The book of revelation provides a powerful ending for the bible. Reagans book, wrath and glory, covers the book of revelation chapter by chapter. The revelation of john the divine the argument it is manifest, that the holy ghost would as it were gather into this most excellent book a sum of those prophecies, which were written before, but should be fulfilled after the coming of christ, adding also such things as should be expedient, as well to forewarn us of the dangers to come, as to. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john nlt. As the final book of the bible, revelation brings together a number of lines. If you will look at apocalyptic books in the old testament, like the book of zechariah, you will see that the first coming prophecies contained in this literature meant. If you enjoy bible study and the book of revelations you will enjoy reading revelations. A workbook suitable for bible classes, family studies, or. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. This view regards the book as a book on church history. And christ sent his angel to show it to his servant john, 2 who has told everything he saw.
Are we to take prophecies literally or allegorically. The book of revelation calls christians to remain faithful to god and christ and to resist the powers of evil in the conviction that god will prevail and bring salvation in the new jerusalem. The interpretation of the book of revelation has often proven difficult throughout the history of the christian church. 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. The purpose is to assist the student in gaining a greater comprehension of the biblical teaching contained in the book. The book of the revelation of jesus christ is a fascinating prophecy of the end times.
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 writer of revelation identifies himself as john. The classical historicist view of the vision of the angel with the little book, in revelation 10, represents the protestant reformation and the printing of bibles in the common languages. The revelation of saint john the apostle geneva bible 1599. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. It fittingly has the last place ending the scriptures and gods revelation to man. Because of this, when reading revelation students need to constantly seek to understand what is said based on previous revelation in the bible. Is this the same john who wrote the gospel account and three letters. Great study by macarthur that helps guide you through the book of revelation, i think the only downside is that at times, without an ulterior guide book, it can be difficult to answer questions because revelation is a difficult book to get through in and of itself. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka.
The interpreters of revelation are divided into three main schools. There are many symbols and their meanings are seemingly hidden. A commentary of the book of revelation bible truth. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. Reagans video program, revelation revealed, presents a sweeping overview of the entire book of revelation. Symbolic language, however, is one of the chief characteristics of apocalyptic literature, of which this book is an. The book of revelation is the most detailed of the bibles prophecies concerning that coming intervention.
What historical reasons resulted in revelation being. Those events are subject to interpretation but they are not a salvation issue. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. John the divine, although the godgiven title is at the very beginning of the text, the revelation of jesus christ, which god. The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. Second, the bible says all scripture is profitable, meaning every book of the bible. What this school said was too idealistic to be accepted by orthodox bible interpreters. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, who testifies to everything he sawthat is, the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. Introduction the book of revelation is one of the most encouraging books of the new testament. Its time to discover the inspiring, down to earth, and meaningful message of a misunderstood book of the bible.
The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. But revelation has a unique and very important place as it is the consummation and climax of gods revelation and redemptive history. Is the author speaking of past events or future events. See why this compelling book of the bible is so worthwhile. The book consists of six cycles of visions, each of which warns of the dangers arising from sin and evil. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. Alan hultberg, associate professor of bible exposition and new testament, shares from the book of revelation in this talbot chapel at biola. In it, john 1 talks about the ultimate defeat of evil and the glorious return and reign of the lord jesus christ. Yet, why does everyone approach the book like it is a mysterious book. Although its visions often seem bizarre to the western reader, fortunately the book provides a number of clues for its own interpretation e. An overview of revelation multimedia training kit covers the book of revelation verse by verse. The book of revelation and you free bible study guides. Is the modern interpretation of the book of revelation flawed. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online.
Hes just a mildmannered christian guy living in exile whenpow. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation. I listened earnestly on the edge of my chair to pastor younces awesome bible study on revelation. The word revelation even in greek apocalypse means unveiling as in revealing. What should we look for, and how should we live between now and then. 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 interpretation of revelation the interpretation of revelation has always been a subject of debate among bible interpreters. And many religious people believe that the book of revelation offers no help anyway, because it cannot be understood. There are 4 common methods of interpretation concerning the biblical book of revelation. Revelation often seems bizarre and incomprehensible. The book contains prophetic visions of the future given by god to john rev.
For an adequate understanding of revelation, the reader must recognize that it is a distinct kind of literature. Historical bible study doesnt treat revelation as a cosmology textbook. Much of the book of revelation is the story of worsening sin and the resultant suffering, climaxing in a time of woe never before experienced. The questions contain minimal human commentary, but instead urge students to study to understand scripture. In the end, god and his people win, and evil will be forever defeated. The lions share of revelation chapters 6 through 18, give indepth details about the events, personalities and reasons for that fast approaching day of reckoning scheduled for our world. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the. This course is designed as an expository study of the book of revelation, taking the student through the entire book with cross references to other portions of scripture. Revelation is apocalyptic, a kind of writing that is highly symbolic.
But understanding the apocalyptic genre, the history of the early christians, the persecutions. An index page with links to commentaries on the individual chapters of the book of revelation. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and lion ministries. 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. Preterists understand the book exclusively in terms of its firstcentury setting, claiming that most of its events have already taken place. Revelation was among the last books accepted into the christian biblical canon, and to the present day some. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and.
The book of revelation starts with this is a revelation from jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. This summary of the book of revelation provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of revelation. Ten bible studies that include brief background notes and open questions. John was a christian leader of jewish origin who was in exile on the roman prison island of patmos. This is the holy book of revelation, known as the revelation of st. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to everything he sawthat is, the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. The preterist meaning past view errantly claims that revelation was all fulfilled by the end of. Answers to a variety of questions on the book of revelation including, the meaning of the first horseman, the timing of the bowl judgments, the application of the churches of laodicea and thyatira to history, and the meaning of nation against nation. The book of revelation is gods message to all who are concerned about the future. In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture. Can we use that logic when were understanding revelations in the bible. Starting your free trial of bible gateway plus is easy. The book of revelation is johns record of that vision revelation 1.
The next step is to enter your payment information. And no guide makes revelation more understandable than the smart guide to the bible. Many of the verses are foreboding and frightening, yet whoever reads this book is promised a blessing rev 1. Prologue the revelation from jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. Revelation 1, new international version niv the bible app. This workbook was designed for bible class study, family study, or personal study.
Youll grasp the meaning of each verse, youll understand every important symbol, and youll get the big picture of all that god has promised for those who believe in him. Four times the author identifies himself as john 1. The meaning of the book of revelation can seem confusing to the average reader. The early protestants followed a historicist interpretation of the bible, which identified the pope as the antichrist. Youre already logged in with your bible gateway account. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation. Because the book of revelation says that angels stand on the earths four corners. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand.
Interpreters of revelation normally fall into four groups. Intro to revelation biblica the international bible. What is the best workbook to study the book of revelation. As a source, the book of revelation is something of an outlier for a book of the bible that got accepted into the canonical new testament of most branches of christianity. Could there be more to this final message than we realize.
This web site explains the book of revelation, each individual scripture. The bibles answer the greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. The adventists take a unique view applying it to the millerite movement. Introduction to revelation bible book of revelation. Revelation is the finale of the entire bible bringing gods word to a dramatic conclusion. Thus, parallel events are being described in revelation and in the books of the old testament prophets, and this points to the context in which. Strange work a verse by verse commentary on the bible book of revelation. So i went to the angel and said to him, give me the little book. Historicists take it as describing the long chain of events from patmos to the end of history.
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