Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. Seven trumpets, the last three of which introduce three woes revelation 8. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation wikipedia. 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. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to everything he saw. Click on a book listed below which will take you to its introduction page.
Its title is derived from the first word of the text, written in koine greek. Includes definitions, symbols, ways of approaching the text, and different interpretations. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. Four horsemen of the apocalypse meaning in revelation. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture.
In fact, there is actually a lot of repetition in the book that operates like different chapters of a book or scenes of a movie. This is to corre spond with the chapters in the revelation. The interpretation of revelation has always been a subject of debate among bible interpreters. These four horsemen of the apocalypse appear to symbolically portray four disastrous occurrences that will take place before the second coming of jesus christ.
This interpretive method robs revelation of any meaning for those to whom it was written. Hal lindseys 1970 book the late great planet earth and the left behind series by tim lahaye and jerry b. Another key to understanding the book of revelation, a very important key, is to accept the plain sense meaning of each passage. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka.
Understanding the book of revelation pamphlet is a basic guide to bible prophecy. Sincere bible scholars, in fact, disagree about the meaning of some of the symbolic passages. Charts on the book of revelation is a useful supplement to. The historicist view follows a straight line of continuous fulfillment of prophecy which starts in daniels time and goes through johns writing of the. Youll find four major interpretive approaches to the book of revelation that can.
Book of revelation explained the purpose of this video is very simple. It links the book of revelation to prophetic books of the old testament and maintains their historical meaning and focus. And so what we have to realize is that in some interpretations of the book of revelationin fact most of themthe interpretation is created by bringing things into. Franciscan father stephen doyle provides a catholic commentary on the book of revelation and explains that todays people do not understand what the author of revelation. Franciscan father stephen doyle provides a catholic commentary on the book of revelation and explains that todays people do not understand what the author of revelation is talking about. This is the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. This false view is held by most protestant denominations, most covenant theologians and many in the reformed movement.
And many religious people believe that the book of revelation offers no help anyway, because it cannot be understood. The book depicts him as the risen, glorified son of god ministering among the churches 1. Revelation chapter 12 contains a description of a woman, who is clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars atop her head. What this school said was too idealistic to be accepted by orthodox bible interpreters. It will prepare you for the rest of the material contained here.
The book of revelation is notoriously difficult to understand. And so what we have to realize is that in some interpretations of the book of revelation in fact most of themthe interpretation is created by bringing things into the book of revelation, into. The book of revelation is easily the most fascinating book in the bible, for it. In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture.
The book of revelation is rich in symbolism, so much so, that most christians find it difficult to understand. This is why it is sometimes called the book with seven seals and is much neglected by many christians. Christians throughout history have given almost unanimous affirmation to the identity of the books author as john the apostle, who had been exiled to the island of patmos by the authorities for preaching the gospel in asia. A series of visions, each one leading into the next. Lahaye acknowledges that the books are interpretations of the book of revelation wrapped in a fictional veneer. This approach believes that revelation is a book full of pictures and symbols intended to encourage and comfort persecuted christians in johns day.
This view regards the book as a book on church history. Book of revelation overview insight for living ministries. Recommended sites bible info questions with answers in major world languages. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on the book of revelation. Seven bowls, each containing a plague representing a divine judgment to be poured out on. The following is the forward and a portion of a chapter from a forthcoming book which, in my view, falls in the latter category. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation.
The apocalypse, or revelation to john, the last book of the bible, is one of the most difficult to understand because it abounds in unfamiliar and extravagant symbolism, which at best appears unusual to the modern reader. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and lion. John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. The primary meaning of the revelation, or at least the anchor point of any meaning, is what john intended it to mean, which in turn must also have been something his readers. And there has been much speculation about it some of it bordering on offthewall, but some of it serious and scholarly. For those parts which are prophetic, it will be much easier to see meaning. For personal study, i suggest you start at the beginning of a chapter or book. 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. Great prophecies in the book of revelation show how and when these catastrophic events will occur.
In this view, the book contains neither historical allusions nor predictive prophecy. Jun 17, 2018 the book of revelation explained takes you on a easy to understand and eyeopening journey through the book of revelation. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, a stark account of the apocalypse and a prophecy of the world. Bible explained bible commentary study of each verse in. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. No man is capable of opening a single prophecy in this book. Charts on the book of revelation is a useful supplement to courses on the book of revelation in both the church and the academy.
For a broader view look at the comments in the right column. Book of revelation overview church of jesus christ. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and. Besides the many books, there are websites, tv evangelists, lecture series, movies and videos. This key verse can be used to unlock the meaning of the book. Edgar cayce on the book of revelation the afterlife. The book of revelation explained volume 4 preface you will notice that the book of revelation explained, volume 4, begins with chapter 12, not chapter 1, and ends at the conclusion of chapter 14.
An overview of revelation multimedia training kit covers the book of revelation verse by verse. Introduction to the book of revelation its current significance. Understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation richard d. The book of revelation, often called the revelation to john, or the apocalypse of john, is a book of the new testament that occupies a central place in christian eschatology. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. It is most important to understand that the book of revelation does not list the scenes and events in the same order in which they will actually occur.
In the poetic or allegorical view, the book of revelation isnt literal or historic. Who are the two witnesses in the book of revelation. When a symbol is used, always look for the literal meaning behind it. The book of revelation has been available in english since the king james version was translated from the original greek in 1611. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. Each page of scripture is from the king james bible, and is immediately followed by the meaning of that scripture. 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.
But god is working out a supreme master plan, involving every human being. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. Enduring word bible commentary revelation chapter 1. A commentary on the book of th e revelation edgar cayce readings 1971, 19932015 by the edgar cayce foundation 5 the book of the revelation with the edgar cayce readings as given for each chapter chapters 122, with interpretation 91 toward a better understanding of the book of the revelation, a group project. The book of revelation can be confusing to the modern reader because much of it was written using a symbolic style of language that is not used today. The book of revelation bold type and underlining of scripture text have been added for emphasis your questions and comments are welcome note. A commentary of the book of revelation bible truth. The two witnesses of revelation, like joshua and zerubbabel, will have gods power flowing through them to accomplish gods work. It does not accept the literal interpretation of the book of revelation and instead spiritualizes or allegorizes most of prophesy to make it fix into their interpretation. God would not have given it to us if its meaning were entirely a mystery. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope.
A 21st century interpretation of the book of revelation. The key to understanding the book of revelation is to interpret it as literally as possibleit says what it means and means what it says. The interpretation of the book of revelation is not that of the restored church of god, or any person within it, including me. Several principles need to guide any study of the book of revelation. All three views presented above are valid and plausible interpretations that christians can have. Many interpretations are based on one individuals concept of what its all about, but this book presents a global view that will fit many of the other books of phophecy in the bible as well. As the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth 1. Read your own bible, the bible as quoted on this site, and my comments. Revelation is first and foremost a revelation about jesus christ 1. Understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation. Interpretations of revelation by mike mazzalongo posted. The interpreters of revelation are divided into three main schools.
The book of revelation is perhaps the most mysterious book in sacred scripture. As with all prophecies the revelation also is not easily understood. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. Of all the books in the bible, the book of revelation is one of the most difficult to understand. The book of revelation, the rapture and related bible prophecies have spawned a whole industry in recent years.
The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. The classical historicist view of the vision of the angel with the little book, in revelation 10, represents the protestant reformation and the printing of bibles in the common languages. That book allowed the proponents of each of four different views to present an overall summary of their approach to the book of revelation. The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. Christians down through the ages have known that christs return is presented in scripture as imminent, but. The book of revelation is difficult to understand and inspires a wide range of questions, especially since there are many competing interpretations. The adventists take a unique view applying it to the millerite movement.
Is the modern interpretation of the book of revelation flawed. I believe this to be the most likely rendition and conclusion of the great book of revelations. The book of revelation explained takes you on a easy to understand and eyeopening journey through the book of revelation. Core christianity interpreting the symbolism in the book of. The book of revelation is a series of visions, but not every vision represents the same thing, nor are they in any strict chronological order. Revelation has a wide variety of interpretations, ranging from the simple historical interpretation, to a prophetic view on what will. Revelation has a wide variety of interpretations, ranging from the simple historical interpretation, to a prophetic view on what will happen in the future by way of the will of god and the womans victory on satan symbolic interpretation, to different end time scenarios futurist interpretation, to the views of critics who deny any spiritual value to revelation at all, ascribing it to a humaninherited archetype. Even if you dont understand it, the best rule of thumb is to just accept the plain sense meaning. The revelation is a very solemn book speaking much about divine judgments but it is also a wonderful book in which we find the completion of gods ways up to eternal glory. Lets look at the characteristics of each horsemen and how they all play an important role in the end times from the bible book of revelation. I believe that in the book of revelation our lord jesus christ has already given us an excellent key to the interpretation. We hope this dynamic commentary is a beneficial study tool in your devotion to the word of god. A lot of people think the book of revelation is a very difficult book but i think it can be explained very easily.
This view also ignores revelations prophetic character and, if carried to its logical conclusion, severs the book from any connection with actual historical events. The book of revelation is johns record of that vision revelation 1. Revelation 1 bible commentary matthew henry concise. You will start understanding the book of revelation. Volumes of commentary have been written around it in order to increase our understanding.
This web site explains the book of revelation, each individual scripture. Then go into each of the twenty two chapters of the book of revelation one by one. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. Revelation with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Nov 20, 2008 understanding the book of revelation is an excellent christian booklet with revelation bible charts that explain the symbols. Book of revelation biblical interpretations, pictures. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and lion ministries. Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator. The way the book of revelation is actually written is as a series of kind of unfolding revelations, each one of which gets to something deeper in the story. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john. Consequently, there are a wide variety of interpretations about the meaning of the book, particularly in the traditional christian world. But that should not keep us from reading it and understanding its main message.
Historicism, a method of interpretation in christian eschatology which associates biblical prophecies with actual historical events and identifies symbolic beings with historical persons or societies, has been applied to the book of revelation by many writers. Reagans book, wrath and glory, covers the book of revelation chapter by chapter. This commentary has been through advanced checking. Throughout history the book of revelation has been much understood and neglected. Before beginning to go through the content of revelation, we recommend that you read through the introduction, overview, and hermeneutical sections to familiarize yourself with the framework concerning this incredible book of god. Books of the bible explained scripture by scripture. This book by gregg, on the other hand, is a detailed, versebyverse commentary, with the text divided into paragraphs, and each paragraph followed by four parallel columns.
Yet the book of revelation need not remain closed, at least for latterday saints who accept modern revelation. The versebyverse commentary on revelation introduction 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. The book of revelation has been available in english since the king james. Pack staggering events foretold in your bible will shock the whole world. Revelation then becomes merely a collection of stories designed to teach spiritual truth. This booklet contains vital understanding that will forever change your outlook on the future.
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