Understanding of the book of revelation

Understanding the book of revelation free prophecy book. If you would like to know more than just bits and pieces of gods plans for the future, pastor skip heitzig is your guide to gaining a fuller understanding of the book o f revelation. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. Revelation uses many signs, or symbols, that are not to be understood literally revelation 1. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. Understanding the book of revelation part 14 youtube. 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. To understand either group, one must interpret their writings by considering the respective literary form that they used. How can one be blessed by reading a book that no one seems to understand.

Understanding the book of revelation rob dalrymple. Includes definitions, symbols, ways of approaching the text, and different interpretations. People have shied away from this book because of its use of symbolism and its cryptic references. Understanding the book of revelation by elder bruce r. The theme of the book is the events leading up to the jesus second coming. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on the book of revelation. Mcconkie of the council of the twelve one of our most fascinating exercises in scriptural interpretation is to study the book of revelation, to ponder its truths, and to discover. Are the seven seals of the book of revelation unfolding.

The book of revelation opens with a blessing for its reader, hearers, and keepers rev 1. The book of revelation is so easy to comprehend if you truly know and understand the books of the old testament. 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. Over the centuries, the church has presented countless interpretations and theories about the meaning and significance of this. Only christ is qualified to remove the seven seals and open the book to understanding. Many people have assumed that the book of revelation is just impossible to understand. In addition to the book of daniel and the book of revelation, a wealth of apocalyptic writing exists in the apocrypha and the pseudepigrapha of the old testament. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. The final book of the bible is both fascinating and controversial.

White is professor of classics and christian origins at the university of texas at austin, and acted as historical consultant for apocalypse. In revelation the message is that god is coming to judge and. It provides ultimate assurance of salvation in christ. 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. I opened this thread to find out simply if there is a new christian out there, confused about this book and would look at follow an awesome series to help you understand a bit more about. The book of revelation explained in under 5 minutes youtube. 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. Many of revelation s events seem to have been fulfilled in the first century. Some believe the bibles last prophetic book is closed, meaning no one as yet can understand it. The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. In fact i dont think its possible for us to have a large enough understanding of who jesus is. In this view, revelation is a sort of crystal ball. It is, of course, the cryptic symbolism of revelation that makes it challenging to understand.

God would not have given it to us if its meaning were entirely a mystery. The time for understanding the book of revelation is now at hand. It is structured or arranged in a very simple way to help us get the revelation of jesus. 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.

The book of revelation, often called the book of revelations, revelation to john, apocalypse of john, the revelation, or simply revelation, the revelation from jesus christ from its opening words or the apocalypse, is the final book of the new testament, and therefore also the final book of the christian bible. 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. The word revelation means an uncovering, unveiling, a disclosure of truth. The revelation of jesus christto show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. A very, very insightful and helpful commentary on the book of revelation in the new testament which provides a great deal of clarity to the symbolism and many of the difficult passages of the book. How to understand the book of revelation without feeling dumb. The book of revelation is often difficult to understand. The title thus conveys the idea of uncovering or revealing.

The one thing every christian should be doing but most are not. Many major entities and symbols in the book of revelation are introduced. Its often the book of the bible that christians, pastors, and seminaries have the most trouble understanding. Understanding the book of revelation introduction reading the book of revelation, also called the apocalypse of st.

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. 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. In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture. 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. This commentary has been through advanced checking.

A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some. The key to understanding is the mysterious book of revelation is comprehending its story flow. One of our most fascinating exercises in scriptural interpretation. The last book of the bible is titled the revelation of jesus christ. These titles come from the greek word apokalupsis meaning disclosure or revelation used in the first verse of the first chapter. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand.

Keys to understanding the book of revelation its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. The book of revelation is a revealing of jesus christ in glory. However, today we will explain the keys to unlocking the treasures of this mysterious book. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. You can understand the book of revelation, revised and. John the divine in some translations of the bible without comparing what it says to the rest of sacred scripture, can be a confusing experience. Apostle john was told to write the things which you see, the things which are, and the things which shall be. Nov 20, 2008 understanding the book of revelation is an excellent christian booklet with revelation bible charts that explain the symbols. Revelation 12 explained jesus unveiled revelation is. Understanding the book of revelation prophecy and truth. Like the books of prophecy in the old testament, revelation proclaims a message. The characteristics of apocalyptic writing are fairly well known. This book deeply enriched my study as i read the book of revelation.

Understanding the book of revelation how can i do it. Revelation reveals the events of the day of the lord revelation 1. Unlike most books of the bible, revelation contains its own title. 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. Many people think that it is a chronological record of events from start to finish and that the entirety of revelation is prophecy. The book of revelation closes its awful description of the judgments which are coming upon the earth by inviting to the sinner, come to christ, and, after one reads and understand the book of revelation, he too will close the book and invite the sinner to, come, and receive, jesus christ as you savior. It is often shortened to revelation or the apocalypse. Conventional understanding until recent times was that the book of revelation was written to comfort beleaguered christians as they underwent persecution at.

For one thing, montanism took very seriously this radical antiworldly stance that the book of revelation makes central to its understanding. The book of revelation is notoriously difficult to understand. These are found in chapter one, entitled a strategy for seeing. In the book s last chapter god reiterates that his words were given to reveal and not to be sealed revelation 22. The book of revelation is the last book of the bible in our canon for good reason. He gives a number of reasons why it is important for christians to understand the book of revelation. Understanding the book of revelation is an excellent christian booklet with revelation bible charts that explain the symbols. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. God reveals a basic framework for understanding future events.

The book of revelation gives us many of the keys that unlock prophetic understanding because it faithfully follows the principle that the bible interprets itself. Over the centuries, the church has presented countless interpretations and. Understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation. The book of revelation sums up the impact the devil has, not just on christians but on all mankind, from the time of john until the return of christ. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. Keys to understanding revelation united church of god. Do you struggle to understand the book of revelation. Draper, understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation, shedding light on the new testament. Understanding the book of revelation home facebook. The book of revelation was written sometime around. Jan 02, 2020 in these chapters god tells us what eternity with him will be like.

Patheos explore the worlds faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality. In order to understand the time line of events in revelation, it is important to understand how the book of revelation is structured. Therefore, only those who believe that the bible is inspired by god and trust what it says will be able to understand the significance of what is revealed in 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. Understanding the book of revelation the book of revelation is an exciting yet often misunderstood book in the bible. Jun 01, 2019 the book of revelation is notoriously difficult to understand. 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. So many find its mysteries hard to fathomwhat does it all mean. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. Religious studies center, brigham young university, 2009, 27189. In short, the book of revelation is arguably the most important book you will read in your life time. Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god.

Revelation is apocalyptic, a kind of writing that is highly symbolic. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. As mentioned before, the books very name means to reveal to unveil, to open to understanding what otherwise could not be comprehended. 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. 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. The book of revelation provides some of the keenest insights in scripture concerning the big picture of work. The prophecies found in the book of revelation are almost identical to. What a meaningless, senseless thing it is to try to understand it without reading it. How to understand the book of revelation without feeling. This can assist in determining which aspects are literal and which are figurative. 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. The reason most commentaries fail to enlighten the book s contents is because they violate one or more of the three basic principles of sound biblical interpretation.

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. This framework is primarily laid out in daniel and revelation. The futurist approach considers most of the book related to future. Understanding the book of revelation a systematic study. For an adequate understanding of revelation, the reader must recognize that it is a distinct kind of literature. What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory. We find, however, a key verse which refutes this claim which. This is the apocalyptic vision which the biblical book of revelation says will come to pass, according to the understanding of many christians. Understanding the book of revelation is a timely book as we approach the twentyfirst century. 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.

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. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation. 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. It is important to apply proper bible study methods also called hermeneutics to understand revelation. Although its visions often seem bizarre to the western reader, fortunately the book provides a number of clues for its own interpretation e. 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. As mentioned before, the book s very name means to reveal to unveil, to open to understanding what otherwise could not be comprehended. The greek word apocalypse is translated revelation. 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.

Like all books of the bible, revelation was written in a particular time and place. This page is for those who are diligent in learning gods truth in what is known as the most difficult book of the bible. Understanding the book of revelation pdf download download. Purpose of the course we aim to gain an understanding and appreciation of the central message and style of revelation, so that we will be able to lead the total. Revelation outlines a long series of events that relate. The books second and third chapters contain vital warnings to the seven churches that existed in asia minor in the first century a.

Before we can understand this book we must have one thing clearly lodged in our minds. You thought revelation was about the end of the world. 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. Introduction revelation is a confusing book to most people despite the many commentaries written. Keys to understanding revelation the book of revelation. Understanding the book of revelation pamphlet is a basic guide to bible prophecy. The preterist approach emphasizes the historical context of revelation. 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. In all its uses, revelation refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible. 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. The book of revelation must be taken literal whenever possible.