John mentions his name four times in the book revelation 1. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. The following is the forward and a portion of a chapter from a forthcoming book which, in my view, falls in the latter category. Interpretation principles for the book of revelation. Cayces dream interpretation of the book of revelation can be contained in a book all by itself. But, of course, we cant leave it at that many books of the bible are very easy to understand on the surface. The following is the forward and a portion of a chapter from a forthcoming book which, in my view, falls in. Im a pastor, seminarian, collectorofbooks, and lover of all things revelation. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation. I have spoken with this deacon about the book of revelation and he wanted to be sure i understand the catholic churchs interpretation. Each page of scripture is from the king james bible, and is immediately followed by the meaning of that scripture. Pack staggering events foretold in your bible will shock the whole world.
Revelation chapter explained book of revelation each. Take a look at the basic structure of the book of revelation. Whenever god gives a vision of an image, or beast, or figure of any kind, he always holds himself responsible to give a revelation or interpretation of the meaning thereof, otherwise we are not responsible or. The historicist view follows a straight line of continuous fulfillment of prophecy which starts in daniels time and goes through john. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. The real meaning of the bible s book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. The book of revelation, the last book of the bible, has fascinated and puzzled christians for centuries. Revelation with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Reagans book, wrath and glory, covers the book of revelation chapter by chapter. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them.
The interpreters of revelation are divided into three main schools. As the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth 1. If youre befuddled by the book of revelation in the bible, dont fret. The book of revelation is johns record of that vision revelation 1.
John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. Edgar cayce on the book of revelation the afterlife. Seven bowls, each containing a plague representing a divine judgment to be poured out on. Youll find four major interpretive approaches to the book of revelation that can help you read, understand, and. 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. Through the prophet joseph smith, the lord has given us vital keys to understanding the book of revelation, particularly the meaning of the seven seals. The book of revelation must be taken literal whenever possible. In the 1970s there was an extremely popular book titled the late great planet earth which allegedly interpreted the book of revelation.
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. 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. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. John was a christian leader of jewish origin who was in exile on the roman prison island of patmos. This commentary has been through advanced checking. Book of revelation explained interpretation principles youtube.
Book of revelation overview church of jesus christ. This booklet contains vital understanding that will forever change your outlook on the future. The book of revelation explained in under 5 minutes youtube. At the same time they received the interpretation as to what those images or types were designed to represent teachings. Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. The book depicts him as the risen, glorified son of god ministering among the churches 1. It professes to be the record of prophetic visions given by jesus christ to john, while the latter was a prisoner, for the word of god and the testimony of jesus revelation 1. John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a.
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. And so what we have to realize is that in some interpretations of the book of revelationin fact most of themthe interpretation is created by bringing things into. It is most important to understand that the book of revelation does not list the scenes and events in the same order in which they will actually occur. The other mode of interpretation is what we might call a literalist mode, where it is assumed that at least some events in the book of revelation are literal historical events that have played. Understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation. This same method of interpretation can be applied to most of the imagery of revelation, from the four horsemen, to the dragon, to the bowls. This view maintains that the words in the entire book have. It will prepare you for the rest of the material contained here. Revelation the dragon pursuing a woman, from the bamberg apocalypse. Great prophecies in the book of revelation show how and when these catastrophic events will occur. Seven trumpets, the last three of which introduce three woes revelation 8. This is the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. The revelation is the only book in the nt mentioning john as author.
Apr 07, 2011 interpretation principles for the book of 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. Among the things found in this book was the idea that revelation was speaking about such things as the soviet union, nuclear attacks between the ussr and the us, etc. An apocalypse is a very specific kind of literature with no modern equivalent. 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. If you hang around long enough, youll quickly realize my theological perspective but just to make it easy, ill lay out the basics here. Its title is derived from the first word of the text, written in koine greek. For example, after reading revelation and the rest of scripture, the early christians summarized the end times as follows. Draper, understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation, shedding light on the new testament. The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. If you want to better understand the book of revelation and the end times. The following facts and principles of interpretation should be understood in order for one to arrive at a correct understanding of the book of revelation. This very powerful and dynamic teachingtool on the book of revelation shines a light on the symbolism and the mysteries of god. Revelation is first and foremost a revelation about jesus christ 1.
The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. A commentary of the book of revelation bible truth. The end times in revelation though revelation can be difficult to understand because it uses so many symbols, it actually provides a very simple description of the end times as the early christians noticed. 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. The radical discipleship interpretation asserts that the book of revelation is best understood as a handbook for radical discipleship. However someone else told me the catholic church does not claim to know what the book of revelation means.
Jun 17, 2018 the book of revelation explained takes you on a easy to understand and eyeopening journey through the book of revelation. Cayce revealed the book of revelation is the symbolic story of how humanity in general and a human being in particular attains this union with the divine. Doyle tries to clear up the confusion over the interpretation of the last book of the bible. Then go into each of the twenty two chapters of the book of revelation one by one.
Every statement is to be taken to mean for exactly what. The interpretation of revelation has always been a subject of debate among bible interpreters. Most believe that the book of revelation is sealed, closed from understanding. A 21st century interpretation of the book of revelation. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. Exploring the book of revelation, prophecy, and apocalyptic literature. 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. And i will never blot out his name from the book of life, but i will confess his name before my father and his angels. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. While there is only one old testament apocalyptic book daniel and one new. The book of revelation is the fulfilment of every biblical prophecy. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and lion. Understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation richard d. Five common misinterpretations of the book of revelation, the here are five of the most common fallacious statements propagated in the name of john the revelator.
And many religious people believe that the book of revelation offers no help anyway, because it cannot be understood. The book of revelation in the new testament has the literal title in greek, the apocalypse of john. It fittingly has the last place ending the scriptures and gods revelation to man. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation wikipedia. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on the book of revelation. And there has been much speculation about it some of it bordering on offthewall, but some of it serious and scholarly. In all its uses, revelation refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible. Part of book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet. An overview of revelation multimedia training kit covers the book of revelation verse by verse. However, its true meaning is an unveiling or revelation of things known only to god. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. 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.
He follows the directives of the second vatican councils constitution on divine revelation and. Reagans video program, revelation revealed, presents a sweeping overview of the entire book of revelation. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. A series of visions, each one leading into the next. The book of revelation explained takes you on a easy to understand and eyeopening journey through the book of revelation. 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. Truths about him and his final victory, that the rest of scripture merely allude to, become clearly visible through revelation about jesus christ see historical and theological themes. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre.
Book of revelation explained interpretation principles. The book of revelation bold type and underlining of scripture text have been added for emphasis your questions and comments are welcome note. And today we are talking about the book of revelation, a book that has several different interpretations and one that many. It cannot be understood without knowing the ot prophets ezekiel and daniel especially, nor without knowing the words of the lord jesus in matthew 24. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory. But god is working out a supreme master plan, involving every human being. This interpretive method robs revelation of any meaning for those to whom it was written. In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture.
He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to everything he saw. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some. The book of revelation is perhaps the most mysterious book in sacred scripture. 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. There are several other articles available on biblical interpretation. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation.