In revelation the message is that god is coming to judge and to redeem, and that the powers of evil and empires will clash before god establishes the fullness of his kingdom. What augustine does by helping put the book of revelation in the bible really. The book of revelation is a revealing of jesus christ in glory. The book of revelation explained in under 5 minutes youtube. It pictures something mysterious, covered by a veil, and then the veil is taken away so you can see it, so you can understand. People have shied away from this book because of its use of symbolism and its cryptic references. From genesis to revelation, all you need to understand the old and new testaments. God reveals a basic framework for understanding future events. Understanding the book of revelation berean research. This booklet contains vital understanding that will forever change your outlook on the future. But that should not keep us from reading it and understanding its main message. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. The lord told john to write about the present and the future.
In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture. Pack staggering events foretold in your bible will shock the whole world. The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. It will prepare you for the rest of the material contained here. The book shows the events that will lead to the end of history. Most believe that the book of revelation is sealed, closed from understanding. Regardless of your background, gods message in the bible is not too difficult for you, nor is it far away. So, having briefly examined the passages for which you requested that i clarify my position, i would suggest looking into the book of revelation now and carrying these understandings with us. This framework is primarily laid out in daniel and revelation.
In the books last chapter god reiterates that his words were given to reveal and not to be sealed revelation 22. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. During my studies at bible college, i was introduced to an excellent text book by david desilva an introduction to the nt who, when exegeting the book of revelation poured scorn on the approach that many believe is a pattern laid out in the 7 letters and reflected in your study in chart form. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the.
Every statement is to be taken to mean for exactly what is written unless such interpretation is highly improbable to spiritual reason, or against scripture elsewhere. Bible study tools booklets the book of revelation unveiled the book of revelation. Over the centuries, the church has presented countless interpretations and theories about the meaning and significance of this. Bible commentary explains the book of revelation verse by verse cutting through a great deal of popular theory. Revelation with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Genesis is the foundational book to the rest of the bible. The second is to uncritically follow someone elses arbitrary interpretation of all the details and hidden meanings of its passages. 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. Revelations primary theological contribution is to eschatology, i. 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.
Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator. The topic of gods wrath is enormous and it requires study to understand the right balance between gods mercy and gods justice. And no other book of the bible promises blessings to those who read it, hear it and take to heart what is written in it. The book of revelation explained by edgar cayce article by kevin williams the final book of the bible is called the book of revelation. This topic is covered in more detail in my book, jesus, the alpha and the omega. Have you ever wondered what the book of revelation is all about. Understanding the book of revelation how can i do it. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some.
The patriarch job portrayed this truth as well when he penned the words of elihu, the only comforter to whom god laid no. 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. And one of the devices used by the author of the book of revelations is also something that happens in history. Each page of scripture is from the king james bible, and is immediately followed by the meaning of that scripture. For personal study, i suggest you start at the beginning of a chapter or book. Yet most people believe that this final book of the bible cannot be understood at allthat its language and symbols are too confusing to make sense.
Like the books of prophecy in the old testament, revelation proclaims a message. Although its visions often seem bizarre to the western reader, fortunately the book provides a number of clues for its own interpretation e. Apocalypticism was not a new phenomenon among christians. Read your own bible, the bible as quoted on this site, and my comments. The church is warned about sin and exhorted to holiness.
Jun 01, 2019 the book of revelation is notoriously difficult to understand. Revelation was among the last books accepted into the christian biblical canon, and to the present day some. People have tried to explain this book in many ways. Apr 28, 2015 the book of revelation is similar to other literature of the time thats called apocalyptic, which typically includes visions, global clashes, endoftheworld warnings, and many, many symbols. Many believe these churches represent christians from the time of christ to the end time, or symbolize groups of believers that will all exist before he returns. The book of revelation must be taken literal whenever possible. This article examines the book of revelation and is the concluding part of a letter we wrote, the first part being posted in a previous article on this website 2. The word revelation literally means unveiling as in revealing a mystery. It is important to apply proper bible study methods also called hermeneutics to understand revelation.
This can assist in determining which aspects are literal and which are figurative. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. In the book s last chapter god reiterates that his words were given to reveal and not to be sealed revelation 22. The book of revelation is often difficult to understand. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. For a broader view look at the comments in the right column. The book of revelation, part 1 the book of revelation is rich in symbolism, so much so, that most christians find it difficult to understand. The bible itself provides many of the keys to understanding it. 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.
This vision contains a tremendous amount of symbolism. This interpretation, which has found expression among both catholic and protestant theologians, considers the. In the book of revelation, the apocalyptic hopes of the early christian community find their clearest and most complete expression. Daniel, recorded over 600 years earlier, sets the stage for the larger and more detailed book of revelation, which describes events found nowhere else in the bible. Understanding daniel and the revelation plus supplementary material.
If we did not realize already that it takes a lifetime to understand the bible and thats a good thing, the point is driven home when we get to the last book in the biblerevelation. In few other books of the bible is the ministry of angels so prominent. The one thing every christian should be doing but most. It is, of course, the cryptic symbolism of revelation that makes it challenging to understand. Oct 31, 2017 the topic of gods wrath is enormous and it requires study to understand the right balance between gods mercy and gods justice. Revelation 1 today, and the book begins with a vision of jesus in a whole new light. Great prophecies in the book of revelation show how and when these catastrophic events will occur. Nov 20, 2008 understanding the book of revelation is an excellent christian booklet with revelation bible charts that explain the symbols. This is explained more at the bottom of the commentary home page. Written by a man named john possibly john the apostle toward the end of his life, he records a vision he experiences, probably while dreaming or meditating. The key to understanding is the mysterious book of revelation is comprehending its story flow. Sincere bible scholars, in fact, disagree about the meaning of some of the symbolic passages.
Although prophecy is scattered all through the bible, two books focus almost entirely on symbolic representations. Volumes of commentary have been written around it in order to increase our understanding. The book of revelation explained volume 1 gospel trumpeter. The book of revelation closes its awful description of the judgments which are coming upon the earth by inviting to the sinner, come to christ, and, after one reads and understand the book of revelation, he too will close the book and invite the sinner to, come, and receive, jesus christ as you savior. The book of revelation explained by pastor allen nolan is a. Includes definitions, symbols, ways of approaching the text, and different interpretations. The advice in these letters is prophetic, forewarning presentday christian communities of the snares that. In fact i dont think its possible for us to have a large enough understanding of who jesus is. Each letter, as proclaimed by jesus and recorded by john the apostle, declares the triumphs and failings of the recipient churches and warns each congregation to repent. Understanding the book of revelation is an excellent christian booklet with revelation bible charts that explain the symbols. Symbolic language, however, is one of the chief characteristics of apocalyptic literature, of which this book is an. The book of revelation describes the seven trumpets and the seven bowls as seven first plagues and seven.
Its important theological themes include the doctrines of god, creation, man, sin and salvation. Bible explained bible commentary study of each verse in. From genesis to revelation, all you need to understand the old and new testaments trigilio, john on. Then go into each of the twenty two chapters of the book of revelation one by one.
Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. Welcome to through the word, leading you on a journey through the entire bible, one chapter at a time. 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. So if revelation is for understanding, why is it so. This view also ignores revelations prophetic character and, if carried to its logical conclusion, severs the book from any connection with actual historical events. Genesis serves to introduce the pentateuch the first 5 books of the old testament, and the entire bible. It starts out simply enough, it is a revelation in greek, apocalypse from jesus christ, it is a prophecy, and it comes as a letter to seven churches.
Others think they understand the prophecies of the bibleand this is probably. Today kris langham guides us through the new testament book of revelation. White is professor of classics and christian origins at the university of texas at austin. The books second and third chapters contain vital warnings to the seven churches that existed in asia minor in the first century a. Come explore the works of temple scholar frank shallieu. Keys to understanding revelation united church of god. The real meaning of the bible s book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. As with all prophecies the revelation also is not easily understood.
The book of revelation, often called the book of revelations, revelation to john, apocalypse of john, the revelation, or simply revelation, the revelation from jesus christ from its opening words or the apocalypse, is the final book of the new testament, and therefore also the final book of the christian bible. These indepth versebyverse studies harmonize the holy bible from genesis to revelation. Many have wondered if the third temple will ever be built. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. The bible is a history book, it tells the pastbut like no other history bookit tells the present and future just as clearly. The book of revelation addresses seven letters to seven churches in asia minor modernday turkey revelation 23. With a account you will be able to save items to read and study later. Recommended sites bible info questions with answers in major world languages. Its bible on your screen pastor in your headphones with clear, relatable teaching so you can understand. The revelation research foundation has completed work on a 3d version of ezekiels temple, utilizing the drawings of mr. In this view, the book contains neither historical allusions nor predictive prophecy.
Revelation then becomes merely a collection of stories designed to teach spiritual truth. The influence of genesis in scripture is demonstrated by its being quoted over 35 times in the new testament and hundreds of allusions appearing in both testaments. The book of revelation is notoriously difficult to understand. If you would like to learn how to understand the bible better, please visit us at. Unlike most books of the bible, revelation contains its own title. Revelation outlines a long series of events that relate. Revelation is apocalyptic, a kind of writing that is highly symbolic. It teaches the importance of substitutionary atonement and of faith in gods revelation of himself to mankind. The theme of the book is the events leading up to the jesus second coming.
Although john literally wrote revelation, the book makes it clear that the source of the revelations is jesus revelation 1. As mentioned before, the books very name means to reveal to unveil, to open to understanding what otherwise could not be comprehended. Understanding the book of revelation pamphlet is a basic guide to bible prophecy. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation. In short, the book of revelation is arguably the most important book you will read in your life time. 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. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ.
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