Since jesus christ is the actual author of the book of revelation, we can ask what the apostle johns purpose was but should we not rather ask what jesus christs purpose for. Do not wait until the wave crests and the threshold becomes too overwhelming to begin to prepare, or it will be too late and you will. The key to understanding the book of revelation is to interpret it as literally as possibleit says what it means and means what it says. A series of visions, each one leading into the next. Under these conditions, a christian named john wrote revelation, addressing it to the seven churches that were in asia minor. What is a breakdown of the book of revelations in laymans. Our purpose in this article is to lay a foundation and generate an interest in what is probably the most unique of all our books of scripture. This topic is covered in more detail in my book, jesus, the alpha and the omega. Revelation to john, last book of the new testament. The book of revelation was written sometime around.
As part of scripture, the book of revelation was given by inspiration of god 2 timothy 3. The goal and purpose of the revelation the new message from god. In the book of revelation, the apocalyptic hopes of the early christian community find their clearest and most complete expression. We may not think so, or understand how portions of certain books are relative, but they are. Futurists place the book primarily in the end times. The core purpose of the book of revelation is to reveal the totality of jesus identity.
Jun 17, 2018 the book of revelation explained takes you on a easy to understand and eyeopening journey through the book of revelation. The common view is that the book of revelation is a description of the events leading up to the second coming. Revelation is often described as a the revelation of john meaning the revelation to john1 b. So, in the end, the book of revelation is a book of hope and promise. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. The purpose of revelation is to point to the return of jesus. The purpose, as our title of this book depicts, is a message of comfort during a time of conflict that ultimately results in a conquest and a victory over the oppressor. Therefore, this book contains information god intends to disclose or reveal to humans, rather than conceal from us.
Jan 02, 2020 in these chapters god tells us what eternity with him will be like. In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture. The english title comes from the latin revelatio which in its verb form means to reveal or unveil that which has previously been hidden. Some prophecies in revelation have been underway for centuries and others are about to begin. Book of revelation overview insight for living ministries. The purpose of symbolism in the book of revelation 3 this is a rendering of the aramaic dy yeda, which has the default meaning know and in the causative form make known. The book begins with the revelation of jesus christ. For while the books hymns are transparently doxological, they are also richly pedagogical and pointedly pastoral. Apr 05, 2018 this vacuum is because the worlds clergy do not properly understand the bible especially the books of daniel and revelation, gods wrath the seven trumpets and the seven bowls, and gods endtime plan and purpose. Those who believe the book is mainly about the final seven or so years of history see its purpose as focusing on the needs and experiences of the church in those terminal years.
Regardless of whether you are a seasoned leader or just beginning your career, this book is for anyone who desires to achieve success and significance. It is the final warning that the world will surely end and judgment will be certain. The book of revelation, or the apocalypse as it is also called, is the last book of the bible. An overview of revelation multimedia training kit covers the book of revelation verse by verse. The book of revelation explained takes you on a easy to understand and eyeopening journey through the book of revelation. John did not write it to teach his beliefs, or even to tell people his ideas. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the. While end day prophecy consists s of future events, that is not the purpose of prophecy. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. The book is primarily about the coming of the kingdom, explaining how this relates to the judgments of god, the collapse of human government and the calling of the jews. 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 book of revelation contains several prophecies that integrate into one big story.
The revelation from jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. Here we are getting conflicting answers, all coming from various perspectives. Apr 29, 2016 ones understanding of the purpose of the book of revelation is interrelated with the assessment of its overall meaning. Revelation 1 niv bible the revelation from jesus christ. What is the real purpose of the book of revelations. God would not have given it to us if its meaning were entirely a mystery. For many the purpose of the book of revelation served as only applicable to those of the first century christians. However, where can we find the right answers other than the very book itself. Nov 28, 2019 most people think the book of revelation is simply a book of prophecy. Reagans book, wrath and glory, covers the book of revelation chapter by chapter. The goal of the revelation is to give humanity this one great chance in its hour of greatest difficulty, challenge and uncertaintygreater than even the world wars and conflicts this will be. The revelation of jesus christ was given to john by god to show his servants what must soon take place.
In order to understand it, you need to know a lot of the book of daniel, which is another very difficult book. Book of revelation the last book of the new testament. When we properly assemble all of the prophecies, a mindboggling drama. Most people read the book of revelation as futuristic only. The clear purpose of revelation love worth finding with. John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, who testifies to everything he sawthat is, the word of god and the testimony of jesus. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture.
Included in the discussion will be which john wrote the book and the various interpretive views used. Apocalypticism was not a new phenomenon among christians. The book of revelation addresses seven letters to seven churches in asia minor modernday turkey revelation 23. This book is filled with mysteries about things to come. 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. Purpose of the book of revelation wbmoores biblical insights.
Intro to revelation biblica the international bible. Because it raises our spirits and helps us resist evil and seek good, i believe that the feeling of uplift that is communicated by reading the scriptures or by enjoying wholesome music, art, or literature is a distinct purpose of revelation. Seven bowls, each containing a plague representing a divine judgment to be poured out on. Seven trumpets, the last three of which introduce three woes revelation 8. To many people, the book of revelation is the most mysterious and enigmatic book in the whole bible. Revelations in business is, without question, the purpose driven life for business leaders. In this view, the book contains neither historical allusions nor predictive prophecy. Book of revelation definition of book of revelation by. 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 goal and purpose of the revelation the new message. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. Interpreters of revelation normally fall into four groups.
The book of revelation certainly contains some vivid and disturbing imagery and many have called it an angry text. 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. There is always some kind of simply message radiating through each account and story of the the bible and ultimately some moral guidance yet this book is a complete apocalyptic mess. If you want to better understand the book of revelation and the end times. Revelation then becomes merely a collection of stories designed to teach spiritual truth. Most people think the book of revelation is simply a book of prophecy.
Symbolic language, however, is one of the chief characteristics of apocalyptic literature, of which. The tactical purpose, which is most of the book, is to reveal the horrors of the tribulation and how one can be saved in the midst of tremendous deception and pressure. The book of revelation is one of the most difficult books in the bible. Though it does declare things that take place in the future, the main purpose of the book is to reveal jesus christ. Do not wait until the wave crests and the threshold becomes too overwhelming to begin to prepare, or it will be too late and you will be swept.
It is the final warning that the world will surely end and judgment will be. The comforting promise of revelation when you are certain of your future, then you can concentrate on your present. 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. Map of the 7 churches of revelation revelation was written as a letter to be circulated among the christian churches at seven important cities in asia. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation. The focus of this essay will be the examination of the purpose of the book of revelation. Oct 29, 2019 as thomas musselman rightly said, your. Reagans video program, revelation revealed, presents a sweeping overview of the entire book of revelation.
The book of revelation provides the clearest biblical portrait of the events of the tribulation, dealing with the specifics of that terrible time chapters 418. The book of revelation is gods answer that in the end he will prevail and his final victory of justice over evil will be forever. The book of revelation describes the seven trumpets and the seven bowls as seven first plagues and seven. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it.
The book of revelation was likely written between a. This vacuum is because the worlds clergy do not properly understand the bible especially the books of daniel and revelation, gods wrath the seven trumpets and the seven bowls, and gods endtime plan and purpose. The strategic purpose is to reveal christ, his return, the setting up of his kingdom, the defeat of satan, and the establishment of the eternal state new heavens and new earth. In addition, there are 16 major concepts that are covered in johns apocalypse. Johns anger has traditionally been understood to be directed at the romans for. Revelation is apocalyptic, a kind of writing that is highly symbolic. It relates this angel and the message of the little book to gods purpose and promise to take possession of the entire world as it will be carried out in the final. The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. Its title is derived from the first word of the text, written in koine greek. Here bible teacher, and best selling author, michael pearl walks you through the scriptures and explains the true purpose of. Four times the author identifies himself as john 1. Aug 04, 2009 the book of revelation certainly contains some vivid and disturbing imagery and many have called it an angry text.
This view also ignores revelations prophetic character and, if carried to its logical conclusion, severs the book from any connection with actual historical events. Otherwise put, they are designed not only to glorify god but to instruct and strengthen his people. Book of revelation synonyms, book of revelation pronunciation, book of revelation translation, english dictionary definition of book of revelation. To properly study the book of revelation, you must look for jesus throughout the book. The book of revelation, often called the revelation to john, or the apocalypse of john, is a book of the new testament that occupies a central place in christian eschatology.
A brief overview of the book of revelation the rise and. What main themes are in the bible book of revelation. Historicists take it as describing the long chain of events from patmos to the end of history. A careful examination of the book of revelation explains its purpose and what it is about. We dont know why john was exiled to patmos, but it may have been for refusing to worship the roman emperor domitian. The theme of revelation is the revelation of the person and the prophetic program of jesus christ. John was one of the 12 disciples special students of jesus, who later became the apostles the first leaders of the christian church.
The book of revelation is johns record of that vision revelation 1. Revelation a study guide about the book of revelation. Purpose of the book of revelation wbmoores biblical. Here are the key themes from the book of revelation, as listed in the esv study bible through his sacrificial death, jesus christ has conquered satan, the accuser, and has ransomed people from every nation to become a kingdom of priests, gladly serving in gods presence. It is a revelation that was received by the apostle john while he was in romanimposed exile on the island of patmos in the eastern mediterranean around 90 a. Both caird and ford thus argue that the purpose of revelation was to prepare and strengthen the christians of asia minor, as adressed in the letters to the seven. Book of revelation definition of book of revelation by the. The advice in these letters is prophetic, forewarning presentday christian communities.
The modern teaching of revelation being fulfilled during a sevenyear tribulation period at the coming end of earth, and the church being raptured out before this time, as this book completely useless. Revelations revealed revealing revelations of what the bible actually says as a whole. The book of revelation is a somewhat tedious,overlong australian film about a young male dancer who gets abducted by three sadistic,hooded women and is enchained while they submit him to all manners of explicit sexual torture and degradation. Edgar cayce on the book of revelation the afterlife. The book of revelation is not just about the future.
For an adequate understanding of revelation, the reader must recognize that it is a distinct kind of literature. It really does standout from the bible quite it bit. The opened book undoubtedly contained prophetic truth and revelations from god. The rise and fall of the antichrist appendix four a brief overview of the book of revelation. 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. Apr 27, 2009 why would anyone write a book like revelation, which is so different from the other books of the new testament. John was a christian leader of jewish origin who was in exile on the roman prison island of patmos. White is professor of classics and christian origins at the university of texas at austin, and acted as historical consultant for apocalypse. Therefore, the religious leaders, as well as the laymen, will have an overwhelming surprise. I believe the clear purpose of revelation is exactly what it says it is. Preterists understand the book exclusively in terms of its firstcentury setting, claiming that most of its events have already taken place. Why would anyone write a book like revelation, which is so different from the other books of the new testament. It is primarily composed of 14 concepts examples 7 seals, 7 trumpets, 7 vials, mystery babylon, the resurrections, etc.
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