This summary of the book of revelation provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of revelation. The book of revelation is johns record of that vision revelation 1. The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some. A less wellknown historicist interpretation is the medieval churchs identification of the beast from the sea in revelation with the rise of islam. John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. John the divine, although the godgiven title is at the very beginning of the text, the revelation of. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and lion. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and. Dec 14, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of revelation, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory. Metaphysically, what does john, the writer of the book of revelation, represent. Is the modern interpretation of the book of revelation flawed. This view regards the book as a book on church history.
I have spoken with this deacon about the book of revelation and he wanted to be sure i understand the catholic churchs interpretation. The new world translation of the holy scriptures is published by jehovahs witnesses. In fact, the opening passage contains a blessing to everyone who reads, hears, and keeps the words of this prophecy. 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. This recognizes the progressive nature of revelation, that is the bible is giving more revelation on topics over time. Unlike most books of the bible, revelation contains its own title. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and lion ministries.
The angel wakes john from his reverie not only with these words, but with the promise of a full interpretation of the mystery of the woman and the beast v. The true message of the book is one of hope, looking ahead toward gods ultimate victory over evil. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. On the contrary, revelation intends to encourage its readers, using a type of literature that was common at the time it was written. Revelation 17 commentary the angels interpretation. Historical bible study doesnt treat revelation as a cosmology textbook. 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. As the final book of the bible, revelation brings together a number of lines of prophetic truth which run parallel throughout the old and new testaments, but, apart from the book of revelation, they find no complete prophetic fulfillment. 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. A 21st century interpretation of the book of revelation.
Can we use that logic when were understanding revelations in the bible. Mar 19, 2019 the book of revelation is by far one of the most challenging books in the bible, yet well worth the effort to study and comprehend. According to ladd, theology, 671, the preterist interpretation rests partly on the assumption that the genre of revelation is very similar to other jewish apocalyptic literature such as the apocalypse of enoch, the assumption of moses, 4 ezra and baruch and is therefore interpreted similarly. Interpretation must be distinguished from application. 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. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. This is the holy book of revelation, known as the revelation of st. Interpretation bible studies ibs offers solid biblical content in a. In it, john 1 talks about the ultimate defeat of evil and the glorious return and reign of the lord jesus christ. When a symbol is used, always look for the literal meaning behind it. Revelation 1, new international version niv the bible app. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope.
The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. Watch our overview video on the book of revelation, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. This is because we are convinced of the golden rule of interpretation as the key to properly understanding gods revelation. The book of revelation doesnt mean what you think theres more to understanding this ancient book than you realize. Historicists take it as describing the long chain of events from patmos to the end of history. 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. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. Revelation 1 gnv the revelation of saint john the bible. The interpreters of revelation are divided into three main schools. Louis brighton and the online commentary the book of revelation. In all its uses, revelation refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible.
The real meaning of the bible s book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. The bible is the word of god given in the words of men in history. 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. Revelation 1 1599 geneva bible gnv the revelation of saint john the apostle. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. Thus the interpretation of chapter 20 of the book of revelation may be undertaken primarily by applying authoritative bahai interpretations of similar prophetic texts, especially of other passages of the book of revelation itself. However someone else told me the catholic church does not claim to know what the book of revelation means. Each page of scripture is from the king james bible, and is immediately followed by the meaning of that scripture. The idealist interpretation could also be called the symbolic or spiritual interpretation. The interpretation of revelation has always been a subject of debate among bible interpreters. There are several other articles available on biblical interpretation. This is the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ.
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. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to everything he saw. In revelation, johns visions reveal that jesus has overcome evil by. What is the idealist interpretation of the book of revelation. Because the book of revelation says that angels stand on the earths four corners. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. The interpretation bible commentary series is one of the best available and eugene borings contribution in his book. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to everything he sawthat is, the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. Reagans book, wrath and glory, covers the book of revelation chapter by chapter. We believe in the futurist interpretation of the book of revelation.
Revelation 1 metaphysical bible interpretation truthunity. Youll find four major interpretive approaches to the book of revelation that can. Even if you dont understand it, the best rule of thumb is to just accept the plain sense meaning. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation wikipedia. The book of revelation is one of the most encouraging books of the new testament. Revelation niv bible the dragon stood on the shore of. It fittingly has the last place ending the scriptures and gods revelation to man. This web site explains the book of revelation, each individual scripture. Preterists understand the book exclusively in terms of its firstcentury setting, claiming that most of its events have already taken place.
A commentary of the book of revelation bible truth. This view maintains that the words in the entire book have almost been fulfilled. This view maintains that the words in the entire book have. An apocalypse is a very specific kind of literature with no modern equivalent.
Reagans video program, revelation revealed, presents a sweeping overview of the entire book of revelation. Then go into each of the twenty two chapters of the book of revelation one by one. But one must start by interpreting the old testament text in its context before a new testament consideration is made. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. John was a christian leader of jewish origin who was in exile on the roman prison island of patmos. Only johns gospel and revelation refer to jesus christ as the word 19. In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture. 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. Lesson interpretation what is the general theme of the book of revelation. Interpretation of the book 1 this book is a part of the. This page is an indepth bible study of the book of revelation based on the concordia commentary of revelation by dr. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation. Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator.
The theme of the book of revelation is the redemption and the ascension of man from the natural to the divine plane of existence. Four times the author identifies himself as john 1. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john. 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. An overview of revelation multimedia training kit covers the book of revelation verse by verse. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. Another key to understanding the book of revelation, a very important key, is to accept the plain sense meaning of each passage. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it.
The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. It will prepare you for the rest of the material contained here. This is true of all written communication where the desire of the author is to. The apocryphal books are included in later copies of the. An integrated digital bible study library including complete notes from the niv study bible and the nkjv macarthur study bible is just a step away. Historicism has produced many different, and often conflicting, interpretations of. 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. A wellknown illustration of an historicist reading of the book of revelation is the reformation identification of the harlot babylon in revelation 17 with the roman catholic church and the papacy. What is the idealist interpretation of the book of. It can perhaps be best understood in distinction from the other major interpretations of revelation.
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