Know that the book of revelation deals with things that are to occur after new testament times. Keys to understanding the book of revelation its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. Understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation. Lines are being drawn between what gods word teaches us and the secular approach to understand this world based on mans ability. 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.
Yet most people believe that this final book of the bible cannot be understood at allthat its language and symbols are too confusing to make sense. The fundamental message of the book of revelation is. Revelation means an unveiling, a disclosure, a display of who god is and what he promises to do. Revelation reveals the events of the day of the lord revelation 1. Paul spilsburys book is a close runnerup for my go to book for an introduction to revelation. Marvin payne perhaps no book in all scripture has generated more questions or stimulated more discussion than the book of revelation. A study of the book of revelation 1 understanding the parenthetical periods of the book of revelation read revelation 7 the seventh chapter of revelation is the first parenthetical passage of the book. Over the centuries, the church has presented countless interpretations and theories about the meaning and significance of this. And no other book of the bible promises blessings to those who read it, hear it and take to heart what is written in it. God would not have given it to us if its meaning were entirely a mystery. Ben witherington iii, author of the following article, asking the right question, once hitched a ride from a couple who believed the earth was flat. Understanding the parenthetical periods of the book of. I wanted to share it with all of you, because this was significant in helping me to properly understand what the word of god has to say about this controversial subject and because students of bible prophecy absolutely love charts and timelines. Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator.
The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. The book of revelation is a revelation, the revelation of jesus christ 1. Understanding the book of revelation kindle edition by rose. In short, the book of revelation is arguably the most important book you will read in your life time.
One of our most fascinating exercises in scriptural. God reveals a basic framework for understanding future events. Understanding the book of revelation kindle edition by. Understanding the book of revelation pamphlet is a basic guide to bible prophecy. Decoding the bibles most mysterious book, jimmy akin unlocks the secrets of revelation so that anyone can understand them. Revelation gives a birds eye view of the entire sweep of christian church history. The book of revelation is the last book of the bible in our canon for good reason. 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 key to understanding is the mysterious book of revelation is comprehending its story flow. Jul 31, 2015 many people have assumed that the book of revelation is just impossible to understand. 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. Many people have assumed that the book of revelation is just impossible to understand.
It comes from my lutheran study bible and includes both a brief summary of the book of revelation and a handy charttimeline. Jun 01, 2019 the book of revelation is notoriously difficult to understand. It is the final expression of and complement to the prophecies of the jewish prophets. Without a thorough understanding of the rest of scripture most of revelation will neither make sense nor be appropriately appreciated. In the first chapter, the risen and exalted christ is speaking to john. Understanding the book of revelation part 14 youtube. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. Over the centuries it has been one of the worlds most misunderstood and misinterpreted books. 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.
What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory. Whether were looking for gospel meaning or struggling with understanding revelations in the bible, historical bible study can help us find our way. This view also ignores revelations prophetic character and, if carried to its logical conclusion, severs the book from any connection with actual historical events. Like the books of prophecy in the old testament, revelation proclaims a message. Know that the book of revelation deals with things that are to occur after new testament times, particularly in the last days. It should be the last book of the bible that anyone seeks to become an expert on. Keys to understanding the book of revelation audiobook on. We are living in an increasing tumultuous and difficult world. 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. Includes definitions, symbols, ways of approaching the text, and different interpretations. It here signifies an opening up of hidden knowledge to understanding. 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. The book of revelation is placed last in the bible for good reason.
Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. A fun and fascinating way to learn about the book of revelation. Daniel, recorded over 600 years earlier, sets the stage for the larger and more detailed book of revelation, which describes events found nowhere else in the bible. The foundations and pillars ministry 1204 besstown rd beersheba springs tn 37305. However, today we will explain the keys to unlocking the treasures of this mysterious book.
Sep 30, 2015 bauckhams book will guide you into a richer understanding of the symbolism and their significance and literary art of johns prophetic imagination. This interpretive method robs revelation of any meaning for those to whom it was written. It is, of course, the cryptic symbolism of revelation that makes it challenging to understand. People have shied away from this book because of its use of symbolism and its cryptic references. Jan 02, 2020 the book of revelation is understandable. 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 book of revelation must be taken literal whenever possible. A simple outline for the book of revelation is found in revelation 1. 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. Bauckhams book will guide you into a richer understanding of the symbolism and their significance and literary art of johns prophetic imagination. The lord has revealed many things about the second coming, which is the major theme in revelation. This first parenthetical passage is inserted here, between the sixth and seventh seal, and. Above all, my advice is that you only seek the answers to these questions through the holy spirit enjoy. As mentioned before, the books very name means to reveal to unveil, to open to understanding what otherwise could not be comprehended. For an adequate understanding of revelation, the reader must recognize that it is a distinct kind of literature.
Use various latterday revelations which expand upon the same subjects in similar. John is both satirizing romes decadence and sounding its death knell. The new testament includes books that are biographies, histories, letters, sermons, and one book of apocalyptic prophecy. It comes packed with almost two hours of eyeopening material that paints an entirely different picture of the book of revelation and what it is all about, covering topics like. Nov 20, 2008 understanding the book of revelation is an excellent christian booklet with revelation bible charts that explain the symbols. The key to understanding the book of revelation is to interpret it as literally as possibleit says what it means and means what it says. The revelation of jesus christto show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. The book s second and third chapters contain vital warnings to the seven churches that existed in asia minor in the first century a. When the books of daniel and revelation are better understood, believers will have an entirely different religious experience. The book of revelation was written sometime around 96 ce in asia minor. It should be understood that this writer has spoken to those concerned, and has discussed their interpretations with them at some length. In revelation the message is that god is coming to judge and.
Christ tells john to write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. Keys to understanding the book of revelation audiobook on cd. The things john had already seen are recorded in chapter 1. Oct 15, 2014 use scriptures and prophetic revelations that are more easily understood. Decipher the most mysterious and controversial of all biblical worksthe book of revelationsin this spellbinding course by an. However, today we will explain the keys to unlocking the treasures of. Every statement is to be taken to mean for exactly what is written unless such interpretation is highly improbable to spiritual reason, or against scripture elsewhere. Understanding daniel and the revelation plus supplementary material by p. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation.
The book is not a concealment, a puzzle, a riddle, as some people think. Understanding the book of revelation the book of revelation is an exciting yet often misunderstood book in the bible. Although its visions often seem bizarre to the western reader, fortunately the book provides a number of clues for its own interpretation e. Draper, understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation, shedding light on the new testament. Temple second edition 2011 thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Over the centuries, the church has presented countless interpretations and. Like all books of the bible, revelation was written in a particular time and place. But recognizing this comes from understanding how to read this kind of apocalyptic. Understanding the book of revelation pdf download download. Outline for this study of the book of revelationpages 1, 2, and top of page 3. The theme of the book is the events leading up to the jesus second coming. Keys to understanding revelation united church of god.
The author was probably a christian from ephesus known as john the elder. In this view, the book contains neither historical allusions nor predictive prophecy. Here are brief definitions of the four major interpretive approaches. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. Parker in their new book, the book of revelation made clear published by thomas nelson publishers brings us a downtoearth guide to understanding the most mysterious book of the bible. Understanding revelations in the bible biblical archaeology society. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. This framework is primarily laid out in daniel and revelation. Wilton says it is critical that christians understand the book of revelation.
Revelation is a source of hope and encouragement for christians because the book tells about the triumphant return of our lord, jesus christ. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. Revelation uses many signs, or symbols, that are not to be understood literally revelation 1. Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. Conventional understanding until recent times was that the book of revelation was written to comfort beleaguered christians as they underwent persecution at. Have an overall knowledge of the plan of salvation and of the nature. Don is an amazingly thorough writer with a hebraic scholars understanding of the culture and language used as well as a solid spiritual foundation that he writes from. Revelation is apocalyptic, a kind of writing that is highly symbolic. This revelation was given to him by god the father. 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.
Two literary forms useful for understanding johns metaphor are satire and the obituary. Revelations an appeal for right understanding foreward. Revelation outlines a long series of events that relate. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. Understanding the book of revelation brother john reveals. This book has perplexed readers for almost 2,000 years. The time for understanding the book of revelation is now at hand. Therefore, reading other scriptural materials will increase your understanding of subjects found in johns apocalypse. Understanding the book of revelation is an excellent christian booklet with revelation bible charts that explain the symbols. Easy to understand guide to the book of revelations with sound. Decipher the most mysterious and controversial of all biblical works the book of revelations in this spellbinding course by an acclaimed professor. The book of revelation is notoriously difficult to understand. Revelation then becomes merely a collection of stories designed to teach spiritual truth.