The book of revelation means an unveiling of the character of the manifest christ. Introduction and acknowledgements three things provide the foundation for a metaphysical understanding of the books of acts to revelation in the new testament. This vision contains a tremendous amount of symbolism. 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. The interpretation of revelation has provoked numerous debates. The real meaning of the bibles 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 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. There are six exegetical guidelines to interpreting the symbols of the apocalypse. As the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth 1. It is most important to understand that the book of revelation does not list the scenes and events in the same order in which they will actually occur.
The patriarch job portrayed this truth as well when he penned the words of elihu, the only comforter to whom god laid no. John s authorship is affirmed by justin, irenaeus, clement of alexandria, tertullian and the muratori fragment really. Edgar cayce on the book of revelation the afterlife. Every statement is to be taken to mean for exactly what. Yet revelation is also one of the most difficult books in the bible to interpret and. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. 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, volume 2. As explained in the next paragraph, we are grounded in truth, not the bible.
The interpretation of revelation has always been a subject of debate among bible interpreters. There will be differences of opinion about exactly what and the timing of events that take place in the book of revelation. Ten keys for interpreting the book of revelation digital commons. In the first chapter, the risen and exalted christ is speaking to john. 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 letter is addressed to seven churches in asia 1. Revelation, written by john toward the end of the reign of emperor domitian a. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. It fittingly has the last place ending the scriptures and gods revelation to man. This is probably never truer than in the book of revelation. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st.
A commentary on the book of revelation southside christian. Arndt and gingrich define revelation as a disclosure to expose or uncover see also moulton 42. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to eve rything he sawthat is, the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. Charts on the book of revelation kregel publications. The following facts and principles of interpretation should be understood in order for one to arrive at a correct understanding of the book of revelation. This book is available in pdf, html, kindle, and other formats. Author of revelation in the new cambridge bible commentary series. Outline for this study of the book of revelationpages 1, 2, and top of page 3. In revelation, johns visions reveal that jesus has overcome evil by. The book of revelation, often called the revelation to john, or the apocalypse of john, is a book of the new testament that occupies a central place in christian eschatology.
The mission of the ccel is to make classic christian books available to the world. Studies in the book of revelation project gutenberg. Revelation is meant to produce in you comfort, courage, hope, and praise. A consciousness of being grounded in truth, or godmind, not in the bible. The book of revelation explained volume 1 gospel trumpeter. The final book of the bible is titled, the revelation of john. Revelation explained part 1 jesus unveiled revelation. So if this book is revealing something, what exactly is being revealed. If we interpret the book of revelation as having meaning only for the end of the world, we put severe limitations on its contents. The vision which opens the book and the verse that organizes it. 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. Commentary on revelation christian classics ethereal. But god designed this book for a very different purpose.
He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to everything he saw. The interpreters of revelation are divided into three main schools. The book of revelation the culmination of prophecy someone has written an exposition of the book of revelation in two parts and entitled his volumes the crown jewel of prophecy. The book ends with confirmations of authenticity by god, christ and john. And there has been much speculation about it some of it bordering on offthewall, but some of it serious and scholarly. First vision begins, it presents four great empires. Four horsemen of the apocalypse meaning in revelation. This manual endeavours to take the diversity of viewpoints into consideration. The book of revelation is a key book to help gods children know how gods plan for our world is going to end.
We hope this commentary is a beneficial study tool in your devotion to the word of god. I make this broad declaration, that whenever god gives a vision of an image, or beast, or figure of any kind, he always holds himself responsible to give a revelation or interpretation of the meaning thereof, otherwise we are not responsible or accountable for our. This seeming discrepancy is explained by the fact that nebuchadnezzar set out on his expedition near the close of the third year of jehoiakim, from which point daniel reckons. 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. 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. The revelation explained church of god evening light. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. Outline for this study of the book of revelation pages 1, 2, and top of page 3. The final volume deals exclusively with the book of revelation. Before beginning to go through the content of revelation, we recommend that you read through the, and sections to familiarize yourself with the framework concerning this incredible book of god. Reagans video program, revelation revealed, presents a sweeping overview of the entire book of revelation. The book brings comfort as we learn that god is in control and he is moving toward the return of jesus to this earth and the working out his plan. John mentions his name four times in the book revelation 1. The things john had already seen are recorded in chapter 1.
Book of revelation biblical interpretations, pictures. Both testaments can be divided into history instruction prophecy revelation is the only book of prophecy in the new testament. Lesson interpretation what is the meaning of the book of revelation. The revelation to john new international version the prologue 1. Jeremiah places this captivity in the fourth year of jehoiakim, daniel in the third. The book of revelation is perhaps the most mysterious book in sacred scripture. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ.
The word revelation apokalupsis means an uncovering, a revelation, n. It reveals the summingup process through which the fruits of the word are brought forth from the invisible into visibility. Every statement is to be taken to mean for exactly what is written unless such interpretation is highly. But it is not prophecy in the popular and incorrect modern sense of predicting the future. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. This is the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. It is only when we start to overallegorize it or to force its interpretation according to our preconceived ideas or doctrines about the end.
Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. 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. Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator. The following is the forward and a portion of a chapter from a forthcoming book which, in my view, falls in. As to these difficult portions of the book of revelation, joseph smith said. Revelation with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Overview of the book of revelation church of jesus christ. This view maintains that the words in the entire book have. Very important we note this and realize we cannot study revelation in the same way we study the book of romans.
According to cayce, the bible is the symbolic account of the fall and restoration of the human soul to its divine origins. First, all symbols in revelation will be treated as metaphors. The historical school regards most of revelation describing events beginning chronologically close to its date of origin but extending through history to the end of time. A commentary of the book of revelation bible truth. 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. Some will interpret the how, what, and even the timing in the book of revelation differently depending on their method of interpretation. The first five seals described in the book of revelation are dealt with in 11 verses see revelation 6. A study outline of revelation the church of christ in. Written by a man named john possibly john the apostle toward the end of his life, he records a vision he experiences, probably while dreaming or meditating. Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. 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. I still thought revelation was about the end of the world, right.
A commentary on the book of the revelation edgar cayce readings 1971, 19932015 by the edgar cayce foundation 5 the book of the revelation with the edgar cayce readings as given for each chapter chapters 122, with interpretation 91 toward a better understanding of the book of the revelation, a group project. Revelation is first and foremost a revelation about jesus christ 1. Those events are subject to interpretation but they are not a salvation issue. The author and date of revelation the books author was obviously john revelation 1. The revelation is the only book in the nt mentioning john as author. Smith penned this revelation commentary, and the intervening time. One of the basic rules of bible study is to always let the bible interpret itself. Reagans book, wrath and glory, covers the book of revelation chapter by chapter. Take a look at the basic structure of the book of revelation.
Genesis is the symbolic testimony of humanitys fall from heaven and paradise lost. Its title is derived from the first word of the text, written in koine greek. The book of revelation is the only book in the new testament that begins by specifically stating its source, the revelation of jesus christ, which god gave to himand signified it by his angel to his servant john rev. The futurist school regards most of the book of revelation, from chapter 4 on, as applying to events far removed from. Christ tells john to write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. The time for understanding the book of revelation is now at hand. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and lion. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. The revelation of jesus christto show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. Jan 02, 2020 a simple outline for the book of revelation is found in revelation 1. The book of revelation explainedvolume 1 1 c hapter o ne p art o ne the introductory verses revelation 1. Nothing in history can compare with the various worldwide judgments that god says will be poured out on earth and certainly jesus christ has not returned to earth. The purpose of revelation many people either fear the book of revelation or have an unhealthy interest in it.
Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. The book depicts him as the risen, glorified son of god ministering among the churches 1. And i stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea, having seven heads. A study guide to the prophecies of daniel and the revelation. An overview of revelation multimedia training kit covers the book of revelation verse by verse. The first blessing is in the first chapter of revelation in verse 3. Barr, the apocalypse as a symbolic transformation of the world. Several commentaries were consulted, in particular a remarkable study by g. In the revelation all the books of the bible meet and end.
The book of revelation must be taken literal whenever possible. The following is the forward and a portion of a chapter from a forthcoming book which, in my view, falls in the latter category. The last book in the biblical canon of the new testament is the book of the apocalypse a. The first volume deals with the prophecies found in the old testament. Dec 20, 2017 the word revelation means an uncovering, unveiling, a disclosure of truth. Revelation 1 metaphysical bible interpretation truth unity. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and. Because the book of revelation is written in johns own name, it is related to old testament prophecy, perhaps more closely than it is to apocalyptic. The book of revelation explained by edgar cayce article by kevin williams the final book of the bible is called the book of revelation. Edgar cayce on the book of revelation through cayces otherworldly journeys, he learned the true interpretation of the bible. A commentary on the book of th e revelation edgar cayce readings 1971, 19932015 by the edgar cayce foundation 5 the book of the revelation with the edgar cayce readings as given for each chapter chapters 122, with interpretation 91 toward a better understanding of the book of the revelation, a group project.
Justin the martyr around 100 to 165 ac, irenaeus around 140 to 220 ac and the muratori canon end of 2 nd century confirm that the apostle john is the author. This commentary is based upon my personal notes, reflections and study of the book of. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. However, he merely writes the words of jesus revelation 1. Some general comments about the book of revelation and its uniqueness.
Charles, a critical and exegetical commentary on the luihlation of st. If youre befuddled by the book of revelation in the bible, dont fret. Metaphysical bible interpretation acts to revelation. It often suggests several interpretations and avoids the most controversial subjects. Symbolic language, however, is one of the chief characteristics of apocalyptic literature, of which. The book that was sealed is not the revelation, but that portion of.
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