Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. It requires some knowledge of the rest of the bible in order to appreciate it. The best rule of thumb for interpreting the symbols and visions of revelation is to relate them to common teachings of the bible and to obvious events in our own world. Yet, if we go up in a plane we can often see an entire rainbow as one big circle. Revelation is important because it is the last divinely inspired bible book that was written. 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. Postmillennial view the basic premise of this view is that christ will not return to this earth until after a thousand years of peace. Introduction to the book of revelation sermon by mark a. In particular, jesus outline of coming events in his olivet discourse matthew 2425 provides a blueprint for the visions of revelation. An introduction, analysis, and commentary on the book of revelation collins, oral e. No one knows exactly when, but the book of revelation helps us to be prepared and to live with a sense of confident expectation for the return of jesus.
So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. For an adequate understanding of revelation, the reader must recognize that it is a distinct kind of literature. It is the first book that many new to the bible want to study, while it is often neglected by mature. As mentioned before, the books very name means to reveal to unveil, to open to understanding what otherwise could not be comprehended. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. This is the book s real title, not what the greeks titled it, apokalypsis ioannouthe revelation of john. The was the title given to the book in the latin vulgate 3.
Such is true of the last book of the bible, the book of revelation. The reason is that the book is full of vivid images, but with little explanation as to what the images mean. The book of revelation should encourage us today just as it did christians living in the seven cities of asia. An introduction to revelation for regular people by vern s. From earth we can look into the sky and see a rainbow, but only half of it. We must be willing to let the book of revelation speak for itself. Poythress, 2002 the purpose of revelation many people either fear the book of revelation or have an unhealthy interest in it. The things john had already seen are recorded in chapter 1. Yet most people believe that this final book of the bible cannot be understood at allthat its language and symbols are too confusing to make sense. Revelation is often described as a the revelation of john meaning the revelation to john 1. Sep 08, 2016 the book of revelation is one of the most difficult books to interpret. The time is at hand an introduction to the book of.
Oct 18, 2002 the book of revelation is primarilary a book of prophecy. Session 1 introduction and overview of the book of revelation page 3 international house of prayer of kansas city free teaching library before we embark on this study, i always like to say this verse, acts 17. The book of revelation is one of the most difficult books to interpret. Held by many postmillennialists who believe that the world is getting better and this will usher in the kingdom of christ. The book fulfilled its purpose in strengthening and encouraging the firstcentury church. You could almost say that the book of revelation is a continuation of the book of daniel. Ending the revelation of gods mind to mankind this book deals with gods judgments and mens destinies. The book of revelation in an age of cultural conflict. Introduction to revelation bible exposition commentary. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john. Introduction the book of revelation in the bible speaks of the rise of the illuminati and the enforcement of the illuminatis new world order.
The book of revelation, or the apocalypse as it is also called, is the last book of the bible. Hes just a mildmannered christian guy living in exile whenpow. Hahn demonstrates why this littlestudied book contains many of the keys to understanding the gospels. Revelation has been almost universally regarded as the most difficult book of the new testament. Introduction to the book of revelation sermon by tim byrd. It is, of course, the cryptic symbolism of revelation that makes it challenging to understand. God hits him with a doozy of a revelation hey, thats not a bad idea for a title. There is something about a good mystery that stirs the heart and revelation is certainly mysterious. Intro to revelation biblica the international bible. This is the books real title, not what the greeks titled it, apokalypsis ioannouthe revelation of john. Bible commentary on revelation introduction book introduction revelation. It uses beasts to illustrate the world empires leading up to the new world order.
For nearly 2, 000 years, the book of revelation has been viewed as the most difficult book in the bible. Embracing the book of revelation with hope and faith. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. While the book of genesis tells how paradise was lost, revelation tells how paradise will be regained. I cannot point to a single commentary with which i agree entirely. The impact this book has had on human history and culture is hard to calculate. Revelation 1922 portrays christs future triumph over the forces of evil and his recreation of the world for the redeemed. Sometimes people read the book and become frightened at the various figures that are used and the terror. There are distinct differences, however, between inspired writings such as daniel and revelation and the uninspired apocalyptic writings. More than one bible teacher has taken a class from matthew through the book of jude, only to return to the book of matthew rather than face the unusual teachings of the book of revelation. Revelation was written by the apostle john in about 96 c. This method views the revelation as a symbolic prophecy of the entire history of the church down to the return of christ and the end of the age.
The author tells us that his visions concern the events that will happen soon 1. It addresses seven different churches with seven different problems or challenges. Introduction to the book of revelation words of truth. In a sense, the apostle john is merely a witness or observer of the visions and sayings that we find.
Introduction to the ecclesiology of the book of revelation. Apr 02, 2016 our mission is to proclaim the everlasting gospel, in the context of the three angels messages of revelation 14. An introduction, analysis, and commentary on the book of revelation. Book of revelation overview insight for living ministries. The book of revelation closes with the bright and morning star, which is a figure of christ at his coming to take the church out of the world. The value of studying revelation to many, the book of revelation is a closed book. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. Furthermore, he said it would come as a destruction upon the whole earth isaiah 28. This does not mean that it is not inspired, or not true. A promise of blessing is made in the very first chapter of the book to those who read and hear the words of this prophecy. Christ tells john to write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. Revelation has been almost universally regarded as the most difficult book.
I have all 24 sessions of this very interesting bible study of revelation. The book of revelation introduction there are three major views relative to bible prophecy and each will present a different view of the last book of the bible. The book of revelation provides some of the keenest insights in scripture concerning the big picture of work. The book of revelation is the most controversial book in the bible.
The book of revelation is the last book of the bible for good reason. 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. 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. Jun 20, 2009 preparing a top 5 list of commentaries on the book of revelation is extremely challenging in a number of ways. Visions, prophecy, and politics in the book of revelation pagels, elaine on. Study revelation in the context of its historical and biblical setting, not todays news headlines. Revelation is apocalyptic, a kind of writing that is highly symbolic. The rapture is the hope of the new testament, just as the revelation of christ was the hope of the old testament. Introduction to the book of revelation introduction.
It is a book meant to be read, therefore understood revelation 1. Visions, prophecy, and politics in the book of revelation. Keys to understanding revelation united church of god. The book of revelation is one of the most fascinating and remarkable pieces of literature ever written. We touch on themes of the apocalypse and apolyptic literature, the end times, eschatology, the millennium, tribulation, satan, the antichrist, final judgment, and the new heavens and the new earth. Revelation is meant to produce in you comfort, courage.
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. It contains poetry and song, praise and peace and abounds in visions and symbols. 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. As the new testament opens with the four gospels relating to the first coming of christ, so the book of revelation closes the new testament with the general theme of the second coming of christ. Introduction to the ecclesiology of the book of revelation ekkehardt mueller biblical research institute the book of revelation has not only a rich theologynit focuses strongly on god the fathernand a strong christology, but has also a lot to say about the church.
An introduction to the book of revelation calvarytalk. Disciple lessons from the book of revelation is an 8lesson, interative internet bible study series. The introduction proper revelation title of the book our bibles carry the title of the book as the revelation of john, or the revelation to john which means it is a revelation given to the apostle john, but the proper name is found in the first words of 1. The time is at hand an introduction to the book of revelation desmond ford on. Jan 02, 2020 a simple outline for the book of revelation is found in revelation 1. John wrote these words 2000 years ago, and there is good reason to believe that some of his prophecies were fulfilled already in the first century a.
Revelation introduction scofield reference bible commentary. John, the writer of the book of revelation, sets out to tell his readers something vital about the paradox of the days and years ahead. An introduction to the book of revelation bcnn1 black. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. Without understanding the overall context of the bible, it is impossible to understand the book of revelation. The genre itself is screaming this point to us if we will only hear it. In the first chapter, the risen and exalted christ is speaking to john. An introduction to the book of revelation christs kingdom.
The book of revelation introduction the revelation of jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servantsthings which must shortly take place. Beasts were used in paganism to represent power and authority. The rise and fall of the antichrist appendix four a brief overview of the book of revelation. Click on photos and maps for larger version the book of revelation is probably one of the least read books in the bible. It might seem at first strange to begin a sermon series on the book of revelation from a passage at the end of the book rather than the beginning. The hundreds of commentaries in the library of congress testify that there is no unanimity about the meaning of the symbols of revelation.
The book of revelation contains one of the few passages in the scriptures that describes the premortal war in heaven see revelation 12. In it john, the apostle, uses the same kind of apocalyptic language filled with imagery and symbolism to focus on the struggle between the fourth world power and the spiritual kingdom that daniel spoke of long before. Yet it is a tough nut to crack, not only because of its intrinsic difficulty but because of the myriad interpretations that have grown up around the book. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. 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.
It has inspired countless paintings, music, architecture, hollywood blockbusters, and literature. Verse 1 opens the book with the words, the revelation of jesus christ. But god designed this book for a very different purpose. Introduction united states conference of catholic bishops. Although its visions often seem bizarre to the western reader, fortunately the book provides a number of clues for its own interpretation e. The book of daniel and the book of revelation record genuine visions seen by the writers, divine. A brief overview of the book of revelation the rise and. An introduction to the book of revelation christopher l. For those who accept the claim of revelation to be a prophecy, this view is quite inadequate. Apr 26, 20 yes, i had found a couple years ago that the book of life is full of symbology to teach us about that so we can better understand the last book, romans being one of the hardest to say the least has some key points and then galatians that can be a revelation of thought in itself.
Revelation has caused major divisions between denominations, churches and families. And the book of revelation will complete the revelation of. John the apostle communicates a profound ecclesiology. It is a book meant to be taught, therefore understood revelation 1. Introduction to revelation bible book of revelation. Revelation 89 speaks of gods judgment on earth, taking us to the end of daniels 70 th week. John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. The nature of apocalyptic literature, the use of symbolism and the consideration of various theories of interpretation become vital in the study of this book. The book of revelation has always appealed to people. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. Introduction some general comments about the book of revelation and its uniqueness. This is seen in revelation 7, revelation 1011, revelation 12, revelation 20 and revelation 21. While revelation offers many details on the tribulationeven if they are often couched in the mystery of symbolic languageit is the final four chapters that dictate the overall message of the book. Chuck missler revelation session 01 introduction youtube.