A commentary on the book of revelation pastor galen l. The revelation is the only book in the nt mentioning john as author. Revelation presents descriptions of two beasts, a beast from the sea verse 1 a beast from the land verse 11. While many associate the word apocalypse with great disaster, the book of revelation begins and ends by saying that those who read, understand, and apply its message would be happy for doing so. Revelation then begins to chronicle the events that will occur, beginning with the breaking of the seven seals. They made the decision to release this training at this particular time, to give people hope and help to ease their concerns. Daniel, recorded 600 years earlier, sets the stage for the larger and more detailed book of revelation, which describes many events nowhere else in the bible. While the creation occurred in seven days, the end of the world happens over a sevenyear time frame. This booklet contains vital understanding that will forever change your outlook on the future. What he sees are simply colors colored lights, flashing like jewels burning, flashing, pure colors. Written by a man named john possibly john the apostle toward the end of his life, he records a vision he experiences, probably while dreaming or meditating. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. It maintains a wonderful balance between being comprehensive in scope while at the same time being very readable and clear in presentation.
The book of revelation provides some of the keenest insights in scripture concerning the big picture of work. The feat of writing such a book is incredible, yet chilton shot even higher than most commentators. The book of revelation was written to answer those questions. If youre befuddled by the book of revelation in the bible, dont fret. The basic meaning of the greek word is vision or revelation. Rather than the complex and potentially doom and gloom perception of this book, the team behind the training believe that the book of revelation is actually a discipleship manual, and they even challenge and give a different interpretation to topics such as the mark of the beast. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible.
Discover the book of revelation each scripture is explained. Introduction of important themes teeing up the text. How should we understand the seven seals, seven trumpets. And the book of revelation is johns record of and commentary on these visions. Christ had already taught his disciples and daniel that revelation commentary. First, we believe that the book of revelation must mean something. A minor comment, but the title of the book is actually revelation in the singular, rather than revelations in the plural. A thorough and simple to understand interpretation of the many symbols in this book.
The book of revelation was written for a people under pressure. The last book in the bible has fascinated readers for centuries. Pack staggering events foretold in your bible will shock the whole world. Revelation simply forecasts the apocalypse, which is a synonym for revelation. In our last lesson we started to look at the theme of tribulation that runs through the book of revelation. And the book of revelation will complete the revelation of. The rapture is the hope of the new testament, just as the revelation of christ was the hope of the old testament. The book of revelation and work bible commentary theology. Study the bible online using commentary on revelation 6. One cannot read revelation without seeing the images of the.
Take a look at the basic structure of the book of revelation. This simple answer is then expanded by giving more reasons which rest upon the basic method which is used. Book of revelation suffering explained simply bible. A summary of the contents of each bible book contains summaries for the old and new testament. For example, an anonymous scottish commentary of 1871 prefaces revelation 4 with the little apocalypse of mark, places malachi 4. In our own materialistic age, it is only too easy to miss the meaning of this book. It is here to help christians to survive in a hostile world, and that is how we need to study. A systematic study on the book of revelation, verse by verse in order by pastor dave jones.
Times of tribulation revelation 611 seven seals excursus on time and suffering 2. Then go into each of the twenty two chapters of the book of revelation one by one. Indeed, some might feel revelation ssymbols and metaphors are so confusing that they. We can know the book of revelation speaks with clarity about the end times because of two central principles drawn from revelation 1. Thats very important because oftentimes people try to make the twentyfirst century the historical context, and they try to read things from todays news into the book of revelation. This is a book that jesus gave to show his servants something. 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. The seals represent conditions that must first occur before god brings his final judgment upon the world. This book was not written for us to speculate over while we put our feet up.
Revelation the book simply bible simply christians. Mar 07, 2012 the book of revelation, the final book of the new testament, has some of the most dramatic and frightening language in the bible. Best revelation commentaries updated for 2021 best. This commentary is based upon my personal notes, reflections and study of the book of revelation.
If anyone ever tells you it means something else, they need to explain to you how a first century reader with that coin in his pocket would have understood this image to mean anything other than rome. Book of revelation overview insight for living ministries. They were part of a wellestablished tradition that went back through contemporary apocalyptic literature to the early prophetic portrayals of the day of the lord. 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. In order to interpret any book of the new testament properly, you need first to determine what sort of information it intends to give you. When we talk about the historical setting of the book of revelation, the simple answer is, its the first century. Why the new testament book of revelation is often misunderstood. It carries much heavier freight than simply being factual.
John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. Revelation promises a blessing to those who read and heed what it says, which means that the book is meant to be understood and that it can be understood. The time for understanding the book of revelation is now at hand. Using this kind of method, william abraham has described revelation as a. Jul 04, 2014 revelation is the last book of the bible and is a prophetic book of the end of the age and the return of christ.
It also describes the world that will come into being after this earth is destroyed. In all its uses, revelation refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible. Each chapter also has a link to ed rabels psychospiritual commentary of revelation, for example this one for revelation, ed rabels commentary on the book of revelation addresses the beast in each of us as well as any selfhelp book ive read. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. John mentions his name four times in the book revelation 1. This is the second lesson in our series on the book of revelation, and we have. Best revelation commentaries updated for 2021 best bible. The days of vengeance is a versebyverse commentary on the entire book of revelation. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. Pagels says its easy for outsiders to misconstrue the books original meaning.
What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory. Interpreters of revelation normally fall into four groups. The rapture and the book of revelation the masters. Chapter of the book of revelation has long hidden its teaching, but it is time it was made clearer.
How to teach your kids ministry about the book of revelation. The book of revelation explained key facts and issues. Ones soulwinner power would, certainly, more than double if he diligently studies, and understands, the book of revelation, and realizes what is going to take place on earth before too long. A free bible version and commentary on the new testament book of revelation in easy.
It is a survival manual, explaining how to survive when the world is against you. Divine revelation stanford encyclopedia of philosophy. Top 10 bible studies on revelation for fall 2019 christian bible. These are often linked to the entities beast and false prophet entities mentioned in revelation 16. This scholastic work is a comprehensive, visual, pagebypage commentary on the book of revelation, illustrated with fullcolor graphics and rich bible charts, generating a successful, productive, and fruitful comprehension of the most complex book. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. As just one example, listen to jesus threat against the church in laodicea in. Some simply gave up their faith and rejoined the pagan religions that. Many defenders of propositional revelation believe that this easy response concedes too. They argue that the bible as a whole can reasonably.
Asia in this book is part of the country that we now call turkey. It seems that his goal was not simply to comment, but to show, prove, and convince the reader of. This is the start of the series and the introduction to. The churches to whom it was first written didnt have the luxury of doing that. This framework is primarily laid out in daniel and revelation.
The book of revelation was written sometime around 96 ce in asia minor. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. Intro to revelation biblica the international bible society. And many religious people believe that the book of revelation offers no help anyway, because it cannot be understood. This is the latest edition, which is expanded and contains some important changes regarding the millennium passage in revelation 20 that resulted from deeper research into revelation. The book of revelation explained in under 5 minutes youtube. The book of revelation is both fascinating and confusing. It is only when we start to overallegorize it or to force its interpretation according to our preconceived ideas or doctrines about the end. Charts on the book of revelation is a useful supplement to courses on the book of revelation in both the church and the academy. Some undisputed facts about the book of revelation.
Short summary of the book of revelation prophecy talk. This is a recording of a bible class covering the book of revelation. There were groups of christians in the second and third centuries, when. You can understand bible prophecy second edition 157 pp. Do our minds become confused when we hear all those sevens and l2s, and all those strange titles applied to jesusthe alpha and omega and the bright morning star. Revelation bible study outlinecontents by chapter and verse. Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. The seven seals divide into two groups of four and three. I want to stress several principles that help us to understand endure our own tribulations. Revelation line by line christian bible study in the book. The seven seals, trumpets, and bowls depicted in the book of revelation represent the final judgments of god that are poured out on an unbelieving world in the end times.
The book of revelation also called the apocalypse of john, revelation to john or revelation from jesus christ is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. Revelation beast, false prophet, 42 months, 666 explained. If the world is simply an illusion separating us from the real life of heaven, work in. There will be wars and famines and disease epidemics and heavenly signs that. A summary of each bible book study resources blue letter bible.
Understanding revelations in the bible biblical archaeology. 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. It is here to help christians to survive in a hostile world, and that is how we need to study it. The seven seals divide into two groups of four and thre. The book of revelation and work bible commentary theology of. It is intended to help you better understand some of the background and issues in johns book. 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. If that is true it may explain why in his first letter he says, god is light, and. Wilsons charts cover a range of historical, literary, rhetorical, and interpretive issues that will guide the careful student in making more viable interpretations of this difficult yet enriching book. Enduring word bible commentary revelation chapter 1. The conversation brought home an important message. Revelation made simple and easy to understand this last book of the bible bears the title revelation, meaning, unveiling, yet, it presents visions of. Symbolically, the number seven stands for completeness.
Apocalypse simply because it is a pauline and not a johannine doctrine if the book is a. But to understand revelation we must read it through first century eyes, and we must study it in light of the old testament. The scofield bible continued to be popular among certain protestant christian groups. The book of revelation is not so intimidating once you understand what the author was up to. Yes, the book of revelation opens with a series of visions in.
Revelation 1 study of the book of chapter by chapter and verse by verse. Written by the apostle john while he was in exile on the island of patmos, the book of revelation is written to seven local churches. An event involving destruction or damage on an awesome or catastrophic scale. Revelation bible study part 1 introduction, chapter 1 youtube. Each page of scripture is from the king james bible, and is immediately followed by the meaning of that scripture. Electronic links applying to subject matter contained in the meanings, may be inserted that directs to additional information regarding the subject. This twovolume commentary on the book of revelation is one of the most valuable modern sets available for the serious student of the bible. The book of revelation is the only apocalyptic book in the new. 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 g.
Doughty southside christian church august 2015 introduction. Some have tried to argue that the judgments spoken of in the book are things that either took place during the destruction of jerusalem in ad 70 or have been taking place throughout all of human history. The apostle john wrote the book of revelation around the year ad 95 from his exile on the. Great prophecies in the book of revelation show how and when these catastrophic events will occur. God reveals a basic framework for understanding future events. Much could be said about the rich themes that lie underneath revelation 12 that come from other places. In the final analysis one gets the sense that we that is, the ancient reader. These were groups of laborers and professionals that organized for economic. Charts on the book of revelation is a useful supplement to. Revelation made simple and easy to understand this last book of the bible bears the title revelation, meaning unveiling and, yet, it presents visions of.
If you open the book of revelation and simply begin reading it as an unfolding scenario, it goes something like this. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. The one thing every christian should be doing but most are not. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. He describes himself as their brother in the family of god. 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. The book of revelation provides some of the keenest insights in scripture. Apr 23, 2020 the book of revelation explained is a free online training that helps people who are interested in this topic, to get a full and unique understanding of the book. But god is working out a supreme master plan, involving every human being.
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