Understanding the bible book of revelation

The book of revelation must be taken literal whenever possible. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. The real meaning of the bible s book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. Regardless of your background, gods message in the bible is not too difficult for you, nor is it far away. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. Some believe the bible s last prophetic book is closed, meaning no one as yet can understand it.

As mentioned before, the books very name means to reveal to unveil, to open to understanding what otherwise could not be comprehended. The book of revelation was written sometime around. The lens is focused on the person of jesus christ, and his destiny is imminent. Revelation is often described as a the revelation of john meaning the revelation to john 1.

A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some. We find, however, a key verse which refutes this claim which. Modern biblical scholarship attempts to understand revelation in its 1stcentury historical context within the genre of jewish and christian apocalyptic literature. As with all prophecies the revelation also is not easily understood. The book of revelation is notoriously difficult to understand. In fact i dont think its possible for us to have a large enough understanding of who jesus is. Like all books of the bible, revelation was written in a particular time and place.

People have shied away from this book because of its use of symbolism and its cryptic references. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. Revelation seems to address the firstcentury christians directly, so we should read revelation the same way that we read every other book of the bibleby taking its historical context seriously. 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. Dragons and beasts, wrath and grace what does it mean.

Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation. Daniel hays, teaches the biblical interpretation online course. Includes definitions, symbols, ways of approaching the text, and different interpretations. The book of revelation is the only book of the bible with a promise to the reader. Although prophecy is scattered all through the bible, two books focus almost entirely on symbolic representations. 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. 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. The book was written around 96 ad by apostle john when titus domitian was the emperor of the roman empire.

The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. In addition to the book of daniel and the book of revelation, a wealth of apocalyptic writing exists in the apocrypha and the pseudepigrapha of the old testament. This commentary has been through advanced checking. The reason most commentaries fail to enlighten the books contents is because they violate one or more of the three basic principles of sound biblical interpretation. The new testament includes books that are biographies, histories, letters, sermons, and one book of apocalyptic prophecy. It is, of course, the cryptic symbolism of revelation that makes it challenging to understand. The book of revelation is the only apocalyptic document in the new testament canon. In the book of revelation corrections, for instance, the angels of the various earthly churches become the servants presiding officers of those units. 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. 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. Historical bible study doesnt treat revelation as a cosmology textbook. Understanding the book of revelation is an excellent christian booklet with revelation bible charts that explain the symbols. Revelation is arguably one of the greatest pieces of literature in the history of the world and certainly one of the great books within the bible. Can we use that logic when were understanding revelations in the bible.

Zwingli regarded it as nonbiblical, and calvin did not comment upon 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. Yet it is a tough nut to crack, not only because of its intrinsic difficulty but because of the myriad interpretations that have grown up around the book. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. There are references to martyrdom and persecution in the book of revelation, but to what extent there was a real roundup of christians going on is a matter of some debate.

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. This framework is primarily laid out in daniel and revelation. Understanding the book of revelation pamphlet is a basic guide to bible prophecy. The book of revelation is often difficult to understand. 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. Preterists understand the book exclusively in terms of its firstcentury setting, claiming that most of its events have already taken place. Interpreting the symbolism in the book of revelation. John was the youngest disciple of the twelve disciples of jesus who became an apostle of the church. This very powerful and dynamic teachingtool on the book of revelation shines a light on the symbolism and the mysteries of god revealed to.

But the content it consists of is too important to miss out on. The book of revelation provides some of the keenest insights in scripture concerning the big picture of work. Therefore, only those who believe that the bible is inspired by god and trust what it says will be able to understand the significance of what is revealed in the book of revelation. White is professor of classics and christian origins at the university of texas at austin, and acted as historical consultant for apocalypse. The author names himself as john in the text, but his precise identity remains a point of academic debate. Its bible on your screen pastor in your headphones with clear, relatable teaching so you can understand. The purpose of this 5 session study is to provide a biblical understanding of what death is and where it leads. Although its visions often seem bizarre to the western reader, fortunately the book provides a number of clues for its own interpretation e. For an adequate understanding of revelation, the reader must recognize that it is a distinct kind of literature. Introduction revelation is a confusing book to most people despite the many commentaries written.

Not that youre picture of jesus is wrong, but i can almost guarantee that its too small. Apocalypticism was not a new phenomenon among christians. This is part of mel lawrenz how to understand the bible series. The revelation of jesus christto show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. He gives a number of reasons why it is important for christians to understand the book of revelation. Keys to understanding revelation united church of god. Bible study tools booklets the book of revelation unveiled the book of revelation. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. The was the title given to the book in the latin vulgate 3. The key to understanding is the mysterious book of revelation is comprehending its story flow. With a account you will be able to save items to read and study later.

It is full of strange and often scary imagery, confusing numbers, time references, and much more. However, with just a few tips for understanding certain confusing elements, the book opens up as an important and helpful book for christians. In our study of the book of revelation, we must start out with the clear understanding that. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. Recently i decided to read the bible, and i started with the book of revelation. The book of revelation gives us many of the keys that unlock prophetic understanding because it faithfully follows the principle that the bible interprets itself.

Understanding revelations in the bible biblical archaeology society. You thought revelation was about the end of the world. 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. Because the book of revelation says that angels stand on the earths four corners. The book of revelation is full of mystery and wonder. In the book of revelation, the apocalyptic hopes of the early christian community find their clearest and most complete expression.

The book reveals jesus christ, the god of the bible, in his role during the tribulation and as king of kings subjective genitive and is the revelation from jesus about the events that will transpire during the tribulation and afterwards objective genitive. 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. Some believe the bibles last prophetic book is closed, meaning no one as yet can understand it. The theme of the book is the events leading up to the jesus second coming. Understanding revelation waitara seventhday adventist church. Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator. Interpreters of revelation normally fall into four groups. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. But after the first few chapters i really got confused, and i dont understand what its talking about. Revelation also presents timeless truths for surviving the struggle between good and evil. 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. Do you struggle to understand the book of revelation. When we expound the bible with the bible in this way, we will have an accurate explanation and understanding of it.

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. But skip heitzig, the dynamic senior pastor at calvary of albuquerqueone of the nations largest churchesis eager to bring clarity to the mystery of revelation and share why its an important, relevant, and exciting book to explore. It comes packed with almost two hours of eyeopening material that paints an entirely different picture of the book of revelation and what it is all about, covering topics like. It provides ultimate assurance of salvation in christ. This can assist in determining which aspects are literal and which are figurative. A userfriendly look at the bibles most complicated book sometimes you can find important clues about a book in the parts most people skip. 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.

Its often the book of the bible that christians, pastors, and seminaries have the most trouble understanding. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. Revelation with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. The bible is a history book, it tells the pastbut like no other history bookit tells the present and future just as clearly. In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture. It is important to apply proper bible study methods also called hermeneutics to understand revelation. The book of revelation cannot be adequately understood except against the historical background that occasioned its writing.

Revelation is a lens that puts the entire bible into focus. The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. Apart from the book of revelation, john has written other bible books which are. Revelation is apocalyptic, a kind of writing that is highly symbolic. Understanding the book of revelation rob dalrymple. Understanding the book of revelation bible prophecy and. Like the books of prophecy in the old testament, revelation proclaims a.

Many people think that it is a chronological record of events from start to finish and that the entirety of revelation is prophecy. Nov 20, 2008 understanding the book of revelation is an excellent christian booklet with revelation bible charts that explain the symbols. Revelation is the most controversial book in the bible and, yet, it is the only book, which specifically promises a blessing to those who hear it, and who meditate upon it. To understand either group, one must interpret their writings by considering the respective literary form that they used.

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. 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. The characteristics of apocalyptic writing are fairly well known. These are found in chapter one, entitled a strategy for seeing. An apocalyptic letter, it relies on visions, symbols, and old testament references to reveal the ultimate fulfillment of gods promise given to abraham in genesis. The last book in the bible is probably one of the most misunderstood. Historicists take it as describing the long chain of events from patmos to the end of history. Decoding the bibles most mysterious book, jimmy akin unlocks the secrets of revelation so that anyone can understand them. God reveals a basic framework for understanding future events.

This being the case, one should examine all the previous books of the bible to find out the connection between them and the book of revelation. Thus, it occupies a central place in christian eschatology. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. How to understand the book of revelation without feeling. 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.

The book of revelation is the last book he wrote around 96 ad. The books second and third chapters contain vital warnings to the seven churches that existed in asia minor in the first century a. The book of revelation is a revealing of jesus christ in glory. I thought it might be useful to give seven principles for helping understand the book of revelation taken from the book, the triumph of the lamb by dennis johnson. Therefore we can expect clarification of some symbols in the book of revelation in other parts of gods inspired word. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. Ttws audio guides walk you through each passage in just 5 minutes. In order to understand the time line of events in revelation, it is important to understand how the book of revelation is structured. The word revelation means an uncovering, unveiling, a disclosure of truth.