By doing so, youll better understand this final book of the bibles new testament. Revelation the last book in the bible is the apocalypse, commonly now known as the book of revelation or casually as revelations. For whom was the book of revelation written and why. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. This book is written as an aid for pastors who want to preach through the book of revelation it might make a good gift for your pastor or your church library. Those churches were in ephesus, smyrna, pergamum, thyatira, sardis, philadephia, and laodicea. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading revelations. The first commentary on the book of revelation to be preserved, written by victorinus, regards john the apostle as the author. But god is working out a supreme master plan, involving every human being. The book of revelation, also called revelation to john or apocalypse of john is the last canonical book of the new testament in the bible. The muratorian fragment, an early document listing most of the books belonging to the new testament, states that the apostle john wrote the apocalypse or revelation. If it could be demonstrated that revelation were written 25 years after the fall of jerusalem, chiltons entire work would go up in smoke. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
In short, avoiding the book because of the way it was written is an excuse not to study it, but its not a reason. Now, the book of revelation is made up of this symbolic language. While covid19 is likely not one of the seven last plagues of revelation, nor a sign of the end times, it is still very real. The book of revelation explained by pastor allen nolan is a. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to everything he saw. Joseph smith said, the book of revelation is one of the plainest books god ever caused to be written.
The book of revelation explained by pastor allen nolan is a teaching series on how to unravel the mysteries of the book of the revelation. This vision contains a tremendous amount of symbolism. Traditionally, the book of revelation has been dated near the end of the first century, around a. Youve never experienced the power of romans 8 quite like this stephen sanders. The way the book of revelation is actually written is as a series of kind of unfolding revelations, each one of which gets to something deeper in the story.
The last book in the new testament canon, yet in fact one of the oldest. So in the final analysis then the sevens that are opened up at the beginning of the. 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. No mention of future destruction of jerusalem, which for fullpreterists is odd, since john writes the entire book of revelation about it and the topic would be front and center on his mind that is only 24 year away. A significant feature of apocalyptic writing is the use of symbolic colors, metals. The 333page book, titled the apocalypseletter by letter. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. The book of revelation was written sometime around 96 ce in asia minor. John macarthur explains the book of revelation paperback march 1, 2007. It presents the book as a revelation which god gave. That is the internal evidence of the book and the external testimony of early church fathers. The book of revelation explained in under 5 minutes youtube. The apocalypse, or revelation to john, the last book of the bible, is one of the most. King james version the bible calls this time period the last days and the time of the end, or end times.
It is only when we start to overallegorize it or to force its interpretation according to our preconceived ideas or doctrines about the end. Apocalypticism was not a new phenomenon among christians. So yes, most christians accept the revelation as the last book of the bible to be written. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. This booklet contains vital understanding that will forever change your outlook on the future. It must be noted that the bible is collection of books that comprises of the old and new testament and thus is not the only writen books based on sematicchristen. Larry has authored numerous journal and dictionary articles on biblical and. The book of revelation writen by the apostle paul on the island of patmos was completed around 96 c.
Darrell johnson is one of the best preachers that i have had the pleasure of. Take a look at the basic structure of the book of revelation. However, johnsons book also serves as an excellent commentary and devotional book in its own right. And many religious people believe that the book of revelation offers no help anyway, because it cannot be understood. If the book of revelation is a book of prophecy as it claims to be rev. It was written for the special benefit of the people of god, and we should give it prayerful consideration. There are some internal indications that it sees itself as closing the word of god. As mentioned at the beginning of the article, revelation was not given to scare us.
John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. In the final analysis one gets the sense that we that is, the ancient reader are. If youre befuddled by the book of revelation in the bible, dont fret. The reason that being written in the book of life secures our salvation is that the book is called the book of life of the lamb who was slain. Revelation was written in the last decade of the first century ca. The star was given the key to the shaft of the abyss. Blessed is he who reads and keep those things which are written in it. And as christians, we need to respond appropriately to it. Those holding an older view for the dating of revelation promote the late 60s as the time the book was written. If you want to better understand the book of revelation. The book is also written to all believers everywhere. One of his fellow postmillennialists, kenneth gentry, writes. The book of revelation was written to seven churches in asia minor in the first century. Futurist futurist is just the opposite of preterist.
However, the view that the book was written later in the firstcentury, most likely in the late 80s or early 90s holds greater strength. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. A literary analysis of the book of revelation, is a compilation of notes and letters written by the late steven paul, a catholic scholar who died of cancer in 2000. Before we look at these letters as a whole, lets briefly look at the seven cities where the recipients lived.
Today most scholars date the book of revelation to late in the first century, during the reign of the emperor domitian. In the book of revelation, the apocalyptic hopes of the early christian community find their clearest and most complete expression. Aug 04, 2009 revelation the dragon pursuing a woman, from the bamberg apocalypse. The inscription to the book of revelation, in the syrian version, first published by deuteronomy dieu, in 1627, and, afterwards in the london polyglot, is the following, the revelation which god made to john the evangelist, in the island of patmos, to which he was banished by nero caesar. This is the first of seven beatitudes of revelation revelation 1. Book of revelation mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. This name indicates the meaning of revelation it uncovers matters that had been hidden and discloses events that would happen long after it was written. 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. Apr 26, 2017 the book of revelation writen by the apostle paul on the island of patmos was completed around 96 c. The revelation is the only book in the nt mentioning john as author. It is the only biblical book that is wholly composed of apocalyptic literature. 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.
He was a first cousin of jesus and was exiled to the greek island of patmos because of his faith. After all, there is a blessing for all who read, understand, and do what it written in the book rev 1. Visions, prophecy, and politics in the book of revelation. Revelation to john appears to be a collection of separate. If you want to better understand the book of revelation and the end times. Mar 19, 2019 the book of revelation is addressed to believers, his servants, of the churches in seven cities of the roman province of asia. In most compilations the book is placed lastly in the christen greek scriptures. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. 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. Jun 17, 2018 the book of revelation explained takes you on a easy to understand and eyeopening journey through the book of revelation. Wow, this is defiantly an article that i had to think deep of as it blows my mind that such an important book of the bible doesnt have a 100% specific date that we know the book of revelation was written.
The sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the abyss. Visions, prophecy, and politics in the book of revelation kindle edition by pagels, elaine. Yet the book of revelation need not remain closed, at least for latterday saints who accept modern revelation. Book of revelation is actually a christian prophecy book filled with old testamentstyle language and imagery narrating events and descriptions like the mark of the beast, the battle of armageddon, the binding of devil, the rule of the lord, the great white throne of judgment and the finally the nature of the eternal city of god. The names in this book are not saved on the basis of their deeds. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. The book of revelation is the book for the present hour. The decretum gelasianum, which is a work written by an anonymous scholar. Great prophecies in the book of revelation show how and when these catastrophic events will occur. Justin the martyr around 100 to 165 ac, irenaeus around 140 to 220 ac and the muratori canon end of 2 nd century confirm that the apostle john is the author. As soon as the book of revelation is written it makes a synthetic whole of. Written by a man named john possibly john the apostle toward the end of his life, he records a vision he experiences, probably while dreaming or meditating.
This is the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. The last book of the new testament is also called the prophecy book and the revelation of jesus christ. Easytoread version the following are some outstanding features of lastdays, or. Some writers, however, have advanced the preterist from a latin word meaning that which is past view, contending that the apocalypse was penned around a. Fortunately, it also tells of its restoration and describes its mission in the last days. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. It does appear to be the last of johns preserved writings, and the last book of scripture to be written. The book of revelation opens with seven letters to seven churches. The book of revelation explained by edgar cayce article by kevin williams the final book of the bible is called the book of revelation. The book of revelation explained volume 4 other publications by the author dan iel and rev at on texts exam ned depressi on did j esu d c nd i to h ll. The book of revelation is written by the apostle john after christ appeared to him and gave him a revelation of the things to come in the end times. The apostle of jesus and the author of the gospel of john and the three letters of nt. They are saved on the basis of christs being slain.
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. It must be noted that the bible is collection of books that comprises of the old and new testament and thus is not the only writen books based on sematicchristen theology. The beginning of the article explained that persecution would have been a big thing to look for if the book was written in the 90s ad. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing. The book of revelation explained takes you on a easy to understand and eyeopening journey through the book of revelation.
The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. G if ts, oce and t hepera on of t new testamen church how to study ident ifying the beasts of revelat on jud e, t h ac t s of t po a, volume 1 sunday school quarterly jud e, t h ac t s of t po a, volume 2. The patriarch job portrayed this truth as well when he penned the words of elihu, the only comforter to whom god laid no. Book of revelation chronological order pursuing intimacy. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture.
The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, a stark account of the apocalypse and a prophecy of the world coming to an end. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it. Revelation 1 new international version niv prologue. Its purpose is to give encouragement and hope for all. Indeed, as we will see, the book speaks to our period even more than that of the seven churches. What the bible teaches and the last reformation, etc. John was the only one of the original apostles not killed for his faith in jesus christ.
The book of revelation was written by the apostle john revelation 1. It has been put together by pauls brotherinlaw, steve bowler, of hudson, mass. The first thing that we should do is to follow the directions of our government and medical experts. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. But the good news is this will be a temporary period of time. Revelation to john, also called book of revelation or apocalypse of john, last book of the new testament. Oct 17, 2017 for chiltons view to make sense it is vital that the book of revelation must have been written before 70ad.
This will be necessary for god to deal with a sinful and rebellious world. As preterist ken gentry writes, if the latedate of around a. To whom was the book of revelation written for answers. Book of revelation overview church of jesus christ. The bible describes events and conditions that would mark the conclusion of the current system of things, or the end of the world. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to everything he sawthat is, the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. The first blessing is in the first chapter of revelation in verse 3. It is the only book of the new testament classified as apocalyptic literature rather than didactic or historical, indicating thereby its extensive use of visions, symbols, and allegory, especially in connection with future events. The book of revelation, the last book of the bible, has fascinated and puzzled christians for centuries. Revelation with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. John was exiled on the island of patmos at the time he wrote the book of revelation. When was the book of revelation written by the apostle john. The book of revelation closes its awful description of the judgments which are coming upon the earth by inviting to the sinner, come to christ, and, after one reads and understand the book of revelation, he too will close the book and invite the sinner to, come, and receive, jesus christ as you savior.
Thus, revelation was not just for john and the saints of the seven churches but for other saints then and now. Symbolic language, however, is one of the chief characteristics of apocalyptic literature, of which this book is an. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. Revelation 1 niv prologue the revelation from jesus. Revelation 9 niv the fifth angel sounded his trumpet. Enduring word bible commentary revelation chapter 1. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. Revelation to john, last book of the new testament. The introductory verse betrays the complicated character of the whole work. Apr 07, 2018 wow, this is defiantly an article that i had to think deep of as it blows my mind that such an important book of the bible doesnt have a 100% specific date that we know the book of revelation was written.