This is the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. This interpretation comes into clearer focus as we look at the parallel structure of revelation 17. 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. Second, we know a lot about the kind of literature revelation represents. 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. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. The interpreters of revelation are divided into three main schools. 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 in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. Draper, understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation, shedding light on the new testament. The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and. Christians should be able to discuss those differences without fighting over their meanings.
He wrote from the small island of patmos after being banished there for preaching the gospel. Are the seven seals of the book of revelation unfolding. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. Revelation speaks of things that are already history. Most believe that the book of revelation is sealed, closed from understanding. Tragically, when christians trumpet a view of the bible, and the book of revelation in particular, that suggests that it is about gods wrath. But that should not keep us from reading it and understanding its main message. The greek word apokalypsis stands as the book s very first word. One of the more eerie parts of the book of revelation includes four figures riding horses. 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 interpretation of revelation has always been a subject of debate among bible interpreters. Book of revelation definition of book of revelation by the free.
Book of revelation synonyms, book of revelation pronunciation, book of revelation translation, english dictionary definition of book. The seven churches of revelation were real, physical congregations when the apostle john wrote this bewildering last book of the bible around 95 ad, but many scholars believe the passages have a second, hidden meaning. Much intrigue has built around these four characters featured in revelation 6 that iconic art, books, and even movies such as xmen apocalypse have capitalized on these four horsemen of the apocalypse these four horsemen appear to symbolically portray four. Book of revelation definition of book of revelation by.
John was a christian leader of jewish origin who was in exile on the roman prison island of patmos. The book of revelation is filled with mysterious symbols. What is the seventh sign in the book of revelation. 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. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. 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. But there were more than seven churches in asia, therefore, these seven churches represent the church through all ages seven is symbolic. Sincere bible scholars, in fact, disagree about the meaning of some of the symbolic passages. A 21st century interpretation of the book of revelation.
Those events are subject to interpretation but they are not a salvation issue. But i use parables to teach the others so that the scriptures might be. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some. The book of revelation is the most colorful book of scripture, by far. 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. Indeed, revelation constitutes the first book that calls itself an apocalypse. Revelation chapter 12 contains a description of a woman, who is clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and a crown of twelve stars atop her head. In all its uses, revelation refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible.
Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation. Most christians believe that the book of revelation refers to events which are to take place in the future, but this view may be only partially right. As the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of. To read the word of god in this apocalyptic book without letting our imagination give us misguided interpretations, we need to understand the symbolism the same way the first readers did. Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator. In jesus parallel prophecy in matthew 24, he explained. In these chapters god tells us what eternity with him will be like. Using the same parallel structure as daniel 7, john first sees a vision vv.
And today we are talking about the book of revelation, a book that has several different interpretations and one that many. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it. Revelation gives a birds eye view of the entire sweep of christian church history. Some will interpret the how, what, and even the timing in the book of revelation differently depending on their method of interpretation. God would not have given it to us if its meaning were entirely a mystery. The book of revelation d oesnt mean what you think. The expositors bible commentary says this about the color of the fourth horse. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. This view maintains that the words in the entire book have. The book of revelation explained in under 5 minutes youtube. In revelation, johns visions reveal that jesus has overcome evil by. Understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation. 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.
To many people, the book of revelation is the most mysterious and enigmatic book in the whole bible. Color symbolism in the apocalypse of john in revelation. This book was written by john, the last surviving apostle revelation 1. In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture.
The first blessing is in the first chapter of revelation in verse 3. Revelation the last book in the bible was written to tell us about the futureespecially the final conflict between god and satan, and the triumph of jesus christover all the powers of evil and death and hell. 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. The book of revelation can be confusing to the modern reader because much of it was written using a symbolic style of language that is not used today. A third of the waters turned bitter, and many people died from the. It here signifies an opening up of hidden knowledge to understanding. This interpretive method robs revelation of any meaning for those to whom it was written. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to everything he saw.
The book of revelation is johns record of that vision revelation 1. However, its true meaning is an unveiling or revelation of things known only to god. Revelation is first and foremost a revelation about jesus christ 1. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. What do the symbols in the book of revelation mean.
Religious studies center, brigham young university, 2009, 27189. Four horsemen of the apocalypse meaning in revelation. Thus, much of revelation describes what the church will be like and experience until christ returns, which enables us to have right expectations. This is the apocalyptic vision which the biblical book of revelation says will come to pass, according to the understanding of many. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. The book depicts him as the risen, glorified son of god ministering among the churches 1. Each hue in johns palette has a builtin cultural association, which he uses to amplify the meaning of his visions. Revelation is an apocalypse, a form of literature with which biblical scholars have grown quite familiar. She is being pursued by a great red dragon, whose tail has swept a third of the stars from.
Even if you dont understand it, the best rule of thumb is to just accept the plain sense meaning. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. Symbols in the book of revelation semnele vremurilor. Pale chloros denotes a yellowish green, the light green of a plant, or the paleness of a sick person in contrast to a healthy appearance.
The greek term denotes an unveiling or uncoveringthus, a revelation. What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john. 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. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. Watch our overview video on the book of revelation, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Here is my verse by verse interpretation of the book of revelation chapter 1. The book of revelation describes the tribulation, second coming of christ, the millennial kingdom and the final judgment.
Another key to understanding the book of revelation, a very important key, is to accept the plain sense meaning of each passage. As its first verse declares, it is the revelation from jesus christ to show his servants what must soon take place. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. Book of revelation synonyms, book of revelation pronunciation, book of revelation translation, english dictionary definition of book of revelation. Book of revelation the last book of the new testament. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. The events of the tribulation are described using four sets of symbols revelation 619. The third angel sounded his trumpet, and a great star, blazing like a torch, fell from the sky on a third of the rivers and on the springs of waterthe name of the star is wormwood.
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