John the divine, although the godgiven title is at the very beginning of the text, the revelation of jesus christ, which god. Its title is derived from the first word of the text, written in koine greek. A 21st century, secular interpretation of the book of revelation now, even though the realms of religion and science in themselves are clearly marked off from each other, nevertheless there exist between the two strong reciprocal relationships and dependencies. I encourage you to bring your insights to class to share with others. A 21st century interpretation of the book of revelation. The book of revelation explained in under 5 minutes youtube. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. The church is warned about sin and exhorted to holiness. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. It can perhaps be best understood in distinction from the other major interpretations of revelation. Mar 19, 2019 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.
The holy scriptures start with a revelation on the past genesis 1 and they end with a revelation on the future. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. 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 discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. It will prepare you for the rest of the material contained here. Then go into each of the twenty two chapters of the book of revelation one by one. An apocalypse is a very specific kind of literature with no modern equivalent. But revelation has a unique and very important place as it is the consummation and climax of. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. Lesson interpretation what is the general theme of the book of revelation. Revelation often seems bizarre and incomprehensible.
The book elijah by michael obrien is faithful to the catholic point of view, while speculating on the events described in the book of revelation, but as mentioned before, there is no actual official interpretation of the book of revelation. The interpreters of revelation are divided into three main schools. Metaphysically, what does john, the writer of the book of revelation, represent. Its purpose is to give encouragement and hope for all. What is the idealist interpretation of the book of revelation. An overview of revelation multimedia training kit covers the book of revelation verse by verse. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. The real meaning of the bible s book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. In few other books of the bible is the ministry of angels so prominent. For an adequate understanding of revelation, the reader must recognize that it is a distinct kind of literature. On the contrary, revelation intends to encourage its readers, using a type of literature that was common at the time it was written. The bible is approximately 750,000 words, with about 250,000 devoted to many, many prophecies. The historicist view follows a straight line of continuous fulfillment of prophecy.
Revelation the last book in the bible was written to tell us about the futureespecially the final conflict between god and satan, and the triumph of jesus christover all the powers of evil and death and hell. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and. Almost half the books of the old testament are included in. According to ladd, theology, 671, the preterist interpretation rests partly on the assumption that the genre of revelation is very similar to other jewish apocalyptic literature such as the apocalypse of enoch, the assumption of moses, 4 ezra and baruch and is therefore interpreted similarly. John the divine, although the godgiven title is at the very beginning of the text, the revelation of. Youll find four major interpretive approaches to the book of revelation that can. This commentary has been through advanced checking. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. Yet it has a clear message for all who would devote themselves to its pages. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. But understanding the apocalyptic genre, the history of the early christians, the persecutions. Historicism, a method of interpretation in christian eschatology which associates biblical prophecies with actual historical events and identifies symbolic beings with historical persons or societies, has been applied to the book of revelation by many writers. In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture. The one thing every christian should be doing but most are not.
A catholic interpretation of the apocalypse tickle, john on. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation. Revelation s primary theological contribution is to eschatology, i. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. A commentary that many have found very helpful is the message of. Interpretation bible studies ibs offers solid biblical content in a creative study format.
The true message of the book is one of hope, looking ahead toward gods ultimate victory over evil. 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. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. The revelation is a very solemn book speaking much about divine judgments but it is also a. The interpretation of revelation has always been a subject of debate among bible interpreters. Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation. John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. What is the idealist interpretation of the book of. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online.
It fittingly has the last place ending the scriptures and gods revelation to man. 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. Nov 19, 2012 this is the holy book of revelation, known as the revelation of st. 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. There is perhaps no more misunderstood book of the bible than revelation. 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.
Prologue the revelation from jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and lion. The book of revelation, often called the revelation to john, or the apocalypse of john, is a book of the new testament that occupies a central place in christian eschatology. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. Revelation 1 metaphysical bible interpretation truthunity. Similar to the early protestants, adventists maintain a historicist interpretation of the bibles predictions of the apocalypse. Revelation with book summary versebyverse bible commentary.
Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation wikipedia. The revelation is the only prophetic book of the nt and it is the keystone of the word of god. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, who testifies to everything he sawthat is. The idealist interpretation could also be called the symbolic or spiritual interpretation. Reagans book, wrath and glory, covers the book of revelation chapter by chapter. 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. Revelation is apocalyptic, a kind of writing that is highly symbolic. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. Watch our overview video on the book of revelation, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john. This view regards the book as a book on church history. 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. Edgar cayce on the book of revelation the afterlife.
An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on the book of revelation. What this school said was too idealistic to be accepted by orthodox bible interpreters. Second, the bible says all scripture is profitable, meaning every book of the bible. This view maintains that the words in the entire book have.
The interpretation bible commentary series is one of the best available and eugene borings contribution in his book. In revelation, johns visions reveal that jesus has overcome evil by. This is the holy book of revelation, known as the revelation of st. Our purpose in this article is to lay a foundation and generate an interest in what is probably the most unique of all our books of scripture. Although its visions often seem bizarre to the western reader, fortunately the book provides a number of clues for its own interpretation e. Reagans video program, revelation revealed, presents a sweeping overview of the entire book of revelation. Dec 14, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of revelation, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Like all books of the bible, revelation was written in a particular time and place to particular people.
Revelation 1, new international version niv the bible app. As its first verse declares, it is the revelation from jesus christ to show his servants what must soon take place. Like the books of prophecy in the old testament, revelation proclaims a. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. The holy bible book 66 revelation kjv dramatized audio. Each page of scripture is from the king james bible, and is immediately followed by the meaning of that scripture. Although not easily accessible to one unfamiliar to the landscape of biblical scholarship, this text is more than worth the effort. There are several other articles available on biblical interpretation. A commentary of the book of revelation bible truth. But revelation has a unique and very important place as it is the consummation and climax of gods revelation and redemptive history. Interpretation bible studies ibs offers solid biblical content in. The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. Johns vivid pictures of worship in heaven both exhort and instruct believers.
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