For these reasons, many people have ignored the book, feeling that any attempt to understand it is futile. The four common approaches are: The Preterist View: This view interprets Revelation as referring to the time of the first-century church, and therefore, all the events in Revelation refer to that time. If you feel overwhelmed when you read Revelation, youre not alone. Preterists understand the book exclusively in terms of its first-century setting, claiming that most of its events have already taken place. Strength: The observation that the book was intended for a first-century audience. This site is a proud member of the Salem Web Network, a subsidiary of, Copyright 2023, Crosswalk.com. Tweet. But there is always a danger that the symbols may be interpreted in a way that was not intended by the author who used them. The struggle will eventually reach a climax, at which time God will intervene, destroy the forces of evil, and set up a new order in which the righteous will live for all time to come. Book of Revelation Explained Scripture by Scripture - Discover Books of 1920)\n\n
A new heaven and new earth (Rev. Christ's messages are addressed to seven angels, each one of which is the guardian for a particular church: Ephesus, Smyrna, Thyatira, Pergamum, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. 12:11). 14), Bowl judgments and the battle of Armageddon (Rev. In his grace, God has seen fit to reveal to us his sovereign purpose and plan for all creation. Some were even tempted to abandon their faith or at least to make concessions to Rome sufficient to enable them to save their lives. The exact meaning of the millenium, the 1,000 year reign that John speaks of in Revelation 20, is a centuries-old debate in Christian circles. The Book of Revelation Explained in Under 5 Minutes - YouTube Although the charge was false, it was sufficient to cause many people to regard the new Christian movement with suspicion. This danger is compounded because mistrust and strife between nations has never been greater. A simple outline for the book of Revelation is found in Revelation 1:19. Truths about Him and His final victory, that the rest of Scripture merely allude to, become clearly visible through revelation about Jesus Christ (See Historical and Theological What Does Revelation Mean? Bible Definition and References What Does the Bible's Book of Revelation Mean? However, Jesus told his disciples not to be troubled when they hear of wars and rumors of warsall these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. The persecutions that are now taking place will last for only a short time, for the hour of God's judgment is close at hand. Revelation 22: 6- 21. from your Reading List will also remove any Rich graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from Taylor University and pursued graduate studies at The American University in Washington, DC. Dummies helps everyone be more knowledgeable and confident in applying what they know. 45), A pregnant woman and the dragon (Rev. Revelation Chapter 4 Explained - Discover the 66 Books of The Bible 1:17). ","description":"If you're befuddled by the Book of Revelation in the Bible, don't fret. John wrote Revelation while a prisoner on the Island of Patmos, approximately 85-95 A.D. As the opposition to Christianity became more intense, the followers of the new movement were asked to prove their loyalty to the Roman government by denouncing Christ and by worshipping the statue of the emperor. The Revelation of John is the one book in the New Testament that claims John as its author. Catastrophes of a similar nature follow when the remaining angels empty their bowls. Since he uses these similes all throughout the book, the absence of these indicators mightmean that literal interpretation is warranted. Revelation - Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary - StudyLight.org The book isnt prophecy about the end of time; its directed at Christians trying to live their faith in the Roman Empire. through intelligence, human reasoning or scientific discovery, know or dis-cern events to come. Key to understanding commentaries on Revelations is knowing the position of the commentator. You can read more articles from Aaron and his colleagues by subscribing to their blog or following them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Revelation. Weakness: Revelation then has little relevance for its original audience; also, historicists have wildly divergent views concerning the particulars.
\nIdealist: There’s no correlation between the visions and any historical reality; they’re simply symbols of the ongoing struggle between good and evil. Idealist: Theres no correlation between the visions and any historical reality; theyre simply symbols of the ongoing struggle between good and evil. No doubt, there are some strange things in the book of Revelation: locusts from a bottomless pit with womens hair and lions teeth, a woman and child being chased by a red dragon, and a beast with seven heads and ten horns, just to name a few. Those who remain loyal will be delivered from the hands of their enemies, and in the new order of things soon to be established, they will be given a crown of life and the assurance that the new order will last forever. Although the apostle Paul and other Christians maintained that this practice was not a matter of vital importance and that everyone should be permitted to follow the dictates of their own consciences, apparently John did not share this attitude. To whom this work of binding Satan is committedto an angel from heaven. 3:22). Strength: The recognition that the book clearly communicates enduring ideals. Removing #book# As Jesus addresses the seven churches individually in Revelation 2-3, he ends each address with an exhortation that extends to all who read Revelation: He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches (Rev. Critics find this arbitrary and therefore unconvincing. PDF Revelation Explained at Last! Visions described in these chapters are accompanied by the interpretations. The great catastrophic events that bring an end to all the kingdoms of earth will also be the occasion for the return of Christ on the clouds of heaven. The message of Revelation was intended for this particular time and set of circumstances. This view has few adherents today. Special (or direct) revelation. It is often used to describe the way God is revealed through: a dream; a vision ","hasArticle":false,"_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/authors/9207"}},{"authorId":10164,"name":"Larry R. Helyer","slug":"larry-r-helyer","description":" Dr. Critics find this arbitrary and therefore unconvincing.
\nThe exact meaning of the millenium, the 1,000 year reign that John speaks of in Revelation 20, is a centuries-old debate in Christian circles. Please watch: "The ONE Thing Every Christian Should Be Doing But Most Are NOT!" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slK6HI8tUTY --~--THE BOOK OF REVELATION EXPLA. Even through all of this there is a clear structure; take a look at the layout of the book of Revelation:
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Prologue (Rev. 11)
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A pregnant woman and the dragon (Rev. Its many references to angelic beings, its elaborate description of Christ as he appears in the heavenly courts, its use of such mystic numbers as three, seven, twelve, and their multiples, the accounts of strange beasts, symbolic names, and definite time periods all suggest some hidden and esoteric meaning that supposedly can be detected only by an expert. The book of Revelation was written to comfort the people of God by revealing the end of the story. The prophetic events described in Revelation are yet to occur. The book of Revelation is both fascinating and confusing. As Christ approaches the earth, the wicked people will be slain by the brightness of his coming. Following Christ's messages to the seven churches, John describes the seven seals, scrolls on which is written an account of the events that are about to take place. But first, the first five verses show heaven's response to the judgment of the harlot. Toward the end of the first century of the Christian era, the attitude of the Roman government toward Christianity became especially hostile. Revelation gives a purpose and a plan to the suffering we face. David Guzik commentary on Revelation 4 describes how John has a vision of the heavenly throne surrounded by the 24 elders and the 4 creatures. His evil character is manifest in the cruel persecutions that are being inflicted upon Christians. Strength: The conviction that God controls the course of history. They are told that the forces of destruction are about to be turned loose in the world, and they may have to endure even greater torment, but if they are faithful through it all, they will be among the redeemed whose names are written in the book of life. Only in regard to the content in which the symbols are used can we determine what the author meant. Understanding the Book of Revelation - Restored Church of God Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0; additional terms may apply. And if anyone takes words away from this scroll of prophecy, God will take away from that person any share in the tree of life and in the Holy City, which are described in this scroll. Join PLUS Login. God did not give us the book of Revelation to make us overanalyze every current event, wringing our hands and worrying if the end is nigh. On the contrary, Revelation is meant to give us certainty and peace, knowing that the end of the story has already been written. The following chart can help you sort out these respective viewpoints: John, who wrote the Bibles Book of Revelation, was the longest living apostle; as such, he witnessed extraordinary changes in the political, social, religious, and economic world. The Book of Revelation in the Bible is one of the more difficult books of the Bible to understand. Before describing the manner of this visitation, John identifies the power now vested in the Roman emperor with an evil being, who, through the centuries, has been at war against the forces of righteousness. In the opening pages of the book, we see Jesus Christ both as a conquering King and the sacrificial Lamb. ( Go Here) ( Go to Main Index) (Go to Revelation 1) Share: Toward the end of the first century of the Christian era, emperor worship was fairly well established, not only in the city of Rome but in the outlying regions that formed a part of the empire. Revelation to John, also called Book of Revelation or Apocalypse of John, abbreviation Revelation, last biblical book of the New Testament. What does Revelation chapter 20 mean? - Online Bible Commentary It is a mistake to suppose that John was predicting events that would take place in the later centuries of Christian history. 8 Revelation Explained at Last! 12), 144,000 on Mount Zion; three angels; harvest of the earth (Rev. Revelation Chapter 19 Revelation chapter 19 and 20 bring the climax of the Book of Revelation: the return of Christ to establish His Earthly Kingdom (see article "Kingdom - Christ's Coming Kingdom"). Futurist: By the sixth seal (6:1217), the book describes events leading up to Jesuss return. The following historical events were significant to John the Apostle and his audience: First outbreak of persecution against Christians by Nero (64 CE), Paul and Peter are martyred at Rome (6768 CE), Jerusalem is sacked and the second Temple burns (70 CE), The emperor Domitian accepts worship as a god (8196 CE). Simple English; Slovenina; Slovenina; . The plagues will inflict the wicked of John's day, just as a series of plagues inflicted the ancient Egyptians prior to the time when the Israelites were delivered from their bondage. Because they were convinced that the work of the Messiah must end in triumph and glory, they believed that this end could be accomplished only by a return of Jesus back to this earth from the heaven to which he had ascended. The following chart can help you sort out these respective viewpoints:
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\n"},{"title":"Events surrounding the Apostle John's writings","thumb":null,"image":null,"content":"\n \nCategory \nPremillennialism \nAmillennialism \nPostmillennialism \n\n \nBeginning of the millennium \nJesus’s Second Coming \nJesus’s resurrection \nWhen a majority of the of the Millennium world’s population \n
\nconverts to Jesus\n \nDuration \n1,000 years or a long period of time \nUndetermined; lasts until Jesus’s Second Coming \nUndetermined; lasts until Jesus’s Second Coming \n\n \nJesus’s type of reign \nPhysical, earthly \nSpiritual (through conversion) \nSpiritual (through conversion) \n\n \nTribulation (period of suffering before Jesus’s Second \n
\nComing)Literal 7-year period \nBrief period before Jesus’s Second Coming \nBrief period before Jesus’s Second Coming \n\n \n\nTiming of the rapture (transport of believers to heaven) \nBefore the Tribulation, halfway through, or after it \nOccurs as part of Jesus’s Second Coming \nOccurs as part of Jesus’s Second Coming \nJohn, who wrote the Bible’s Book of Revelation, was the longest living apostle; as such, he witnessed extraordinary changes in the political, social, religious, and economic world. 2023 Course Hero, Inc. All rights reserved. Richard Wagner: Rich is author of The Expeditionary Man, The Myth of Happiness, The Gospel Unplugged, and several For Dummies books, including C. S. Lewis & Narnia For Dummies, Christianity For Dummies, and Christian Prayer For Dummies. There is also a sea of glass and . 1516)
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A woman on the beast and the fall of Babylon (Rev. Revelation to John | Summary & Facts | Britannica When John describes his visions, he is seeing things that almost defy description. By entering your email address and clicking the Submit button, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy & to receive electronic communications from Dummies.com, which may include marketing promotions, news and updates. The book isn’t prophecy about the end of time; it’s directed at Christians trying to live their faith in the Roman Empire. Then the wicked will be raised from the dead, and after making an attempt to overthrow the city of God, they will be destroyed in what John tells us is the second death. What does Revelation chapter 4 mean? - Online Bible Commentary The immediate recipients of the Apostle Johns letter were the seven churches which are in Asia (Rev. Take a look at the basic structure of the Book of Revelation; its major interpretations; the various perspectives on the Millennial Kingdom mentioned in Revelation 20; and how key events shaped John the Apostle and his writing. Revelation 20 Commentary - The Bible 6)
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144,000; the multitude (Rev. This is the prevailing view among modern scholars who aren’t aligned with orthodox Christianity. 2:11, Rev. 2:7, Rev. Then it declares that at 4:1, or at least by 6:12, the sixth seal, everything else is about the final period of earth history before Christ returns. Revelation Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster Seven more angels then appear, each one carrying a bowl, the content of which symbolizes the wrath of God about to be poured out in the form of the seven last plagues. He has more than a decade’s broad experience in church leadership and teaching roles. 10)
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Two witnesses (Rev. The Book of RevelationWhat Does It Mean? | Bible Questions - JW.ORG Revelation Chapter 3 Explained - Discover the 66 Books of The Bible He is the one who invokes fear yet tells us to fear not (Rev. Visions are highly symbolic. The focus is on a historical struggle that unfolds at the end of the age and climaxes with Jesus’s Second Coming. Weakness: Revelation then has little relevance for its original audience; also, historicists have wildly divergent views concerning the particulars. Dummies has always stood for taking on complex concepts and making them easy to understand. With most literary genres in the Bible, we begin with the details and work toward an understanding of the whole text. 12) illuminate End Time events. He says, "This calls for wisdom. The events described in Revelation 6 through 22 refer to the end times, when Jesus Christ executes judgment on the earth and restores all things. Strength: The recognition that the book clearly communicates enduring ideals. 10 Classic Hymns You Might Remember and Why They're Important. The ENTIRE book of REVELATION explained in 60 minutes 7)
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Trumpet judgments (Rev. So he has an "unholy trinity" that consists of himself (Satan), the Antichrist (the political, religious beast), and the false prophet, (the religious, political beast). revelation: [noun] an act of revealing or communicating divine truth. The Book of Revelation - CliffsNotes For example, look at how John describes the creatures in Gods throne room in Revelation 4:7: The first living creature was likea lion, the second living creature like a calf John did his best to describe what he saw by drawing comparisons to what he knew. Glances at earlier stages of redemptive history (as in Rev. In the Book of Revelation, the apocalyptic hopes of the early Christian community find their clearest and most complete expression. No, we may not fully comprehend the complicated prophecies and images contained in the book of Revelation, but we shouldnt let that distract from the incredible warmth and reassurance this book provides. He refers to Pergamum as Satan's home inasmuch as it was in this place that the cult of emperor worship was particularly strong. Larry has authored numerous journal and dictionary articles on biblical and theological subjects and has just finished a book on New Testament theology. The sea here represents the Gentile nations of the world, from which this beast comes. Revelation - Free Bible Commentary in easy English Rich graduated with a bachelor of arts degree from Taylor University and pursued graduate studies at The American University in Washington, DC. From the opening pages of Genesis. Before the opening of the seals is completed, another series of disasters is revealed in the appearance of seven angels, each one carrying a trumpet. Learn more about the rapture, the anti-christ, bible prophecy and the tribulation with articles that explain Biblical truths. Then it declares that at 4:1, or at least by 6:12, the sixth seal, everything else is about the final period of earth history before Christ returns. He received his doctorate in New Testament from Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, California. Revelation 21 Bible Commentary - Christianity - Beliefs and History of 23), The throne room and the scroll with seven seals (Rev. Larry has authored numerous journal and dictionary articles on biblical and theological subjects and has just finished a book on New Testament theology. This second coming, occurring at the time when all the events connected with the apocalyptic program will take place, will inaugurate the coming of the new age, as well as the final destruction of all the forces of evil. At one point, John is quite specific in his identification of the one symbolized by the beast. For a period of a thousand years, Satan will be bound, and the earth will be desolate. Revelation - Free Bible Commentary in easy English From Now to the End of Time An EasyEnglish Bible Version and Commentary (2800 word vocabulary) on the Book of Revelation www.easyenglish.bible Ian Mackervoy This commentary has been through Advanced Checking. In our modern way of speaking John might say, "Blessed is the pastor who teaches Revelation, and blessed is the . It was easy to circulate rumors of this kind, and along with other things, Christians were charged with plotting against the Roman government. The Christians often held their meetings in secret places, and their critics imagined that they were doing all sorts of evil things. {"appState":{"pageLoadApiCallsStatus":true},"articleState":{"article":{"headers":{"creationTime":"2016-03-27T16:53:38+00:00","modifiedTime":"2022-01-19T18:44:14+00:00","timestamp":"2022-09-14T18:19:02+00:00"},"data":{"breadcrumbs":[{"name":"Body, Mind, & Spirit","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34038"},"slug":"body-mind-spirit","categoryId":34038},{"name":"Religion & Spirituality","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34202"},"slug":"religion-spirituality","categoryId":34202},{"name":"Christianity","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34206"},"slug":"christianity","categoryId":34206},{"name":"Bible","_links":{"self":"https://dummies-api.dummies.com/v2/categories/34207"},"slug":"bible","categoryId":34207}],"title":"Book of Revelation For Dummies Cheat Sheet","strippedTitle":"book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet","slug":"book-of-revelation-for-dummies-cheat-sheet","canonicalUrl":"","seo":{"metaDescription":"Get a better understanding of the book of Revelation with this breakdown of its structure, interpretations, and events during its writing. 12) illuminate End Time events. During this time, the righteous will be made safe in the city of God, which is the new Jerusalem. As time passed, many Christians especially those who were suffering persecution at the hands of the Roman government became deeply concerned about how long it would be before these events would take place. As a final punishment, these false worshippers are thrown into a lake of fire, where they will forever be destroyed. "revelation" refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible. General and special revelation - Experiencing God - CCEA - GCSE - BBC He has taught a wide range of Bible courses covering both the Old and New Testaments and Jewish literature of the Second Temple. BBC - Religions - Christianity: Revelation And many "religious" people believe that the book of He has been a guest on Christian radio programs across the country discussing Christian discipleship issues as well as C.S. Recommended Reading: "Bible Overview: A Simple Introduction to God's Word . 22:7). Home; What's New; About; Statement of Faith; Subscribe; . This author holds to the Futurist view. Although I cant give all the answers or provide all the details regarding the descriptions found in Revelation, here are a couple strategies that might help you as you read the stranger parts of the book: - Read Daniel 7-8 to understand how biblical visions are interpreted. The prophets used a particular literary form in which they expressed their messages; the apocalyptic writers used a different literary form, one that was better suited to the particular purpose that they had in mind. Now, more and more countries possess weapons of mass destruction. Richard has served in church leadership and teaching roles for more than a dozen years. John then reveals the number of those who are sealed. Book of Revelation..Interpreted completely through types, shadows, symbols in biblical terminology, simply stated and easy to understand. ","blurb":"","authors":[{"authorId":9207,"name":"Richard Wagner","slug":"richard-wagner","description":" Richard Wagner is publisher of Digitalwalk.net, a Web-based Christian discipleship magazine. He pastored Baptist churches in Portland, Oregon, and Sun Valley, California, before moving to the Midwest and teaching biblical studies at Taylor University for 28 years. Home The Book of Revelation Explained. When Christians refused to worship the emperor, they were accused of all sorts of crimes and subjected to the most severe penalties. See article " Daniel's Prophecies ". Aaron Berry is a co-author for the Pursuing the Pursuer Blog. This approach seems to be the most consistent with the events described in Revelation, but most convincingly, it agrees with Revelations own claim, repeated both at the beginning and the end of the book: Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy Rev. In like manner, John uses a beast to represent the Roman emperor, whose image was stamped on the coins used in the empire. Larry has authored numerous journal and dictionary articles on biblical and theological subjects and has just finished a book on New Testament theology. S. Lewis & Narnia For Dummies, Christianity For Dummies, and Christian Prayer For Dummies. He has been a guest on Christian radio programs across the country discussing Christian discipleship issues as well as C.S. 5 Signs Your Church Might Be Heading toward Progressive Christianity, 5 Celebrities with Strong Christian Marriages, American Idol Contestant Iam Tongi Sings There Is Peace In Christ, A Prayer to Enjoy Each Season - Your Daily Prayer - June 29, 3 Ways Your Politics Are Corrupting Your Witness, 3 Biblical Ways for Christians to Approach Pride Month. He wanted to warn his fellow Christians concerning these events and thus prepare them for the time when their faith would be put to a more severe test than anything that they had experienced thus far. Join PLUS Login PLUS Bible Bible Versions . The characteristics of apocalyptic writing are fairly well known. The Verse-by-Verse Commentary on Revelation - A Clear, Common-Sense 45)
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Judgments and vignettes
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Seal judgments (Rev. . The revelations are usually through dreams or visions in which coming events are symbolized by strange figures, the meanings of which are sometimes disclosed by an angelic messenger who was sent for that particular purpose. At the end of the thousand years, the city of God will descend to earth. The author of the Book of Daniel uses the symbol of a great and terrible beast that has seven heads and ten horns. 1718)
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The Millennium and the Last Judgment (Rev. When the fifth seal is opened, John is permitted to look upon the souls of those who, in the midst of their distress, cry out, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" 1 Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. Observe, 1. How could this be, if the bulk of Revelation refers to what has yet to occur almost two thousands later? 14)
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Bowl judgments and the battle of Armageddon (Rev. The Book of Revelation Explained - Key Facts and Issues - Crosswalk Apocalypticism was not a new phenomenon among Christians; it was a well-established belief among Jews, who held that the coming of the kingdom of God would not be brought about by a gradual transformation but by a sudden intervention, when God would end the present age and establish his kingdom in the world made new. Strength: The observation that the book was intended for a first-century audience. Although all creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now (Rom 8:22), the increasing effects of the curse on creation that we see all around us today will be nothing compared to the divine judgment God unleashes on the wickedness of mankind.