Christian interpretation of the book of revelation

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 endless love of jesus ministries 1,226,206 views 29. A redemptivehistorical, modified idealist approach to the. Idealism also called the spiritual approach, the allegorical approach, the nonliteral approach, and many other names in christian eschatology is an interpretation of the book of revelation that sees all of the imagery of the book as nonliteral symbols. It is full of strange and often scary imagery, confusing numbers, time references, and much more.

Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. The theme of the book is the conflict of christ and his church with antichristian powers the devil, the beast, the false prophet, revelation 16. This view maintains that the words in the entire book have almost been fulfilled. The book depicts him as the risen, glorified son of god ministering among the churches 1. If youre befuddled by the book of revelation in the bible, dont fret. Unlike most books of the bible, revelation contains its own title. The book is the most controversial in the new testament canon. As the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth 1.

Ten keys for interpreting the book of revelation digital commons. Most churches today teach the futurist interpretation of the book of revelation. Greek lay theologian, preacher, ethicist, philosopher and writer. Knowing god an extraterrestrial message chuck missler.

The interpretation of revelation has always been a subject of debate among bible interpreters. The book of revelation had its origin in a time of crisis, but it remains valid and meaningful for christians of all time. Each page of scripture is from the king james bible, and is immediately followed by the meaning of that scripture. It is full of strange and often scary imagery, confusing numbers, time references, and much. What is the idealist interpretation of the book of. Johns apocalypse chapter 9 major christological crisis in the church. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing. A 21st century interpretation of the book of revelation. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. The book of revelation as a whole has the external form of a letter in that it begins with an opening salutation 1. The book of revelation, the last book of the bible, has fascinated and puzzled christians for centuries. In this sense the word apocalyptic has a slightly broader meaning, and it refers to.

In fact, the opening passage contains a blessing to everyone who reads, hears, and keeps the words of this prophecy. 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. 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 idealist interpretation could also be called the symbolic or spiritual interpretation.

The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. But understanding the apocalyptic genre, the history of the early christians, the persecutions. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john. The images that are seen in the book of revelation are explained by the author. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. For instance, the lamb, having seven horns and seven eyes, that took the book from god is christ because the image of the lamb appears as if it was. Id go along with that the last chapter in daniel also says it is sealed until the end times. Revelation the dragon pursuing a woman, from the bamberg apocalypse. Paul spilsburys book is a close runnerup for my go to book for an introduction to revelation. Revelation is first and foremost a revelation about jesus christ 1. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some. The conclusion could be that the full meaning of the book of revelation is still. Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator.

Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. The book of revelation is a personal book although it encompasses much of prophecy, revelation is a very personal book the apostle john wrote to the seven churches regarding the vision he received from christ. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. For most the only question about eschatology that exists is whether you think the rapture is pre, mid, or posttribulation. It can perhaps be best understood in distinction from the other major interpretations of revelation. When people read the book of revelation they encounter this vast array of symbols. There are many images found in the book of revelation and these images are explained by the writer with much detail. Here is my verse by verse interpretation of the book of revelation chapter 1. The first category of people would be those who think that all of the events recorded in the book already happenedsoon after the book was probably written in the days of the roman empire.

Preterism, a christian eschatological view, interprets some partial preterism or all full preterism prophecies of the bible as events which have already happened. The beast, the false prophet, who has the number 666, the antichrist. This view maintains that the words in the entire book have. Interpretation bible studies ibs offers solid biblical content in. The book of revelation is at once one of the most important books of the. Bible for many christians, yet one of the most difficult books to understand. John was a christian leader of jewish origin who was in exile on the roman prison island of patmos. The book of revelation is the only book in the bible, that i know of, that has a blessing associated with it for those who will read itnot once but twice. Interpreting the book of revelation city christian. Those events are subject to interpretation but they are not a salvation issue. What is the idealist interpretation of the book of revelation. We dont know why john was exiled to patmos, but it may have been for refusing to worship the roman emperor domitian.

Not an exposition in itself, the text avoids eschatological controversy by focusing on teaching the reader how to apply proper hermeneutical principles. This school of thought interprets the book of daniel as referring to events that happened from the 7th century bc until the first century ad, while seeing the prophecies of revelation as events that happened in the first century ad. Most mainstream christian churches dont have anything resembling a formal interpretation of the revelation of st. It will prepare you for the rest of the material contained here. Revelation speaks of things that are already history.

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it. There will be differences of opinion about exactly what and the timing of events that take place in the book of revelation. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. 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. Reagans video program, revelation revealed, presents a sweeping overview of the entire book of revelation.

Take a look at the basic structure of the book of revelation. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. Conventional understanding until recent times was that the book of revelation was written to comfort beleaguered christians as. The book of revelation is johns record of that vision revelation 1. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. This is the prevailing view among modern scholars who arent aligned with orthodox christianity. On the contrary, revelation intends to encourage its readers, using a type of literature that was common at the time it was written. Three approaches youll learn more about in this video are a historical view, a prophetic view, and a symbolic interpretation. The book of revelation starts with this is a revelation from jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. The revelation of the holy trinity and hypostatic union in daniels seventy weeks prophecy. Its purpose is to give encouragement and hope for all. 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. However, with just a few tips for understanding certain confusing elements, the book opens up as an important and helpful book for christians.

The book of revelation is full of symbols, and that means that its been interpreted in a lot of different ways over the years. Reagans book, wrath and glory, covers the book of revelation chapter by chapter. The first blessing is in the first chapter of revelation in verse 3. The interpreters of revelation are divided into three main schools. The true message of the book is one of hope, looking ahead toward gods ultimate victory over evil. I have read god,dreams, and revelation a couple of times, found it to be very meaningful and bought the last one as a gift. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. An overview of revelation multimedia training kit covers the book of revelation verse by verse. The contrast in literary form between the direct address of the letters and the symbolic drama of the remainder of the book is startling, but no more so than the fact that an apocalyptic. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. Then go into each of the twenty two chapters of the book of revelation one by one.

The author, kelsey morton has researched dreams though out history, as for example the ones found is found in the bible. In the face of apparently insuperable evil, either from within or from without, all christians are called to trust in jesus promise, behold, i am with you always, until the end of the age mt 28. John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. Like all books of the bible, revelation was written in a particular time and place to particular people. The book of revelation is filled with extravagant images that some believe forecast gloom and doom. The new jerusalem the book of revelation the great white throne judgement of jesus duration. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and. Interpreting the symbolism in the book of revelation. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. In a similar way everybody is guessing and arguing what the full interpretation of revelation is. Matt tully so it seems like the history of christian interpretation of the book of revelation can be broken down into four broad categories. The text has been influential in various ways, and there have been diverse opinions and interpretations. Revelation often seems bizarre and incomprehensible. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation.