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 apostle of jesus and the author of the gospel of john and the three letters of nt. The book of revelation is perhaps the most mysterious book in sacred scripture. In addition, there are 16 major concepts that are covered in johns apocalypse. The revelation of jesus christ, which god gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. A commentary of the book of revelation bible truth. Chapter 4 begins the prophetic parts of the book of revelation. Book of revelation overview insight for living ministries. And many religious people believe that the book of revelation offers no help anyway, because it cannot be understood.
Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. John mentions his name four times in the book revelation 1. The book of revelation, part 1 the book of revelation is rich in symbolism, so much so, that most christians find it difficult to understand. The revelation is the only book in the nt mentioning john as author. Christians throughout history have given almost unanimous affirmation to the identity of the book s author as john the apostle, who had been exiled to the island of patmos by the authorities for preaching the gospel in asia. A brief overview of the book of revelation the rise and. The following is the forward and a portion of a chapter from a forthcoming book which, in my view, falls in the latter category. Hes just a mildmannered christian guy living in exile whenpow. The radical discipleship interpretation asserts that the book of revelation is best understood as a handbook for radical discipleship. This booklet contains vital understanding that will forever change your outlook on the future.
Unlike popular movies, the book of revelation stands as a scriptural explanation of what is to come. The author of revelation mentioned his name, john, four times throughout the book revelation 1. The book of revelation, or the apocalypse as it is also called, is the last book of the bible. A book sealed with seven seals, which could be opened by none but christ, who took the book to open it. This is to corre spond with the chapters in the revelation. Dragons and demons, angels and plagues, mark of the beast, stars fall. Both testaments can be divided into history instruction prophecy revelation is the only book of prophecy in the new testament.
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. The revelation of john is the one book in the new testament that claims john as its author. This very powerful and dynamic teachingtool on the book of revelation shines a light on the symbolism and the mysteries of god. In order to understand the time line of events in revelation, it is important to understand how the book of revelation is structured. And there has been much speculation about it some of it bordering on off the wall, but some of it serious and scholarly. You thought revelation was about the end of the world. His plan for the end times is in the scroll revelation 1. Revelation 12 explained jesus unveiled revelation is. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. Revelation to john, also called book of revelation or apocalypse of john, last book of the new testament. But god is working out a supreme master plan, involving every human being.
This commentary has been through advanced checking. The book of revelation starts with a warning to the seven churches scattered throughout the known world at that time. 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. 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. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it.
First, we believe that the book of revelation must mean something. Some of it remains secret, for example what the thunders said. The book of revelation must be taken literal whenever possible. The greek word apocalypse is translated revelation. Chapters 1, 2 and 3 are the things which john has seen and the things which are. This is why it is sometimes called the book with seven seals and is much neglected by many christians. Enduring word bible commentary revelation chapter 1. The book of revelation explained by pastor allen nolan is a teaching series on how to unravel the mysteries of the book of the. Many people think that it is a chronological record of events from start to finish and that the entirety of revelation is prophecy. 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. Great prophecies in the book of revelation show how and when these catastrophic events will occur.
I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth verse 3. John is told to write down everything god shows him, and boy is god going to show him some strange things. Mar 19, 2019 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. The book of revelation bold type and underlining of scripture text have been added for emphasis your questions and comments are welcome note. What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory. It will prepare you for the rest of the material contained here. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. 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. The prophet joseph smith described this focus of the book of revelation. The book of revelation is a revealing of jesus christ in glory.
However, its symbolism and meaning of this bible book have left scholars baffled for millennia. This web site explains the book of revelation, each individual scripture. Nowhere does the bible identify these two witnesses by name, although. Who are the two witnesses in the book of revelation. Jan 02, 2020 the book of revelation is understandable.
Book of revelation is actually a christian prophecy book filled with old testamentstyle language and imagery narrating events and descriptions like the mark of the beast, the battle of armageddon, the binding of devil, the rule of the lord, the great white throne of judgment and the finally the nature of the eternal city of god. It fittingly has the last place ending the scriptures and gods revelation to man. 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. 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. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. God would not have given it to us if its meaning were entirely a mystery. Revelation often seems bizarre and incomprehensible. We hope this commentary is a beneficial study tool in your devotion to the word of god. 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 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. Very important we note this and realize we cannot study revelation in the same way we study the book of romans. The one thing every christian should be doing but most are not. Jan 10, 2018 while the book of revelation can seem intimidating to study, the study of the book can be made much easier with a basic understanding of the main themes and symbols accompanied by an overview of the structure of the book.
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. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. Then go into each of the twenty two chapters of the book of revelation one by one. What is a breakdown of the book of revelations in laymans. John was a christian leader of jewish origin who was in exile on the roman prison island of patmos. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. The last book of the new testament is also called the prophecy book and the revelation of jesus christ. Your guide to understanding the end times through the eyes of the hebrew prophets.
The core purpose of the book of revelation is to reveal the totality of jesus identity. Jun 17, 2018 this very powerful and dynamic teachingtool on the book of revelation shines a light on the symbolism and the mysteries of god revealed to mankind in this great book. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. The book of revelation explained in under 5 minutes youtube. Revelation summary the literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. As with all prophecies the revelation also is not easily understood. 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. Volumes of commentary have been written around it in order to increase our understanding. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the.
We dont know why john was exiled to patmos, but it may have been for refusing to worship the roman emperor domitian, who had declared himself a god. 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. Chapter 10 understanding revelation and the timeline of. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. 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 rise and fall of the antichrist appendix four a brief overview of the book of revelation.
The book of revelation is a prophetic book 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. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. 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. Four times the author identifies himself as john 1. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. 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. 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. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some.
John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. And we do not yet understand many things that god has said. The chronological structure of the book of revelation. This is a book that jesus gave to show his servants something. But understanding the apocalyptic genre, the history of the early christians, the persecutions. Unlike many other books on end time prophecy, this is a simple, easy to read commentary. This english word actually means to revealnot conceal, hide, veil or close up. 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. 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. The book of revelation explained volume 4 preface you will notice that the book of revelation explained, volume 4, begins with chapter 12, not chapter 1, and ends at the conclusion of chapter 14. The book of revelation explained takes you on a easy to understand and eyeopening journey through the book of revelation.
Chapter 10 understanding revelation and the timeline of events. We can know the book of revelation speaks with clarity about the end times because of two central principles drawn from revelation 1. 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. If you want to better understand the book of revelation and the end times. We hope this dynamic commentary is a beneficial study tool in your devotion to the word of god. Name the name of the book comes from the first verse, the revelation of jesus christ which lets us know that this book is all about the unveiling or uncovering of the person, plan and. 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. 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. One of our most fascinating exercises in scriptural interpretation is to study the book of revelation, to ponder its truths, and to discover. In all its uses, revelation refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible.
Unlike most books of the bible, revelation contains its own title. God gave it to him to show his servants the things that must happen soon. God hits him with a doozy of a revelation hey, thats not a bad idea for a title. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john nlt. Before beginning to go through the content of revelation, we recommend that you read through the introduction, overview, and hermeneutical sections to familiarize yourself with the framework concerning this incredible book of god. The book of revelation is johns record of that vision revelation 1. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. Revelation with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. This book of the revelation tells what is in that scroll. Revelation 5 bible commentary matthew henry concise.
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