The book of revelation is by far one of the most challenging books in the bible, yet well worth the effort to study and comprehend. Jesus commissioned his angelic messengers to impress the mind of his prophet john with heavenly visions of endtime events. This is an outlne to the chapter by chapter study of the book of revelation. Nothing could stand before or against the presence, nothing in heaven, nothing on earth. The description of the antichrist mentioned in daniel 9. Relates to the things which are, that is, the then present state of the church, and contains the epistle of john to the seven churches, and his account of the appearance of the lord jesus, and his direction to the apostle to write what he beheld, ch. Perhaps one of the reasons that the last book of the bible is so mysterious, so confusing, or so fearsome, is that we dont look at it as a loving, personal message from god. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. The apostle of jesus and the author of the gospel of john and the three letters of nt. The last book of the bible explodes with a cosmic celebration of the triumph of gods global purposes in the world. Revelation 1 msg a revealing of jesus, the messiah.
The fact that angels are pictured as bearing this message reveals its urgent heavenly importance. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, a stark account of the apocalypse and a prophecy of the world. This is the revelation of jesus christ his unveiling of the divine mysteries, which god the. What was jesus message to the church in philadelphia in. Sardis had, at one time, been considered to be impregnable because of its ideal physical arrangement and topography for defense. It was written on both sides, fastened with seven seals.
Christians familiar with the older apocalyptic writings would understand the books symbolism, for practically everything john said to his contemporaries was said before to. This triumph takes place amid much suffering, suffering that is intensified as the final end draws near. The last book of the bible, revelation, is also sometimes called the apocalypse. The dead were judged by what was written in the books, by the way they had lived. He was a leader in the early church, and he probably wrote his documents after most of the other new testament books were already written. So what is the primary message of the book of revelation. Nov 04, 2015 of all of the books of the bible, revelation is clearly the most challenging as it recounts the prophetic visions of john at patmos at the end of the first century during a period of persecution of the church. Mar 19, 2019 the book of revelation is by far one of the most challenging books in the bible, yet well worth the effort to study and comprehend. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. This summary of the book of revelation provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of revelation. The greek term denotes an unveiling or uncoveringthus, a revelation. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in jesus christ. Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. In the study of any book of the bible or any topic of scripture, a certain amount of ground work is needed for understanding, orientation, and motivation.
Ghostbusters actually quotes the book of revelation. There were some who knew gods holy standards and would not budge from them. The book is a revelation of the things which are and the things which shall be. I also saw a powerful angel, calling out in a voice like thunder, is there anyone. Book of revelation overview insight for living ministries. In this 14session study, you will examine the entire book of revelation, looking closely at john. The book of revelation often called the book of revelations, 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.
Revelation the message audio bible audio only please like my facebook page. In fact, the opening passage contains a blessing to everyone who reads, hears, and keeps the words of this prophecy. John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. They are available to anyone who will read the book for its overall message and. The woman was given wings of a great eagle to fly to a place in the desert to be kept in safety and comfort for a time and times and half a time, safe and sound from the serpent. Sardis was a city exceedingly fabled for its past wealth and splendor, but it had deteriorated greatly. We must not make the mistake, however, of automatically assuming that everything in the book of revelation has yet to take placeto do so would be to miss out on the overall message of the book. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope.
Hell talk them into going to war and will gather a huge army, millions strong. Faithful to the teaching of the church, this explanation of revelation reveals this biblical book to be an inspiring, hopefilled, poetic portrayal of the triumph of. The last book of the new testament is also called the prophecy book and the revelation of jesus christ. I also saw a powerful angel, calling out in a voice like thunder, is there anyone who can open the scroll, who can break its seals. Im the god who is, the god who was, and the god about to arrive. All these prophecies come together in the book of revelation. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. And without a doubt, much judgment occurs in the book. Revelation is a book that has been called everything from a hodgepodge of.
The message of revelation was intended for this particular time and set of circumstances. Revelation on frontline heres all kinds of informative coverage from pbs on the last and creepiest book of the bible. John is the writer, but jesus christ is the author, says grotius. This is particularly so with the book of revelation or prophecy in general.
Revelation is traditionally attributed to the apostle john, who also wrote a gospel and three new testament letters. The apostle john had been exiled to the island of patmos, off the. What does this final book of the bible meanand how will it affect you and your future. 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. Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. The book is filled with deeply mysterious symbolism concerning human history and. Those people versed in the methods of scholarly interpretation exegesis may understand the symbolism of this work. The message for those who did not engage in the cult of immorality was to stand their groundhold fast what you have till i come verse 25. Some believers form strong dividing lines over different interpretations.
The one holding the seven spirits of god in one hand, a firm grip on the seven stars with the other. 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. Outside of revelation, examples of apocalyptic literature in the bible are daniel chapters 712, isaiah chapters 2427, ezekiel chapters 3741, and zechariah chapters 914. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. Four times the author identifies himself as john 1. In his commentary on the message of revelation, michael wilcock maintains that when gods words, declarations, arguments and reasonings had all been spoken, god gave the church a gorgeous picture book. Does it describe in veiled language events of its writers own day, or is it largely a prophecy of events still to come. Deadness in the church the city and the assembly 3. What was jesus message to the church in philadelphia in revelation.
The name of the book, revelation, is a translation of the title in the original new testament greek, apocalypsis the origin of the other name by which the book is now known, the apocalypse. There is perhaps no more misunderstood book of the bible than revelation. The message of hope in the book of revelation seek first. God gave it to make plain to his servants what is about to happen. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. And then i saw all the dead, great and small, standing therebefore the throne. The book of revelation contains messages to the ancient churches in which the messages equally apply to the churches of the past two thousand years and up to the churches of today. Usually when people mention the book of revelation, they immediately think about judgment. Dec 14, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of revelation, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Theyll stream across the earth, surround and lay siege to the camp of gods holy people, the. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. I encourage you to bring your insights to class to share with others. Is it a chart of the whole of history from christs first coming to his second. The book is filled with deeply mysterious symbolism concerning human history and the end of history.
The book of revelation difficult book this is confessedly the book of the bible most difficult of interpretation. To sardiswrite this to sardis, to the angel of the church. Of all of the books of the bible, revelation is clearly the most challenging as it recounts the prophetic visions of john at patmos at the end of the first century during a period of persecution of the church. The book of revelation is one of the most complicated books of the bible, even for christians who have spent a lot of time reading the bible. The message is designed to be read by contemporary people in the same way as the original koine greek and hebrew manuscripts were savored by people thousands of years ago.
Jul 29, 2019 is there any book of the bible that sparks as much controversy and confusion as the book of revelation. In revelation, johns visions reveal that jesus has overcome evil by. John wrote these messages down in the bibles last book, revelation. The message strives to help readers hear the living word of god the bible in a way that engages and intrigues us right where we are. The word comes from the greek word apokalupsis, which is used in the first verse. He lifts the curtain on revelations drama in eight scenes, helping our imaginations as well as our minds grasp the key concepts of this fascinating and enigmatic new testament book. The book of revelation check out the full text of revelation, so you can relive all the freaky visions firsthand. The philadelphian church is the recipient of this letter.
The book of revelation doesnt mean what you think biblical. The book of revelation was written to seven churches as both encouragement and challenge. That way you can continue to build on a firm foundation as you establish a personal relationship with jesus christ. The one with seven stars in his rightfist grip, striding through the golden sevenlights circle, speaks. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, a stark account of the apocalypse and a. This word means disclosure or revelation and conveys the idea of laying bare or uncovering. The message of revelation bible speaks today wilcock, michael on. Seven churches of revelation bible study david jeremiah blog. Watch our overview video on the book of revelation, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Many christians scratch their heads as they read through johns illustrative visions.
I know you cant stomach evil, that you weed out apostolic pretenders. This summary of the book of revelation provides information about the title. An apocalyptic letter, it relies on visions, symbols, and old testament references to reveal the ultimate fulfillment of gods promise given to abraham in genesis. Instead, it provides a striking bookend for the entire bible, which begins in paradise and ends in paradise.
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