There will be differences of opinion about exactly what and the timing of events that take place in the book of revelation. Unlike most books of the bible, revelation contains its own title. Ben witherington iii, author of the following article, asking the right question, once hitched a ride from a couple who believed the earth was flat. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation. It does not accept the literal interpretation of the book of revelation and instead spiritualizes or allegorizes most of prophesy to make it fix into their interpretation. Question 6 what did the bible foretell about the messiah. After being haunted with unanswered questions i believe that what i offer you the reader is an accurate interpretation of the book of revelations and that it will shed light on your unanswered questions. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation. 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. Literal interpretation of the bible means to explain the original sense. Ladd is correct when he asserts that this interpretation relies heavily. Try to discover the message to the original readers. Revelation the john walvoord prophecy commentaries. The book of revelation, the rapture and related bible prophecies have spawned a whole industry in recent years.
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. That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers. What is the meaning of the lampstands in the book of. This book was written by john, the last surviving apostle revelation 1. The answer is very simple if you understand the meaning of parables, john. As for salvation issues, there should be no conflicting views contained here. Question 10 what does the bible promise for the future. Its interesting that an entire line of biblical criticism has been spawned by ideological commitments to the contrary. It links the book of revelation to prophetic books of the old testament and maintains their historical meaning and focus. And the bible is not merely a human record of these divine interventions and deeds.
This false view is held by most protestant denominations, most covenant theologians and many in the reformed movement. An apocalypse is a very specific kind of literature with no modern equivalent. And so what we have to realize is that in some interpretations of the book of. I rarely use the niv any more because its phrases leave more for interpretation by the reader a risky thing at best. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. Introduction the book of revelation is one of the most encouraging. But the god of the bible is not deus absconditus, but deus revelatus. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. When it doesnt seem to accurately predict the end at its time of writing, it gets taken. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. He is the man who in 1909 produced the very first study bible a bible with explanatory notes.
As to the first four seals, in my interpretation of the book of revelation, the seven seals are what keep the book closed. From as early as justin martyr in the second century a. An excellent introductory book for the general reader is how to study bible prophecy for yourself by tim lahaye harvest house, 1990. Symbolic language, however, is one of the chief characteristics of apocalyptic literature, of which. Interpreting the book of revelation as an allegory of. There are other examples of it in the biblefor example in parts of the book of daniel and elsewhere in the prophets. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text.
The classical historicist view of the vision of the angel with the little book, in revelation 10, represents the protestant reformation and the printing of bibles in the common languages. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. Its not the most complicated commentary on revelation youll find, nor is it the simplest. Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator. These can be daunting questions, with more than a hundred translations published in english alone. Hunters studies in the book of revelationlies in its clear and accurate presentation of the results of the investigation of modern scholars, in language which is comprehensible to the intelligent reader of the english bible. Revelation made clear bible study in the book of revelation. This summary of the book of revelation provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of revelation. 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 true interpretation of the revelation of john and of.
Sep 30, 2015 bauckhams book will guide you into a richer understanding of the symbolism and their significance and literary art of johns prophetic imagination. 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 greek word for revelation is apocalypsis, so the title of the book is a translation of that word. Its purpose is to give encouragement and hope for all. The book of revelation, the last book of the bible, has fascinated and puzzled christians for centuries. John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. Have any of the revelations from the bible ever actually.
By the beginning of the nineteenth century, the bible faced threats from german historical critics, who argued that the bible must be interpreted as an amalgam of myth and history. Revelation 1, king james version kjv the bible app. Dec 17, 2019 the book of revelation is unique, in that it describes a series of visions that may or may be taken literally. In this sense the word apocalyptic has a slightly broader meaning, and it.
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. But the christians of asia minor were familiar with the old testament and the apocalyptic writings and. The historicist view follows a straight line of continuous fulfillment of prophecy which starts in daniels time and goes through john. When you need some assistance in your study, the website. The book not only reveals the true interpretation of the revelation of john and the bible but it further destroyes and proves false a great number of famous scientific theories which today dominate the scientific scene. Here are just seven of the big sevens in this book. She had a wall majestic and high with twelve gates. However with the publication of the esv, i find that version to be the more accurate interpretation of the original texts.
At each gate stood an angel, and on the gates were inscribed the names of the twelve tribes of the sons of israel. Nasb has been the best read for me since it was the more literal interpretation. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. Hal lindseys 1970 book the late great planet earth and the left behind series by tim lahaye and jerry b. Discovering the message to the original audience is the top priority with any book of the bible, but. Interpretation of the book 1 this book is a part of the canona part of that which god has spoken. The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic.
Those seeking the truth will find gods written word, the bible, to be the final authority, in all that they seek. The necessity of inspiration as special revelation is gods communication to man of the truth he must know in order to be properly related to god, so inspiration deals with the preservation of that revelation so that what was received from god was accurately transmitted to others beyond the original recipient. Interpretive models for the book of revelation as a whole. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation wikipedia. Further, there are a lot of surprises for any scientist who reads this book. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it.
The historicist view teaches that the book of revelation is a symbolic. Bauckhams book will guide you into a richer understanding of the symbolism and their significance and literary art of johns prophetic imagination. The king james version of the bible, the new revised standard. As its first verse declares, it is the revelation from jesus christ to show his servants what must soon take place. I have some thoughts on this, but i would like to hear what others believe. Recommended books on bible prophecy prophecy lamb and. What is the accuracy of the new american standard bible. Appreciate the imagery and enjoy the drama as it unfolds in the book. Protestants still affirmed that the bible was accurate, but they transformed revelation into an object of scientific, historical, and empirical examination. The book of revelation is unique, in that it describes a series of visions that may or may be taken literally. The book of revelation, quipped ambrose bierce, is a famous book in which st. Paul spilsburys book is a close runnerup for my go to book for an introduction to revelation.
When people read the book of revelation they encounter this vast array of symbols. Only revelation and the gospel of john describe jesus as the lamb 5. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and. In fact, it is probably the best organized book in the bible. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation.
He wrote from the small island of patmos after being banished there for preaching the gospel. So it was written by an apostle and this is one of the requirements or tests for inclusion into the canon of scripture. To say that the book of revelation is a jumble and impossible to make heads or tails out of and cannot be understood is to contradict this. Lots of numbers appear in revelation 12, 24, 144,000, 10, 666, but sevens just keep popping up. Many verses in revelation apply to life today, whether we are living in the midst of one of the. For those who want to be provided with several points of view on the accurate interpretation of the most prophetic book of the bible, and then to be pointed toward the most biblically consistent interpretation with corroborating references and historical context, this is the book for you. How accurate is the book of revelation and back up validity. Question 7 what does the bible foretell about our day. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the. Historicism, a method of interpretation in christian eschatology which associates biblical prophecies with actual historical events and identifies symbolic beings with historical persons or societies, has been applied to the book of revelation by many writers. It is a series of visions expressed in symbols which deal with reality.
Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. John has been an enigma from the earliest christian centuries. Crime is ten times as bad as it was in the good old days. Each page of scripture is from the king james bible, and is immediately followed by the meaning of that scripture. The book of revelation explained in under 5 minutes youtube. The adventists take a unique view applying it to the millerite movement. This book i believe was inspired by god and all the glory and praise go to him alone. While there is no such thing as a perfect bible translation, there are good ones, as well as bad ones. Aug 04, 2009 revelation the dragon pursuing a woman, from the bamberg apocalypse. In fact, john mentions sevens over fifty times source, p. Some undisputed facts about the book of revelation.
The most profound book ever written on the topic is the interpretation of prophecy by paul lee tan assurance publishers, 1974. Revelation made clear walks through the book of revelation looking for the clearest and most natural understanding of the book. What is the hidden meaning of the number 666 in the biblical book of revelation. However literal the prophecies may or may not be, the point is clear. The lampstands in the book of revelation are found for the first time in revelation 1. The book of revelations interpretation from the bible.
All christians from all time will reign physically on earth with jesus. Knowing god an extraterrestrial message chuck missler. Is the modern interpretation of the book of revelation flawed. The first verse of revelation identifies the author as john, but there is no reliable. Fourth, the book seeks to correct some moral and doctrinal problems that. The revealing is done by the commentators, who know nothing. Early church history supports the apostle john as the author.
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 author names himself as john in the text, but his precise identity. The one who holds the seven stars in his right hand, the one who walks among the seven golden lampstands, says this. Then go into each of the twenty two chapters of the book of revelation one by one.
It will prepare you for the rest of the material contained here. Historicist interpretations see revelation as containing a broad view of history. Update on december 17, 2019 by pastor jack wellman. Like all books of the bible, revelation was written in a particular time and. Four times the author identifies himself as john 1. When it doesnt seem to accurately predict the end at its time of writing, it gets. An integrated digital bible study library including complete notes from the believers bible commentary and the cultural backgrounds study bible niv and nrsv is just a step away. The true interpretation of the revelation of john and of the. Whether were looking for gospel meaning or struggling with understanding revelations in the bible, historical bible study can help us find our way. Why the new testament book of revelation is often misunderstood. The book of revelation is written in a specific literary style called apocalyptic.
The real meaning of the bible s book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. There is no document which gives the authors understanding of how tacho is to be interpreted. Revelation the dragon pursuing a woman, from the bamberg apocalypse. Revelation was among the last books accepted into the christian biblical. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. Because im too scared to think about the existence of the supernatur.