Personally, i prefer the book of revelation by gregory beale in the new international greek testament commentary series to this commentary even though i disagree with beales perspective on a few points. The book of revelation, the last book of the bible, abounds in significant symbolism such as the scroll, the seals, the lamb, the horsemen, the beasts, the trumpets, colors and numbers, among others. Revelation is indeed sent as a letter with a traditional greeting, direct messages to the recipients re 23, and a sendoff re 22. His first book on the afterlife, the new revelation, was published in march 1918, some months before kingsleys death, so it is fair to say that arthurs belief in spiritualism was not a kneejerk reaction to his sons death. Introduction to revelation commentary on the bible book. Jews and gentiles ushered in the kingdom jesus spoke about, empowered with his spirit, though still operating in. The lord jesus christ began opening the seals shortly after he went into heaven to sit with his father on the throne. A downtoearth guide to understanding the most mysterious book of the bible lahaye, tim, parker, timothy on. This contribution to the new international commentary on the new testament is a revision of robert mounces original entry on the book of revelation and reflects more than twenty additional years of mature thought and the latest in scholarship. The book of revelation had its origin in a time of crisis, but it remains valid and meaningful for christians of all time. Barrick, the testimony of jesus in the book of revelation 10. An interlude in which the mystery of god is revealed and a special little book held by a strong angel as described by the apostle john in the bible at revelation chapter 10. Hahn demonstrates why this littlestudied book contains many of the keys to understanding the gospels. I believe the clear purpose of revelation is exactly what it says it is.
Understanding the book of revelation mounce, robert h. Revelation is traditionally attributed to the apostle john, who also wrote a gospel and three new testament letters. He was a leader in the early church, and he probably wrote his documents after most of the other new testament books were already written. 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. Although it is often used to describe a great devastation or cataclysm, the literal meaning of apocalypse is actually a. Is this the same john who wrote the gospel account and three letters. The book of revelation is gods conclusion to the bible and his final word to mankind. A brief overview of the book of revelation the rise and. A few suggest a date during the reign of vespasian. John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. Book of revelation overview insight for living ministries. Introduction to revelation commentary on the bible book of. The two books in the new testament we havent covered as yet, are hebrews and revelation. It seems this book comes from a different dimension and is an attack of the demonic to that which is holy.
He explains that, for those students willing to examine the historical background to the new testament, the book of revelation actually summarizes the central doctrines of faith. Watch our overview video on the book of revelation, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The only tribe that was missing was the tribe of dan and this might be because of dans fall into idolatry and being cut off from the nation of. It is ta biblion, meaning the book, singular, or one book from genesis to revelation. The revelation of john is the one book in the new testament that claims john as its author. The book of revelation the only new testament prophetical book is the revealing of the complete identity of jesus christ. Today, in this lesson, i want to examine the book of revelation, to show that this too is an israel book. During roman persecution john exiled to the isle of patmos for his faith, was sent an angel with gods commission to record the word of god, and the testimony of jesus christ, and of all things he saw. Nt 666 the book of revelation asbury theological seminary. The eschatological mysteries have been unfolding in the history of mankind which the book of truth helps reveal as the seals are now broken. The clear purpose of revelation love worth finding with. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2who testifies to everything he sawthat is, the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. 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. Futurists place the book primarily in the end times.
Historicists take it as describing the long chain of events from patmos to the end of history. Interpreters of revelation normally fall into four groups. Parker is a wonderfu learning guide to the book of revelation. 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 book of revelation lays out a judgmentheavy indictment and punishment on apostate israel. Collinsinfluenced by his decision to assign the book to the apocalyptic genrefinds in revelation the projection into the future of what was unfulfilled in the past. The logic of retribution tends to dominate interpretations of revelation, as when john j. Tape 2, side a chronological overview chart three the old testament character of the book of revelation.
For further information and visuals of the throne of god, angels, cherubim, four living creatures, new jerusalem, tabernacle, temple, jesus christ, song of moses, song of. Two characteristics of revelation set it apart from the rest of the new testament. Jesus and the book of revelation biblical viewpoint. The book of revelation 2 tape 1, side b continued f.
To encourage fidelity to christ in the midst of suffering by affirming that god rules history and will surely bring it to a glorious consummation of judgment and blessing in christ. Introduction 1 bible questions and answers a church. The writer of revelation identifies himself as john. Curious mixture of pretentious high art and predictable issue drama which makes little logical sense. It is the only book of the new testament classified as apocalyptic literature rather than didactic or historical. Mounce reads revelation as reflecting his own culture, but understands that the predictions of johnwill find their final and complete fulfillment in the last days of history 45, first ed. 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 book of hope whoever reads the book of revelation discovers what the christian worship actually is. The bible is gods word to us, made up of sixtysix books with forty different. It was a time in which many christians were imprisoned, beaten, banished to desolate islands, burned at the. Revelation to john, last book of the new testament. The book of revelation what john saw john was given visions of things to come covered in chapters 4 thru 22 of the book of revelation.
Promises from the book of revelation over the centuries the church of our dear lord has experienced various forms of adversity, but during its early existence there was a period of persecution that was exceptionally severe. 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. Israel in the book of revelation the bertrand comparet. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. I recommend to everyone, christian or not to read this book. On the book of revelation and the ten commandments youtube.
Perhaps it should come as no surprise, then, that its reception by the early church was equally complicated and controversial. The order of events in the book of revelation revelation 11. Mounces work covers revelation from a conservative eclectic. The new revelation by arthur conan doyle white crow. Few today would contest the claim that the book of revelation stands as one of the most controversial, complicated, and esoteric books in the new testament canon. The book of revelation is the most detailed of the bibles prophecies concerning that coming intervention. Israel as a nation is on the earth until the messiah comes again to the earth matt. Some scholars, includin and g lindsey walvoord, believe tha alt threl e. Lahaye and parker take each chapter and verse and lay out their exact meaning with no holds barred. Ministry magazine the book of revelation and reality. 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.
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. By the time the writings that are now included in the new testament were assembled in their present form, three letters and one gospel were also attributed to john. Bishop myers discusses the truth about the book of revelation and also teaches us how to remember the 10 commandments using a pictorial mnemonic device. Preterists understand the book exclusively in terms of its firstcentury setting, claiming that most of its events have already taken place. Preterist view the book of revelation relates only to the events of the day in which it was written. The tribulation will be a time of judgment, a time when those left on the earth after the rapture will suffer deeply for their nonbelief. This paper seeks to define and present the problems or rationale behind each view.
It should be the last book of the bible that anyone seeks to become an expert on. The only tribe that was missing was the tribe of dan and this might be because of dans fall into idolatry and being cut off from the nation of israel. But notice the verses in matthew 24 and mark, warn specifically of the abomination of desolation standing in the holy place where it ought not, as spoken of by the prophet daniel daniel 11. Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. 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. Intro to revelation biblica the international bible. What is the encyclopaedia britannica meaning of the term apocalypse. Apocalypse is derived from the greek word apokalypsis.
The book of revelation reveals that we can look forward to the coming kingdom of god. It is a book should be read in a group, at minimum two persons, to engage in discussion and research. But the objective of the book is not to scare us but to inform us. He explains that, for those students willing to examine the historical background to the new testament, the book of revelation actually summarizes the central doctrines of. Preterists understand the book exclusively in terms of its firstcentury setting, claiming that most of its events have already taken place historicists take it as describing the long chain of events from patmos to the end of history futurists place the book primarily in the end times idealists view it as symbolic pictures of. Aug 23, 2018 what is the encyclopaedia britannica meaning of the term apocalypse. That said, by now world war one was raging and peoples thoughts were on the dead and dying, and doyle himself. No other book of the new testament feels like revelation. Many people shun studying the book of the revelation. This paper seeks to define and present the problems or rationale behind.
Jun 14, 2018 many people shun studying the book of the revelation. Unlocking the secrets of revelation tomorrows world. Approaches to interpreting the book of revelation devan c. A brief overview of the book of revelation the book of revelation, or the apocalypse as it is also called, is the last book of the bible. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. Revelation was written when christians were entering a time of persecution. The book of revelation guthrie, donald, the relevance of johns apocalypse ladd, g. No book in the whole bible is so little understood as the book of revelation. The author was probably a christian from ephesus known as john the elder. Overview of the book of revelation the book of revelation primarily concerns the second coming of christ. The lions share of revelation chapters 6 through 18, give indepth details about the events, personalities and reasons for that fast approaching day of reckoning scheduled for our world.
No one can change the course of history recorded in this book. T hose who hold t ao futurist interpretatio of revelan tion 422 have one of three views on the cycles of judgments in th tribulatione. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. Approaches to interpreting the book of revelation scholars have approached interpreting the book of revelation through four major methods. The book of revelation has two mentions of this 144,000 and the first comes in revelation 14. A biography lives of great religious books beal, timothy on. What a delightful and splendid book that is appropriate for every believer to hold, keep at heart, meditate on, and constantly repeat day and night. The book of revelation provides the clearest biblical portrait of the events of the tribulation, dealing with the specifics of that terrible time chapters 418. It will be important to keep in mind that although it. He finds this blending of johns present and future consistent with the nature of prophecy in the new testament.
Some scholars, includin and g lindsey walvoord, believe tha alt threl e serie osf judgments seals, trum. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. This summary of the book of revelation provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of revelation. The events in the book of revelation will happen in a particular order. The book wasnt written by the apostle john, but by another john, and is the writing of a person with a mental disorder and delusions of the end of the world. It is the most comprehensive book that addresses how this current age will end. 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. There isno rapture in the old testament, the gospels or the book of revelation. End time notes of reference as to where we are now in the book of revelation.
Without a thorough understanding of the rest of scripture most of revelation will neither make sense nor be appropriately appreciated. Intro to revelation biblica the international bible society. The two periods most often mentioned are the latter part of neros reign a. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. Chronological issues in the book of revelation robert l.
The comforting promise of revelation when you are certain of your future, then you can concentrate on your present. Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator. Revelation is thus a picture book, a dramatic presentation that enables the reader to have a godcentered view of history. It is not a puzzle book to be used as a source of arcane calculations. Four times the author identifies himself as john 1. The book of revelation made clear, by tim lahaye and timothy e. Revelation 1, new international version niv the bible app. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. It is, of course, the cryptic symbolism of revelation that makes it challenging to understand. Furthermore, he said it would come as a destruction upon the whole earth isaiah 28. The book of revelation was written sometime around 96 ce in asia minor. The apostle john wrote the book of revelation around the year ad 95 from his exile on the island of patmos.
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