The book of revelation is the only book in the new testament that begins by specifically stating its source, the revelation of jesus christ, which god gave to himand signified it by his angel to his servant john rev. Readers dont have to guess or research where revelation was written. There is perhaps no more misunderstood book of the bible than revelation. A workbook suitable for bible classes, family studies, or. We hope this commentary is a beneficial study tool in your devotion to the word of god. Book of revelation study guide what does the bible. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. Both testaments can be divided into history instruction prophecy revelation is the only book of prophecy in the new testament. The book of revelation introduction the revelation of jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servantsthings which must shortly take place.
The wildest of them all in revelation is sinaiticus. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. It is manifest, that the holy ghost would as it were gather into this most excellent book a sum of those. You may use, copy, or distribute this material, provided you do it freezuq gi. 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. Abbreviations of the names of the books of the bible 11. The book of revelation bold type and underlining of scripture text have been added for emphasis your questions and comments are welcome note. If one is to understand the book of revelation properly he must know the prophecies in the old testament and in the new. 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. The revelation of saint john the apostle geneva bible 1599.
The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. The book ends with confirmations of authenticity by god, christ and john. The purpose of revelation many people either fear the book of revelation or have an unhealthy interest in it. Revelation is a book that has been called everything from a hodgepodge of. You may kindly select the desired chapter to proceed with the bible. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. Although prophecy is scattered all through the bible, two books focus almost entirely on symbolic representations.
Yet it has a clear message for all who would devote themselves to its pages. Revelation s primary theological contribution is to eschatology, i. The word revelation even in greek apocalypse means unveiling as in revealing. The book of revelationpart 1 our savior lutheran church. The book of revelation, often called the book of revelations, revelation to john, apocalypse of john, the revelation, or simply revelation, the revelation from jesus christ from its opening words or the apocalypse, is the final book of the new testament, and therefore also the final book of the christian bible. Revelation is often described as a the revelation of john meaning the revelation to john 1. In fact, the opening passage contains a blessing to everyone who reads, hears, and keeps the words of this prophecy. But god designed this book for a very different purpose. 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. The only uncial that is not all over the place, but which seems to represent a standardized majority text, is. As a teenager, i remember being a bit frightened of the book of revelation. The book of revelation bible, bible study, scripture.
A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. Thoughtful bible students agree almost universally that we are living near the end of the age, and that. Solomon, the assumption of moses, the martyrdom of isaiah, the apocalypse of. This is being aired by permission of the holder litchfield associates, all rights. Studies in the book of revelation project gutenberg. In few other books of the bible is the ministry of angels so prominent. And christ sent his angel to show it to his servant john, 2 who has told everything he saw. 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 book of revelation unveiled united church of god. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. A commentary of the book of revelation bible truth. 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. This is particularly so with the book of revelation or prophecy in general. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. The smell of acne face cleanser filled the room as i dove into mysterious depictions of fourfaced angels, beasts from the sea and land, of massive angels, and 100pound hailstones being hurled to the earth. The bible consists of 66 separate books penned by over 40 authors over a period of several thousand years that are an integrated message. Some general comments about the book of revelation and its uniqueness. David legge is a christian evangelist, preacher and bible teacher. In this 14session study, you will examine the entire book of revelation, looking closely at john. It is the sublimest book in the bible, and its study awak ens the profoundest. Revelation is apocalyptic, a kind of writing that is highly symbolic.
For an adequate understanding of revelation, the reader must recognize that it is a distinct kind of literature. Before beginning to go through the content of revelation, we recommend that you read through the, and sections to familiarize yourself with the framework concerning this incredible book of god. Approximately one third of all the bible is devoted to. The revelation to john new international version the prologue. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. If we had the time to compare the text of revelation to books like daniel, ezekiel, isaiah or zechariah, we would be struck by seeing all that they have in common. Revelation is meant to produce in you comfort, courage, hope, and praise. Very important we note this and realize we cannot study revelation in the same way we study the book of romans. Although its visions often seem bizarre to the western reader, fortunately the book provides a number of clues for its own interpretation e. The church is warned about sin and exhorted to holiness.
I encourage you to bring your insights to class to share with others. Therefore we can expect clarification of some symbols in the book of. 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 was the title given to the book in the latin vulgate 3. Revelation 2020 verse by verse ministry international. Hoskier has well pointed out how the uncials of the revelation text are all over the place, with many omissions and additions. It fittingly has the last place ending the scriptures and gods revelation to man. A message for the first century many try to take the message of revelation literally and thereby develop many fanciful doctrines. A forerunner study on the book of revelation the supernatural unveiling of the son of god for the king and his kingdom.
The revelation to john new international version the prologue 1. The current phrase the book of revelation is at once connotative of the apocalypse of john on patmosbut the whole bible is the book of revelation from god to. Likewise, we could see revelation as the final chapter in gods 66chapter novel called the bible. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. For more on john the apostle, see the introduction in the life application bible commentary on the gospel of john.
The revelation of john the divine the argument it is manifest, that the holy ghost would as it were gather into this most excellent book a sum of those prophecies, which were written before, but should be fulfilled after the coming of christ, adding also such things as should be expedient, as well to forewarn us of the dangers to come, as to. The bible is a history book, it tells the pastbut like no other history book it tells the present and future just as clearly. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. Yet, why does everyone approach the book like it is a mysterious book.
Revelation 1, new international version niv the bible app. Revelation made simple and easy to understand this last book of the bible bears the title revelation, meaning, unveiling, yet, it presents visions of. The book of revelation asv american standard version. It is the first book that many new to the bible want to study, while it is often neglected by mature. Johns vivid pictures of worship in heaven both exhort and instruct believers. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. In the same way that we must read a novel cover to cover before understanding it properly, so must bible students have an understanding of the bible s first 65 books before they can truly understand its final book. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to eve rything he sawthat is, the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ.
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