Unlike most books of the bible, revelation contains its own title. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. Like the books of prophecy in the old testament, revelation. The transition to the fourth chapter of the book of revelation. Enduring word bible commentary revelation chapter 4. 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. Even if you dont understand it, the best rule of thumb is to just accept the plain sense meaning. Revelation the dragon pursuing a woman, from the bamberg apocalypse. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and. 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 first blessing is in the first chapter of revelation in verse 3.
Some day those who know christ will be secure forever in heaven, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away revelation 21. In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. The revelation of jesus christ, which god gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. Universal creation is represented by the four living creatures rev 4. Obbie beal on revelation 4 verse 11 thou art worthy, o lord, to receive glory and honour and power. What do the lampstands in the book of revelation mean. There will be differences of opinion about exactly what and the timing of events that take place in the book of revelation. He reverently avoids naming or describing god but pictures twentyfour elders in priestly and regal attire and gods throne and its surroundings made of precious gems and other symbols that traditionally express the majesty of god rev 4. If this choice experience is yet ahead for you, the day and hour is here to launch one of the most intriguing and rewarding studies in gospel scholarship in which.
On this day he brought into existence our sun, the moon, and all the stars genesis 1. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. Understanding revelations in the bible biblical archaeology society. Many major entities and symbols in the book of revelation are introduced earlier in the bible. He was given a great quantity of incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the holy ones. The versebyverse commentary on revelation introduction this commentary on revelation will prove, contrary to what most people think, that the revelation, the last book of the bible, is not difficult to understand if we will take a simple, facevalue, commonsense approach to interpreting it. Four horsemen of the apocalypse meaning in revelation.
At the same time, bible interpreters of the roman church considered the reformed. Reagans book, wrath and glory, covers the book of revelation chapter by chapter. You will start understanding the book of revelation. Revelation 4 new international version niv the throne in heaven.
Introduction the book of revelation is one of the most encouraging books of the new testament. The use of parallel language is important to help us understand apocalyptic prophecy. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. Those events are subject to interpretation but they are not a salvation issue. And the voice i had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, come up here, and i will show you what must take place after this. Revelation the last book in the bible was written to tell us about the futureespecially the final conflict between god and satan, and the triumph of jesus christover all the powers of evil and death and hell. Most of all, the book of revelation like all of the bible points us to christ. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator. 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 final result of that struggle was victory for the church. Early tradition unanimously identified him as john the apostle, author of the fourth gospel and three epistles.
Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. Their purpose was not only to give off light, but also to divide the day. Minister at large for elmbrook church, and director of the brook network. Some will interpret the how, what, and even the timing in the book of revelation differently depending on their method of interpretation. Whether were looking for gospel meaning or struggling with understanding revelations in the bible, historical bible study can help us find our way. The real meaning of the bible s book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. Parallel language helps us to interpret the language god gave us in revelation. Lets look at the characteristics of each horsemen and how they all play an important role in the end times from the bible book of revelation. For example, an anonymous scottish commentary of 1871 prefaces revelation 4 with the little apocalypse of mark, places. Another key to understanding the book of revelation, a very important key, is to accept the plain sense meaning of each passage. 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. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka.
Because the book of revelation says that angels stand on the earths four corners. This revelation was given to him by god the father, and it was communicated to the apostle john by an angel 1. The same union of white or watery brightness and fiery redness appears in revelation 1. 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. Revelation 4 niv the throne in heaven bible gateway. If youre looking for gospel meaning, consider looking into more aspects of. In it, john1 talks about the ultimate defeat of evil and the glorious return and reign of the lord jesus christ.
As its first verse declares, it is the revelation from jesus christ to show his servants what must soon take place. Like all books of the bible, revelation was written in a particular time and place to particular people. In fact, the opening passage contains a blessing to everyone who reads, hears, and keeps the words of this prophecy. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it.
Revelation 20 described the total and complete defeat of all sin and evil. This is the holy book of revelation, known as the revelation of st. Of all the books of the bible, few are as fascinating or as bewildering as revelation. Revelation 1, king james version kjv the bible app. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it. An overview of revelation multimedia training kit covers the book of revelation verse by verse. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. These four horsemen of the apocalypse appear to symbolically portray four disastrous occurrences that will take place before the second coming of jesus christ. The book of revelation, the last book of the bible, has fascinated and puzzled christians for centuries. The book of revelation explained in under 5 minutes youtube. Part of book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet the real meaning of the bible s book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate.
Thus rise the forever harmonious, thankful songs of the redeemed in heaven. And i will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for twelve hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. Revelation 4 bible commentary matthew henry concise. On the fourth day of what is called creation week god completed the material universe. However, the word revelation comes from the greek name apokalypsis, which means a disclosure, a revelation or manifestation and to be revealed. When people read the book of revelation they encounter this vast array of symbols.
Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. Jehovah the true god in the heavens and creator of all things. Answers to a variety of questions on the book of revelation including, the meaning of the first horseman, the timing of the bowl judgments, the application of the churches of laodicea and thyatira to history, and the meaning of nation against nation. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the lord of the earth. As you read the following passage, notice how the number and color of the horses in zechariah 6 paralleled the horses in revelation 6. And today we are talking about the book of revelation, a book that has several different interpretations and one that many christians. 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. Youll find four major interpretive approaches to the book of revelation that can. Revelation 4, new international version niv the bible app. As to the interpretation of the book of revelation, those of these three schools were bound to have. Revelation greek apokalupsis means an uncovering, an unveiling, or a disclosure. 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. Four times the author identifies himself as john 1.
John the divine, although the godgiven title is at the very beginning of the text, the revelation of. David guzik commentary on revelation 4 describes how john has a vision of the heavenly. Revelation 4 commentary, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the church of christ, presents a verse level look at the bible. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, a stark account of the apocalypse and a prophecy. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and.
Many have considered the book of revelation to be a sealed book and unable to be understood. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation. Whether were looking for gospel meaning or struggling with understanding revelations in the bible, ben witherington iii, author of the article asking the right question, says historical bible study can help us find our way. People not repenting except for the small group of faithful followers of god, and.
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