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. Bibliography commentary a testimony of jesus christ. Nations would also begin to fight each other in a global conflict. What is the futurist interpretation of the book of. Full of insights developed from a lifetime spent studying, teaching and modeling gods word, interpreting the book of revelation promises to become an indispensable resource in any library.
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. Interpreting the book of revelation is a detailed and documented analysis of the most challenging book of the bible. And there has been much speculation about it some of it bordering on offthewall, but some of it serious and scholarly. The book elijah by michael obrien is faithful to the catholic point of view, while speculating on the events described in the book of revelation, but as mentioned before, there is no actual official interpretation of the book of revelation.
A reasonable guide to understanding the last book in the biblethis is one of the finest works on understanding the book of revelation that i have ever read. Best commentaries and books on revelation logos bible. We always interpret narrative literally genesis, exodus, the gospels, etc apocalyptic literature is another story. Most interpreters hold that the first three chapter are addressed to a circular rout of seven literal churches of that day. An overview of revelation multimedia training kit covers the book of revelation verse by verse. The book of revelation is one of the most encouraging books of the new testament. Ten keys for interpreting the book of revelation digital commons. The futurist interpretation of the book of revelation is one of four approaches to understanding the prophecies of revelation. You will start understanding the book of revelation.
Unlike most books of the bible, revelation contains its own title. 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. The first thing is that many people, pretending to be him, or pretending to speak for god, would appear. There are some good lists of citations, quotations and allusions in revelation.
Revelation greek apokalupsis means an uncovering, an unveiling, or a disclosure. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation. In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture. The interpretation of the book of revelation has often proven difficult throughout the history of the christian church. However, with just a few tips for understanding certain confusing elements, the book opens up as an important and helpful book for christians. Interpreting the symbolism in the book of revelation. Have you ever wondered what the book of revelation is all about.
Most christians dont even realize other interpretations exist, but there are actually 5 different approaches to interpreting the book of revelation, maybe you knew. The book of revelation explained in under 5 minutes youtube. Interpreting the book of revelation provides a concise introduction to the careful interpretive study of revelation. What is the futurist interpretation of the book of revelation. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and. Christ tells john to write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. The other three systems are the historicist, the preterist, and the spiritual or idealist. In part 1 of our 65 part bible study, we are introduced to the most. Its meticulous, scholarly approach to studying linguistic structure, vocabulary, and variant readings provides and exegetical model even for those who disagree with some of the authors. And so what we have to realize is that in some interpretations of the book of. 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. There are several methods of interpreting revelation.
Similar to the early protestants, adventists maintain a historicist interpretation of the bibles predictions of the apocalypse. The interpretation of revelation has always been a subject of debate among bible interpreters. The preterist approach to revelation the unfolding of. The basic premise of the futurist viewpoint is that the majority of the prophecies in. Interpreting the book of revelation horizon publishers. Because of the many visions and symbols that come from the book of revelation there are several different approaches to interpreting it including the idealist view, the. An introduction to the book of revelation, including issues in interpretation, ways to understand the time frame of the book, and. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation. Interpreting the book of revelation 1234 words bartleby. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. Youll find four major interpretive approaches to the book of revelation that can. Most churches today teach the futurist interpretation of the book of revelation.
Like all books of the bible, revelation was written in a particular time and place to particular people. Jesus answer is key to interpreting the many symbols found in 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. The book of revelation explained by pastor allen nolan is a teaching. The following is the forward and a portion of a chapter from a forthcoming book which, in my view, falls in. The book of revelation is perhaps the most mysterious book in sacred scripture. Outline for this study of the book of revelationpages 1, 2, and top of page 3. It is full of strange and often scary imagery, confusing numbers, time references, and much more. In the first chapter, the risen and exalted christ is speaking to john. The historicist view follows a straight line of continuous fulfillment of prophecy which starts in daniels time and goes through john. Many commentators appeal to the highly symbolic nature of the book of revelation as a reason for interpreting the seven kings of 17. We need some keys to unlock its special apocalyptic message.
The things john had already seen are recorded in chapter 1. This cd discussion covers the premortal war in heaven, johns messages to the churches in his day, explanations of the angelic trumps, and the opening of the seven seals. Throughout the whole bible the biblical authors often. This view suggests that the events in revelation do not all form a continuous series but the series of sevens seven seals in rev 6. Interpreting the book of revelation city bible church. You and your family are a blessing beyond description to us and so many others. To jerry and sherry roberts thank you for your faithful friendship and love for our lord and my family. The book of revelation has 2 different genres in it. This book will provide little help on interpreting the book of revelation. 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. Whether were looking for gospel meaning or struggling with understanding revelations in the bible, historical bible study can help us find our way. Its meticulous, scholarly approach to studying linguistic structure, vocabulary, and variant readings provides and exegetical model even for those who. When people read the book of revelation they encounter this vast array of symbols.
The interpreters of revelation are divided into three main schools. 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 chart provides a summary of the whole book, supporting the theory of recapitulation. Not an exposition in itself, the text avoids eschatological controversy by focusing on teaching the reader how to apply proper hermeneutical principles. Approaches to interpreting the book of revelation the book of revelation is often very hard to understand because of its visions and elaborate symbolism mounce, 1992, p. The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. The bible is the word of god given in the words of men in history. A simple outline for the book of revelation is found in revelation 1. It is most important to understand that the book of revelation does not list the scenes and events in the same order in which they will actually occur. It holds a unique place in biblical interpretation. But as a message to the first century church, since we accept it as scripture, it is also a word of god to the church today. Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator.
As a seminary graduate, pastor and former bible college president, i highly recommend this important work. 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. Interestingly enough there are only 4 chapters in the bible where there is. The interpretation of revelation the interpretation of revelation has always been a subject of debate among bible interpreters. 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. Interpreting the book of revelation logos bible software. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. He stated that before his return several things will happen. This view maintains that the words in the entire book have. In the new testament, this word describes the unveiling of spiritual truth rom. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. Reagans book, wrath and glory, covers the book of revelation chapter by chapter. We find, however, a key verse which refutes this claim which states, the revelation of jesus christ, which god gave to him, to show to his servants the things that are ordained to come to pass shortly revelation 1.
It is helpful to know what these are so that one can understand the origin of various trains of thought on particular passages. For most the only question about eschatology that exists is whether you think the rapture is pre, mid, or posttribulation. As to the first four seals, in my interpretation of the book of revelation, the seven seals are what keep the book closed. In it, john 1 talks about the ultimate defeat of evil and the glorious return and reign of the lord jesus christ. There is basic information on the various approaches to the interpretation of revelation. 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.
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