The book of revelation introduction the revelation of jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servantsthings which must shortly take place. Studies in the book of revelation project gutenberg. And there has been much speculation about it some of it bordering on offthewall, but some of it serious and scholarly. 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. The book of revelation is a source of hope and encouragement for christians because the book tells about the triumphant return of our lord, jesus christ. The book of revelation closes its awful description of the judgments which are coming upon the earth by inviting to the sinner, come to christ, and, after one reads and understand the book of revelation, he too will close the book and invite the sinner to, come, and receive, jesus christ as you savior. Temple second edition 2011 thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. And no other book of the bible promises blessings to those who read it, hear it and take to heart what is written in it. The kingdom of god is near revelation 1 the seven churches of revelation revelation 23 the throne room of god revelation 4 and 5 end times disaster and deliverance revelation 616 babylon and the new jerusalem.
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 key to understanding is the mysterious book of revelation is comprehending. Introduction revelation is a confusing book to most people despite the many commentaries written. Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god.
The revelation of jesus christto show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. The book of revelation unveiled united church of god. Every statement is to be taken to mean for exactly what is. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. Understanding the book of revelation is an excellent christian booklet with revelation bible charts that explain the symbols. Includes definitions, symbols, ways of approaching the text, and different. Before beginning to go through the content of revelation, we recommend that you read through the, and sections to familiarize yourself with the framework concerning this incredible book of god.
Without a thorough understanding of the rest of scripture most of revelation will neither make sense nor be appropriately appreciated. Many people think that it is a chronological record of events from start to. Understanding the book of revelation pamphlet is a basic guide to bible prophecy. Understanding the book of revelation, pamphlet ebook. The book of revelation is perhaps the most mysterious book in sacred scripture. This series is a bit of my testimony of coming into a further understanding of the truth as a result of studying the most important book for our timethe 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. The revelation of jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. Larkin, who published several books about biblical studies in the 1910s and 20s, was a dispensationalist, one of the threads of modern evangelical christianity. Elder mcconkie once said, if you have already fallen in love with johns presentation of the plan of salvation as it is set out in the apocalypse, you are one of the favored few in the church. God reveals a basic framework for understanding future events. To jerry and sherry roberts thank you for your faithful friendship and love for our lord and my family.
Did the letter concern events just in the day of john or did it include. Very important we note this and realize we cannot study revelation in the same way we study the book of romans. In the books last chapter god reiterates that his words were given to reveal and not to be sealed revelation 22. Hunters studies in the book of revelationlies in its clear and accurate presentation of the results of the investigation of modern scholars, in language which is comprehensible to the intelligent reader of the english bible.
In these chapters god tells us what eternity with him will be like. This is a solid, cogent breakdown of the historical. In this view, the book contains neither historical allusions nor predictive prophecy. This framework is primarily laid out in daniel and. Revelation then becomes merely a collection of stories designed to teach spiritual truth. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. And many religious people believe that the book of revelation offers no help anyway, because it cannot be understood.
The book of revelation is the only book in the new testament that begins by specifically stating its source, the revelation of jesus christ, which god gave to himand signified it by his angel to his servant john rev. People have shied away from this book because of its use of symbolism and its cryptic references. Revelation explained verse by verse, chapter by chapter. God would not have given it to us if its meaning were entirely a mystery. 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. Ive compiled 101 of those questions in this book, and my hope is that this resource will help you understand revelation better, and that it will also deepen your. The reason most commentaries fail to enlighten the books contents is because they violate one or more of. Every statement is to be taken to mean for exactly what is written unless such interpretation is highly improbable to spiritual reason, or against scripture elsewhere.
Understanding the book of revelation pdf download download. The book of revelation bold type and underlining of scripture text have been added for emphasis your questions and comments are welcome note. The time for understanding the book of revelation is. Not to phds, to experts, to prophecy fans, to a narrow inner circle of specialists. The word revelation means an uncovering, unveiling, a disclosure of truth. In short, the book of revelation is arguably the most important book you will. We hope this commentary is a beneficial study tool in your devotion to the word of god. Chapter 10 the angel, seven thunders, the little book. Chapter 10 understanding revelation and the timeline 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. It is the first book that many new to the bible want to study, while it is often neglected by mature. 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 revelation of john the divine the argument it is manifest, that the holy ghost would as it were gather into this most excellent book a sum of those prophecies, which were written before, but should be fulfilled after the coming of christ, adding also such things as should be expedient, as well to forewarn us of the dangers to come, as to. These two words are essential to understanding this book. It should be the last book of the bible that anyone seeks to become an expert on. Both testaments can be divided into history instruction prophecy revelation is the only book of prophecy in the new testament. The book of revelation, free pdf, ebook, epub global grey. Nobody can properly understand the details of a book without first understanding the main points. Understanding the book of revelation 15 understanding the seven churches of revelation 10 i was in the spirit on the lords day, and i heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, i am the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, and, what you see, write in a book and s end. Keys to understanding revelation the book of revelation.
The book of revelation must be taken literal whenever possible. For a better understanding of revelation, the student is urged to compare various. Includes definitions, symbols, ways of approaching the text, and different interpretations. This view also ignores revelations prophetic character and, if carried to its logical conclusion, severs the book from any. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. 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.
Introduction some general comments about the book of revelation and its uniqueness. Many people are confused by the book of revelation, viewing it as a mysteri ous, bizarre. And no other book of the bible promises blessings to those who read it. Around the world, leading members of the religious community debate its content and offer theories about every aspect of its message. This article examines the book of revelation and is the concluding part of a letter we wrote, the first part being posted in a previous article on this website 2. Before beginning to go through the content of revelation, we recommend. The time for understanding the book of revelation is now at hand.
The book ends with confirmations of authenticity by god, christ and john. 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. Understanding the book of revelation manual pdf dr. But god is working out a supreme master plan, involving every human being. The kingdom of god is near revelation 1 the seven churches of revelation revelation 23 the throne room of god revelation 4 and 5 end. In order to understand the time line of events in revelation, it is important to understand how the book of revelation is structured. Pair this with elaine pagels revelations and you have one complete book discussing the meaning of johns symbolism within the contemporary culture. The key to understanding is the mysterious book of revelation is comprehending its story flow. Unlike more recent authors, larkin does not make any claims to know when or exactly how the prophecies will unfold. The revelation to john new international version the prologue 1. Should the words be taken literally or are they symbolic. 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.
Study guide to the book of revelation framepoythress. And many religious people believe that the book of revelation offers no help. The revelation to john new international version the prologue. The theme of the book is the events leading up to the jesus second coming. Understanding the book of revelation berean research institute. The revelation of john the divine the argument it is manifest, that the holy ghost would as it were gather into this most excellent book a sum of those prophecies, which were written before, but should. Keys to understanding revelation united church of god. Understanding daniel and the revelation plus supplementary material by p. It is, of course, the cryptic symbolism of revelation that makes it challenging to understand.
I encourage you to bring your insights to class to share with others. Mcconkie, understanding the book of revelation, ensign september 1975. There are four common views regarding how revelation applies to us today. Yet it has a clear message for all who would devote themselves to its pages. Larkin, who published several books about biblical studies in the 1910s and 20s, was a dispensationalist, one of the threads of modern. This is a solid, cogent breakdown of the historical antecedents of the images in johns book, and puts the whole work in perspective that a modern reader can understand. The reason most commentaries fail to enlighten the books contents is because they violate one or more of the three basic principles of sound biblical interpretation. Free download understanding the book of revelation pdf. By the end of the course, the student should be able to. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to eve rything he sawthat is, the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. So, having briefly examined the passages for which you requested that i clarify my position, i would suggest looking into the book of revelation now and carrying these understandings with us. This view also ignores revelations prophetic character and, if carried to its logical conclusion, severs the book from any connection with actual historical events. You and your family are a blessing beyond description to us and so many others. Hunters studies in the book of revelationlies in its clear and accurate presentation of the results of the investigation of modern scholars, in language which is.
Of its 22 chapters 19 are about a time thats still in our future. As mentioned before, the books very name means to reveal to unveil, to open to understanding what otherwise could not be comprehended. In the book s last chapter god reiterates that his words were given to reveal and not to be sealed revelation 22. In short, the book of revelation is arguably the most important book you will read in your.
In our study of the book of revelation, we must start out with the clear understanding that. Most believe that the book of revelation is sealed, closed from understand ing. Throw in a dose of some of the catastrophic events that have occurred during the past few years. There is perhaps no more misunderstood book of the bible than revelation. The book of revelation is placed last in the bible for good reason.
The key to understanding the book of revelation is to interpret it as literally as possibleit says what it means and means what it says. The foundations and pillars ministry 1204 besstown rd beersheba springs tn 37305. In short, the book of revelation is arguably the most important book you will read in your life time. John has been an enigma from the earliest christian centuries. Understanding the book of revelation berean research. A tale of two cities revelation 1722 the meaning of revelation for our work. Understanding the book of revelation 15 understanding the seven churches of revelation 10 i was in the spirit on the lords day, and i heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, i am the alpha.
While many associate the word apocalypse with great disaster, the book of. Revelation contains many fundamental keys to that understanding, and the book of daniel contains keys that help us understand the book of revelation. A downtoearth guide to understanding the most mysterious book of the bible lahaye, tim, parker, timothy on. As mentioned before, the books very name means to reveal to unveil, to open to understanding what otherwise could not be. Jan 02, 2020 in these chapters god tells us what eternity with him will be like. 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.
Every statem ent is to be taken to mean for exactly what is written unless such interpretation is highly improbable to spiritual reason, or against scripture elsewhere. The book of revelation is often difficult to understand. Understanding the book of revelation t he book of revelation, or the apocalypse, has been the center of more speculation by scholars and casual readers than any other book of the bible. Elder mcconkie once said, if you have already fallen in love with johns presentation of the plan of salvation as it is set out in the apocalypse, you are one. Understanding the book of revelation how can i do it.