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. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. Things which are represent things that are in johns present world.
Revelation reveals the events of the day of the lord revelation 1. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. Both testaments can be divided into history instruction prophecy revelation is the only book of prophecy in the new testament. The following is the forward and a portion of a chapter from a forthcoming book which, in my view, falls in the latter category. The following is the forward and a portion of a chapter from a forthcoming book which, in my view, falls in. May 21, 2019 one of the more eerie parts of the book of revelation includes four figures riding horses. Summary of the book this is not a comprehensive outline of the book. The book of revelation, often called the revelation to john, the apocalypse of john, the revelation, or simply revelation or apocalypse and often misquoted as. The book of revelation is strikingly different from the rest of the new testament. While many associate the word apocalypse with great disaster, the book of revelation begins and ends by saying that those who read, understand, and apply its message would be happy for doing so.
This summary of the book of revelation provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of revelation. Sep 05, 2019 all i can add to some already good answers is. This web site explains the book of revelation, each individual scripture. This series is a bit of my testimony of coming into a further understanding of the truth as a result of studying the most important book for our timethe revelation.
As the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth 1. Listen to this report filed by john in the seventh chapter of revelation. A simple outline for the book of revelation is found in revelation 1. 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 discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. Unlike many other books on end time prophecy, this is a simple, easy to read commentary.
Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. Although we do not know everything about the events that will take place and those involved, the bible does reveal some. By the time the writings that are now included in the new testament were assembled in their present form, three letters and one gospel were also attributed to john. A vision of god on his throne in heaven revelation 4. Many people think that it is a chronological record of events from start to finish and that the entirety of revelation is prophecy. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. And there has been much speculation about it some of it bordering on offthewall, but some of it serious and scholarly. A downtoearth guide to understanding the most mysterious book of the bible. In order to understand the time line of events in revelation, it is important to understand how the book of revelation is structured. It is populated by winged and wild creatures, locust plagues, and sevenheaded beasts.
Apr 04, 2018 the book of revelation, often called the revelation to john, the apocalypse of john, the revelation, or simply revelation or apocalypse and often misquoted as revelations, is a book of the new. The last book of the new testament is also called the prophecy book and the revelation of jesus christ. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it. The book of revelation is the last book of the bible in our canon for good reason. John, who wrote the bibles book of revelation, was the longest living apostle. Apocalypticism was not a new phenomenon among christians.
The apostle of jesus and the author of the gospel of john and the three letters of nt. From as early as justin martyr in the second century a. In the book of revelation, the apocalyptic hopes of the early christian community find their clearest and most complete expression. Only christ is qualified to remove the seven seals and open the book to understanding. The book of revelation, or the apocalypse as it is also called, is the last book of the bible. Then go into each of the twenty two chapters of the book of revelation one by one. What are the seven seals in the book of revelation.
It is a revelation that was received by the apostle john while he was in romanimposed exile on the island of patmos in the eastern mediterranean around 90 a. 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 author endeavors to encourage the persecuted saints of his own day and, by application, the church throughout the ages. The revelation of jesus christto show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. Book of revelation is actually a christian prophecy book filled with old testamentstyle language and imagery narrating events and descriptions like the mark of the beast, the battle of armageddon, the binding of devil, the rule of the lord, the great white throne of judgment and the finally the nature of the eternal city of god. In graphic and figurative form, john describes the breaking of the seven seals. Revelation with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. After these things i looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands revelation 7. Revelation often seems bizarre and incomprehensible.
The things seen and heard during this experience are the things which thou hast seen. God gave it to him to show his servants the things that must happen soon. And there has been much speculation about it some of it bordering on off the wall, but some of it serious and scholarly. In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture. The book of revelation starts with a warning to the seven churches scattered throughout the known world at that time. 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.
Your guide to understanding the end times through the eyes of the hebrew prophets by rabbi k. Four horsemen of the apocalypse meaning in revelation. If youre befuddled by the book of revelation in the bible, dont fret. Certain numbers are used symbolically in the bible. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st.
The very first words of the book give us a clue to its explanation the revelation of jesus christ. Its purpose is to give encouragement and hope for all. The rise and fall of the antichrist appendix four a brief overview of the book of revelation. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. A brief overview of the book of revelation the rise and. A series of visions, each one leading into the next. In the study of any book of the bible or any topic of scripture, a certain amount of ground work is needed for understanding, orientation, and motivation. 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 things john had already seen are recorded in chapter 1. Book of revelation definition of book of revelation by. Dec 20, 2017 the word revelation means an uncovering, unveiling, a disclosure of truth. The revelation of john is the one book in the new testament that claims john as its author. The book of revelation is perhaps the most mysterious book in sacred scripture.
It means unveiling and is used in scripture of the u. The greek word apocalypse is translated revelation. One of our most fascinating exercises in scriptural interpretation. The revelation is a very solemn book speaking much about divine judgments but it is also a. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john.
But understanding the apocalyptic genre, the history of the early christians, the persecutions. The holy scriptures start with a revelation on the past genesis 1 and they end with a revelation on the future. The book of revelation not revelations is the last book of the bible, and describes the tribulations visited upon mankind at the end of the world which is often referred to as the end times, the ultimate battle between goodandevil, and, finally, the second coming of christ. In all its uses, revelation refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible. Lets look at the characteristics of each horsemen and how they all play an important role in the end times from the bible book of revelation. The revelation is the only prophetic book of the nt and it is the keystone of the word of god. Revelation is filled with obscure and fantastic symbolism, and it teems with mystical references. The following historical events were significant to john the apostle and his audience. Thank you for the concern, and pray that i will continue to present the truth as fully as god reveals it to me, hiding nothing. Revelation is first and foremost a revelation about jesus christ 1. 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. It fittingly has the last place ending the scriptures and gods revelation to man. Franciscan father stephen doyle provides a catholic commentary on the book of revelation and explains that todays people do not understand what.
Very important we note this and realize we cannot study revelation in the same way we study the book of romans. John mentions his name four times in the book revelation 1. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation. The sixth angels trumpet of the seventh seal had four angels, who had been prepared for the hour, the day, the month, and the year, were released to kill a third of mankind rev 9. John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. Justin the martyr around 100 to 165 ac, irenaeus around 140 to 220 ac and the muratori canon end of 2 nd century confirm that the apostle john is the author. The book of revelation can be divided into these three distinct categories. Take a look at the basic structure of the book of revelation. The revelation is the only book in the nt mentioning john as author. Book of revelation definition of book of revelation by the. The book of revelation explained in under 5 minutes youtube. Franciscan father stephen doyle provides a catholic commentary on the book of revelation and explains that.
Will they have any effect on the lost people of the last days. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. Jan 02, 2020 a simple outline for the book of revelation is found in revelation 1. 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. Messages from jesus to the seven congregations revelation 1. Asia in this book is part of the country that we now call turkey. A commentary on the book of the revelation edgar cayce readings 1971, 19932015 by the edgar cayce foundation 8 by the physical attributes of. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. It does belong to a tradition of apocalyptic writing, which began in judaism in the second temple period. Overview of the book of revelation introduction revelation 119. There are no long drawnout theories or doctrines, but instead focuses on the clues given throughout the bible and facts from current events and history.
Introduction revelation is a confusing book to most people despite the many commentaries written. The book of revelation in the new testament has the literal title in greek, the apocalypse of john. The key to understanding the specific meaning of the ten horns and seven heads of the beast of revelation chapter is an image of the wild beast identified later in revelation a brightred beast that has seven heads and ten horns. Unlike most books of the bible, revelation contains its own title. Four times the author identifies himself as john 1. Like many of the topics in revelation, there is much mystery surrounding the 144,000 mentioned in chapters 7 and 14. Could you explain the book of revelation in full simple. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john nlt. In the first chapter, the risen and exalted christ is speaking to john. The 144,000 in the book of revelation david jeremiah blog. These four horsemen of the apocalypse appear to symbolically portray four disastrous occurrences that will take place before the second coming of jesus christ. 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.
The book depicts him as the risen, glorified son of god ministering among the churches 1. Book of revelation synonyms, book of revelation pronunciation, book of revelation translation, english dictionary definition of book of revelation. The first blessing is in the first chapter of revelation in verse 3. Revelation explained verse by verse, chapter by chapter. In chapter one john records having seen jesus christ himself. 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. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on the book of revelation. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. Could you explain the book of revelation in full simple terms. What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory.
Book of revelation was written to address this need. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. 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. This very powerful and dynamic teachingtool on the book of revelation shines a light on the symbolism and the mysteries of god revealed to. It is the final expression of and complement to the prophecies of the jewish prophets. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. The theme of revelation is the revelation of the person and the prophetic program of jesus christ. Book of revelation the last book of the new testament. The one thing every christian should be doing but most are not. He describes himself as their brother in the family of god. It will prepare you for the rest of the material contained here. This commentary has been through advanced checking. The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. This is particularly so with the book of revelation or prophecy in general.
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