In fact, the opening passage contains a blessing to everyone who reads, hears, and keeps the words of this prophecy. What is the idealist interpretation of the book of revelation. The interpreters of revelation are divided into three main schools. Recommended books on bible prophecy prophecy lamb and. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter.
Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. It is also a book of glory, depicting the continue reading is the modern interpretation of the book of revelation flawed. The book of revelation provides some of the keenest insights in scripture concerning the big picture of work. Among them, several have also brought books of revelation. After being haunted with unanswered questions i believe that what i offer you the reader is an accurate interpretation of the book of revelations and that it will shed light on your unanswered questions. Another key to understanding the book of revelation. What is the idealist interpretation of the book of. Those events are subject to interpretation but they are not a salvation issue. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. Beale, new international greek testament commentary nigtc, eerdmans, 1999, 1,309 pp. Edgar cayce on the book of revelation the afterlife.
The book of revelation is at once one of the most important books of the. Like all books of the bible, revelation was written in a particular time and. And i saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. The book of revelation, often called the revelation to john, or the apocalypse of john, is a book of the new testament that occupies a central place in christian eschatology. Hope you will be addressing the meaning of these images in revelation from the bahai perspective.
It can perhaps be best understood in distinction from the other major interpretations of revelation. Its title is derived from the first word of the text, written in koine greek. Of all the books of the bible, few are as fascinating or as bewildering as revelation. The book of revelation doesnt mean what you think biblical. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. The interpretation of the book of revelation is not that of the restored church of god, or any person within it, including me. The book of revelation bold type and underlining of scripture text have been added for emphasis your questions and comments are welcome note. Understanding the book of revelation is a timely book as we approach the twentyfirst century. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation wikipedia. Overview of the book of revelation introduction revelation 119. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. Is the modern interpretation of the book of revelation flawed.
Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. One of the best overall books on bible prophecy that has ever been published is things to come by dwight pentecost zondervan, 1964. Notable and influential commentaries by protestant scholars having historicist views of the book of revelation were. My book, gods plan for the ages 2005, contains a comprehensive survey of all aspects of bible prophecy.
This view also ignores revelations prophetic character and, if carried to its logical conclusion, severs the book from any connection with actual historical events. Engaging important questions concerning the interpretation of. Decipher the most mysterious and controversial of all biblical worksthe book of revelations. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it.
When i chose to read this book i had no idea what i was in for. In beginners guide to revelation, robin robertson uses his unique skills as a jungianoriented therapist to reinterpret this magnificent document as a saga of changing human consciousness. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and lion. Clavis apocalyptica 1627, a commentary on the apocalypse by joseph mede. The second method of interpretation is known as the idealist method. Yet it is a tough nut to crack, not only because of its intrinsic difficulty but because of the myriad interpretations that have grown up around the book.
Interpreting the book of revelation guides to new testament exegesis. There will be differences of opinion about exactly what and the timing of events that take place in the book of revelation. Some will interpret the how, what, and even the timing in the book of revelation differently depending on their method of interpretation. Over time the bible has been edited and passages and books have been stricken from the collective christian book.
This web site explains the book of revelation, each individual scripture. Is the modern interpretation of the book of revelation. Interpreting the book of revelation guides to new testament. In the 1970s there was an extremely popular book titled the late great planet earth which allegedly interpreted the book of revelation.
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. Here are brief definitions of the four major interpretive approaches. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. While there is only one old testament apocalyptic book daniel and one new. A vision of god on his throne in heaven revelation 4.
Four times the author identifies himself as john 1. Muslims, therefore, believe in the gospel of jesus, the psalms of david, the torah of moses, and the scrolls of abraham. The interpretation of revelation has always been a subject of debate among bible interpreters. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. No man is capable of opening a single prophecy in this book. Within the bible, the book of revelation is probably the highest point of debate.
An overview of revelation multimedia training kit covers the book of revelation verse by verse. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. The adventists take a unique view applying it to the millerite movement. The bible is one of the most widely discusseddebated books of all time. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The interpretation of the book is it symbolic or literal in nature. Preterists understand the book exclusively in terms of its firstcentury setting, claiming that most of its events have already taken place. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation.
This is because it is one of the only gnostic gospels that actually made it into the bible. In a comment, posted on february 16, 2019, a reader asked me to offer a bahai interpretation of chapter 20 of the book of revelation. A commentary on the book of the revelation based on a study of twentythree psychic discourses by edgar cayce contents pages the lords prayer and the seven centers diagram 6 extracts from the readings 7 the book of the revelation with the edgar cayce readings. The book of revelation doesnt mean what you think theres more to understanding this ancient book than you realize. Bible for many christians, yet one of the most difficult books to understand.
Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. Examine the origins of this view, its connection to revelation, and its mix of literal and symbolic interpretation. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation. Ten keys for interpreting the book of revelation digital commons. It is scholarly and comprehensive, written for serious, collegelevel students. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and. The book of revelation is addressed to believers, his servants, of the churches in seven cities of the roman province of asia. Like all books of the bible, revelation was written in a particular time and place to particular people. There are several other articles available on biblical interpretation. In this view, the book contains neither historical allusions nor predictive prophecy. An apocalypse is a very specific kind of literature with no modern equivalent. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. List of books and articles about book of revelation online. The classical historicist view of the vision of the angel with the little book, in revelation 10, represents the protestant reformation and the printing of bibles in the common languages.
It does not accept the literal interpretation of the book of revelation and instead spiritualizes or allegorizes most of prophesy to make it fix into their interpretation. The idealist interpretation could also be called the symbolic or spiritual interpretation. Essay on approaches to interpreting the book of revelation 1899 words 8 pages. Reagans book, wrath and glory, covers the book of revelation chapter by chapter. Mar 19, 2019 the book of revelation is by far one of the most challenging books in the bible, yet well worth the effort to study and comprehend. Koesters revelation and the end of all things in my opinion, koesters concise and, i mean concise commentary is the best place to begin, if one is seeking to understand revelation anew. 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. The book is also written to all believers everywhere. This book i believe was inspired by god and all the glory and praise go. The beasts of chapter, for example, are related to imperial rome and the imperial priesthood. Please dont be deceived by those people who come along and say, the book of revelation is apocalyptic. Nov 27, 2018 in daily mass we have recently been reading from the book of revelation. All other books of the bible can be found here at our other site. A catholic interpretation of the apocalypse john tickle on.
Larry is author of two books, yesterday, today, and forever. The book of revelation is one of the most encouraging books of the. Book of revelation explained go to revelation index for the 22 chapters title. A commentary on the book of the revelation edgar cayce readings 1971, 19932015 by the edgar cayce foundation 5 the book of the revelation with the edgar cayce readings as given for each chapter chapters 122, with interpretation 91 toward a better understanding of the book of the revelation, a group project. A third method of interpretation is the preterist method. Revelations is the source for the popularity of 666 and the four horseman of the apocalypse war, famine, pestilence, and death. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. Historicists take it as describing the long chain of events from patmos to the end of history. Among the things found in this book was the idea that revelation was speaking about such things as the soviet union, nuclear attacks between the ussr and the us, etc. Interpretive models for the book of revelation as a whole. It links the book of revelation to prophetic books of the old testament and maintains their historical meaning and focus. The following interpretation, offered here, is by special request.
John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. 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. In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture. Essay on interpreting the book of revelations 1435 words.
Applying the best available sources of commentary from a variety of scholars, donald and jay parry show that the book of revelation is meant for us to understand and that it is possible to understand it. The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. Revelation speaks of things that are already history. The book of revelation and work bible commentary theology. The first two chapters of revelation discuss the issues facing the christian communities that first received the book. The book of revelations interpretation from the bible. Best commentaries and books on revelation logos bible software. If you will look at apocalyptic books in the old testament, like the book of zechariah, you will see that the first coming prophecies contained in this literature meant exactly what they said.
Revelation books four views on the book of revelation. Messages from jesus to the seven congregations revelation 1. Dusty old books may represent neglected or forgotten knowledge, or an earlier chapter of. Delve deeper into the experiences of the men and women addressed by john. This false view is held by most protestant denominations, most covenant theologians and many in the reformed movement. Understanding the book of revelations the history of the. 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.
The book of revelation is by far one of the most challenging books in the bible, yet well worth the effort to study and comprehend. This summary of the book of revelation provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of revelation. Mar 18, 2019 the following interpretation, offered here, is by special request. However, the quran which was revealed to the prophet muhammad is the only book of revelation which remains in its complete and unaltered form. 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 is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. The interpretation of the book the interpretation of the book.
John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. The book of revelations, a gnostic gospel excommunicate. Those churches were in ephesus, smyrna, pergamum, thyatira, sardis, philadephia, and laodicea. What was the nature of the persecution and other problems they faced.
You will start understanding the book of revelation. In daily mass we have recently been reading from the book of revelation. If our interpretation doesnt make sense for the original readers. The book of revelation has been available in english since the king james. For 800 years the prophecies in the book of revelation have captured the collective western imagination. 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. A series of visions, each one leading into the next. It is commonly read at this, the end of the liturgical year, because it speaks to the passing quality of the things of this world and to the end of the world itself. Unlike most books of the bible, revelation contains its own title. Revelation then becomes merely a collection of stories designed to teach spiritual truth. Revelation gives a birds eye view of the entire sweep of christian.
Professor koester introduces one of the most discussed books of all time. I thought it was a discussion of revelation in general, only to find out it was an interpretation of the book of revelation as found in the new testament, and also known as the book of the revelation of saint john the divine. Revelation books four views on the book of revelation edited by marvin pate, the revelation of jesus christ by john walvoord, the book of revelation by clarence larkin, revelation revealed by jack van impe, keys to understanding the book of revelation by arthur bloomfield, wrath and glory by david reagan, revelation unveiled by tim lahaye, a commentary on the revelation of john by george. The greek word for revelations is apokalupsis which literally means unveiling or taking off the cover a we are meant to understand the book of revelation. Interpreters of revelation normally fall into four groups.