The book of revelation was written to warn the jews in israel and throughout the middle east what was going to happen to them during the end times age which started at the resurrection of jesus christ, and really starts ramping up in 70 ad when rome levels jerusalem, as jesus speaking about the jews foretold in matthew chapter 24. A strange vision given to john of a world racked by geophysical upheaval and spiritual transformation, it is a book cloaked in allegory and metaphor. Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. The book of revelation is the last book in the bible. Life on earth is specifically planned to assist human beings to become god beings. The book of revelation is the only apocalyptic document in the new testament canon although there are short apocalyptic passages in various places in the gospels and the epistles, and an extended apocalyptic passage in the book of daniel in the old testament. The dragon is satan working through pagan religions, the occult and spiritualism, while the beast symbolizes satan working in disguise. Everyone has heard of the four horsemen of the apocalypse, but less well known are the horses of. A downtoearth guide to understanding the most mysterious book of the bible lahaye, tim, parker, timothy on. Introduction to the book of revelations of st john. The book of revelation was written sometime around 96 ce in asia minor. Revelation, chapter 1 united states conference of catholic bishops.
If youre befuddled by the book of revelation in the bible, dont fret. The historicist view follows a straight line of continuous fulfillment of prophecy which starts in daniels time and goes through john. Interpreting the book of revelation as an allegory of. Many verses in revelation apply to life today, whether we are living in the midst of one of the. Symbols in the book of revelation semnele vremurilor. Hahn demonstrates why this littlestudied book contains many of the keys to understanding the gospels. It is a curious book unlike any other account in the bible. One interesting description presented in revelation is the figure 666. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. Patmos is a rocky and barren place, virtually devoid of trees. It is the only book of the new testament classified as apocalyptic literature rather than. Revelation itself follows from a vast tradition of apocalyptic literature. There are many images found in the book of revelation and these images are explained by the writer with much detail. One website goes on to summarize this form of literature, succinctly.
Among the 30 or so similar books that appeared in the first through third. Please explain the twentyfour elders standing around the throne of god. He explains that, for those students willing to examine the historical background to the new testament, the book of revelation. 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. Although its visions often seem bizarre to the western reader, fortunately the book provides a number of clues for its own interpretation e. How to interpret the secret meaning of the book of revelation how to interpret the secret meanings in the book of revelation how to better understand the coming events revelations of awareness 9617 no. 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. How to interpret the secret meaning of the book of revelation. The teaching company shmoop helpfully rounded up some of the terrible things that happen to people unlucky enough to live in the world described by revelation. Revelation 1 metaphysical bible interpretation truth unity. What is new jerusalem in the bible book of revelation. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation. In the first chapter, the risen and exalted christ is speaking to john.
The bible isnt the first book you might turn to for gratuitous violence, but its definitely in there. This symbolic city represents a group of jesus followers, also called the bride of. Revelation is apocalyptic, a kind of writing that is highly symbolic. She has become a lair for demons and a haunt for every unclean spirit, every unclean bird, and every detestable beast. It was not tampered with, as were many of the other book within the bible, because those who sought to control the masses did not understand it enough to make changes. Crime is ten times as bad as it was in the good old days. The key to understanding the intent of its meaning is through revelation. The things john had already seen are recorded in chapter 1. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john.
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. Serious truth seekers, regardless of age or experience, can reap a rich harvest by applying the information in this text. The book of revelation can guide us through troubling times. The first blessing is in the first chapter of revelation in verse 3. Introduction to the book of revelations of st john 3. Take a look at the basic structure of the book of revelation. The book of revelation is really an interpretation of earlier apocalyptic prophesies, specifically the book of daniel. Plainly, this has nothing to do with a historic jesus or any coming events on this planet. New jerusalem only appears twice in the bible, at revelation 3. The book of revelation the book of revelation, a free online course this free online course reveals how you can discover the true meaning of the revelation or apoclaypse of st.
However literal the prophecies may or may not be, the point is clear. However, even though the book of revelation is written in symbols, the bible explains itself in a literal language. This is because in the end good triumphed in the seemingly unending cosmic battle between the forces of good and evil. Most christians believe that the book of revelation refers to events which are to take place in the future, but this view may be only partially right. John, the revelator, represents that quality in man which discerns both the spiritual and the evolutionary laws that are involved in. According to new world encyclopedia, the four horsemen in revelation stand for war, famine, death, and either christ or the antichrist, depending who you ask.
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. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. Sardius stone gemstones in the bible book of revelation. Christ tells john to write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and. This is because it is one of the only gnostic gospels that actually made it into the bible. The book of revelation is unique, in that it describes a series of visions that may or may be taken literally.
Spiritual definitions of the book of revelation pure. My suggestion is to ponder these definitions, pray about it. Harpur is apparently quoting the king james version of revelation. In the new testament, this word describes the unveiling of spiritual truth rom. Over time the bible has been edited and passages and books have been stricken from the. Its title is derived from the first word of the text, written in koine greek. Rather, it is a book of mystical teaching, relating especially to the esoteric experiences of the evolving consciousness.
Metaphysically, what does john, the writer of the book of revelation, represent. An overview of revelation multimedia training kit covers the book of revelation verse by verse. The theme of the book of revelation is the redemption and the ascension of man from the natural to the divine plane of existence. The book of revelation, new metaphysical version is the most authoritative, inspiring, metaphysical interpretation of this bible book i have ever read. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. Watch our overview video on the book of revelation, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Paramhansa yogananda stated that it is a book of yogic wisdom, and he wrote a yet. 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. The book of revelation is the book of hope in spite of all those fearful sceneries and mysteries described in it. Apocalypticism was not a new phenomenon among christians.
He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john nlt. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. It helps us find a peaceful place within ourselves to observe what is really happening. John, which is a crytic and mystical scripture at the very end of the christian bible. Book of revelation understanding it, topics covered, jesus. The interpretation of the book of revelation has often proven difficult throughout the history of the christian church. A simple outline for the book of revelation is found in revelation 1. Edgar cayce on the book of revelation the afterlife. It was most likely written within a few years after the death of nero in 68 c. The images that are seen in the book of revelation are explained by the author. The author was probably a christian from ephesus known as john the elder. 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. It doesnt begin the way the pseudepigraphal book of enoch does, with the promise that the described events. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka.
Unlike most books of the bible, revelation contains its own title. The following definitions are what the spirit has revealed to me. 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. Reagans book, wrath and glory, covers the book of revelation chapter by chapter. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it. In revelation 1, john writes that the events of the book must soon take place. It all comes down to which of four main ways they interpret it. The importance of the book of revelation is twofold. Reagans video program, revelation revealed, presents a sweeping overview of the entire book of revelation. Most every word in ancient scripture has a spiritual counterpart to its literal meaning. The book of revelation means different things to different people. To read the word of god in this apocalyptic book without letting our imagination give us misguided interpretations, we need to understand the symbolism the same way the first readers did.
Revelation to john, last book of the new testament. The apocalyptic book of revelation is a symbolic glimpse into. The book of revelations, a gnostic gospel excommunicate. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. Revelation greek apokalupsis means an uncovering, an unveiling, or a disclosure. In the book of revelation, the apocalyptic hopes of the early christian community find their clearest and most complete expression.
1164 1503 42 95 810 446 460 371 748 218 486 1408 795 106 816 1342 1506 208 67 1369 902 321 1431 1214 41 437 47 464 39 196 1481 603 1280 1135 1132 664