The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. But god is working out a supreme master plan, involving every human being. John, which is a crytic and mystical scripture at the very end of the christian bible. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture.
Each page of scripture is from the king james bible, and is immediately followed by the meaning of that scripture. It will prepare you for the rest of the material contained here. What this school said was too idealistic to be accepted by orthodox bible interpreters. This letter does not specify the other scriptures, nor does the term all scripture in 2 timothy indicate which writings were or would be breathed out by god and useful for teaching, since it does not preclude later works, such as the book of revelation and the epistles of john may have been.
A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some. Over the centuries, the church has presented countless interpretations and. Revelation speaks of things that are already history. Each judgment is progressively worse and culminates in the battle of armageddon, the defeat of the world. Revelation is apocalyptic, a kind of writing that is highly symbolic. The revelation is a very solemn book speaking much about divine judgments but it is also a.
The book of revelation is outlined with a sequence of four sets of symbols. Revelation with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. All the symbolic languages are interpreted and are used to prove that nothing is hiddenthe four beasts with six wings, the beast with seven heads and ten horns, the woman clothed with the sun with the moon under her feet and upon her head. Bible for many christians, yet one of the most difficult books to understand. The classical historicist view of the vision of the angel with the little book, in revelation 10, represents the protestant reformation and the printing of bibles in the common languages. For an adequate understanding of revelation, the reader must recognize that it is a distinct kind of literature. Few biblical topics have captured the imagination of contemporary evangelicals like the book of revelation. You will start understanding the book of revelation.
The adventists take a unique view applying it to the millerite movement. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory. Jun 17, 2018 the book of revelation explained takes you on a easy to understand and eyeopening journey through the book of revelation. The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. Revelation chapter 12 contains a description of a woman, who is clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars atop her head. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. You will find references all through the bible to help us understand the interpretation. Revelation chapter explained book of revelation each. There are several other articles available on biblical interpretation. Lets look at the characteristics of each horsemen and how they all play an important role in the end times from the bible book of revelation.
The revelation is the only prophetic book of the nt and it is the keystone of the word of god. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. Please dont be deceived by those people who come along and say, the book of revelation is apocalyptic. We purposely give very little interpretation of johns metaphors, except as is made available in the book of revelation. Each symbol is used to describe gods judgment upon sinful christ rejecting men and women of the earth. Third, the book seeks to unite all the various lines of biblical prophecy both old and new testaments, and to show how they converge upon the second coming of christ to rule the earth in his messianic kingdom. Yet the book of revelation need not remain closed, at least for latterday saints who accept modern revelation.
This time having been fulfilled, starting with the end of the jewish diaspora and the first aliyah in the year 1882, the meaning and true interpretation of revelation was simultaneously brought to light by makrakis that very same year. Of all the books in the bible, the book of revelation is one of the most difficult to understand. Consequently, there are a wide variety of interpretations about the meaning of the book, particularly in the traditional christian world. Also the list of symbols used and their interpretation, and the numerology of revelation. John, identified as one who bore witness to the word of god, and to the testimony of jesus christ 1. John was a christian leader of jewish origin who was in exile on the roman prison island of patmos. However, with just a few tips for understanding certain confusing elements, the book opens up as an important and helpful book for christians. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and lion. 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, a prophecy of warning and hope. Four horsemen of the apocalypse meaning in revelation. All the term means is that the book of revelation is a type of prophetic literature that uses a lot of symbols. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john.
A less wellknown historicist interpretation is the medieval churchs identification of the beast from the sea in revelation with the rise of islam. This view regards the book as a book on church history. Nov 10, 2014 since the book of revelation is considered in the apocalyptic genre, the text can be extremely difficult to understand. Izzet keribar getty images abrahamic middle eastern. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and. We dont know why john was exiled to patmos, but it may have been for refusing to worship the roman emperor domitian, who had declared himself a god. Johnson says that, as a system of interpretation it is more. 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. Dec 20, 2017 the word revelation means an uncovering, unveiling, a disclosure of truth. Although a christian work, the apocalypse belongs to a class of literature dealing with eschatological subjects and much in vogue among the jews of the first century before, and after, christ. The meaning of the 7 churches of revelation the seven churches of revelation represent report cards for christians. The following interpretation, offered here, is by special request. Draper, understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation, shedding light on the new testament. The idealist interpretation could also be called the symbolic or spiritual interpretation.
Hope you will be addressing the meaning of these images in revelation. The recent unprecedented success of the left behind series is evidence of this popular fascination. 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. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation. These four horsemen of the apocalypse appear to symbolically portray four disastrous occurrences that will take place before the second coming of jesus christ. The other mode of interpretation is what we might call a literalist mode, where it is assumed that at least some events in the book of revelation are literal historical events that have played. 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.
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. Religious studies center, brigham young university, 2009, 27189. In all its uses, revelation refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible. Reagans book, wrath and glory, covers the book of revelation chapter by chapter. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and lion ministries. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. And there has been much speculation about it some of it bordering on offthewall, but some of it serious and scholarly. Print laodicea, home of one of the 7 churches of revelation, ancient city in denizli, turkey. In a comment, posted on february 16, 2019, a reader asked me to offer a bahai interpretation of chapter 20 of the book of revelation.
The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. Reagans video program, revelation revealed, presents a sweeping overview of the entire book of revelation. The theme of the book is the events leading up to the jesus second coming. Because it contains so many symbols, some people teach the book as if it were a sort of aliceinwonderland story for adults.
John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. There are four major schools of interpretation for the book of revelation. Apocalypse, from the verb apokalypto, to reveal, is the name given to the last book in the bible. Im going to propose what i think is a rather novel and perhaps disturbing interpretation of the book of revelation. The book of revelation is notoriously difficult to understand. Futurism sees the visions with the exception of chapters as related to end times events still to come in the future. In fact, the opening passage contains a blessing to everyone who reads, hears, and keeps the words of this prophecy. A 21st century interpretation of the book of revelation.
An overview of revelation multimedia training kit covers the book of revelation verse by verse. An apocalypse is a very specific kind of literature with no modern equivalent. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. Futurist occurs in the future the futurist school holds that everything after chapter 4 is yet to happen in the future. Understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation.
John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. If we do not prove what we are saying, then we are not teaching anything. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to everything he saw. Different schools of interpreting revelation evidence unseen. 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.
Second, the book was written to show how all of prophecy focuses on jesus christ, his person and his program for the world. Historicism, a method of interpretation in christian eschatology which associates biblical prophecies with actual historical events and identifies symbolic beings. This is the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation. The book of revelation is at once one of the most important books of the. This interpretive method robs revelation of any meaning for those to whom it was written. Revelation niv bible the dragon stood on the shore of. The key to understanding is the mysterious book of revelation is comprehending its story flow. Book of revelation biblical interpretations, pictures. Many evangelicals dont realize that the futuristic interpretation of revelation. The interpretation of the book of revelation by apostolos makrakis. The second method of interpretation is known as the idealist method. Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator.
But just how is one to understand the book of revelation. Particularly useful is the list of old and new testament allusions in revelation. In the book s last chapter god reiterates that his words were given to reveal and not to be sealed revelation 22. 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. 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. Interpretive models for the book of revelation as a whole. I believe the book of revelation is moving forward in prophecy rather than restating that which was already predicted in the earlier chapters of the book.
The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. The encyclopedia of christianity in the book of revelation. Day of the christ pantocrator sky august 11th, 1999. 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. In this understanding, the contents of the book are not seen to relate to any historical events at all, but only to symbolize the ongoing struggle between good and evil during the church age until christ returns. The historicist view follows a straight line of continuous fulfillment of prophecy which starts in daniels time and goes through johns writing of the book of revelation all the way to the second coming of jesus christ. The book of revelation is perhaps the most mysterious book in sacred scripture. One will interpret revelation according to ones method of interpretation. The book of revelation is very simple it starts in the book of genesis.
Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. What is the meaning of the years of revelation 20. 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. Historicism interprets the writing as a prophetic and panoramic overview of history, from the first century until the second coming of christ. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation wikipedia. In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture. Youll find four major interpretive approaches to the book of revelation that can. What is the meaning of the 70 years of rest for the land found in 2 chronicles 36. I do not write this with the intention of upsetting anyone but instead i do it in the tradition of all good teachers including jesus who inspire their students to think for themselves. It links the book of revelation to prophetic books of the old testament and maintains their historical meaning and focus. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. Similarly, if the author sees jerusalem destroyed in chapter 11, then chapters 1219 are about the fall of jerusalem from a different perspective. Interpreting the symbolism in the book of revelation.
What are the 7 seals, 7 trumpets, 7 signs and 7 bowls of. Bible scholars have taken one of four interpretations concerning the book of revelation. The book of revelation is johns record of that vision revelation 1. Scholars assign four basic schools of interpretation to the book of revelation. This view maintains that the words in the entire book have almost been fulfilled. There is a lot in the book that will not be found in the standard commentaries. Then go into each of the twenty two chapters of the book of revelation one by one. If you want to better understand the book of revelation and the end times. The holy scriptures start with a revelation on the past genesis 1 and they end with a revelation on the future. When interpreting the book of revelation there are two important elements to remember. The interpretation of revelation has always been a subject of debate among bible interpreters. A series of visions, each one leading into the next. The book is well laid out with headings and subheadings etc.
It can perhaps be best understood in distinction from the other major interpretations of revelation. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john. What is the idealist interpretation of the book of. It is full of strange and often scary imagery, confusing numbers, time references, and much more. The book of revelation doesnt mean what you think theres more to understanding this ancient book than you realize. And many religious people believe that the book of revelation offers no help anyway, because it cannot be understood. The book of revelation, a free online course this free online course reveals how you can discover the true meaning of the revelation or apoclaypse of st. What is the meaning of the locusts torturing people and of the 1260 days and the 42 months in revelation chapter nine.
What is the idealist interpretation of the book of revelation. Ten keys for interpreting the book of revelation digital commons. First, revelation is a fulfillment of the sixtyfive books that came before it. Under this view, the book of revelation is mostly a book of future prophecy. 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. The book of revelation is the ending to the greatest story ever. Interpretation of the book of revelationpastor bob stidham.
Alan hultberg, associate professor of bible exposition and new testament, shares from the book of revelation in this talbot chapel at biola. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. This revelation was given to him by god the father. The following is the forward and a portion of a chapter from a forthcoming book which, in my view, falls in the latter category. To read the word of god in this apocalyptic book without letting our imagination give us misguided interpretations, we need to understand the symbolism the same way the first readers did. While debated by some, he was most likely the apostle john, brother of james, and author of the gospel of john and three epistles. Is the modern interpretation of the book of revelation flawed. Interpretation of the book of revelation seeks to explain everything and to prove everything in the bible. Although its visions often seem bizarre to the western reader, fortunately the book provides a number of clues for its own interpretation e. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. This is the prevailing view among modern scholars who arent aligned with orthodox christianity.