means an uncovering, unveiling, a disclosure of truth.
Revelation is first and foremost a revelation about jesus christ 1. Unlike most books of the bible, revelation contains its own title. There are many images found in the book of revelation and these images are explained by the writer with much detail. Minister at large for elmbrook church, and director of the brook network. This type of interpretation is often called idealism, and translates the symbols found in the book as universal symbols depicting the clash between good and evil.
Exploring the book of revelation baptist messenger of. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. While many associate the word apocalypse with great disaster, the book of revelation begins and ends by saying that those who read, understand, and apply its message would be happy for doing so. The book of revelation is not so intimidating once you understand what the author was up to. Chapters 2 and 3 were for the 7 churches in ephesus, smyrna, pergamum, thyatira, sardis, philadelphia and laodicea. However someone else told me the catholic church does not claim to know what the book of revelation means. The book of revelation reveals how gods salvation has entered the world in the life, death and resurrection of jesus. Luther and subsequent protestants interpreted the book of revelation using the historicist method, which involves the attempt to match various. This name indicates the meaning of revelation it uncovers matters that had been hidden and discloses events that would happen long after it was written. I have spoken with this deacon about the book of revelation and he wanted to be sure i understand the catholic churchs interpretation. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it.
Revelation with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. This interpretive method robs revelation of any meaning for those to whom it. Have you ever wondered what the book of revelation is all about. The things john had already seen are recorded in chapter 1. Revelation was written in the last decade of the first century ca. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. Take a look at the basic structure of the book of revelation. A surface reading of revelation 20 seems to lend itself to chiliastic interpretation, and so, beginning in the third century as the church pushed back against montanism, it also pushed back against chiliasm, and in the process, against the book of revelation. John mentions his name four times in the book revelation 1. Among the things found in this book was the idea that revelation was speaking about such things as the soviet union, nuclear attacks between the ussr and the us, etc. Youll find four major interpretive approaches to the book of revelation that can help you read, understand, and figure out the apocalyptic letter of john.
Most believe that the book of revelation is sealed, closed from understanding. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. The last book in the biblical canon of the new testament is the book of the apocalypse a. Book of revelation overview church of jesus christ. The apocalypse, or revelation to john, the last book of the bible, is one of the most. Some christian scholars in later centuries questioned its authorship, objected to some of its doctrines for instance, its teachings about the millennium or its teaching that people would be judged according to their works, and found its. The book of revelation, quipped ambrose bierce, is a famous book in which st. Understanding the book of revelation the church of jesus christ. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. For instance, the lamb, having seven horns and seven eyes, that took the book from god is christ because the image of the lamb appears as if it was. The revelation of jesus christto show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. In the first chapter, the risen and exalted christ is speaking to john. I wanted to share it with all of you, because this was significant in helping me to properly understand what the word of god has to say about this controversial subject and because students of bible prophecy absolutely love.
A 21st century interpretation of the book of revelation. The images that are seen in the book of revelation are explained by the author. A simple outline for the book of revelation is found in revelation 1. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. This commentary on revelation will prove, contrary to what most people think, that the revelation, the last book of the bible, is not difficult to understand if we will take a simple, facevalue, commonsense approach to interpreting it. Mar 01, 2017 the images that are seen in the book of revelation are explained by the author.
The book of revelation begins with the end of the church age. The book of revelation explained in under 5 minutes youtube. There is something about a good mystery that stirs the heart and revelation is certainly mysterious. A commentary that many have found very helpful is the message of. Book of revelation overview through the prophet joseph smith, the lord has given us vital keys to understanding the book of revelation, particularly the meaning of the seven seals. Is the book of revelation canonical in the orthodox church.
Justin the martyr around 100 to 165 ac, irenaeus around 140 to 220 ac and the muratori canon end of 2 nd century confirm that the apostle john is the author. He follows the directives of the second vatican councils constitution on divine revelation and. There are a variety of ways to interpret the book of revelation, and many of these methods overlap. The book of revelation was written in the first century a. There will be differences of opinion about exactly what and the timing of events that take place in the book of revelation. The other mode of interpretation is what we might call a literalist mode, where it is assumed that at least some events in the book of revelation are literal historical events that have played. This view maintains that the words in the entire book have. The possibility of revelation as above explained has been strenuously denied from various points of view during the last century. The first blessing is in the first chapter of revelation in verse 3. The book of revelation has been available in english since the king james version was translated from the original greek in 1611. Here is my verse by verse interpretation of the book of revelation chapter 1. Some will interpret the how, what, and even the timing in the book of revelation differently depending on their method of interpretation. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible.
John s authorship is affirmed by justin, irenaeus, clement of alexandria, tertullian and the muratori fragment really by. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. In revelation, johns visions reveal that jesus has overcome evil by. Click on any of the articles or resources to explore expert analysis of the book of revelation.
The different approaches that various people or groups use to understand the book of revelation called interpretive horizons are generally grouped under four major categories, with some subgroups see the kingdom of god. The book of revelation often called the revelation to john, apocalypse of john, the revelation from jesus christ from its opening words, the apocalypse, the revelation, or simply revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. Of all the books in the bible, the book of revelation is one of the most difficult to understand. And there has been much speculation about it some of it bordering on offthewall, but some of it serious and scholarly. These seven churches are apostate and are destroyed. Zwingli regarded it as nonbiblical, and calvin did not comment upon it. Like the books of prophecy in the old testament, revelation proclaims a. Dec 20, 2017 the word revelation means an uncovering, unveiling, a disclosure of truth. If youre befuddled by the book of revelation in the bible, dont fret. Joseph smith and the book of revelation the church of. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre.
Indeed, some might feel revelationssymbols and metaphors are so. According to the book of mormon, the bible went through the hands of a great and abominable church, which is most abominable above all other churches. He describes himself as their brother in the family of god. The interpretation of revelation has always been a subject of debate among bible interpreters. No man is capable of opening a single prophecy in this book. The revelation is the only book in the nt mentioning john as author. The time for understanding the book of revelation is now at hand. The reason is that the book is full of vivid images, but with. A 21st century, secular interpretation of the book of revelation now, even though the realms of religion and science in themselves are clearly marked off from each other, nevertheless there exist between the two strong reciprocal relationships and dependencies. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. The book of revelation is perhaps the most mysterious book in sacred scripture. Christ tells john to write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. An apocalypse is a very specific kind of literature with no modern equivalent.
1037 1087 838 608 204 637 1087 472 1132 49 416 535 1275 241 698 200 257 734 512 583 843 418 1398 321 847 657 574 371 9 1438 396