Charts on the book of revelation is a useful supplement to. In this view, the book contains neither historical allusions nor predictive prophecy. Take a look at the basic structure of the book of revelation. Have basic information about the historical background for the book, and competence to investigate more fully where appropriate. Although there are many symbols and signs in the book, as in every other book and in our daily conversation, the context indicates whether a passage is to be interpreted literally or symbolically. See key information at a glance with multiple sidebyside charts as well as a fullcolor map showing the location of the 7 churches. You and your family are a blessing beyond description to us and so many others.
The book of revelation is at once one of the most important books of the. Gordon fee and douglas stuart remind us of how important it is to discover the. There are four major schools of interpretation for the book of revelation. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. Features a simple sectionbysection overview of the entire book covering the author, date, major themes, major symbols, and 4 major interpretations of the book of revelation. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. Understand and explain the significance of theophany in revelation. The angel gives a man named john the book of revelation. In addition to the book of daniel and the book of revelation, a wealth of apocalyptic writing exists in the apocrypha and the pseudepigrapha of the old testament. When interpreting the book of revelation there are two important elements to remember. Book of revelation, chapter 9 american standard version 1 and the fifth angel sounded, and i saw a star from heaven fallen unto the earth. The different approaches that various people or groups use to understand the book of revelation called interpretive horizons are generally grouped under four major categories, with some subgroups see the kingdom of god. The idealist approach doesnt interpret revelation in terms of any particular. The characteristics of apocalyptic writing are fairly well known.
The interpretation of revelation has always been a subject of debate among bible interpreters. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. To understand either group, one must interpret their writings by considering the respective literary form that they used. Revelation was the last book accepted into the christian biblical canon, and to the present day some churches that derive from the church of the east reject it. 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. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. Heres the major views scholars take of the book of revelation. The book of revelation, the final book of the new testament, has some of the most dramatic and frightening language in the bible. Not just the book of revelation but other places in the bible as well. One will interpret revelation according to ones method of interpretation.
Daniel who through the book received revelations from god. The following is the forward and a portion of a chapter from a forthcoming book which, in my view, falls in. This book by gregg, on the other hand, is a detailed, versebyverse commentary. Daniel bridges the entire 70 years of the babylonian captivity from 605 to 536 b. To jerry and sherry roberts thank you for your faithful friendship and love for our lord and my family. The title of the book comes from the name of its chief character and author. The book of revelations in the new testament is an example of an. Facts of the book of revelation this is not the book of revelations. The interpretation of the book of revelation has often proven difficult throughout the history of the christian church. Ten keys for interpreting the book of revelation digital commons. The preterist view the term preterist comes from the latin word praeteritus, which means, gone by. It is because people have thought it is a book of revelations, they have missed the point that the theme of this book is the day of the unveiling of christ and the events that precede and follow that unveiling or revelation. Charles mansons interpretation of the book of revelation.
Bible for many christians, yet one of the most difficult books to understand. And so what we have to realize is that in some interpretations of the book of. This book is the revelation of jesus christ given to the apostle john on the island of patmos through an angel. That book allowed the proponents of each of four different views to present an overall summary of their approach to the book of revelation. The interpretation of the book is it symbolic or literal in nature. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. Though it does declare things that take place in the future, the main purpose of the book is to reveal jesus christ.
Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. The way the book of revelation is actually written is as a series of kind of unfolding revelations, each one of which gets to something deeper in the story. How to interpret the secret meaning of the book of revelation. The book of revelation is perhaps the most mysterious book in sacred scripture.
Bible scholars have taken one of four interpretations concerning 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. The book of revelation is notoriously difficult to understand. The first view of revelation is the idealist view, or the spiritual view. Introduction from the notes on the introductory matters, i concluded that the apostle john wrote revelation from the island of patmos at the end of domitians reign. This view also ignores revelations prophetic character and, if carried to its logical conclusion, severs the book from any connection with actual historical events. Mansons interpretation of the book of revelation especially chapter 9. The book next contains seven short letters of exhortation to the christian churches in the seven leading cities of asia minor ephesus 2. Interpretive models for the book of revelation as a whole. If we did not realize already that it takes a lifetime to understand the bible and thats a good thing, the point is driven home when we get to the last book in the biblerevelation. Most people read the book of revelation as futuristic only.
It talks about a time when god will dwell with men and he will wipe every tear from their eyes and there will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain for the old order i. Patrick zukeran presents a summary of four of the major approaches to interpreting the book of revelation and its meaning for the end times. Book of revelation understanding it, topics covered, jesus. John records the prophetic vision, in written text, and is instructed to send the document to the seven churches of asia. He says, the book of revelation is not hard to understand. Charts on the book of revelation is a useful supplement to courses on the book of revelation in both the church and the academy. Among the four major schools of thought, this view is the newcomer. Historicism, a method of interpretation in christian eschatology which associates biblical. Its purpose is clearly stated at the beginning and end of the book cf. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies.
Introduction the book of revelation is one of the most encouraging books of the new testament. Though it is little more than a piece of scholarly gossip, some have even suggested that the reformer john calvin, one of the best interpreters of the scriptures the church has known, shied away from writing a commentary on the book of revelation for this very reason. The interpreters of revelation are divided into three main schools. An issue that must be addressed before proceeding to an examination of the text of revelation is our basic hermeneutical approach to the book. Youll find four major interpretive approaches to the book of revelation that can. The book was written at a time of intermittent persecutions of christians by the roman empire. When people read the book of revelation they encounter this vast array of symbols. Under this view, the book of revelation is mostly a book of future prophecy. We see in this book the tremendous results of the cross, twenty six times do we see christs sacrificial title. First, revelation is a fulfillment of the sixtyfive books that came before it.
The allegorical approach to revelation was introduced by ancient church father origen ad 185254 and made prominent by augustine ad 354420. The book the preterist archive of realized eschatology. Over the course of the churchs history there have been four main approaches. The book of revelations continues with metaphor upon metaphor concerning the rule of satan on the elect, how he is free to travel between heaven and earth, and how when christ died on the cross, satan suffered a mortal blow and was cast out of heaven forever. 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. Interpret literally, except where the context or grammatical structure clearly indicates that the reference is a symbol or a sign. Time will not be given here for the very few who would offer weak arguments rejecting the apostle johns authorship.
An introduction to the book of revelation, including issues in interpretation. God would not have given it to us if its meaning were entirely a mystery. This view uses the allegorical method to interpret the book of revelation. 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.
To reveal things which must shortly come to pass in particular, it is a revelation from christ himself of the judgment to come upon those who were persecuting his people cf. The best commentary i have ever read on the book of revelation is one called the revelation record by dr. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation. Since the book of revelation is considered in the apocalyptic genre, the text can be extremely difficult to understand. The historicist approach sees johns revelation as identifying the major movements of church history, and then reads them back into the. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation wikipedia. Since domitian was assassinated in ad 96, we can date the book roughly at ad 95. There are four common interpretive models by which one can understand or interpret the book. In it, john1 talks about the ultimate defeat of evil and the glorious return and reign of the lord jesus christ. The preterist interpretation of revelation holds that the events spoken of in this book were all specifically fulfilled in the first century.
One would be hardpressed to interpret the book literally, though some have attempted to take such an. And there has been much speculation about it some of it bordering on offthewall, but some of it serious and scholarly. Revelation then becomes merely a collection of stories designed to teach spiritual truth. The four major schools of prophetic interpretation if we are to have any success in being free of the inertia of preconceived ideas, if we. But, of course, we cant leave it at that many books of the bible are very easy to understand on the surface. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and. If youre befuddled by the book of revelation in the bible, dont fret.
Right at the very beginning he makes a statement that made me want to shout hallelujah. This view maintains that the words in the entire book have. The preterist approach to revelation the unfolding of. Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. It is typical of apocalyptic writings common among jewish writers during the first century bce and both jewish and christian writers during the first century ce. The language the language of the book of revelation is primarily that of symbolism. 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. First, revelation is a fulfillment of the sixtyfive books. Its purpose may have been simply to encourage christians at that difficult time. Eastern christians became skeptical of the book as doubts concerning its authorship and unusual style were reinforced by aversion to its acceptance by montanists and other groups considered to be heretical.
The revelation of jesus christ is communicated by an angel to a man named john when he was on the island of patmos. Bible signs of the last days fulfilled in our time. Futurist occurs in the future the futurist school holds that everything after chapter 4 is yet to happen in the future. The book begins with the revelation of jesus christ. Facts of the book of revelation understand the times. Different schools of interpreting revelation evidence unseen. Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator.
The interpreters of revelation are divided into three main. Know the principal approaches that have been historically used to interpret revelation. Revelation 12 to 22 he that overcometh shall inherit. It starts out simply enough, it is a revelation in greek, apocalypse from jesus christ, it is a prophecy, and it comes as a letter to seven churches. To properly study the book of revelation, you must look for jesus throughout the book. It portrays christ as the triumphant king and tells us of his complete and eternal victory over satan. But just how is one to understand the book of revelation.
778 1415 49 861 1131 907 1249 1601 1233 1271 250 664 212 1031 978 1344 463 1039 1232 413 558 1460 391 1605 671 1480 1208 664 1425 159 47 609 1473 784 820 341 1468 1407 1349 220 300 803 509 1355 1313 1345 15 933 813