Understanding the book of revelation contents end times poemix chapter 1 introduction to understanding the book of revelation 1 different schools of interpretation. Keys to understanding revelation united church of god. The book of revelation can be divided into these three distinct categories. The book of revelation is the last book of the bible in our canon for good reason. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. Many people think that it is a chronological record of. Understanding the book of revelation is a timely book as we approach the twentyfirst century. 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. Paul spilsburys book is a close runnerup for my go to book for an introduction to revelation.
The book of revelation provides some of the keenest insights in scripture concerning the big picture of work. For an adequate understanding of revelation, the reader must recognize that it is a distinct kind of literature. Jan 02, 2020 the book of revelation is understandable. He gives a number of reasons why it is important for christians to understand the book of revelation. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it. Understanding the book of revelation prophecy and truth. In short, the book of revelation is arguably the most important book you will read in your life time. Although its visions often seem bizarre to the western reader, fortunately the book provides a number of clues for its own interpretation e. One of our most fascinating exercises in scriptural interpretation is to study the book of revelation, to ponder its truths, and to discover. Things which are represent things that are in johns present world. The author of the book of revelation, saint john the divine, offers a transcription of seven letters and later describes strange beasts, visions of judgments, governments, demonic battles, heaven, and a new world order a prophetic vision for the end of the world. People have shied away from this book because of its use of symbolism and its cryptic references. Like all books of the bible, revelation was written in a particular time and place. Understanding the book of revelation church of jesus christ.
Revelation is a source of hope and encouragement for christians because the book tells about the triumphant return of our lord, jesus christ. These titles come from the greek word apokalupsis meaning disclosure or revelation used in the first verse of the first chapter. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. Understanding the book of revelation pamphlet is a. Chapter 10 understanding revelation and the timeline of events jump to the timeline of events. 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. Applying the best available sources of commentary from a variety of scholars, donald and jay parry show that the book of revelation is meant for us to understand and that it is possible to understand it. Know that the book of revelation deals with things that are to occur after new testament times, particularly in the last days. Revelation is apocalyptic, a kind of writing that is highly symbolic. The revelation of jesus christto show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. Revelation makes sense only in light of the old testament. 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 title thus conveys the idea of uncovering or revealing.
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. Dec 20, 2017 the word revelation means an uncovering, unveiling, a disclosure of truth. In the book of revelation, the church as a unit is viewed first, followed by historical events concerning the rest of the world. Nov 20, 2008 understanding the book of revelation is an excellent christian booklet with revelation bible charts that explain the symbols. It is often shortened to revelation or the apocalypse. What john has seen in prophetic vision is the true character of events, individuals, forces, and trends, the appearance of which is quite different on the physical observable plane.
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. In order to understand the time line of events in revelation, it is important to understand how the book of revelation is structured. In chapter one john records having seen jesus christ himself. A guide for understanding by vern sheridan poythress prepared for use with the course nt 311, general epistles and revelation, at westminster theological seminary, philadelphia version 2.
Understanding the book of revelation it is not surprising that a variety of methods of interpretation have evolved with reference to the book of revelation. The time for understanding the book of revelation is now at hand. As the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth 1. The things john had already seen are recorded in chapter 1.
Bauckhams book will guide you into a richer understanding of the symbolism and their significance and literary art of johns prophetic imagination. A site to host information about john mark ministries. In the book s last chapter god reiterates that his words were given to reveal and not to be sealed revelation 22. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture.
Some of it remains secret, for example what the thunders said. Revelation reveals the events of the day of the lord revelation 1. Christ tells john to write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. The book of revelation must be taken literal whenever possible. Revelation is first and foremost a revelation about jesus christ 1. Understanding the book of revelation how can i do it. Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. Understanding the book of revelation is an excellent christian booklet with revelation bible charts that explain the symbols.
This framework is primarily laid out in daniel and. In light of this, i believe the church is caught up to be with the lord prior to the period of seven years tribulation, and that the first event of that age is the worldwide preaching of the gospel, symbolized by the. Understanding the book of revelation rob dalrymple. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation.
How can one be blessed by reading a book that no one seems to understand. It is the final expression of and complement to the prophecies of the jewish prophets. Over the centuries, the church has presented countless interpretations and theories about the meaning and significance of this. The book of revelation takes an approach to the plan of salvation that is found nowhere else in all of our inspired writings. 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. Understanding the book of revelation news amazing facts. In 30 minutes, understanding the book of revelation ebook will help you understand the different ways christians have interpreted revelation throughout the centuries. It is, of course, the cryptic symbolism of revelation that makes it challenging to understand. The book of revelation opens with a blessing for its reader, hearers, and keepers rev 1. The book of revelation is notoriously difficult to understand. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. This page is for those who are diligent in learning gods truth in what is known as the most difficult book of the bible. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies.
This book of the revelation tells what is in that scroll. This book is highly recommended to those wanting a better understanding of the book of revelation, but who do not want an overly academic commentary. How to understand the book of revelation without feeling. Understanding the book of revelation home facebook. God reveals a basic framework for understanding future events. In the first chapter, the risen and exalted christ is speaking to john. Symbolic language, however, is one of the chief characteristics of apocalyptic literature, of which this book is an. The things seen and heard during this experience are the things which thou hast seen. Unlike most books of the bible, revelation contains its own title. 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. 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. The key to understanding is the mysterious book of revelation is comprehending its story flow. Understanding the book of revelation pamphlet is a basic guide to bible prophecy. As mentioned before, the books very name means to reveal to unveil, to open to understanding what otherwise could not be comprehended.
Sep 30, 2015 bauckhams book will guide you into a richer understanding of the symbolism and their significance and literary art of johns prophetic imagination. In revelation the message is that god is coming to judge. Reading the book of revelation can be a frustrating and perplexing study experience, with all its amazing cast of characters, its extraordinary symbolic imagery, and its deeply spiritual prose. 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. There are four common views regarding how revelation. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate.
This book has gotten many people lost and confused thinking it is all about a future end of the world the last days and future tribulation. God would not have given it to us if its meaning were entirely a mystery. There are four common views regarding how revelation applies to us today. Its often the book of the bible that christians, pastors, and seminaries have the most trouble understanding. The book of revelation was written sometime around 96 ce in asia minor. His plan for the end times is in the scroll revelation 1. A simple outline for the book of revelation is found in revelation 1.
Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator. Over the centuries, the church has presented countless interpretations and. 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. Of course, the writer of the book, the apostle john, tells us that the prophetic book is, in fact, a revelation of jesus christ himselfone often given through dramatic visions and dreams. The book of revelation is a source of hope and encouragement for christians because the book tells about the triumphant return of our lord, jesus christ. And we do not yet understand many things that god has said. 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.
The apocalypse, or revelation to john, the last book of the bible, is one of the most difficult to understand because it abounds in. 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. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. It provides ultimate assurance of salvation in christ. 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. Sep 04, 2015 the book of revelation opens with a blessing for its reader, hearers, and keepers rev 1. The theme of the book is the events leading up to the jesus second coming. How to understand the book of revelation without feeling dumb. The books second and third chapters contain vital warnings to the seven churches that existed in asia minor in the first century a. The word revelation means an uncovering, unveiling, a disclosure of truth. Understanding revelation waitara seventhday adventist church. The first blessing is in the first chapter of revelation in verse 3.
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. Includes definitions, symbols, ways of approaching the text, and different interpretations. Like the books of prophecy in the old testament, revelation proclaims a message. A series of eight sermons on the book of revelation introduction. Understanding a parable book of revelation revealed. The language and imagery is so chosen as to appeal to the maturing gospel scholar, to those who already love the lord and have some knowledge of his goodness and grace. The author was probably a christian from ephesus known as john the elder.
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