This just means that the book sees god and jesus as being equal in divinity and awesomeness. The book of revelation was written sometime around 96 ce in asia minor. This remarkable scroll is the centerpiece of most of the rest of the book of. Easy sequences for understanding the book of revelation. These are, i guess you could say the two final prophets that the book expects to appear on the earth, like moses and elijah of ancient times in the bible. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. Nov 01, 2001 book by book, idea by idea, verse by versebakers new testament commentary series is composed for the benefit of pastors and serious bible students who want quality evangelical scholarship communicated with clarity. There is also extended section where he discusses, in detail, the structure of revelation, the kingdom of christ in the apocalypse, and an in depth look at the seventh bowl of the apocalypse. The bible today this new edition of the commentary retains the virtues of the first. Carson praises his commentary as a learned and wellwritten work that not only explains the text satisfactorily in most instances but also introduces the student to the best of the secondary literature while saying that mounces special strength is in his appropriate and balanced use of both.
This is also in keeping with the other symbolic numbers in this last book of the bible, like the 24 elders, the 7 seals and trumpets and vials, the 144,000. The most blatant form of sorcery in the book of revelation is the multibillion dollar pharmaceuticalmedical industry, which just happens to be where it got its name pharmakeia. Come explore the works of temple scholar frank shallieu. One such reference is made concerning a doctrine that is attributed to a group called the nicolaitans.
The preterist movement is known for believing that the book of revelation was written before the destruction of jerusalem in 70 ad. Revelation 20 commentary the judgment of the old creation. The book of revelation primarily concerns the second coming of christ. However, when apocalypsis is used in a literal sense, it refers to the visible appearance of one previously unseen, as a woman shrouded by a veil is revealed when her.
It must also be kept in mind that the book of revelation presents a third beast with seven heads and ten horns. We need only remember the terrible judgments on earth, sky, sea and fresh water in chapters 8 and 16. This is the 2 nd time in revelation we have seen a key given to another to gain entry into hades or hell. This angel is now dispatched carrying with him the key of the abyss and a great chain. Aug 04, 2009 revelation the dragon pursuing a woman, from the bamberg apocalypse.
And just happens to be one of the biggest frauds being perpetrated on americans today. But yet it is one of the most widely read books in the bible and has become a rallying point for many christian sects. Interpreting the book of revelation guides to new testament exegesis. This comprehensive session, versebyverse, book by book study of the bible uses a threedimensional approach.
The book of revelations is about the wrath of the lord poured out in a short period of time 3 and 12 years, just before his second coming. The meaning of the passage is made clear by considering such aspects as ancient customs, locations of places, and the meanings of words3. The book of revelation provides some of the keenest insights in scripture concerning the big picture of work. These indepth versebyverse studies harmonize the holy bible from genesis to revelation.
They see it as the unveiling of prophetic events to understanding. This is not just about gods judgment, but also another picture of his grace, as, again, most twothirds are spared. Chapter 20 the revelation to john lake erie bible church pt ken reed 3 8. Beale nigtc, 1999 is solid, technical, amillennial. The book of revelation is the most remarkable text you will ever read. The book of revelation the new international commentary. In terms of the book of revelation, this is the sense that most interpreters and readers recognize in it. Obviously, your preference for a revelations commentary will depend on your theology. Elaine pagels has a persuasive answer, spectacularly illustrated. When writing the book of revelation, john used a literary form that would have been familiar to his readers. If god didnt write it through the sainted instrument of someone named john, then who did, and why. The author was probably a christian from ephesus known as john the elder.
These people would rather commit suicide and spend eternity in hell rather than repent. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. This summary of the book of revelation provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of revelation. In the present passage we find that her troubles are not over. Osbourne becnt, 2002 is also good for survey of views. There are six exegetical guidelines to interpreting the symbols of the apocalypse. Nt 620720 exegesis of the book of revelation russell morton, th. Mounce is very clear with a good understanding of apocalyptic genre and a cautious premillennial hermeneutic.
A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. Revelations on the book of revelation the world from prx. Presumably, this was the same scroll that daniel was told by an angel to seal up until the time of the end daniel 12. He wrote from the small island of patmos after being banished there for preaching the gospel. The words that the 7 thunders, angels, uttered were sealed up, and the mystery of god will be completed when the 7th angel begins to blow his trumpet, which will be the 7th trumpet judgment rev. In john wesleys commentary on matthew 24 1755, he said, josephuss history of the jewish war is the best commentary on this chapter i believe this is also true for the book of revelation. Please remember that the title should always be singular not revelations. The introduction proper revelation title of the book our bibles carry the title of the book as the revelation of john, or the revelation to john which means it is a revelation given to the apostle john, but the proper name is found in the first words of 1. The book of revelation is one of those books of the bible that anyone can read and come to a completely different understanding than another person that has read the text as well. Four times the author identifies himself as john 1.
The book of revelation the new international commentary on. O ften, in the course of bible study, an obscure reference is encountered that has significant meaning. The book of revelation can be interpreted in many ways. Some scholars, includin and g lindsey walvoord, believe tha alt threl e serie osf judgments seals, trum. Who are the nicolaitans mentioned in the book of revelation. Though the word apocalypse has, in popular imagination, come to symbolize a cataclysmic, worldending event, its true meaning is an uncovering, or a disclosure of knowledge or revelation. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible.
Among the 30 or so similar books that appeared in the first through third. A bible study focused on who are the nicolaitans in the book of revelation will provide a starting place for study. This comprehensive session, versebyverse, bookbybook study of the bible uses a threedimensional approach. An apocalypse is a narrative in which an angelic being reveals a supernatural world to a human recipient and points to salvation at the end of time. The revelation is a very solemn book speaking much about divine judgments but it is also a. This book was written by john, the last surviving apostle revelation 1. The first place we see jesus in the book of revelation, he is referred to as one like the son of man rev. Many have wondered if the third temple will ever be built. Before beginning to go through the content of revelation, we recommend that you read through the introduction, overview, and hermeneutical sections to familiarize yourself with the framework concerning this incredible book of god. Setting aside any claims that we might want to make about it as a result of its being part of the canonical scriptures of the christian faith, it is the most extraordinary piece of literature ever written by a human being, and it ought to feature in any university course on world literature. 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.
A study of the sources and significance of origens interpretation of scripture. Chapter 14 deals with new born babies during tribulation. 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. It is full of colourful imagery, and is difficult to fathom, but there are celestial references contained within that appear to marry well with the older mythologies that predated christianity. T hose who hold t ao futurist interpretatio of revelan tion 422 have one of three views on the cycles of judgments in th tribulatione. Mounces treatment of revelation is now available in a revised edition dated 2008. Revelation, speculation, and science answers in genesis. The angels treatment of satan corresponds to isaiahs prediction that disobedient angels would be punished and imprisoned. In revelation, jesus also has a special saving role to play in the world as the son of god.
Among the books of the new testament, the book of revelation is probably more widely debated than any other, due to its prophetic content, yet it is also the least understood people find it difficult to wrap their minds around it because in some places, it contains symbols that must be interpreted, and in other places, it contains literal descriptions or interpretations. First, all symbols in revelation will be treated as metaphors. Unlike, say, the gospel of mark, where jesus is portrayed as pretty human and separate from god. In the previous scene, satan was given a key more specifically to the bottomless pit.
The revelation is the only prophetic book of the nt and it is the keystone of the word of god. He will confirm a covenant with many for one seven, but in the middle of that seven he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. The book of revelation, the last book of the bible, has fascinated and puzzled christians for centuries. It is one of those embarrassing historical ironies that modern science could not have arisen except in the atmosphere of a christian worldandlife view. Each session volume is based on the niv translation. Josephus and the book of revelation nine case studies 2016 as we look at these parallels, consider what they mean for the popul ar idea that john wrote revelation around 95 ad. The book of revelation and work bible commentary theology. A focus of my recent studies is medieval eschatology, particularly the exegesis of the book of revelation in illuminated apocalypses. Chronological issues in the book of revelation robert l. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. The bible and drugs in realityrevelation christ the. Probably the most consequential vision of the future ever written is the bibles book of revelation.
Book by book, idea by idea, verse by versebakers new testament commentary series is composed for the benefit of pastors and serious bible students who want quality evangelical scholarship communicated with clarity. I will simply refer to the book by its abbreviated english title of revelation. One of the most significant things that john saw during his vision of heaven was a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals revelation 5. Having read through osbornes baker commentary, some of aunes word commentary, a large portion of beales nigtc, and most. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. The study book helps students answer the question, what does the bible say. These chapters are the heart of the last section of the book chapters 12 through 19. For example, the forty and two months of revelation. Do not feel sorry for these people who are being tortured, for they are absolutely evil. The meaning of the passage is made clear by considering such aspects as ancient customs, locations of places, and the.
Although there are many opinions about the doctrine of the nicolaitans, the bible provides many clues about what it means. The revelation research foundation has completed work on a 3d version of ezekiels temple, utilizing the drawings of mr. Wiseman, as set out in his book creation revealed in six days. The allegories contained within this book of prophecy may stem from those older myths about the. Sure, the hunch was wrong, but it was really good for book sales. It is the only book of the new testament classified as apocalyptic literature rather than didactic or historical. Usually the revelations are given through a rich array of images. From as early as justin martyr in the second century a. It provides the tools with which to pull ourselves out of despair, lifting the whole human race to a new level of experience, to a new understanding of life itself, to a new expression of its grandest vision.
In the first verse of the book, the apostle john recorded christs words, the revelation of jesus christto show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. Since the book is a whole book, there will be a knitting back into the first section of similar concepts and key phrases. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. The events of revelation are the events that occur in the book of revelation of the new testament. Metropolis this 1927 german silent film borrows from the book of revelation and even has one of the main characters dance seductively on the back of a sevenheaded beast. The holy scriptures start with a revelation on the past genesis 1 and they end with a revelation on the future. Revelation the dragon pursuing a woman, from the bamberg apocalypse. Mother nature has taken a beating in the revelation.
He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. Why do catholic bibles not include the book of revelation. The author even had a hunch that the world might end in the 1980s. Revelation with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Interpreting the book of revelation guides to new testament exegesis michaels, j. I heard or read somewhere that the book of revelation isnt included in catholic bibles, but that they have 73 books instead of the protestant 66, which protestants know as the apocryp. Some of the parallels are so striking that a person would basically have to conclude that john borrowed from the earlier writings of josephus, and.
Thomass exegetical commentary on revelations robert gives a detailed dissection of the last 14 chapters of revelation. The bestknown exponent of the revelation theory is aircommodore and assyriologist p. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. This period is symbolic, as one would expect in a book which tells us in its very first verse that the truth that it contains is signified, that is, presented in sign form 1. In the chronology of revelation, it commonly is believed and i concur that the following passage in the book of daniel prophesies a time near the very end of this age. Though the word apocalypse has, in popular imagination, come to symbolize a cataclysmic, worldending event, its true meaning is an uncovering, or a. The apocalypse, or revelation to john, the last book of the bible, is one of the most difficult to understand because it abounds in. This son of man is in the midst of seven lampstands, has seven stars in his right hand, white hair, and a sharp twoedged sword coming out. Its purpose is to give encouragement and hope for all. The second set of 144,000 jews, which were redeemed from the earth.
Revelation to john, last book of the new testament. I soon discovered this area is more complex than i expected perhaps because the medieval church did not insist on much dogma in eschatology beyond the teaching of the nicene creed that jesus shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead. 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. We hope this dynamic commentary is a beneficial study tool in your devotion to the word of god. Each volume offers fresh translation, versebyverse comment and application, and critical notes on the greek text. John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. 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. The contents of the book of revelation are not to be sealed rev. The book of revelation in an age of cultural conflict.