An apocalyptic letter, it relies on visions, symbols, and old testament references to reveal the ultimate fulfillment of gods promise given to abraham in genesis. 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. Seven trumpets, the last three of which introduce three woes revelation 8. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. The comforting promise of revelation when you are certain of your future, then you can concentrate on your present. Revelation doesnt mean what many readers think it does. Most christians believe that the book of revelation refers to events which are to take place in the future, but this view may be only partially right. The revelation of jesus christ was given to john by god to show his servants what must soon take place. Have you ever wondered what the book of revelation is all about.
The scripture reveals many terrible events that will supposedly precede the second coming of christ, including plagues, earthquakes and locust swarms. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator. We have record of jesus actually writing only one thing during his time on earth, and that was when he bent down and wrote with his finger on the ground when they brought to him the woman taken in adultery. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. The first thing that we should do is to follow the directions of our government and medical experts. The book of revelation is addressed to believers, his servants, of the churches in seven cities of the roman province of asia. In the first chapter, the risen and exalted christ is speaking to john. I think that the key to the book of revelation is that it has an incredibly ornate and lush imagery. While covid19 is likely not one of the seven last plagues of revelation, nor a sign of the end times, it is still very real. This little book is a wonderful resource for teachers, pastors, and all who want to gain a better understanding of the book of revelation. I believe the clear purpose of revelation is exactly what it says it is.
The bibles book of revelation is basically a fever dream of epic. The book of revelation is the final book of the bible in which john the apostle outlined his visions of the end times. The book of revelation tries to pinpoint that time. The book is also written to all believers everywhere. The meaning of the book of revelation can seem confusing to the average reader. Revelation the dragon pursuing a woman, from the bamberg apocalypse. Revelation 22, english standard version 2016 esv the. This book is filled with mysteries about things to come. The apocalyptic book of revelation uses symbols and old testament references to reveal a pattern of human rebellion and gods plan to overcome evil forever and create a new world. The rapture is the hope of the new testament, just as the revelation of christ was the hope of the old testament. On to try a book that actually gives some real insight into revelation.
Revelation is first and foremost a book from jesus about. Some general comments about the book of revelation and its uniqueness. Was the book of revelation based on real visions or was it just a fake literary adaptation ripoff from the hebrew prophetic wrrtings and psalms i. The phrasing itself also helps to differentiate between the gospel and epistle of john on the one hand and the book of revelation on the other. Professor of new testament, lancaster theological seminary. This is the apocalyptic vision which the biblical book of revelation says will come to pass, according to the understanding of many christians. In the book s last chapter god reiterates that his words were given to reveal and not to be sealed revelation 22. The theme of the book is the events leading up to the jesus second coming. A series of visions, each one leading into the next.
But without the time you dont know the political events that will be in play making the book of revelation nonsense. In this interview, thomas schreiner discusses the book of revelation. The book of revelation was written to seven churches as both encouragement and challenge. Much of the book tells of horrendous events that will occur as satan tries to destroy gods people and all creation.
The book of revelation is this genres most glorious example. The throne room and the scroll with seven seals rev. In all its uses, revelation refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible. 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. God reveals a basic framework for understanding future events. There are a total of 66 books in our bible, but there is only one book that promises some kind of a special blessing for those who will attempt to try and read it and keep the words, revelation, and knowledge that is contained in it and that one book is the very last book of the bible, the book of revelation. Revelation is the finale of the entire bible bringing gods word to a dramatic conclusion. John was a christian leader of jewish origin who was in exile on the roman prison island of patmos. The time for understanding the book of revelation is now at hand. But notice the verses in matthew 24 and mark, warn specifically of the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place where it ought not, as spoken of by the prophet daniel daniel 11. Three angels broadcasting network 3abn 3,018,451 views. The book of revelation was written by a disciple of john the apostle, john the elder, on the isle of patmos which used the sacred mushroom to. Those churches were in ephesus, smyrna, pergamum, thyatira, sardis, philadephia, and laodicea.
Even through all of this there is a clear structure. The author was probably a christian from ephesus known as john the elder. 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 book of revelation, the last book of the bible, has fascinated and puzzled christians for centuries. In this view, revelation is a sort of crystal ball that gives a timeline of literal future events. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the. He reflects on the best way to approach the book when studying it for the first time, explains what the mark of the beast is really all about, and offers words of counsel and encouragement for pastors hesitant to preach through revelation in their churches.
This framework is primarily laid out in daniel and revelation. The book of revelation is johns record of that vision revelation 1. The book of revelation is the most important book in the bible because it is the revelation of jesus christ about his return. It declares divine truths, predicts events that had not yet occurred at the time it was written, and some of the events it describes are still yet to be fulfilled. The book of revelation is a prophetic book 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. The clear purpose of revelation love worth finding with. What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory. And the book of revelation will complete the revelation of.
The vision which opens the book and the verse that organizes it. The book of revelation victory, christs reign, eternity the book of revelation demonstrates gods almighty infinite love, power, sovereignty, and truth. It gives a helpful and sometimes humorous overview of the various positions expounded in the remainder of the book, and it offers a valuable apology for the. Seven bowls, each containing a plague representing a divine judgment to be poured out on. The book of revelation, often called the book of revelations, revelation to john, the apocalypse of john, the revelation, or simply revelation, the revelation of jesus christ from its opening words or the apocalypse, is the final book of the new testament, and therefore also the final book of the christian bible. A simple outline for the book of revelation is found in revelation 1. Are we to take prophecies literally or allegorically. 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. The book of revelation explained in under 5 minutes youtube.
You encounter these fantastic figures who play some role in the drama of the end, whether it be. In the first verse of the book, the apostle john recorded christs words, the revelation of jesus christto show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. And as christians, we need to respond appropriately to it. Daniel, recorded 600 years earlier, sets the stage for the larger and more detailed book of revelation, which describes many events nowhere else in the bible. Is coronavirus one of the plagues in the book of revelation. Summary in the book of revelation, the apocalyptic hopes of the early christian community find their clearest and most complete expression. The book of revelation closes with the bright and morning star, which is a figure of christ at his coming to take the church out of the world. Is the author speaking of past events or future events. Understanding who is the actual author of the revelationand understanding the critically important theme. There are references to martyrdom and persecution in the book of revelation, but to what extent there was a real roundup of christians going on is a matter of some debate. The book of revelation is difficult to understand and inspires a wide range of questions, especially since there are many. The apocalyptic book of revelation is a symbolic glimpse. It is the final warning that the world will surely end and judgment will be.
The book of revelation was likely written between a. Revelation offered a victory over this reality by offering an apocalyptic hope. The first two are written not only without errors in the greek, but also with real skill with respect to vocabulary, logic, and coherence of meaning. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. The book of revelation was written sometime around 96 ce in asia minor. The key to understanding is the mysterious book of revelation is comprehending its story flow. Christ tells john to write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. We dont know why john was exiled to patmos, but it may have been for refusing to worship the roman emperor domitian. The seven churches of revelation were real, physical congregations when the apostle john wrote this bewildering last book of the bible around 95 ad, but many scholars believe the.