The author of the book of revelation, saint john the divine, offers a transcription of seven letters and later describes strange beasts, visions of judgments, governments, demonic battles, heaven, and a new world order a prophetic vision for the end of the world. The book of revelation is not a book of doom and gloom but rather the story of victory of the lamb of god and those who follow him. Begin your close study of the text of the apocalypse by looking behind the legends to surmise what can be said about its origins and author, identified only as john. This framework is primarily laid out in daniel and. Dalyrmples guide provides key principles in reading revelation responsibly.
Have an overall knowledge of the plan of salvation and of the nature. John often speaks of the judgment of israel and rome in the same way. The gospel of john is the latestwritten of the four biographies of jesus that have been preserved in the new testament. Try to discover the message to the original readers. In revelation, as in johns gospel and first epistle, the consciousnessofaworldconflict,aworldprocess,andaworldtriumph is manifest. It is the only book of the new testament classified as apocalyptic literature rather than didactic or historical. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. Keys to understanding revelation united church of god.
The book of revelation is not a book of doom and gloom but the victory of the lamb of god and those who follow him the overcomers. Ephesus, smyrna, pergamos, thyatira, sardis, philadelphia and laodicea 1. Revelation of john definition and meaning bible dictionary. John sees as each of the seven seals are opened, understanding the symbolism of the book and the seals is critical to understanding the book of revelation.
Understanding this basic theme is well and good, but most christians want to understand a little more than that. This danielic frame of reference is an integral part of the first key of knowledge for under standing johns apocalypse. In order to do so, the first question we must answer involves the kind of book with which we are dealing. The most popular has been that of john nelson darby 18001882, which is known as dispensationalism, a view made popular in england and america in the early xxth century through the publication of cyrus scofield 18431921. The original recipients of revelation were the believers in these seven churches. With these other writings being used as an interpretive tool, the understanding of revelation by its original recipients would have been much at variance with many of the current trends in understanding the book. The greek word translated to revelation is apokalypsis, so sometimes the book is called the apocalypse. Revelation to john, also called book of revelation or apocalypse of john, last book of the new testament. It is the only book of the new testament classified as apocalyptic literature rather than didactic or historical, indicating thereby its extensive use of visions, symbols, and allegory, especially in connection with future events. 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. Ministry magazine understanding the book of revelation. Solve the mystery of revelation through daniel and john. Johns vision influenced by past and present world empires, middle eastern gods and goddesses, and roman emperor worship miller, sandy on.
God reveals a basic framework for understanding future events. The book of revelation was written sometime around 96 ce in asia minor. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. Understanding the book of revelation 3 book series. Johns book can be difficult to read because it is full of symbols and because it jumps around in time, just like isaiah and daniel. Know that the book of revelation deals with things that are to occur after new testament times. 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. Follow the lamb goes a long way in helping the student of revelation grasp its richness and heed its exhortations. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. Richard booker helps you understand the book of revelation by explaining johns vision within its intriguing original historical, literary, and biblical context. Watch our overview video on the book of revelation, which breaks down.
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. Johns revelation reveals the mystery of coming events on christians in the first century and how these events affect christians today. Desilva, this new version of breaking the code, updated edition includes updates based on current biblical research, while keeping the essential insights of the original book. Liked is not really the right word for this book that was so incredibly informative joseph smith said that this was one of the easiest of books to understand along with the book of isaiah. The key to understanding is the mysterious book of revelation is comprehending its story flow. John sees a vision of the risen, ascended and glorified jesus christ, whom he describes as one like the son of man. The book of revelation doesnt mean what you think theres more to understanding this ancient book than you realize. The imagery, scenes, and symbols of revelation have instigated a. In my judgment the gospel of john ranks far ahead of those of matthew, mark, or luke. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. Every generation needs the assurance that ultimately caesar is not lord. If you have already fallen in love with johns presentation of the. Since the death of stephen in acts 7, the jewish temple authorities had been waging a violent war against the. Brother draper explains the symbolism of johns writings, the historical setting in which the work was written, and gives an analysis of the message of the book of revelation.
Take revelation seriously, but dont always take it literally. The theme of the book is the events leading up to the jesus second coming. 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. For one thing, it is highly unlikely that the original readers had access to the entire corpus which came to be recognized as the canon of scripture, thereby lacking perhaps the most important key to understanding some of the symbols in the book of revelation. Under these conditions, a christian named john wrote revelation.
Also examine the peculiar quality of johns greek, which is not apparent in most translations. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. Sometimes today christians are confronted with an absolute choice between caesar or christ, and it was to encourage people in times like these that the revelation was written. Keys to understanding the book of revelation audiobook on. Understanding the book of revelations the history of the. Dont try to discover a strict chronological map of future events. The book of revelation often called the book of revelations, 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.
Understanding the book of revelation is a timely book as we approach the twentyfirst century. Understanding the book of revelation elder bruce r. 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. First published in 1909, it came to be known as the scofield reference bible. Revelation to john, last book of the new testament. The book of revelation is johns record of that vision revelation 1. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. The book of revelation is not a book of doom and gloom but the victory of the lamb of god and those who follow himthe overcomers. Johns immediate audience would have been people familiar with the book of daniel. The revelation of jesus christ, which god gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. In these chapters god tells us what eternity with him will be like. If this choice experience is yet ahead for you, the day and hour is here to launch one of the most intriguing and rewarding studies in.
In chapter one john records having seen jesus christ himself. But the problem for many today is that they have no idea what the book means or how to determine what it means. Backing up and looking at this great book from a distance reveals that it is obviously a book of encouragement, perseverance and hope to an oppressed people. In short, like many of the old testament prophetic books, the prophetic book of revelation concerns the imminent judgment of israel, the coming judgment of a foreign oppressor of gods people rome, and the ultimate restoration. The first readers of johns revelation were engaged in a life and death struggle against the forces of evil who were committed to their annihilation.
References and symbolism used in revelation are understood when viewing them through he lens of daniel. The things john had already seen are recorded in chapter 1. 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. Understanding the book of revelation 7 historical context it was a dark time for the church. Use various latterday revelations which expand upon the same subjects in similar. Paul spilsburys book is a close runnerup for my go to book for an introduction to revelation.
An archaeologist and two assistants discover symbols from the book of revelation on the walls of an ancient room. 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. Summary in the book of revelation, the apocalyptic hopes of the early christian community. As mentioned before, the books very name means to reveal to unveil, to open to understanding what otherwise could not be comprehended. The things seen and heard during this experience are the things which thou hast seen. The return of jesus is contemplated in relation to the enlarged environment in which christianity stood. Christ tells john to write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. The book of revelation can be divided into these three distinct categories. Bauckhams book will guide you into a richer understanding of the symbolism and their significance and literary art of johns prophetic imagination. From nephis vision, we learn that johns writings are primarily about that which is future to us. The book itself reveals that the author was a jew, well versed in scripture, a. Seeing the book of revelation as a book of revelation. The events of revelation are split into two important time periods.
There are differences in style between revelation and johns other writings, but they are insignificant and do not preclude one man from writing both. In many bible colleges and seminaries, there are courses called daniel and revelation, because its commonly accepted that a thorough knowledge of the book of daniel is critical to rightly understanding johns book of revelation. Jesus is portrayed in this vision as having a robe with a golden sash, white hair, eyes like blazing fire, feet like bronze and a voice like rushing waters. Understanding the book of revelation judaicaworld archives. If you have already fallen in love with johns presentation of the plan of salvation as it is set out in the apocalypse, you are one of the favored few in the church. In the first chapter, the risen and exalted christ is speaking to john. Johns vision of the son of man is described in the scriptural revelation 1. Many of the books original readers were still alive during the lifetimes of justin martyr and irenaeus, both of who held to apostolic authorship. A simple outline for the book of revelation is found in revelation 1. Marvin payne perhaps no book in all scripture has generated more questions or stimulated more discussion than the book of revelation.
The time for understanding the book of revelation is now at hand. Fortunately, these were two of the topics addressed by the prophet in doctrine and. Revelation is where all the old testament lines of prophecy converge, but a good understanding of the initial framework set forth in daniel is critical. In revelation, johns visions reveal that jesus has overcome evil by. In the book s last chapter god reiterates that his words were given to reveal and not to be sealed revelation 22. Mcconkie one of our most fascinating exercises in scriptural interpretation is to study the book of revelation, to ponder its truths, and to discoverto our surprise and amazementwhat this commonly misunderstood work is all about. John was told to write down what he saw in a book and to send it to seven churches in the province of asia western asia minor. Written by a christian named john, the contents of the book indicate quite clearly that the author was not the john who was one of the twelve disciples of jesus, for it contains no direct personal references of the type that one would expect from an intimate. Understanding the book of revelation prophecy and truth. This message will examine the endurance and hope of the revelation to john. In bruce metzgers book, breaking the code, he unraveled the symbolism and messages of hope found in the book of revelation for the nontheological reader.