Interpret book of revelation

The theme of the book is the events leading up to the jesus second coming. Many evangelicals dont realize that the futuristic interpretation of revelation. There are four major schools of interpretation for the book of revelation. This key verse can be used to unlock the meaning of the book. Includes definitions, symbols, ways of approaching the text, and different interpretations.

Yes, in this video, we will look at 4 steps on how to interpret the book of revelation. For most the only question about eschatology that exists is whether you think the rapture is pre, mid, or posttribulation. The key to understanding is the mysterious book of revelation is comprehending its story flow. Conventional understanding until recent times was that the book of revelation was written to comfort beleaguered christians as. Though it is little more than a piece of scholarly gossip, some have even suggested that the reformer john calvin, one of the best interpreters of the scriptures the church has known, shied away from writing a commentary on the book of revelation for this very reason. How to interpret the secret meaning of the book of revelation. Under this view, the book of revelation is mostly a book of future prophecy. I believe that in the book of revelation our lord jesus christ has already given us an excellent key to the interpretation. The book of revelation is the book for the present hour.

The recent unprecedented success of the left behind series is evidence of this popular fascination. The following is the forward and a portion of a chapter from a forthcoming book which, in my view, falls in the latter category. Revelation speaks of things that are already history. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some. The allegorical approach to revelation was introduced by ancient church father origen ad 185254 and made prominent by augustine ad 354420. Is the modern interpretation of the book of revelation flawed. There will be differences of opinion about exactly what and the timing of events that take place in the book of revelation. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies.

Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. This revelation was given to him by god the father. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. And so what we have to realize is that in some interpretations of the book of revelationin fact most of themthe interpretation is created by bringing things into. The book of revelation was written to seven churches as both encouragement and challenge. While there is only one old testament apocalyptic book daniel and one new testament book that demonstrates some features of this type revelation, it was a common form of writing in the two. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. Book of revelation, chapter 9 american standard version 1 and the fifth angel sounded, and i saw a star from heaven fallen unto the earth.

Those events are subject to interpretation but they are not a salvation issue. All the term means is that the book of revelation is a type of prophetic literature that uses a lot of symbols. Conner unlocks the mysteries of the book of revelation. Doyle tries to clear up the confusion over the interpretation of the last book of the bible. Many people say that the book is in signs or coded thus only few people can understand it. Few biblical topics have captured the imagination of contemporary evangelicals like the book of revelation. 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.

Another way of viewing revelation is to say that there is a spiraling effect in revelation in the sense that each section returns to the point from which it began, but higher up, so to speak. This view uses the allegorical method to interpret the book of revelation. In revelation, johns visions reveal that jesus has overcome evil by. Alan hultberg, associate professor of bible exposition and new testament, shares from the book of revelation in this talbot chapel at biola. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. An apocalypse is a very specific kind of literature with no modern equivalent. What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory. Futurist occurs in the future the futurist school holds that everything after chapter 4 is yet to happen in the future. 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. How to interpret book of revelation properly sfp youtube. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. And christ sent his angel to show it to his servant john, 2 who has told everything he saw.

Only this view does justice to revelations claim to be prophecy and interprets the book by the same grammaticalhistorical method as chapters, and the rest of scripture. The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation. The book of revelation is coded and was coded by the writer, apostle john, for several reasons. Reagans book, wrath and glory, covers the book of revelation chapter by chapter. Throughout the whole bible the biblical authors often times interpret apocalyptic literature symbolically. Jan 02, 2020 in these chapters god tells us what eternity with him will be like. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant 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. Core christianity the book of revelation is not about the.

The radical discipleship interpretation asserts that the book of revelation is best understood as a handbook for radical discipleship. The book of revelation is perhaps the most mysterious book in sacred scripture. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation wikipedia. Mansons interpretation of the book of revelation especially chapter 9.

Ten keys for interpreting the book of revelation digital commons. Some will interpret the how, what, and even the timing in the book of revelation differently depending on their method of interpretation. A book first published in 1970, alleging to interpret the book of revelation, has sold over 35 million copies. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. According to this view, the events of revelation are not tied to specific historical events. In the book s last chapter god reiterates that his words were given to reveal and not to be sealed revelation 22. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. Futurists place the book primarily in the end times. There are several other articles available on biblical interpretation. In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture. These 4 steps will help you solve end times prophecy the right way as 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.

The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. The book of revelation is at once one of the most important books of the. Im going to propose what i think is a rather novel and perhaps disturbing interpretation of the book of revelation. It is full of strange and often scary imagery, confusing numbers, time references, and much. Watch our overview video on the book of revelation, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. In it, john1 talks about the ultimate defeat of evil and the glorious return and reign of the lord jesus christ. How to interpret the secret meaning of the book of revelation how to interpret the secret meanings in the book of revelation how to better understand the coming events revelations of awareness 9617 no. Reagans video program, revelation revealed, presents a sweeping overview of the entire book of revelation. The interpretation of the book of revelation has often proven difficult throughout the history of the christian church. Revelation gives a birds eye view of the entire sweep of christian church history. Understanding the book of revelation pamphlet is a basic guide to bible prophecy. 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. The interpreters of revelation are divided into three main schools.

That is, try to interpret revelation without forcing it to conform with any particular eschatological view. A 21st century interpretation of the book of revelation. It is, therefore, no surprise when the reader begins to get the impression that the book of revelation is a very dark, mysterious book that is difficult, if not downright impossible, to understand but to many peoples surprise the book of revelation is not about the rapture. Here are brief definitions of the four major interpretive approaches. They turned a book god intended to encourage firstcentury believers into a book that scared the devil out of 20thcentury believers. God would not have given it to us if its meaning were entirely a mystery. A 21st century, secular interpretation of the book of revelation now, even though the realms of religion and science in themselves are clearly marked off from each other, nevertheless there exist between the two strong reciprocal relationships and dependencies. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers.

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. Introduction the book of revelation is one of the most encouraging books of the new testament. In this companion volume to interpreting the scriptures, kevin j. Charles mansons interpretation of the book of revelation. The book elijah by michael obrien is faithful to the catholic point of view, while speculating on the events described in the book of revelation, but as mentioned before, there is no actual official interpretation of the book of revelation.

One of our most fascinating exercises in scriptural interpretation. Preterists understand the book exclusively in terms of its firstcentury setting. We purposely give very little interpretation of johns metaphors, except as is made available in the book of revelation. The revelation of jesus christ, which john the apostle was given on the isle of patmos, is a disclosure of events that were imminent at the time of the books writing and that now lie in the past. 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 apocalyptic book of revelation is a symbolic glimpse. The book of revelation is so easy to read and understand. In all its uses, revelation refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible. An overview of revelation multimedia training kit covers the book of revelation verse by verse. Most churches today teach the futurist interpretation of the book of revelation. But, of course, we cant leave it at that many books of the bible are very easy to understand on the surface. 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.

Book of revelation overview church of jesus christ. Part of book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and lion. It links the book of revelation to prophetic books of the old testament and maintains their historical meaning and focus. 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. Revelation 1, new international version niv the bible app. Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator. Interpreters of revelation normally fall into four groups. Returning the book of revelation to its historical context. Apr 28, 2015 revelation is not too hard to comprehend, and we should benefit from it. To properly interpret the book of revelation, the reader must have a thorough knowledge and understanding of 1 the new covenant spiritual life, 2 apocalyptic language, 3 pertinent historical events of the first century, and 4 the contents of both the old testament and new testament.

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. Different schools of interpreting revelation evidence unseen. Core christianity 6 tips for reading the book of revelation. Nov 20, 2008 understanding the book of revelation is an excellent christian booklet with revelation bible charts that explain the symbols. It contains the only description of the millennium latin, thousand years in. I do not write this with the intention of upsetting anyone but instead i do it in the tradition of all good teachers including jesus who inspire their students to think for themselves. Many commentators appeal to the highly symbolic nature of the book of revelation as a reason for interpreting the seven kings of 17. 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.

It is, of course, the cryptic symbolism of revelation that makes it challenging to understand. Interpreting the book of revelation the real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. For example, dont go into revelation presuming a pretribulation, posttribulation, premillennial, postmillennial, or any other such stance. Interpretive models for the book of revelation as a whole. Over the centuries, the church has presented countless interpretations and. The book of revelation is the work of a specific writer, who wrote under specific circumstances, to specific recipients, and in a specific literary genre. Like the books of prophecy in the old testament, revelation proclaims a message. Historicism, a method of interpretation in christian eschatology which associates biblical prophecies with actual historical events and identifies symbolic beings.

The book of revelation is notoriously difficult to understand. And there has been much speculation about it some of it bordering on offthewall, but some of it serious and scholarly. Most christians dont even realize other interpretations exist, but there are actually 5 different approaches to interpreting the book of revelation, maybe you knew. Revelation never describes itself as a symbolic code of future events plotted on a timeline. He follows the directives of the second vatican councils constitution on divine revelation and. We always interpret narrative literally genesis, exodus, the gospels, etc apocalyptic literature is another story.

Interpreting the symbolism in the book of revelation. Historicists take it as describing the long chain of events from patmos to the end of history. The book of revelation has 2 different genres in it. It is when the book is rigidly interpreted in light of twentyfirst century conditions that revelation becomes trivialized. The apocalyptic book of revelation is a symbolic glimpse into. The twentieth chapter of the book of revelation is a vital passage for those who interpret the book futuristically. Bible for many christians, yet one of the most difficult books to understand. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and. Understanding the book of revelation is an excellent christian booklet with revelation bible charts that explain the symbols.