The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. Information and translations of book of revelation in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Reagans video program, revelation revealed, presents a sweeping overview of the entire book of revelation. These symbols take abstract spiritual meaning and put it into concrete form, communicating spiritual truths to readers. 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. But without the time you dont know the political events that will be in play making the book of revelation nonsense. Book of revelation prophecies unlike all other new testament books, revelation is a prophetic book concerning the events of the last days. Definition of book of revelation in the dictionary. It is the greek noun apocalypsis, which is why this book is often called the book of the apocalypse. The primary meaning of the revelation, or at least the anchor point of any meaning, is what john intended it to mean, which in turn must also have been something his readers. The next diagram shows that the seven last plagues, the last of the sequential series in the book of revelation, cannot logically be included along with the previous three series of sevens. 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. Obviously, the first church, seal and trumpet cannot be parallel to the first plague. The book of revelation is the only apocalyptic document in the new testament canon.
Its viciously antichristian nonsense, and properly has no place in christian scripture. Mcconkie explained that the book of life, or lambs book of life, is the record kept in heaven which contains the names of the faithful and an account of their righteous covenants and deeds. John was a christian leader of jewish origin who was in exile on the roman prison island of patmos. 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. Name the name of the book comes from the first verse, the revelation of jesus christ which lets us know that this book is all about the unveiling or uncovering of the person, plan and. The meaning of the book of revelation 2 cds by dave miller, ph. The new jerusalem is pictured with a length, width, and height of 12,000 stadia. The author names himself as john in the text, but his precise identity remains a point of academic debate. Part one of a simple, sensible treatment of the text of the most perplexing book in the bible. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. Thus, it occupies a central place in christian eschatology. Revelation always implies the unveiling of something previously hidden, in. The name comes from the greek term apokalypsis, meaning unveiling or revelation.
It was adopted into the christian scriptures under the mistaken view that john, the author, was john the apostle. Introductory matters are discussed, including the symbolic meaning of numbers like 666, objects, colors, locations, etc. Revelation is an apocalypse, a form of literature with which biblical scholars have grown quite familiar. Symbolism in the book of revelation i will soon conclude this thread dealing with the ancient use of letters of the alphabet for numerals by discussing the most famous instance of them all, the number of the beast in the book of revelation. Chapter 8 the real meaning of gog and magog chapter 8 the real meaning of gog and magog. The book of revelation is one of the most complicated books of the bible, even for christians who have spent a lot of time reading the bible. John saw that the beast would be worshipped by those whose names are not written in the book of life of the lamb revelation. The book of revelation was written sometime around 96 ce in asia minor. Symbolism in the book of revelation the bart ehrman blog. The deviant gnosticswould be correct if the predictions and prophecies within the new testament are proven to be false. The language and imagery is so chosen as to appeal to the maturing gospel scholar, to those who already love the lord and have some knowledge of his goodness and grace.
Symbols in the book of revelation semnele vremurilor. An overview of revelation multimedia training kit covers the book of revelation verse by verse. 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. How to interpret the secret meaning of the book of revelation. However, its true meaning is an unveiling or revelation of things known only to god. Interpreting the symbolism in the book of revelation.
Sincere bible scholars, in fact, disagree about the meaning of some of the symbolic passages. The book of revelation is a history of the church and a prophecy of the earth after the rapture rev. The book of revelation explained in under 5 minutes youtube. Daniel, recorded over 600 years earlier, sets the stage for the larger and more detailed book of revelation, which describes events found nowhere else in the bible. The last book of the bible is also called the apocalypse, meaning to disclose and reveal.
The revelation of jesus christ is a book of prophecy on the end times and comprises the final book of the new testament and of the bible. Many major entities and symbols in the book of revelation are introduced earlier in the bible. The book of revelation takes an approach to the plan of salvation that is found nowhere else in all of our inspired writings. But that should not keep us from reading it and understanding its main message. We can see how the lord jesus commanded john to write the book of revelation and how john.
Revelation is the finale of the entire bible bringing gods word to a dramatic conclusion. The problems of recapitulation in the book of revelation. How to interpret the secret meaning of the book of revelation how to interpret the secret meanings in the book of revelation how to better understand the coming events revelations of awareness 9617 no. Yet it is an entire book of importantvital meaning. The last book of the bible is titled the revelation of jesus christ. In revelation 14, we meet 144,000 people, who had the name of jesus and the father on their foreheads. God would not have given it to us if its meaning were entirely a mystery.
This mode of interpretation, which sees later events in christian history as fulfilling. The book of revelation is johns record of that vision revelation 1. Those events are subject to interpretation but they are not a salvation issue. In all its uses, revelation refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible. The book of revelation was written by a disciple of john the apostle, john the elder, on the isle of patmos which used the sacred mushroom to. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. The seven churches are spoken to by jesus, he gives their pluses and their faults. For swedenborg, the entire book of revelation is a description of how this new spiritual age will come about, but for this episode were focusing on the second and third chapters, which take the form of letters to seven churches from the early christian church. Most believe that the book of revelation is sealed, closed from understanding. In fact, there is actually a lot of repetition in the book that operates like different chapters of a book or scenes of a movie. 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. This web site explains the book of revelation, each individual scripture. Whats the significance of the 144,000 in revelation 14.
The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and. Youll find four major interpretive approaches to the book of revelation that can. The greek word apokalypsis stands as the books very first word. The remainder is the spiritual meaning of the book of revelation and all of the new testament canon. Professor of new testament, lancaster theological seminary.
Part one shows how the book of revelation teaches that a christians life of good deeds is represented by the symbolism of white robes. These titles come from the greek word apokalupsis meaning disclosure or revelation used in the first verse of the first chapter. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory. This key verse can be used to unlock the meaning of the book. The reliability of the new testament the gospel coalition. The book of revelation is a series of visions, but not every vision represents the same thing, nor are they in any strict chronological order. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. Remember, daniels book is a counterpart detailing much that will happen prior to revelation, and his book was sealed till the time of the end. The book of revelation is a prophetic book 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. Part ii is an examination of the true meaning of the resurrections prophecied to occur at the start and end of the 1,000 year reign of christ and what this means to everyone that has ever lived on the earth. These letters act as a gauge to reveal each believers faithfulness.
It is often shortened to revelation or the apocalypse. The book of revelation is filled with mysterious symbols. The book of revelation teaches reincarnation part i. Reagans book, wrath and glory, covers the book of revelation chapter by chapter. The book of revelation tries to pinpoint that time. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, a stark account of the apocalypse and a prophecy of the world coming to an end. Great prophecies in the book of revelation show how and when these catastrophic events will occur. Well, one thing thats helpful to remember in revelation, is that numbers mean things, sometimes in a different way than they do in historical narratives because revelation is an apocalyptic work that shows this. This book was written by john, the last surviving apostle revelation 1. Several principles need to guide any study of 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. Revelation is attributed to a prophet named john rev. The number 12,000 symbolizes completeness in revelation 21.
The greek word apokalypsis stands as the book s very first word. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. Just as the old testament trials of the nation of israel are a metaphor for the individuals relationship with god, the warnings in the book of revelation speak to every christfollower today. We hope to find such a key verse from the book of revelation that we might see the structure of this book. Only his servants could understand his real meaning. Interpretation of meanings and imagery are anchored in what the historical author intended and what his contemporary audience inferred. Indeed, revelation constitutes the first book that calls itself an apocalypse. And so what we have to realize is that in some interpretations of the book of revelationin fact most of themthe interpretation is created by bringing things into.
Has the true meaning of the book of revelation been. Has the true meaning of the book of revelation been revealed to the world. Far from being a secret coded text for end of the world secrets, join host michael voris as he lays out the real meaning of the book o f revelation by exploring its authors meaning, how the first. Meaning of the book of revelation 2 cds apologeticspress. 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.
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