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. Yet it occupies over 400 verses of the new testament and should. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. John was a christian leader of jewish origin who was in exile on the roman prison island of patmos. 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. At the book of revelation explained page we talk about the book of revelation can be a blessing and encouragement for.
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. 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. John mentions the beast from the abyss twice in revelation revelation 11. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. The introduction proper revelation title of the book our bibles carry the title of the book as the revelation of john, or the revelation to john which means it is a revelation given to the apostle john, but the proper name is found in the first words of 1. Book of revelation overview insight for living ministries. It is the final expression of and complement to the prophecies of the jewish prophets. But how should details like these influence our interpretation. In the first chapter, the risen and exalted christ is speaking to john.
The name of the book, revelation, is a translation of the title in the original new testament greek, apocalypsis the origin of the other name by which the book is now known, the apocalypse. Is the book of revelation canonical in the orthodox church. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. And then the third kind of literalist interpretation is one that says that all the events in the book of revelation are literally historically true, but that almost all of them have been completed. He describes himself as their brother in the family of god.
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. Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. 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. Book of revelation explained go to revelation index for the 22 chapters title. The apostle john, who wrote it under the inspiration of jesus christ revelation 1. He shows clearly that john received his prophetic visions directly many of us theologians recognize, and most of the students of scripture agree. Christians throughout history have given almost unanimous affirmation to the identity of the books author as john the apostle, who had been exiled to the island of patmos by the authorities for preaching the gospel in asia. I really struggled with all of these chapters, and indeed, the whole book. The book of revelation, the last book of the bible, has fascinated and puzzled christians for centuries. Revelation explained part 1 jesus unveiled revelation is. This created a tension over the book of revelation that lasted for centuries.
In general revelation, god reveals himself through his creation, such that at least some truths about god can be learned by the empirical study of nature, physics, cosmology, etc. The book of revelation is a revealing of jesus christ in glory. We dont know why john was exiled to patmos, but it may have been for refusing to worship the roman emperor domitian. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. Historicism, a method of interpretation in christian eschatology which associates biblical prophecies with actual historical events and identifies symbolic beings. You thought revelation was about the end of the world.
The rise and fall of the antichrist appendix four a brief overview of the book of revelation. The author of revelation mentioned his name, john, four times throughout the book revelation 1. 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. The first blessing is in the first chapter of revelation in verse 3. The book of revelation explained set free seminars. The book of revelation is the last book of the bible in our canon for good reason. 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.
So what is the bibles book of revelation really all about. Jeremiah places this captivity in the fourth year of jehoiakim, daniel in the third. It is, of course, the cryptic symbolism of revelation that makes it challenging to understand. The book written within and without, and sealed with seven seals, revelation 5.
Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. To jerry and sherry roberts thank you for your faithful friendship and love for our lord and my family. Historicists take it as describing the long chain of events from patmos to the end of history. 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. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading the book of revelation explained.
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. May 16, 2018 nevertheless, here is a fascinating point. The final three chapters of the book dealt with the holy spirit in the book of revelation chap 6, what revelation reveals about the new jerusalem chap 7, and how we can read, teach, and understand the book of revelation today chap 7. If you hang around long enough, youll quickly realize my theological perspective but just to make it easy, ill lay out the basics here. Unlike the other books found in the latter part of the bible, the book of revelation is not presented as a historical document or an instructional discussion, but is essentially a prophetic book, intended to deliver a glimpse of upcoming history that affects the happenings of the church. For all its wealth, the city had poor water, says the expositors bible commentary. Unlike most books of the bible, revelation contains its own title. It fittingly has the last place ending the scriptures and gods revelation to man. Revelation was written by john in ad 95, which means the book of revelation describes yet future events of the last days just before jesus comes back to this earth. Why is it important to understand the historical setting of the book of revelation. It here signifies an opening up of hidden knowledge to understanding. Lahaye has gone so far as to dismiss the notion that revelation was written before ad 70 as historically ridiculous. Introduction from the notes on the introductory matters, i concluded that the apostle john wrote revelation from the island of patmos at the end of domitians reign. Most modern readers are culturally, historically, geographically and theologically cut off from the great wars that destroyed all of israel in 70ad and laid it waste for 1,800 years.
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. You and your family are a blessing beyond description to us and so many others. Historicist interpretation commentary a testimony of. Exploring the book of revelation, prophecy, and apocalyptic literature. A surface reading of revelation 20 seems to lend itself to chiliastic interpretation, and so, beginning in the third century as the church pushed back against montanism, it also pushed back against chiliasm, and in the process, against the book of revelation. Yet it has a clear and definite historical background. The theology of the book of revelation by richard bauckham. The book of revelation, or the apocalypse as it is also called, is the last book of the bible. 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. 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. Preterists understand the book exclusively in terms of its firstcentury setting, claiming that most of its events have already taken place.
Revelation does not give us information just to tickle our fancy. The historicist system of interpretation understands the book of revelation as setting forth the major events of christian history spanning the time of john until the present. In the face of apparently insuperable evil, either from within or from without, all christians are called to trust in jesus promise, behold, i am with you always, until the end of the age mt 28. Four times the author identifies himself as john 1. In the theology of the book of revelation, bauckham gives a different perspective on the end times. Aug 04, 2009 revelation the dragon pursuing a woman, from the bamberg apocalypse. I still thought revelation was about the end of the world, right. Pack staggering events foretold in your bible will shock the whole world. We hope this commentary is a beneficial study tool in your devotion to the word of god.
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. 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 revelation of jesus christ, which god gave him to show. From as early as justin martyr in the second century a. John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. The book of revelation had its origin in a time of crisis, but it remains valid and meaningful for christians of all time. Thompson goes through a careful analysis of the historical evidence for the reign of. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it. In our longrunning series the bible and archaeology, we have gone through the.
Johns anger has traditionally been understood to be directed at the romans for. Revelation to john, last book of the new testament. Symbolic language, however, is one of the chief characteristics of apocalyptic literature, of which. 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. Asia in this book is part of the country that we now call turkey. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies.
Great prophecies in the book of revelation show how and when these catastrophic events will occur. Revelation reveals the events of the day of the lord revelation 1. It is the only book of the new testament classified as apocalyptic literature rather than didactic or historical. G if ts, oce and t hepera on of t new testamen church how to study ident ifying the beasts of revelat on jud e, t h ac t s of t po a, volume 1 sunday school quarterly jud e, t h ac t s of t po a, volume 2. Book of revelation is a unique portion of the new testament. The book of revelation explained kindle edition by davis, kevin. This booklet contains vital understanding that will forever change your outlook on the future. Dating the book of revelation christian research institute. Every divorce needs a document, and in this summary of the book of revelation, i will take you step by step through the sad and messy detail of the greatest divorce document in all of history. Being one of the most enigmatic books in all historical literature, revelation doesnt give up its secrets easily. Its purpose is to give encouragement and hope for all. Interpreters of revelation normally fall into four groups.
So if this book is revealing something, what exactly is being revealed. The book of revelation was written sometime around 96 ce in asia minor. Jan 02, 2020 a simple outline for the book of revelation is found in revelation 1. Also, a possible interpretation will be given for select sections of the book, as well as an examination of some of these sections parallels with the hebrew bible. A simple outline for the book of revelation is found in revelation 1.
The greek term denotes an unveiling or uncoveringthus, a revelation. The book of revelation is johns record of that vision revelation 1. He shows clearly that john received his prophetic visions directly many of us theologians recognize, and most of the students of scripture agree that the book of revelation is not easy to interpret. The things john had already seen are recorded in chapter 1. The book of the revelation bible baptist church of.
Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation wikipedia. We ought to be transformed by what we read, to become more faithful servants of christ. Thomas aquinas believed in two types of individual revelation from god, general revelation and special revelation. A brief overview of the book of revelation the rise and. We conclude the series with a look at archaeological and historical evidence relating to the last book of the bible, revelation. Returning the book of revelation to its historical context st. The book of revelation certainly contains some vivid and disturbing imagery and many have called it an angry text. The book of revelation explained kindle edition by davis. Only when we discover the true historical background of the book of revelation can we truly grasp the promise and power that we have in christ jesus, our jewish emperor. The author was probably a christian from ephesus known as john the elder. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online.