Interpreting the book of revelation

In the book s last chapter god reiterates that his words were given to reveal and not to be sealed revelation 22. As a seminary graduate, pastor and former bible college president, i highly recommend this important work. Most churches today teach the futurist interpretation of the book of revelation. Interpreting the book of revelation city christian publishing. The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. 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 framework is primarily laid out in daniel and. Its meticulous, scholarly approach to studying linguistic structure, vocabulary, and variant readings provides and exegetical model even for those who. It is theauthors assurance that despite your eschatological persuasion you will gain valuable insight into the interpretation and understanding of revelation.

This book deals with the principles of interpreting revelation hermeneutics. You and your family are a blessing beyond description to us and so many others. 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. What finally forced augustine to this much more spiritualising or symbolic interpretation of the book of revelation is not only that he was facing heresy and he was having difficulties with people. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some. My interpretation of certain key verses of revelation 9 is based on these assumptions. The reason most commentaries fail to enlighten the book s contents is because they violate one or more of the three basic principles of sound biblical interpretation. Most christians dont even realize other interpretations exist, but there are actually 5 different approaches to interpreting the book of revelation, maybe you knew. You will start understanding the book of revelation. That the book intends to be understood is implied in its very first word in the greek text, apocalypsis, meaning revelation, from.

Interpreting the book of revelation the rock of offence. The key to understanding is the mysterious book of revelation is comprehending its story flow. Part of book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture. Revelation is not too hard to comprehend, and we should benefit from it. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. Can we use that logic when were understanding revelations in the bible.

For most the only question about eschatology that exists is whether you think the rapture is pre, mid, or posttribulation. 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. In it, john 1 talks about the ultimate defeat of evil and the glorious return and reign of the lord jesus christ. Interpretive models for the book of revelation as a whole. The historicist view follows a straight line of continuous fulfillment of prophecy. No matter what approach you take to the book of revelation futurist or preterist, premillennial or amillennial you will find enlightenment as you. Historicism, a method of interpretation in christian eschatology which associates biblical prophecies with actual historical events and identifies symbolic beings. Interpreting the book of revelation provides a concise introduction to the careful interpretive study of revelation. I have read about recapitulation and the book of revelation. The second is to uncritically follow someone elses arbitrary interpretation of all the details and hidden meanings of its passages. The book of revelation is at once one of the most important books of the.

In all its uses, revelation refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible. 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. Interpreting the book of revelation logos bible software. Another way of viewing revelation is to say that there is a spiraling effect in revelation in the sense that each section returns to the point from which it. One is to think it is such an incomprehensible book of enigmas and riddles that we avoid it. 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. Reagans book, wrath and glory, covers the book of revelation chapter by chapter. One helpful way to meet the challenge of interpreting the book of revelation is to become acquainted with some of the main approaches to its interpretation.

Interpreting the book of revelation 1234 words bartleby. Different schools of interpreting revelation evidence unseen. First, john is aware that his audience readers extends beyond the seven churches he names in chapters 1, 2 and 3. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation wikipedia. Interpreting the book of revelation is a detailed and documented analysis of the most challenging book of the bible, prepared by a bible scholar with a graduate degree in the old and new testaments from brigham young university. Paul spilsburys book is a close runnerup for my go to book for an introduction to revelation. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. We aim to gain an understanding and appreciation of the central message and style of revelation, so that we will be able to lead the total church membership to profit from reading and studying the book themselves. It consists of a series of prophecies about the end times, when jesus will. This mode of interpretation, which sees later events in christian history as fulfilling predictions in the book of revelation, is known as the continuous history view. However, with just a few tips for understanding certain confusing elements, the book opens up as an important and helpful book for christians. Under this view, the book of revelation is mostly a book of future prophecy. This view maintains that the words in the entire book have.

As mentioned before, the book s very name means to reveal to unveil, to open to understanding what otherwise could not be comprehended. Interpreting the symbolism in the book of revelation. For each, he presents the basic approach, strengths of the approach and weaknesses of the approach. There are four major schools of interpretation for 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. The theme of the book is the events leading up to the jesus second coming. Going it alone in interpreting the book of revelation, part 1. Interpreting the book of revelation horizon publishers. Contents consistency of interpretation in revelation the usage of current news events the dirty word of spiritualizing revelation is a literal vision with an allegorical meaning a note on numbers the order of events in the book of revelation the importance of correctly interpreting the scriptures cannot be underestimated. Interpreting the book of revelation guides to new testament. To jerry and sherry roberts thank you for your faithful friendship and love for our lord and my family.

John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. God reveals a basic framework for understanding future events. But, of course, we cant leave it at that many books of the bible are very easy to understand on the surface. The vision which opens the book and the verse that organizes it. Introduction the book of revelation is one of the most encouraging books of the new testament. The recent unprecedented success of the left behind series is evidence of this popular fascination. Is there a chart or something that helps to lay this out in a more friendly manner. 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. Many evangelicals dont realize that the futuristic interpretation of revelation. Futurist occurs in the future the futurist school holds that everything after chapter 4 is yet to happen in the future. Some general comments about the book of revelation and its uniqueness. 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.

Dec 21, 2019 the book of revelation explained by pastor allen nolan is a teaching series on how to unravel the mysteries of the book of the revelation. 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. 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 word revelation means an uncovering, unveiling, a disclosure of truth. 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. 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 revelation is a sane, thorough, scholarly, and sensible approach to studying and understanding the book of revelation. Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. Approaches to interpreting the book of revelation josie nicolato regent university approaches to interpreting the book of revelation the book of revelation was written by the apostle john, in an apocalyptic literature style. This introduction compares differences of opinion rega.

The preterist approach to revelation the unfolding of. Yet most people believe that this final book of the bible cannot be understood at allthat its language and symbols are too confusing to make sense. Johns revelation extends from before the creation to the end of this earths temporal existence. Bible for many christians, yet one of the most difficult books to understand. Youll find four major interpretive approaches to the book of revelation that can. One of our most fascinating exercises in scriptural interpretation is to study the book of revelation, to ponder its truths, and to discover.

Symbolic language, however, is one of the chief characteristics of apocalyptic literature, of which this book is an. In it, john1 talks about the ultimate defeat of evil and the glorious return and reign of the lord jesus christ. Patrick zukeran presents a summary of four of the major approaches to interpreting the book of revelation and its meaning for the end times. The interpreters of revelation are divided into three main schools. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. He concluded that the correct method of interpreting the book of revelation was to blend the futurist and preterist methods. The first eight chapters deal with hermeneutical problems, schools of interpretation, historical background, methods of interpretation, principles of research, structure, history or prophecy, theology of revelation. 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 conclusions. Introduction revelation is a confusing book to most people despite the many commentaries written. Like all books of the bible, revelation was written in a particular time and place to particular people. Keys to understanding revelation united church of god.

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. Aug 02, 2016 most churches today teach the futurist interpretation of the book of revelation. A 21st century, secular interpretation of the book of revelation now, even though the realms of religion and science in themselves are clearly marked off from each other, nevertheless there exist between the two strong reciprocal relationships and dependencies. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation. Another way of viewing revelation is to say that there is a spiraling effect in revelation in the sense that each section returns to the point from which it began, but higher up, so to speak. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation. Interpreting the book of revelation 9780914936107 by kevin conner. 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. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. Interpreting the book of revelation guides to new testament exegesis michaels, j. An overview of revelation multimedia training kit covers the book of revelation verse by verse.

We have to deal with the tension and appropriately interpret revelation by taking both genres into account. The revelation of jesus christto show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. 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 great book. In the history of the church, five predominant approaches have emerged. Both of those two genres are in the book of revelation and we must interpret accordingly, by taking both into account. It is full of strange and often scary imagery, confusing numbers, time references, and much more. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ.

Few biblical topics have captured the imagination of contemporary evangelicals like the book of revelation. What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory. The interpreters using the historicist approach for revelation had their origins in the jewish apocalyptic writings such as we see in the book of daniel, which predicted the future the time between their writing and the end of the world. Ten keys for interpreting the book of revelation digital commons. One of the first things that help us understand the book. 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 book of revelation is one of the most encouraging books of the new testament. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and. The time for understanding the book of revelation is now at hand. The fundamental principles for unlocking the mysteries.

A 21st century interpretation of the book of revelation. 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. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. 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. It is, of course, the cryptic symbolism of revelation that makes it challenging to understand. By the end of the course, the student should be able to. We cant go to either extreme and neglect either of the genres in the book of revelation. Best commentaries and books on revelation logos bible software. Throughout most of history since the predictions of the book of daniel, historicism has been widely used. Unlike most books of the bible, revelation contains its own title.

Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. Apr 28, 2015 the book of revelation is similar to other literature of the time thats called apocalyptic, which typically includes visions, global clashes, endoftheworld warnings, and many, many symbols. Not an exposition in itself, the text avoids eschatological controversy by focusing on teaching the reader how to apply proper hermeneutical principles. Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator. Several principles need to guide any study of the book of revelation.

The interpretation of revelation has always been a subject of debate among bible interpreters. Interpreting the book of revelation guides to new testament exegesis. The interpretation of the book of revelation has often proven difficult throughout the history of the christian church. Because the book of revelation says that angels stand on the earths four corners.