The book of revelation is the last book of the bible in our canon for good reason. In the first verse of the book, the apostle john recorded christs words, the revelation of jesus christto show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. If youre befuddled by the book of revelation in the bible, dont fret. Chapters two and three cover the church dispensation. 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. The theme of the book is the events leading up to the jesus second coming. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it. 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. This interpretation, which has found expression among both catholic and protestant theologians, considers the liturgical worship, particularly the easter rites, of early christianity as background and context for understanding the book of revelation s structure and significance. In the book s last chapter god reiterates that his words were given to reveal and not to be sealed revelation 22. It links the book of revelation to prophetic books of the old testament and maintains their historical meaning and focus.
Our understanding of daniel and revelation became the distinctive frame to hold in place and to highlight the biblical truths we teach as a church. The first blessing is in the first chapter of revelation in verse 3. Another essential factor in understanding revelation is its method of interpretation. The interpretation of the book the interpretation of the book. The key to understanding the book of revelation is to interpret it as literally as possible it says what it means and means what it says. These prophets had as their historical context the destruction of jerusalem and the temple in 587 b. John s authorship is affirmed by justin, irenaeus, clement of alexandria, tertullian and the muratori fragment really by the entire tradition of the church from the second century forward. The interpretation of revelation the interpretation of revelation has always been a subject of debate among bible interpreters.
The challenge to understand revelation revelation is the most difficult book of the bible to understand. An amillennial interpretation of revelation 20 southern equip. 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. Take a look at the basic structure of the book of revelation. He also describes revelation as a window to gods plan for the world, having spent many years studying this book as a chronological presentation of gods revelation in jesus.
Whether revelation is to be interpreted literally or allegorically is a debate that has rippled through many branches of christianity for hundreds of years. Revelation reveals the events of the day of the lord revelation 1. We believe in the futurist interpretation of the book of revelation. The book of revelation is the only apocalyptic book in the new.
Each view provides a different interpretation of the book as a whole. Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. As stated in my introduction, the book of revelation is not. The following is adapted from gentrys 2017 book, how to read and understand the biblical prophets. Though it is little more than a piece of scholarly gossip, some have even suggested that the reformer john calvin, one of the best interpreters of the scriptures the church has known, shied away from writing a commentary on the book of revelation for this very reason. Of all the books in the bible, the book of revelation is one of the most difficult to understand. I believe that in the book of revelation our lord jesus christ has already given us an excellent key to the interpretation. Understanding the book of revelation judaicaworld archives. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. This is true of all written communication where the desire of the author is to. Preterist and futurist methods of interpretation sixteenth century protestant interpretations of daniel and revelation shook the roman catholic church. But god designed this book for a very different purpose. This framework is primarily laid out in daniel and revelation. Consequently, there are a wide variety of interpretations about the meaning of the book, particularly in the traditional christian world.
Many of revelations events seem to have been fulfilled in the first century. The interpretation of the book of revelation home facebook. 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. It is only when we start to overallegorize it or to force its interpretation according to our preconceived ideas or doctrines about the end. An interpretation of endtime bible prophecy is a definitive interpretation and study of the entire book of revelation. Futurists argue that a consistently literal or plain interpretation is to be applied in understanding the book of revelation. The last book in the biblical canon of the new testament is the book of the apocalypse a. Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator. More than one person has abandoned trying to make sense. Aug 02, 2016 a wellknown illustration of an historicist reading of the book of revelation is the reformation identification of the harlot babylon in revelation 17 with the roman catholic church and the papacy.
Understanding the book of revelation how can i do it. The information throughout the book of revelation is presented in sequential order with events overlapping as they draw to a conclusion telescopic structure. The revelation of jesus christto show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. They claim the most interesting interpretation to be that of the historical and continuous expositors who define the book of revelation as being a progressive history of the fortunes of the church. Many interpretations in the last one hundred years have not understood that while john is writing in greek, this book follows the characteristics of the hebrew prophets in. God would not have given it to us if its meaning were entirely a mystery. An overview of revelation multimedia training kit covers the book of revelation verse by verse. He says, the book of revelation is not hard to understand. Right at the very beginning he makes a statement that made me want to shout hallelujah. He though the book of revelation was intending to teach cosmology, but its not. It is not merely a retelling of what can be learned in the old.
The interpretation of the book can be determined only by understanding its historical background. The key to understanding is the mysterious book of revelation is comprehending its story flow. Includes definitions, symbols, ways of approaching the text, and different interpretations. This beautiful, yet daunting, book of the bible tells the end of gods divine plan, culminating in the judgment of the wicked, victory over satan, the. This study of the book of revelation is interpreted from the futurist standpoint. White and the interpretation of daniel and revelation. Many protestant denominations interpret revelation in a literal sense. The book of revelation is notoriously difficult to understand.
Please dont be deceived by those people who come along and say, the book of revelation is apocalyptic. Is the modern interpretation of the book of revelation. The book of revelation in the new testament has the literal title in greek, the apocalypse of john. This is certainly true if one measures difficulty in terms of disagreement over what the book means. An amillennial interpretation of revelation 20 southern. The focus is on a historical struggle that unfolds at the end of the age and climaxes with jesuss second coming. Most believe that the book of revelation is sealed, closed from understanding. I make this broad declaration, that whenever god gives a vision of an image, or beast, or figure of any kind, he always holds himself responsible to give a revelation or interpretation of the meaning thereof, otherwise we are not responsible or accountable for our. It is the final expression of and complement to the prophecies of the jewish prophets. There are a wide variety of interpretations of the book of revelation. The second question that is key to understanding revelation is, what is the proper approach to the book of revelation. However, with just a few tips for understanding certain confusing elements, the book opens up as an important and helpful book for christians. Revelation made simple and easy to understand this last book of the bible bears the title revelation, meaning unveiling and, yet, it presents visions of.
The bible is a history book, it tells the pastbut like no other history book it tells the present and future just as clearly. Literal interpretation of the bible means to explain the original sense, or meaning, of the bible according to the normal customary usage of its language. The book of revelation explained key facts and issues. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. They distinquish among the praeterist, futurist, and historical or continuous methods.
The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. Yet it is an entire book of importantvital meaning. No person could know these things unless god showed them. Charles, a critical and exegetical commentary on the luihlation of st. The emperor and the people who worship him have sealed their fate by. Revelation 1 study of the book of chapter by chapter and verse by verse. So i dont think we understand this book until we realize that its wartime. The bible is the word of god given in the words of men in history. Those who engage in a figurative hermeneutic wrestle the text into almost any shape they wish. Nov 04, 2012 futurists argue that a consistently literal or plain interpretation is to be applied in understanding the book of revelation. If you will look at apocalyptic books in the old testament, like the book of.
As to these difficult portions of the book of revelation, joseph smith said. One of our most fascinating exercises in scriptural interpretation is to study the book of revelation, to ponder its truths, and to discoverto our surprise and. Revelation the book complete study of the book of revelation. Reagans book, wrath and glory, covers the book of revelation chapter by chapter. Jun 15, 2019 the book of revelation is a book of prophecy. The time for understanding the book of revelation is now at hand. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some. Summary and analysis the book of revelation cliffsnotes.
The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and lion. It is full of strange and often scary imagery, confusing numbers, time references, and much more. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. We find, however, a key verse which refutes this claim which states, the revelation of jesus christ, which god gave to him, to show to his servants the things that are ordained to come to pass shortly revelation 1. The futurist interpretation is the basic interpretive framework behind the hugely popular left behind series of novels by authors tim lahaye and jerry jenkins. Though it is little more than a piece of scholarly gossip, some have even suggested that the reformer john calvin, one of the best interpreters of the scriptures the church has known, shied away from writing a commentary on. Book of revelation overview church of jesus christ. This tells of gods final and total judgment against the roman empire. In the books last chapter god reiterates that his words were given to reveal and not to be sealed revelation 22.
The book of revelation is the only apocalyptic book. The word revelation means that which god now shows. Understanding prophecy in the book of revelation alexandra keegan, englishreligious studies 156. 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 interpretation of the book revelation lamb and. The purpose of revelation many people either fear the book of revelation or have an unhealthy interest in it. This is because we are convinced of the golden rule of interpretation as the key to properly understanding gods revelation. Its a piece of apocalyptic literature that teaches theology, history and ethics, and involves prophecy. John mentions his name four times in the book revelation 1. The preterist approach emphasizes the historical context of revelation and tries to understand it the way. Jan 02, 2020 the idealist interpretation sees revelation as being fulfilled all the time throughout the history of the church. Is the modern interpretation of the book of revelation flawed. Most of the book of revelation was drawn directly from old testament prophets such as joel, daniel, and ezekiel.
This key verse can be used to unlock the meaning of the book. Some have attempted to use this number in association with roman emperors or evil leaders throughout history. If you want to understand how the current events of today are coinciding with biblical prophecy, then purchase a copy of this book. What is the futurist interpretation of the book of. The interpreters of revelation are divided into three main schools. The book of revelation also called the apocalypse of john, revelation to john or revelation from jesus christ is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. Dec 20, 2016 studies in the book of revelation an introduction, analysis, and notes containing a concise interpretation according to the symbolic view, numerous references to authorities, and general mention of other interpretations, with the text of the american revised version edited in paragraphs, for the use of bible students. Revelation, written by john toward the end of the reign of emperor domitian a. Understanding the book of revelation ebook is a basic guide to bible. Interpreting the symbolism in the book of revelation. The information supplied in chapter 1 contains symbols, indicating that what follows is figurative and not necessarily literal. Sep 16, 2017 the book of revelation can be interpreted from three standpoints. Jan 02, 2020 the book of revelation is understandable.
Disagreements over the meaning of revelation have divided christians into a number of different eschatological camps. The interpretation of the book of revelation has often proven difficult throughout the history of the christian church. Their position is that the key to unlocking the book of revelation is understanding the books of the prophets. Revelation is meant to produce in you comfort, courage, hope, and praise. The revelation is the only book in the nt mentioning john as author. Understanding revelation waitara seventhday adventist church. The book of revelation provides the clearest biblical portrait of the events of the tribulation, dealing with the specifics of that terrible time chapters 418. What is the idealist interpretation of the book of revelation. 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. Yet the book of revelation need not remain closed, at least for latterday saints who accept modern revelation. The interpretation of the book is it symbolic or literal in nature.
The best commentary i have ever read on the book of revelation is one called the revelation record by dr. It provides ultimate assurance of salvation in christ. A less wellknown historicist interpretation is the medieval churchs identification of the beast from the sea in revelation with the rise of islam. Understanding revelations in the bible biblical archaeology. In the idealist interpretation, the symbols in revelation are not normally thought to refer to specific individuals and historic events but to typical individuals and events. Over the centuries, the church has presented countless interpretations and. 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. Some believe the bibles last prophetic book is closed, meaning no one as yet can understand it. Although prophecy is scattered all through the bible, two books focus almost entirely on symbolic representations. God reveals a basic framework for understanding future events. He gives a number of reasons why it is important for christians to understand the book of revelation. Matthew negrete explains chapter by chapter and verse by verse the meaning of johns numerous visions.
For example, most who take a figurative approach of interpretation declare the two witnesses of revelation 11 are the church. Under these conditions, a christian named john wrote revelation, addressing it to the seven churches that were in asia minor. This approach to revelation holds that the book supplies a prophetic panorama. Book of revelation overview insight for living ministries. Interpretive models for the book of revelation as a whole. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. Interpretation understanding the book of revelation.
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