It is a book of sign and symbol showing events which would occur from the 1st century right up until our day and beyond. Last weeks bible study on the book of revelation was the final meeting of the year for the medical students at loma linda. In the book of tobit, for example, tobit actually risks his own life to ensure that a stranger is buried. Jan 02, 2020 a simple outline for the book of revelation is found in revelation 1. The book of revelation is the revelation of jesus christ to apostle john thus to us christians. The apocalyptic book of revelation is a symbolic glimpse into. Far from being a revelation, it is the most abstruse book in the whole bible. A careful examination of the book of revelation explains its purpose and what it is about. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. Biblical scholars have debated over the reference of babylon in the book of revelation as to what its identity is. As children of god we should live by the commandments he left. The bible isnt the first book you might turn to for gratuitous violence, but its definitely in there. 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. 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.
It is the final warning that the world will surely end and judgment will be. No belief is required when the truth is in plain sight. In this podcast episode, i give you 7 keys to understanding the book of revelation. 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. Part 1 letters to the seven churches part 2a the first scroll. The book of revelation is an amazing message from jesus to his followers. The book of revelation is unique, in that it describes a series of visions that may or may be taken literally.
Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. The bibles answer the greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. But notice the verses in matthew 24 and mark, warn specifically of the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place where it ought not, as spoken of by the prophet daniel daniel 11. Understanding the book of revelation is a timely book as we approach the twentyfirst century. This is probably never truer than in the book of revelation. It will culminate with a great battle between christ and satan. Revelation to john, last book of the new testament. A commentary of the book of revelation bible truth. Nov 01, 2016 if you are looking for more on the canonical history of revelation, i point you to my recent article entitled, the reception of the book of revelation in the early church which has just come out in the new volume book of seven seals. Elaine pagels has a persuasive answer, spectacularly illustrated. White is professor of classics and christian origins at the university of texas at austin, and acted as historical consultant for apocalypse. In this discussion of the book of revelation we look at. The book of revelation, along with other passages, foretells christs second cominga time when the nations of the world are on the brink of committing global genocide.
The book of revelation means different things to different people. Indeed most of the material is secondhand, being borrowed liberally from the old testament books of isaiah, ezra, ezekiel and, in particular, daniel which also. This debate is rather recent since in the past it had simply stood unquestioned and taken for granted that it was a reference to rome. If taken as written, these chapters speak of a future sevenyear period during which there will be a world ruler, a new jewish temple that. Book of revelation synonyms, book of revelation pronunciation, book of revelation translation, english dictionary definition of book of revelation. Revelation is first and foremost a revelation about jesus christ 1. The book of revelation, full of complex imagery and vivid depictions of violence, outlines gods plan for the second coming of christ and the punishment of satan in a lake of fire. Its purpose is to give encouragement and hope for all. A divinely inspired exhaustive study unveiling the entire book 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 was written sometime around 96 ce in asia minor. In his vision john sees an angel searching for someone who is worthy to open a scroll that will commence judgment on the world.
How to study the book of revelation christian truth center. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. From babylon to america, the prophecy movie by school for prophets attila kakarott duration. Elaine pagels the truth about the book of revelations. The book of revelation then is not a compilation of jewish apocalyptic literature, intermixed with heathen visions christianized, thus being a patchwork of jewish and heathen folklore, but it is the revelation of jesus christ, which god gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. It will culminate with a great battle between christ and satan known as the battle of armageddon. The theology of the book of revelation new testament theology. According to some, and i am relieved that it has only been a few, covid19 is proof that the plagues of the book of revelation, in particular the seven seals of revelation 6. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. Book of revelation the last book of the new testament. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john nlt.
The book of revelation addresses seven letters to seven churches in asia minor modernday turkey revelation 23. Probably the most consequential vision of the future ever written is the bibles book of revelation. The things john had already seen are recorded in chapter 1. Does the book of revelation confirm the sequence of events of. Much of the book tells of horrendous events that will occur as satan tries to destroy gods people and all creation. For those who believe otherwise, it is not really a belief, it is a delusion.
Jesus promises the church of philadelphia that he will keep them from the hour of trial coming to test those who dwell on earth. Summary in the book of revelation, the apocalyptic hopes of the early christian community find their clearest and most complete expression. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. According to new world encyclopedia, the four horsemen in revelation stand for war, famine, death, and either christ or the antichrist, depending who you ask. The book of revelation closes with the bright and morning star, which is a figure of christ at his coming to take the church out of the world. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. The teaching company shmoop helpfully rounded up some of the terrible things that happen to people unlucky enough to live in the world described by revelation.
The advice in these letters is prophetic, forewarning presentday christian communities of the snares that. The book of revelation introduction the revelation of jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servantsthings which must shortly take place. Receiving many visions to follow, she was inspired to share what god was telling her about the book of revelation, and the. They begin with a lengthy but vital introduction and then proceed on a verse by verse walk through the book. The book of revelation and covid19 wake up to the truth. The book of revelation victory, christs reign, eternity the book of revelation demonstrates gods almighty infinite love, power, sovereignty, and truth. It makes numerous references to various constellations in the night sky. All the links listed above are not necessarily recommended by bible truth. The revelation of jesus christ was given to john by god to show his servants what must soon take place. Josephus and the book of revelation nine case studies 2. Christ tells john to write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. The book of revelation describes jesus as not the one of gospel but gives entirely different image of him. For further information and visuals of the throne of god, angels, cherubim, four living creatures, new jerusalem, tabernacle, temple, jesus christ and the book of revelation see other chapter downloads.
The book depicts him as the risen, glorified son of god ministering among the churches 1. 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. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. It is the only book of the new testament classified as apocalyptic literature rather than didactic or historical.
Little gems from our study of the book of revelation. I cannot point to a single commentary with which i agree entirely. 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. The revelation of peter, and the revelation of paul, and the revelation of zostrianos and almost anyone you can mention. The book of revelation a revealing of the futureis history written in advance. If god didnt write it through the sainted instrument of someone named john, then who did, and why. The book of revelation takes an approach to the plan of salvation that is found nowhere else in all of our inspired writings. The book of revelation was written to answer those questions. While there are keys to understanding revelation, the book itself is the single greatest key to understanding almost all other prophecies in the bible. Order of end time events 46 part 2b the first scroll. And the book of revelation will complete the revelation of. The seven seals and the seven trumpets 611 part 3a the second scroll.
The final truth of the book of revelation is a rather long but intricately researched study of the parts of the christian bible which include predictions and revelations, mainly from the book of daniel and revelation. The book of revelation has the highest divine authority and divine authorship of all the books in the new testament. The revelation of saint john scarcely merits the title. This sequel, the second volume of the book of truth series, reaffirms in no uncertain terms the authenticity and authority of the revelations of christs second coming to the end times messenger maria divine mercy, based on the source itself. As part of scripture, the book of revelation was given by inspiration of god 2 timothy 3. There was so much additional information that i wanted to include in this bible study and so i would like to share some written comments on the book of revelation over the next several months. It is, of course, the cryptic symbolism of revelation that makes it challenging to understand. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it.
Everyone has heard of the four horsemen of the apocalypse, but less well known are the horses of. As the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth 1. The word apocalypse means unveiling and thats exactly what the book of revelation isit is a prophetic book that discusses the unveiling of what is going to happen in the nearing end times and what will come with the final revelation of jesus christ. Coming attractions for you 2020s most anticipated movies. The book of revelation, the last book of the bible, has fascinated and puzzled christians for centuries. This book is filled with mysteries about things to come. Revelation commentary introduction to revelation revelation chapter 1 revelation chapters 23 revelation chapter 4. Study scripture verses and use highlighting, underlining, and take notes in the bible. A 144000 israel jewish evangelists during the tribulation as described by the apostle john in the bible at revelation chapter 14. The book revelations is a book the that reveals jesus to use. If you want to understand the book of revelation, this podcast will send you off in the right direction. Jan 26, 2012 this is the new king james version of the new testament book of revelation. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. The comforting promise of revelation when you are certain of your future, then you can concentrate on your present.
The book of revelation s prophecies about the seven last plagues are terrifying and show there will be massive suffering and destruction around the world in the end times. The book of revelation was written sometime around. This will cover chapters 4 through 6 of the book of revelation. First, revelation chapters 622 were most likely written about events that have yet to occur. The author was probably a christian from ephesus known as john the elder. Rose was given a dream of the rapture after the first of the recent 4 blood moons, in 2014. Therefore, this book contains information god intends to disclose or reveal to humans, rather than conceal from us. Book of revelation definition of book of revelation by the. In the first chapter, the risen and exalted christ is speaking to john. It all comes down to which of four main ways they interpret it.
It is the first fulllength book within the revelation series, which is meant to be read in release order. Jun 20, 2009 preparing a top 5 list of commentaries on the book of revelation is extremely challenging in a number of ways. It describes in detail the events leading up to christs return, then tells us what will happen beyond that time. 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 problem with book of revelation the book of revelation often known as revelation is usually been criticised because of its content and different from all books. The materials on this website are a complete course on the book of revelation. It was unthinkable to allow even ones enemy to remain unburied. It is the first book that many new to the bible want to study, while it is often neglected by mature.
However literal the prophecies may or may not be, the point is clear. John of patmos was a war refugee, writing sixty years after the death of jesus and twenty years after 60,000 roman troops crushed the jewish rebellion in judea and destroyed jerusalem. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john. Hahn demonstrates why this littlestudied book contains many of the keys to understanding the gospels. He explains that, for those students willing to examine the historical background to the new testament, the book of revelation.
Revelation 2 niv bible to the angelof the church in. The apocalyptic book of revelation uses symbols and old testament references to reveal a pattern of human rebellion and gods plan to overcome evil forever. For all of these reasons, i argue that the great city of the book of revelation, a city doomed to destruction, is jerusalem. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka.
The author of revelation in this post i want to explain why it is almost universally thought that the same author did not write the fourth gospel and the book of revelation, and then to show why the latter author was almost certainly not john the son of zebedee, jesus close disciple. John was the youngest disciple of the twelve disciples of jesus who became an apostle of the church. Revelation 1922 portrays christs future triumph over the forces of evil and his recreation of the world for the redeemed. Book of revelation overview insight for living ministries. The book of revelation is war literature, pagels explained. The theology of the book of revelation new testament theology bauckham, richard on. The book of revelation is the only apocalyptic document in the new testament canon although there are short apocalyptic passages in various places in the gospels and the epistles, and an extended apocalyptic passage in the book of daniel in the old testament. This idea has a strong tie to the book of revelation, as the gospel of jesus christ is the good news that he brought. John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. Many of the studies listed at the top of this page are rather lengthy, and numerous. For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
Most of the other revelations, and this fascinated me, many of them were found with the gnostic gospels in upper egypt, and they had been censored by church leaders for over a thousand and a half years. While revelation offers many details on the tribulationeven if they are often couched in the mystery of symbolic languageit is the final four chapters that dictate the overall message of the book. The book of revelation demonstrates gods almighty infinite love, power, sovereignty, and truth. The truth will finally be revealed, and the mysteries contained in the book of revelation will be presented to a disbelieving world. One of our most fascinating exercises in scriptural interpretation is to study the book of revelation, to ponder its truths, and to discover. But even then, what they mean for the world is totally contingent on which of those four ways you read the book. The thing about the book of revelation is once you understand the key to deciphering it its not very interesting. There are 3 theories to the time rapture of the church will take place in relation to the great tribulation period. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance.
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 seven seals are the first series of gods judgments during this time, and they are described in revelation 6. There is a picture in revelation 19 of the aftermath of battle and victory over the enemies of god. God loves everyone and desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth 1 timothy 2. The reception of the book of revelation in the early church. The clear purpose of revelation love worth finding with. What you need to know about the book of revelation youtube.
The rapture is the hope of the new testament, just as the revelation of christ was the hope of the old testament. The 7 keys to understanding the book of revelation. These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. One of the basic rules of bible study is to always let the bible interpret itself.
He explains that, for those students willing to examine the historical background to the new testament, the book of revelation actually summarizes the central doctrines of faith. The signs of christ s coming parallel the seven seals. Its all explained in chapter xii of the rare book the origin of all religious worship by charles. I believe the clear purpose of revelation is exactly what it says it is. Be sure to look up and read these scriptures and surrounding passages in your bible. The inscription to the book of revelation, in the syrian version, first published by deuteronomy dieu, in 1627, and, afterwards in the london polyglot, is the following, the revelation which god made to john the evangelist, in the island of patmos, to which he was banished by nero caesar. Are the seven seals of the book of revelation unfolding. Aug 04, 2009 revelation the dragon pursuing a woman, from the bamberg apocalypse. In the book of revelation, john describes the vision god gave him of this future period.
The end times will see jesus ruling the nations in truth and righteousness as king of kings and lord of lords. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. The peculiarity of revelation, its manuscripts, attestation and transmission, eds. Many verses in revelation apply to life today, whether we are living in the midst of one of the. The author, james michael golding, has chosen to present his work in the form of screenplays and has divided the text into two. 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.