Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. Revelation gives a birds eye view of the entire sweep of christian church history. One helpful way to meet the challenge of interpreting the book of revelation is to become acquainted with some of the main approaches to its interpretation. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation.
The books second and third chapters contain vital warnings to the seven churches that existed in asia minor in the first century a. The primary meaning of the revelation, or at least the anchor point of any meaning, is what john intended it to mean, which in turn must also have. At this time, john was the leader of the church and the only remaining disciple of the twelve disciples of jesus christ who were alive, others having been persecuted and killed by the roman empire. Like all books of the bible, revelation was written in a particular time and place to particular people. For most the only question about eschatology that exists is whether you think the rapture is pre, mid, or posttribulation. Interpreting the book of revelation the real meaning of the bible s book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and.
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 book of revelation is the last book he wrote around 96 ad. Understanding the book of revelation by elder bruce r. The revelation of jesus christto show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. Most churches today teach the futurist interpretation of the book of revelation.
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. On the other hand, revelation is a book of the bible given to us by god. Revelation speaks of things that are already history. Its most serious problem is that it brushes over the specificity found within the text. And there has been much speculation about it some of it bordering on offthewall, but some of it serious and scholarly. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on 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. There will be differences of opinion about exactly what and the timing of events that take place in the book of revelation.
What is the idealist interpretation of the book of revelation. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. Another key to understanding the book of revelation, a very important key, is to accept the plain sense meaning of each passage. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. It is helpful to know what these are so that one can understand the origin of various trains of thought on particular passages. By the end of the course, the student should be able to. Here are brief definitions of the four major interpretive approaches. A reasonable guide to understanding the last book in the biblethis is one of the finest works on understanding the book of revelation that i have ever read. The theme of the book is the events leading up to the jesus second coming. The book of revelation is a series of visions, but not every vision represents the same thing, nor are they in any strict chronological order. The preterist approach to revelation the unfolding of. Keys to understanding the book of revelation its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. It is full of strange and often scary imagery, confusing numbers, time references, and much.
Several principles need to guide any study of the book of revelation. 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 revelation from jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servants what must soon take place, and blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy. In revelation the message is that god is coming to judge and to redeem, and that the powers of evil and empires will clash before god establishes the fullness of his kingdom. Youll find four major interpretive approaches to the book of revelation that can. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. The interpreters of revelation are divided into three main schools. The revelation of jesus christ should be interpreted as both a subjective and an objective genitive.
The key to understanding is the mysterious book of revelation is comprehending its story flow. In fact, there is actually a lot of repetition in the book that operates like different chapters of a book or scenes of a movie. This very powerful and dynamic teachingtool on the book of revelation shines a light on the symbolism and the mysteries of god. Through the prophet joseph smith, the lord has given us vital keys to understanding the book of revelation, particularly the meaning of the seven seals. The idealist approach is held by many in the present day, but it is fundamentally flawed as a method of interpreting the book of revelation. In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture. If you want to better understand the book of revelation. The book of revelation doesnt mean what you think theres more to understanding this ancient book than you realize. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. The one thing every christian should be doing but most are not. This commentary has been through advanced checking.
Its meticulous, scholarly approach to studying linguistic structure, vocabulary, and variant readings provides and exegetical model even for those who. The book of revelation is perhaps the most mysterious book in sacred scripture. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john. Revelation is first and foremost a revelation about jesus christ 1. The book of revelation is a prophetic book the word apocalypse means unveiling and thats exactly what the book of revelation isit is a prophetic book that discusses the unveiling of what is going to happen in the nearing end times and what will come with the final revelation of jesus christ. However, with just a few tips for understanding certain confusing elements, the book opens up as an important and helpful book for christians.
In the history of the church, five predominant approaches have emerged. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation. The idealist interpretation could also be called the symbolic or spiritual interpretation.
Book of revelation overview church of jesus christ. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. The result is that the basic historicist interpretation of the book changes from one generation to the next. Mcconkie of the council of the twelve one of our most fascinating exercises in scriptural interpretation is to study the book of revelation, to ponder its truths, and to discover. Interpreting the book of revelation logos bible software. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. God would not have given it to us if its meaning were entirely a mystery. The bible is the word of god given in the words of men in history. 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. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. Interpreting the book of revelation guides to new testament exegesis michaels, j. 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. 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.
The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. 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. What is the idealist interpretation of the book of. Of all the books in the bible, the book of revelation is one of the most difficult to understand. Some will interpret the how, what, and even the timing in the book of revelation differently depending on their method of interpretation. Interpreting the book of revelation guides to new testament exegesis. And so what we have to realize is that in some interpretations of the book of revelationin fact most of themthe interpretation is created by bringing things into. 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. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. The interpretation of revelation the interpretation of revelation has always been a subject of debate among bible interpreters. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture.
The book of revelation bold type and underlining of scripture text have been added for emphasis your questions and comments are welcome note. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. The book depicts him as the risen, glorified son of god ministering among the churches 1. The book of revelation explained takes you on a easy to understand and eyeopening journey through the book of revelation.
Like the books of prophecy in the old testament, revelation proclaims a message. Unlike most books of the bible, revelation contains its own title. As the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth 1. This mode of interpretation, which sees later events in christian history as fulfilling predictions in the book of revelation, is known as the continuous history view. The book of revelation explained in under 5 minutes youtube. Even if you dont understand it, the best rule of thumb is to just accept the plain sense meaning. As a seminary graduate, pastor and former bible college president, i highly recommend this important work. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. Most interpreters hold that the first three chapter are addressed to a circular rout of seven literal churches of that day. Because it contains so many symbols, some people teach the book as if it were a sort of aliceinwonderland story for adults.
Interpreting the book of revelation provides a concise introduction to the careful interpretive study of revelation. 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. The futurist method of interpretation there are several methods of interpreting revelation. It is full of strange and often scary imagery, confusing numbers, time references, and much more.