Although its visions often seem bizarre to the western reader, fortunately the book provides a number of clues for its own interpretation e. The only elements required on a page are the notice itself. If this is a description of god, it can only refer to jesus christ who was manifest in the flesh, etc. The author endeavors to encourage the persecuted saints of his own day and, by application, the church throughout the ages. Without understanding the overall context of the bible, it is impossible to understand the book of revelation. The number line, or printers key, often seen on the page of books is simply a method of recordkeeping that helps identify the book s printing and, for some, year of printing a specific book, which may or may not be different than the original date listed elsewhere on the page. Just knowing what the story actually is can be the first. The book of revelation reveals how gods salvation has entered the world in the life, death and resurrection of jesus.
Christs letters to churches in sardis, philadelphia and laodicea. The things john had already seen are recorded in chapter 1. The book of revelation starts with a warning to the seven churches scattered throughout the known world at that time. The book of revelation, quipped ambrose bierce, is a famous book in which st. Christ tells john to write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. This book unites people of the different nationalities as it is the source of the vital existential themes. The book depicts him as the risen, glorified son of god ministering among the churches 1.
Revelation 1 new international version niv prologue. Many major entities and symbols in the book of revelation are introduced earlier in the bible. The edition notice or page is the page in a book containing information about the current edition, usually on the back of the title page. Great prophecies in the book of revelation show how and when these catastrophic events will occur. Introduction some general comments about the book of revelation and its uniqueness. There the apostle begged, would to god ye could bear with me a little in my folly. One of elaine pagelss great gifts is much in abundance.
The book of revelation explained volume 4 foreword as i present volume 4 to the church, allow me to refer to the words of the apostle paul in 2 corinthians 11. Pack staggering events foretold in your bible will shock the whole world. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. And the voice i had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, come up here, and i will show you what must take place after this. Introduction to the book of revelation its current significance. If youre befuddled by the book of revelation in the bible, dont fret. Symbolic language, however, is one of the chief characteristics of apocalyptic literature, of which. In fact, a lot of people find it both confusing and frightening, heavily accentuated as it is with allegory and terrifying visions of locusts with a sting like a scorpions and teeth like the teeth of lions and other no less terrifying accounts of. The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the abyss. The book of revelation, which is sometimes called revelation to john, apocalypse of john, or revelation of jesus christ is the last book of the new testament in the bible. Revelation is apocalyptic, a kind of writing that is highly symbolic. Book of revelation definition of book of revelation by the.
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. Transforming revelation, i explain the book of revelation quite completely and sensibly but in a very unique and surprising way. Revelation book 1, page 31 the joseph smith papers. Its purpose is to give encouragement and hope for all christians to continue watching for the return and triumph of the lord jesus christ. Revelation on frontline heres all kinds of informative coverage from pbs on the last and creepiest book of the bible. Copyright page samples you can copy and paste into your book. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man.
The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. Naturally, the apocalyptic scenarios presented in johns book are not all childfriendly, but a bible teacher, teaching sunday school or other childrens programs. What the modern reader or biblical scholar has to do is to try to read the text with ancient eyes, by. And some statement giving notice that the rights to reproduce the work are reserved to the holder. A literary analysis of the book of revelation, is a compilation of notes and letters written by the late steven paul, a catholic scholar who died of cancer in 2000.
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. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. Revelation explained verse by verse, chapter by chapter. The 333 page book, titled the apocalypseletter by letter. God hits him with a doozy of a revelation hey, thats not a bad idea for a title. Revelation its grand climax at hand no other religion or historians have written a book to help. Although prophecy is scattered all through the bible, two books focus almost entirely on symbolic representations. Reagans video program, revelation revealed, presents a sweeping overview of the entire book of 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. Author elaine pagels includes here discussion of not only john of patmoss book of revelations, so wellknown from the new testament, but also discussion of the numerous revelation texts found at nag hammadi in upper egypt in 1945. Fig tree studies explanation of the book of revelation. Christs letters to churches in ephesus, smyrna, pergamum and thyatira. John is told to write down everything god shows him, and boy is god going to show him some strange things. Edgar cayce on the book of revelation the afterlife. The book of revelations, it must be admitted, is perhaps not the lightest read in the bible. The way the book of revelation is actually written is as a series of kind of unfolding revelations, each one of which gets to something deeper in the story. Book of revelation was written to address this need. The endless love of jesus ministries 1,226,206 views 29. Revelation is filled with obscure and fantastic symbolism, and it teems with mystical references.
Revelations is a slim book that packs in dense layers of scholarship and meaning. A commentary on the book of the revelation edgar cayce readings 1971, 19932015 by the edgar cayce foundation 4 a commentary on the book of the revelation based on a study of twentythree psychic discourses by edgar cayce contents pages the lords prayer and the seven centers diagram 6. The apocalyptic book of revelation is a symbolic glimpse into. Its purpose is to give encouragement and hope for all. Copyright 2004 judith kovacs and christopher rowland. The church that needed to repent of sin revelation 2. 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. Oct 21, 2016 the new jerusalem the book of revelation the great white throne judgement of jesus duration.
What the book of revelation reveals about the end times. An overview of revelation multimedia training kit covers the book of revelation verse by verse. Franciscan father stephen doyle provides a catholic commentary on the book of revelation and explains that. A summary of each chapter in the book of revelation. Parker is a wonderfu learning guide to the book of revelation. Charts on the book of revelation is a useful supplement to courses on the book of revelation in both the church and the academy.
In the first chapter, the risen and exalted christ is speaking to john. Unlike many other books on end time prophecy, this is a simple, easy to read commentary. The book of revelation must be taken literal whenever possible. Putting verses 17 and 18 together, we see that the number 666 identifies the beast, that it is a mans name who is also called the beast and that it will authorize people to make economic transactions.
A verse by verse explanation of the book of revelation. As the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth 1. Throughout history the book of revelation has been much understood and neglected. Lahaye and parker take each chapter and verse and lay out their exact meaning with no holds barred. 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. The book of revelation is the last book of the bible for good reason. Why do books copyright pages have 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10. As catholics, we reject the approach of those who use this book to guess wildly about the future or to create fear and mistrust among christians or to support their own political agendas. When writing the book of revelation, john used a literary form that would have been familiar to his readers.
Hes just a mildmannered christian guy living in exile whenpow. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. There are no long drawnout theories or doctrines, but instead focuses on the clues given throughout the bible and facts from current events and history. Few biblical books have been as revered and reviled as revelation. It also is to warn of the final judgment that nonbelievers will endure on that last day. The book of revelation is the only apocalyptic document in the new testament canon although there are short apocalyptic passages in various places in the gospels and the epistles, and an extended apocalyptic passage in the book of daniel in the old testament.
An apocalyptic letter, it relies on visions, symbols, and old testament references to reveal the ultimate fulfillment of gods promise given to abraham in genesis. The book of revelation was written sometime around 96 ce in asia minor. This groundbreaking commentary on the revelation to john the apocalypse reveals its farreaching influence on society and culture, and its. The church that would face severe persecution revelation 2. These are the socalled gnostic or apocryphal texts expunged by order of egyptian bishop athanasius in the 4th. Four times the author identifies himself as john 1. Usually the revelations are given through a rich array of images. Wilsons charts cover a range of historical, literary, rhetorical, and interpretive issues that will guide the careful student in making more viable interpretations of this difficult yet enriching book. Copyright page information deeper revelation books. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. 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.
Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. An apocalypse is a narrative in which an angelic being reveals a supernatural world to a human recipient and points to salvation at the end of time. A study outline of revelation the church of christ in. God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. Take a look at the basic structure of the book of revelation. The book of revelation was written to seven churches as both encouragement and challenge.
Summary of the book this is not a comprehensive outline of the book. This summary of the book of revelation provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of revelation. Revelation 4 new international version niv the throne in heaven. The page is most commonly found on the back of the books title page. Like the american joseph smith had obtained in june 1829, a canadian would help protect the book of mormon from those who sought to illegally reprint it in the british dominion of canada. Timothy beal provides a concise cultural history of revelation and the apocalyptic imaginations it has fueled. 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. According to the first words of the book, god gave this revelation to jesus, who entrusted it to an angel to pass on to. Ghostbusters actually quotes the book of revelation. To see the place of the page within the book as a whole, check out an unabridged list of the parts of a book.
This book by gregg, on the other hand, is a detailed, versebyverse. From as early as justin martyr in the second century a. Reagans book, wrath and glory, covers the book of revelation chapter by chapter. As a part of the front matter, a books page is very important, especially if you want to protect your writing from plagiarism. Notice of must appear as follows on the title page or page of. The book of revelation made clear, by tim lahaye and timothy e. However, only one pastor admitted that out of all the books he read on revelation, only one book made sense. Jun 09, 2014 the prophecies contained in the book of revelation are key end time revelations which we must prepare ourselves for, as the end time is happening now. The book of revelation is strikingly different from the rest of the new testament. The apocalyptic book of revelation is a symbolic glimpse. For these three signs provide the explanation for why the woes and suffering. The book of revelation is the book for the present hour. The short letters in revelation chapters two and three are addressed to these specific seven churches.
Revelation wiley online books wiley online library. Revelation uses many signs, or symbols, that are not to be understood literallyrevelation 1. 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. In the book of revelation, the apocalyptic hopes of the early christian community find their clearest and most complete expression. It draws upon the language and imagery of the old testament. Its title is derived from the first word of the text, written in koine greek. Your guide to understanding the end times through the eyes of the hebrew prophets by rabbi k. The book ends with confirmations of authenticity by god, christ and john. The book consists of the retelling of saint john s vision foretelling the end times or the end of days. The star was given the key to the shaft of the abyss. The bible is a history book, it tells the pastbut like no other history bookit tells the present and future just as clearly. Describing the content of book, the author indicates that there are the same messages as in the torah and the bible. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka.
It requires some knowledge of the rest of the bible in order to appreciate it. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to everything he sawthat is, the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. This book by gregg, on the other hand, is a detailed, versebyverse commentary, with the text divided into paragraphs, and each paragraph followed by four parallel columns. Charts on the book of revelation is a useful supplement to. In revelation, johns visions reveal that jesus has overcome evil by. A simple outline for the book of revelation is found in revelation 1. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john. It is populated by winged and wild creatures, locust plagues, and sevenheaded beasts. The book of revelation is found in the new testament of the holy bible. It is a revelation that was received by the apostle john while he was in romanimposed exile on the island of patmos in the eastern mediterranean around 90 a. A brief overview of the book of revelation the rise and.
The church that had abandoned its first love for christ revelation 2. Book of revelation synonyms, book of revelation pronunciation, book of revelation translation, english dictionary definition of book of revelation. This booklet contains vital understanding that will forever change your outlook on the future. Why did joseph smith attempt to secure the book of mormon. The book of revelation, or the apocalypse as it is also called, is the last book of the bible.
The vision which opens the book and the verse that organizes it. 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. Christians down through the ages have known that christs return is presented in scripture as imminent, but. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. The intervewer asked several different religious pastors about the explanation of revelation. In the first verse of the book, the apostle john recorded christs words, the revelation of jesus christto show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. The front matter also includes sections such as the epigraph, the dedication, the foreword, the prologue, etc. 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 prophecies of the book of revelation are among the most important parts of the bible, and understanding these words is a crucial component of understanding how the end times will unfold. 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.
That book allowed the proponents of each of four different views to present an overall summary of their approach to the book of revelation. The book of revelation check out the full text of revelation, so you can relive all the freaky visions firsthand. Revelation 4 niv the throne in heaven bible gateway. Revelation is first and foremost a revelation about jesus christ 1. The revealing is done by the commentators, who know nothing. Apocalypticism was not a new phenomenon among christians. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. A verse by verse explanation of the book of revelation kindle edition by weick. We hope this commentary is a beneficial study tool in your devotion to the word of god. Jan 02, 2020 a simple outline for the book of revelation is found in revelation 1.
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