Religious studies center, brigham young university, 2009, 27189. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. Understanding the book of revelation september 4, 2015 rob dalrymple. This framework is primarily laid out in daniel and revelation. The book of revelation is a book many people read but few truly understand.
In the book s last chapter god reiterates that his words were given to reveal and not to be sealed revelation 22. A guide for understanding by vern sheridan poythress prepared for use with the course nt 311, general epistles and revelation, at westminster. It provides ultimate assurance of salvation in christ. Understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation. It is important to apply proper bible study methods also called hermeneutics to understand revelation. Keys to understanding revelation united church of god. Franciscan father stephen doyle provides a catholic commentary on the book of revelation and explains that todays people do not understand what the author of revelation is talking about. 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. We find, however, a key verse which refutes this claim which. Patheos explore the worlds faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. Draper, understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation, shedding light on the new testament. 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.
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 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. The time for understanding the book of revelation is now at hand. Some believe the bibles last prophetic book is closed, meaning no one as yet can understand it. The book of revelation was written sometime around. Many people think that it is a chronological record of events from start to finish and that the entirety of revelation is prophecy. I thought it might be useful to give seven principles for helping understand the book of revelation taken from the book, the triumph of the lamb by dennis johnson. 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. Keys to understanding the book of revelation its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. The one thing every christian should be doing but most are not. 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. People have shied away from this book because of its use of symbolism and its cryptic references.
Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. The theme of the book is the events leading up to the jesus second coming. In short, the book of revelation is arguably the most important book you will read in your life time. For our purposes now, let us use the question and answer method to give an overview of what this unknown book, revelation, is all about. Understanding the book of revelation rob dalrymple. Understanding the book of revelation pdf download download. This can assist in determining which aspects are literal and which are figurative. Symbolic language, however, is one of the chief characteristics of apocalyptic literature, of which this book is an.
Nov 20, 2008 understanding the book of revelation is an excellent christian booklet with revelation bible charts that explain the symbols. This page is for those who are diligent in learning gods truth in what is known as the most difficult book of the bible. Revelation uses many signs, or symbols, that are not to be understood literally revelation 1. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. As mentioned before, the books very name means to reveal to unveil, to open to understanding what otherwise could. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on the book of revelation. 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 real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular.
Yet it is a tough nut to crack, not only because of its intrinsic difficulty but because of the myriad interpretations that have grown up around the book. Applying the best available sources of commentary from a variety of scholars, donald and jay parry show that the book of revelation is meant for us to understand and that it is possible to understand it. Understanding the book of revelation is a timely book as we approach the twentyfirst century. It is, of course, the cryptic symbolism of revelation that makes it challenging to understand. 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. These titles come from the greek word apokalupsis meaning disclosure or revelation used in the first verse of the first chapter. Franciscan father stephen doyle provides a catholic commentary on the book of revelation and explains that todays people do not understand what. Like all books of the bible, revelation was written in a particular time and place. Introduction revelation is a confusing book to most people despite the many commentaries written. The books second and third chapters contain vital warnings to the seven churches that existed in asia minor in the first century a.
The title thus conveys the idea of uncovering or revealing. 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. Revelation is apocalyptic, a kind of writing that is highly symbolic. According to some, and i am relieved that it has only been a few, covid19 is proof that the plagues of the book of revelation, in particular the seven seals of revelation 6. What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory. The book of revelation explained in under 5 minutes youtube. Domitian is no longer viewed as a despot imposing an imperial cult, and it is no longer believed that there was any systematic empirewide persecution of christians in his time. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. The reason most commentaries fail to enlighten the books contents is because they violate one or more of the three basic principles of sound biblical interpretation. The key to understanding is the mysterious book of revelation is comprehending its story flow.
Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. God reveals a basic framework for understanding future events. Sep 04, 2015 understanding the book of revelation september 4, 2015 rob dalrymple. Many major entities and symbols in the book of revelation are introduced. The book of revelation is notoriously difficult to understand. The book of revelation provides some of the keenest insights in scripture concerning the big picture of work. One of our most fascinating exercises in scriptural interpretation. I used this book to help guide our youth group through the book of revelation and we learned a lot. Before we can understand this book we must have one thing clearly lodged in our minds. In order to understand the time line of events in revelation, it is important to understand how the book of revelation is structured.
Its often the book of the bible that christians, pastors, and seminaries have the most trouble understanding. Unlike most books of the bible, revelation contains its own title. 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. The revelation of jesus christto show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. God would not have given it to us if its meaning were entirely a mystery.
But skip heitzig, the dynamic senior pastor at calvary of albuquerqueone of the nations largest churchesis eager to bring clarity to the mystery of revelation and share why its an important, relevant, and exciting book to explore. Are the seven seals of the book of revelation unfolding. Understanding the book of revelation home facebook. Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. Understanding the book of revelation prophecy and truth. Understanding the book of revelation is an excellent christian booklet with revelation bible charts that explain the symbols. A guide for understanding by vern sheridan poythress prepared for use with the course nt 311, general epistles and revelation, at westminster theological seminary, philadelphia version 2. 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. In all its uses, revelation refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible. In revelation the message is that god is coming to judge and. He gives a number of reasons why it is important for christians to understand the book of revelation. Jan 02, 2020 in these chapters god tells us what eternity with him will be like. Although its visions often seem bizarre to the western reader, fortunately the book provides a number of clues for its own interpretation e. 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.
Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet basic structure of the book of revelation. Book of revelation explained scripture by 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. The last book of the bible is titled the revelation of jesus christ. As mentioned before, the books very name means to reveal to unveil, to open to understanding what otherwise could not be comprehended. Like the books of prophecy in the old testament, revelation proclaims a message. Includes definitions, symbols, ways of approaching the text, and different interpretations. White is professor of classics and christian origins at the university of texas at austin, and acted as historical consultant for apocalypse. It is often shortened to revelation or the apocalypse. Understanding the book of revelation pamphlet is a basic guide to bible prophecy. This commentary has been through advanced checking. 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.
A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. Over the centuries, the church has presented countless interpretations and. Conventional understanding until recent times was that the book of revelation was written to comfort beleaguered christians as they underwent persecution at the hands of a megalomaniacal roman emperor, but much of this has now been jettisoned. How to understand the book of revelation without feeling dumb.
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