The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. The book of revelation is called t he revelation of jesus christ, and yet it is treated by so many as a side issue or a secondary matter. John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. The revelation of jesus christ a commentary on the book. Many people think that it is a chronological record of events from start to finish and that the entirety of revelation is prophecy. What i also believe is the book of revelation is a discipleship manual. 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. Will there be a literal antichrist that will rule for seven years at the end the tribulation rev i want to the know the catholic view on the end times in light of scriptures and tradition. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. Revelation with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. In order to understand the time line of events in revelation, it is important to understand how the book of revelation is structured.
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. Pursuing the climate of acceptance and inclusion ravi zacharias at ucla. However, its symbolism and meaning of this bible book have left scholars baffled for millennia. The following is the forward and a portion of a chapter from a forthcoming book which, in my view, falls in. A commentary of the book of revelation bible truth. The 144,000 in the book of revelation david jeremiah blog. 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. After these things i looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands revelation 7. What does the catholic church teach about the antichrist. Albuquerque, nm revelation explained, a team of bible teachers out of albuquerque, is pleased to announce the unveiling of their latest training, an online training that sets out to explain in detail what the book of revelation actually means. The rise and fall of the antichrist appendix four a brief overview of the book of revelation.
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. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john. The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. This can assist in determining which aspects are literal and which are figurative.
Unlike most books of the bible, revelation contains its own title. Listen to this report filed by john in the seventh chapter of revelation. What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory. Some people see it primarily as a political statement. A series of visions, each one leading into the next. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. The holy scriptures start with a revelation on the past genesis 1 and they end with a revelation on the future. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. In addition, there are 16 major concepts that are covered in johns apocalypse.
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. Then go into each of the twenty two chapters of the book of revelation one by one. 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 of jesus christ. The revelation of john is the one book in the new testament that claims john as its author. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. Pack staggering events foretold in your bible will shock the whole world. 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. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre.
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. Introduction revelation is a confusing book to most people despite the many commentaries written. It will prepare you for the rest of the material contained here. Franciscan father stephen doyle provides a catholic commentary on the book of revelation and explains that todays people do not understand what. Book of revelation explained a 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 symbolism, which at best appears unusual to the modern reader. Your guide to understanding the end times through the eyes of the hebrew prophets. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation. The chronological structure of the book of revelation. This web site explains the book of revelation, each individual scripture.
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 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. Its purpose is to give encouragement and hope for all. The book of revelation is perhaps the most mysterious book in sacred scripture. John was a christian leader of jewish origin who was in exile on the roman prison island of patmos. Unlike many other books on end time prophecy, this is a simple, easy to read commentary. The book of revelation is johns record of that vision revelation 1. The core purpose of the book of revelation is to reveal the totality of jesus identity. Chapter 10 understanding revelation and the timeline of. 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. 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 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 also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. Great prophecies in the book of revelation show how and when these catastrophic events will occur.
The book of revelation is often difficult to understand. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. These are often linked to the entities beast and false prophet entities mentioned in revelation 16. Could you explain the book of revelation in full simple. The revelation is a very solemn book speaking much about divine judgments but it is also a. Revelation presents descriptions of two beasts, a beast from the sea verse 1 a beast from the land verse 11.
So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. What is the catholic position on the book of revelation. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on the book of revelation. Chapter of the book of revelation has long hidden its teaching, but it is time it was made clearer. In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture. With a book like the book of revelation, you will inevitably have several central messages depending on the angle from which you look at them. The very first words of the book give us a clue to its explanation the revelation of jesus christ. Is it really something that we can agree to disagree on, as is commonly believed those who are of this persuasion are ignorant of how the new testament is indispensably completed by this revelation of jesus christ. 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 apostle of jesus and the author of the gospel of john and the three letters of nt.
A lot of people think the book of revelation is a very difficult book but i think it can be explained very easily. What is a breakdown of the book of revelations in laymans. A brief overview of the book of revelation the rise and. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john nlt. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. This booklet contains vital understanding that will forever change your outlook on the future. It fittingly has the last place ending the scriptures and gods revelation to man. We hope this commentary is a beneficial study tool in your devotion to the word of god. And many religious people believe that the book of revelation offers no help anyway, because it cannot be understood. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers.
The reason most commentaries fail to enlighten the books contents is because they violate one or more of the three basic principles of sound biblical interpretation. Understanding the book of revelation how can i do it. The book of revelation must be taken literal whenever possible. I know that the book is highly symbolic, but is the book about the end times. It is important to apply proper bible study methods also called hermeneutics to understand revelation. 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.
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