It is, of course, the cryptic symbolism of revelation that makes it challenging to understand. The key to understanding is the mysterious book of revelation is comprehending its story flow. You thought revelation was about the end of the world. Although its visions often seem bizarre to the western reader, fortunately the book provides a number of clues for its own interpretation e. The church is warned about sin and exhorted to holiness. 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. This book is highly recommended to those wanting a better understanding of the book of revelation, but who do not want an overly academic commentary.
For a broader view look at the comments in the right column. The book of revelation explained takes you on a easy to understand and eyeopening journey through the book of revelation. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. Understanding the seven trumpets of revelation gods purpose gods wrath and mercy during the seven trumpets if separated from the larger context of this book, this chapter could make god appear to be very cruel and unfairly harsh so. However, there are many other figures used that are not as clearly explained. Book of revelation apocalypse in the bible king james version. The holy scriptures start with a revelation on the past genesis 1 and they end with a revelation on the future. Nov 20, 2008 understanding the book of revelation is an excellent christian booklet with revelation bible charts that explain the symbols. The greek term denotes an unveiling or uncoveringthus, a 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 first blessing is in the first chapter of revelation in verse 3. Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the. 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. He gives a number of reasons why it is important for christians to understand the book of revelation.
We need to understand these descriptions in order to understand the book. Have you ever wondered what the book of revelation is all about. Keys to understanding revelation united church of god. In few other books of the bible is the ministry of angels so prominent. This interpretation, which has found expression among both catholic and.
God reveals a basic framework for understanding future events. Each page of scripture is from the king james bible, and is immediately followed by the meaning of that scripture. For one thing, montanism took very seriously this radical antiworldly stance that the book of revelation makes central to its understanding. 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. Understanding revelation waitara seventhday adventist church.
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. Book of revelation apocalypse in the bible king james version revelation is the final book in the holy bible. The book of revelation must be taken literal whenever possible. Jan 02, 2020 the book of revelation is understandable. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. Whether were looking for gospel meaning or struggling with understanding revelations in the bible, historical bible study can help us find our way. Understanding the book of revelation is an excellent christian booklet with revelation bible charts that explain the symbols.
Regardless of your background, gods message in the bible is not too difficult for you, nor is it far away. It here signifies an opening up of hidden knowledge to understanding. For personal study, i suggest you start at the beginning of a chapter or book. For example, the woman attacked by a dragon in revelation 12 has been identified in many different ways. Understanding revelations in the bible biblical archaeology. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. Read your own bible, the bible as quoted on this site, and my comments. 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. For an adequate understanding of revelation, the reader must recognize that it is a distinct kind of literature. The revelation is the only prophetic book of the nt and it is the keystone of the word of god. Revelation outlines a long series of events that relate. If you would like to learn how to understand the bible better, please visit us at. He also describes revelation as a window to gods plan for the world, having spent many years studying this book as a chronological presentation of gods revelation in jesus.
First, it was written to encourage believers to endure persecution and to persevere through suffering, knowing that the victory of christ over the world and the devil. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on the book of revelation. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. It is the final expression of and complement to the prophecies of the jewish prophets. The second is to uncritically follow someone elses arbitrary interpretation of all the details and hidden meanings of its passages. If you want to better understand the book of revelation and the end times. The apocalyptic book of revelation is a symbolic glimpse into.
Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it. In short, the book of revelation is arguably the most important book you will read in your life time. The one thing every christian should be doing but most. Unlike most books of the bible, revelation contains its own title. Then go into each of the twenty two chapters of the book of revelation one by one. 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. Whenever possible, the selfidentification in revelation should be used. The book of revelation is a revealing of jesus christ in glory. The real meaning of the bible s book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. 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 also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st.
The theme of the book is the events leading up to the jesus second coming. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. Oct 31, 2017 understanding the seven trumpets of revelation gods purpose gods wrath and mercy during the seven trumpets if separated from the larger context of this book, this chapter could make god appear to be very cruel and unfairly harsh so please read subsequent chapters as soon as possible. Most believe that the book of revelation is sealed, closed from understanding. This framework is primarily laid out in daniel and revelation.
The book of revelation explained in under 5 minutes youtube. The name of the book, revelation, is a translation of the title in the original new testament greek, apocalypsis the origin of the other name by which the book is now known, the apocalypse. Others think they understand the prophecies of the bibleand this is probably. Although prophecy is scattered all through the bible, two books focus almost entirely on symbolic representations. We find, however, a key verse which refutes this claim which states, the revelation of jesus christ, which god gave to him, to show to his servants the things that are ordained to come to pass shortly revelation 1.
White is professor of classics and christian origins at the university of texas at austin. This commentary has been through advanced checking. It will prepare you for the rest of the material contained here. 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. Many major entities and symbols in the book of revelation are introduced. 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 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. It provides ultimate assurance of salvation in christ. 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. Stay connected amidst social distancing receive weekly bible studies to share with family and friends. Revelation often seems bizarre and incomprehensible. It is the final revelation of god to mankind, and within its message, it completes the messages and prophecies of the past, and links it all into the events to unfold in the near future. Johns vivid pictures of worship in heaven both exhort and instruct believers. Recommended sites bible info questions with answers in major world languages. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some. Stay tuned, for todays lesson on, understanding revelation. The revelation of jesus christto show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. Includes definitions, symbols, ways of approaching the text, and different interpretations.
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. Revelation with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Understanding the book of revelation pdf download download. Chapters 48 co ver the truths precedi ng the seal series and the opening of the seven seals and are explained in the book of revelation e xplained. As mentioned before, the books very name means to reveal to unveil, to open to understanding what otherwise could not be comprehended. Jun 17, 2018 the book of revelation explained takes you on a easy to understand and eyeopening journey through the book of revelation. The book s second and third chapters contain vital warnings to the seven churches that existed in asia minor in the first century a. But understanding the apocalyptic genre, the history of the early christians, the persecutions. Understanding the book of revelation how can i do it.
Verse 2 what john writes in this book has no human origin. People have shied away from this book because of its use of symbolism and its cryptic references. Revelations primary theological contribution is to eschatology, i. Keys to understanding the book of revelation its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. The revelation is a very solemn book speaking much about divine judgments but it is also a. 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.
So if this book is revealing something, what exactly is being revealed. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. I still thought revelation was about the end of the world, right. Some believe the bible s last prophetic book is closed, meaning no one as yet can understand it. The book of revelation is the last book of the bible in our canon for good reason. Revelation reveals the events of the day of the lord revelation 1. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. The books second and third chapters contain vital warnings to the seven churches that existed in asia minor in the first century a. The bible is a history book, it tells the pastbut like no other history bookit tells the present and future just as clearly. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies.
Bible explained bible commentary study of each verse in. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. The book makes the bible understanding clear and distinctly identifies historical, the environmental factors not to be ignored during the readings of the ot, like agriculture being the most popular way of life, the proximal distances between the involved nationskingdoms, culture, traditions and so on, which when at the back of ones mind in. Understanding the book of revelation pamphlet is a basic guide to bible prophecy. By doing so, youll better understand this final book of the bibles new. The book of revelation explained by pastor allen nolan is a. Interpreting the symbolism in the book of revelation. Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator. God would not have given it to us if its meaning were entirely a mystery. Revelation uses many signs, or symbols, that are not to be understood literally revelation 1.
It should be the last book of the bible that anyone seeks to become an expert on. 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 book of revelation provides some of the keenest insights in scripture concerning the big picture of work. Revelation is apocalyptic, a kind of writing that is highly symbolic. Without a thorough understanding of the rest of scripture most of revelation will neither make sense nor be appropriately appreciated. The best understanding, however, can be found in other parts of scripture.