One of elaine pagelss great gifts is much in abundance. Among the 30 or so similar books that appeared in the first through third. In the book of revelation, seven trumpets are sounded, one at a time, to cue apocalyptic events seen by john of patmos revelation 1. 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. This is the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. Obviously, the first church, seal and trumpet cannot be parallel to the first plague because it, like the rest of the plagues, are all future. The prophecies of the book of revelation are among the most important parts of the bible, and understanding these words is a crucial component of understanding how the end times will unfold. They see it as the unveiling of prophetic events to understanding. God hits him with a doozy of a revelation hey, thats not a bad idea for a title. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. The main reason that people do not read the book of revelation is that they have a wrong paradigm of both the book and the tribulation and do not understand its structure and symbols.
The book of revelation primarily concerns the second coming of christ. Revelation with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. Revelation is first and foremost a revelation about jesus christ 1. John is told to write down everything god shows him, and boy is god going to show him some strange things. No other book of the new testament feels like revelation. To encourage fidelity to christ in the midst of suffering by affirming that god rules history and will surely bring it to a glorious consummation of judgment and blessing in christ. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. Just before the establishing of the new heaven and new earth, which really is the beginning of eternity, there is a final thousand year period on the existing earth known as the millenium. Summary the book of revelation calls christians to remain faithful to god and christ and to resist the powers of evil in the conviction that god will prevail and bring salvation in the new jerusalem. All of historys events are culminated in this fantastic story of christs ultimate triumph over evil and the restoration of all things to their created design. This feature on hannah weiners the book of revelations, curated by marta l. 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. Based on revelation 12 books meet your next favorite book.
The book of revelation reveals how the rapture of the church will take place. The revelation of jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servantsthings which must shortly take place behold, he is coming with clouds, and every eye will see him, even they who pierced him. The book of revelation was likely written between a. The apocalyptic book of revelation is a symbolic glimpse into. 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. Christ had already taught his disciples and daniel that revelation commentary. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. A brief overview of the book of revelation the rise and. 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. Revelation is the last book of the bible and is a prophetic book of the end of the age and the return of christ. How rapture takes place as revealed in the book of revelation.
Sixty years passed before he revealed more of the specifics about the end time to the apostle john. John mentions his name four times in the book revelation 1. The rise and fall of the antichrist appendix four a brief overview of the book of revelation. Summary of the book this is not a comprehensive outline of the book.
The revelation of jesus christ was given to john by god to show his servants what must soon take place. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. Today, in this lesson, i want to examine the book of revelation, to show that this too is an israel book. Pulling back the veil an overview of the book of revelation. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. The book of revelation, the last book of the bible, has fascinated and puzzled christians for centuries. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. Hes just a mildmannered christian guy living in exile whenpow.
In terms of the book of revelation, this is the sense that most interpreters and readers recognize in it. This page contains a list of our bible studies on the book of revelation, and how the prophecies in this book were fulfilled in the first century ad. Book of revelation overview church of jesus christ. 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.
Revelation is indeed sent as a letter with a traditional greeting, direct messages to the recipients re 23, and a sendoff re 22. 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 of revelation was written sometime around 96 ce in asia minor. The author was probably a christian from ephesus known as john the elder. Revelation the dragon pursuing a woman, from the bamberg apocalypse. The revelation is the only book in the nt mentioning john as author. As the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth 1. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john. Jun 09, 2014 the prophecies contained in the book of revelation are key end time revelations which we must prepare ourselves for, as the end time is happening now. Overview of the book of revelation the bart ehrman blog. 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. While many suppose that the book of revelation is merely about the end of the world, it is about far more. Book of revelation overview insight for living ministries.
The events of revelation are the events that occur in the book of revelation of the new testament. The author of the book of revelation, saint john the divine, offers a transcription of seven letters and later describes strange beasts, visions of judgments, governments, demonic battles, heaven, and a new world order a prophetic vision for the end of the world. Watch our overview video on the book of revelation, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Based on revelation score a books total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book. According to the first words of the book, god gave this revelation to jesus, who entrusted it to an angel to pass on to john.
By the time the writings that are now included in the new testament were assembled in their present form, three letters and one gospel were also attributed to john. Sep 30, 2015 bauckhams book will guide you into a richer understanding of the symbolism and their significance and literary art of johns prophetic imagination. This contribution to the new international commentary on the new testament is a revision of robert mounces original entry on the book of revelation and reflects more than twenty additional years of mature thought and the latest in scholarship. The book starts at the time of the writting which is approximately 100 a.
John the apostle of the church represents the church in the book of revelation. The book depicts him as the risen, glorified son of god ministering among the churches 1. It is much more difficult to understand than any other prophetic book, because it is written principally in symbols. No book in the whole bible is so little understood as the book of revelation. Paul spilsburys book is a close runnerup for my go to book for an introduction to revelation. Continue reading pulling back the veil an overview of the book of revelation. The book begins with the author experiencing a highly symbolic vision of christ, one like a son of man, who tells him to write letters encouraging and exhorting the seven churches of asia minor and then to describe all that he is about to be shown the visions of the heavenly realm that foreshadow what will happen on earth revelation. Israel in the book of revelation the bertrand comparet. Some general comments about the book of revelation and its uniqueness. James macdonald, senior pastor, harvest bible chapel in a warm conversational style, the author expounds the great truths of the book of revelation and applies them practically to the individual believer and the local church.
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. 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. Take a look at the basic structure of the book of revelation. I was in the spirit on the lords day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, i am alpha and omega, the first and the. The apocalyptic book of revelation is a symbolic glimpse. Werner, offers a facsimile of the notebooks pages, a diplomatic transcript of the work, and a searchable text transcript of the notebook, along with extensive notes and commentary on this visually arresting, even iconic, document. At the sight of the face of he who sits on it, earth and heaven flee. A firstrate introduction to the last book of the bible with summary questions for each chapter. John wrote that revelation is special because, blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it. The book of revelation was written to seven churches as both encouragement and challenge. Promises from the book of revelation over the centuries the church of our dear lord has experienced various forms of adversity, but during its early existence there was a period of persecution that was exceptionally severe. Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.
The book of revelation can be interpreted in many ways. The next diagram shows that the seven last plagues, the last of the sequential series in the book of revelation, cannot logically be included along with the previous three series of sevens. What the book of revelation reveals about the end times. Those whose names were not written in the book of life are cast into the lake of fire.
The following pdf file gives a brief, summary timeline of the events of revelation. Revelations is a slim book that packs in dense layers of scholarship and meaning. If youre befuddled by the book of revelation in the bible, dont fret. Aug 04, 2009 revelation the dragon pursuing a woman, from the bamberg apocalypse. Preterist view the book of revelation relates only to the events of the day in which it was written. Revelation 6 new international version niv the seals. Of all the books in the bible, the book of revelation is one of the most difficult to understand. The book of revelation what john saw john was given visions of things to come covered in chapters 4 thru 22 of the book of revelation. Christians throughout history have given almost unanimous affirmation to the identity of the book s author as john the apostle, who had been exiled to the island of patmos by the authorities for preaching the gospel in asia. Curious mixture of pretentious high art and predictable issue drama which makes little logical sense. There are those that believe and preach the whole book of revelation covers matters that are past, present, and future from the day of john, the apostle who wrote the book. The book of revelation the end and the beginning, the new testament and the bible culminate with this glorious description of the revelation of jesus christ. This article presents a brief summary of the revelation story.
Apocalypticism was not a new phenomenon among christians. The author even had a hunch that the world might end in the 1980s. Revelation 1 new international version niv prologue. Revelation then begins to chronicle the events that will occur, beginning with the breaking of the seven seals. 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. Book of revelation was written to address this need. Johns visions reveal that jesus has overcome evil by his death and resurrection, and will return one day as the true king of the world. If you have never studied revelation or if you need a refresher course in light of current events, this is an. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. However, when apocalypsis is used in a literal sense, it refers to the visible appearance of one previously unseen, as a woman shrouded by a veil is revealed when her. Timeline of events in revelation beyond revelation. These are the socalled gnostic or apocryphal texts expunged by order of egyptian bishop athanasius in the 4th. The book of revelation introduction the revelation of jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servantsthings which must shortly take place.
Revelation to john, also called book of revelation or apocalypse of john, last book of the new testament. It was a time in which many christians were imprisoned, beaten, banished to desolate islands, burned at the. The entire book of revelation is devoted to the end of the world and details gods judgments unleashed upon the earth plague by plague. 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. Book of revelation overview through the prophet joseph smith, the lord has given us vital keys to understanding the book of revelation, particularly the meaning of the seven seals. This book is filled with mysteries about things to come. 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.
The author endeavors to encourage the persecuted saints of his own day and, by application, the church throughout the ages. Franciscan father stephen doyle provides a catholic commentary on the book of revelation. The book of revelation starts with a warning to the seven churches scattered throughout the known world at that time. The book of revelation starts with this is a revelation from jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. I saw in my sleep what i will now say with a tongue of flesh and with the breath of my mouth. Four times the author identifies himself as john 1. The author of revelation mentioned his name, john, four times throughout the book revelation 1. The problems of recapitulation in the book of revelation. Summary of the book of revelation story of the bible. An interlude in which the mystery of god is revealed and a special little book held by a strong angel as described by the apostle john in the bible at revelation chapter 10. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. In daily mass we are currently reading selections from the book of revelation not a bad choice as the end of the liturgical year swiftly approaches. All the violence, destruction, bizarre and outlandish imagery, and cryptic symbolism make for a story that is difficult to read and even harder to make any sense of. Symbolic language, however, is one of the chief characteristics of apocalyptic literature, of which.
In the face of apparently insuperable evil, either from within or from without, all christians are called to trust in jesus promise, behold, i am with you always, until the end of the age mt 28. The book of revelation, or the apocalypse as it is also called, is the last book of the bible. It is full of colourful imagery, and is difficult to fathom, but there are celestial references contained within that appear to marry well with the older mythologies that predated christianity. The book of revelation had its origin in a time of crisis, but it remains valid and meaningful for christians of all time. The seven trumpets are sounded by seven angels and the events that follow are described in detail from revelation chapters 8 to 11. The apocalypse, or revelation to john, the last book of the bible, is one of the most difficult to understand because it abounds in. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to everything he saw. Its purpose is to give encouragement and hope for all. The first blessing is in the first chapter of revelation in verse 3. Then i heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, come.
Author elaine pagels includes here discussion of not only john of patmoss book of revelations, so wellknown from the new testament, but also discussion of the numerous revelation texts found at nag hammadi in upper egypt in 1945. In graphic and figurative form, john describes the breaking of the seven seals. Most chapter studies below contain a versebyverse commentary. The book consists of six cycles of visions, each of which warns of the dangers arising from sin and evil. It is the first book that many new to the bible want to study, while it is often neglected by mature. Overview of the book of revelation people get ready. In the book of revelation, the apocalyptic hopes of the early christian community find their clearest and most complete expression. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of revelation in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork.
Revelation 1 niv prologue the revelation from jesus. Sure, the hunch was wrong, but it was really good for book sales. In the gospel accounts jesus gave a brief summary of the events and conditions leading up to his return. Metropolis this 1927 german silent film borrows from the book of revelation and even has one of the main characters dance seductively on the back of a sevenheaded beast. As moses released gods judgments on pharaoh by prayer exod. It also describes the world that will come into being after this earth is destroyed. The book of life is opened, and the dead are judged according to their works. Revelation to john appears to be a collection of separate. Here we are getting conflicting answers, all coming from various perspectives. The revelation of john is the one book in the new testament that claims john as its author.
The smart guide to the bible series 9781418509903 by daymond r. Timeline of relevant events background study 12 summary papers overview 8 the events of 70 ad the 150 chapters on the end times odd and ends study 7. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. Christians throughout history have given almost unanimous affirmation to the identity of the book s author as. John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. Complete summary of john the apostles book of revelation.
The seals represent conditions that must first occur before god brings his final judgment upon the world. During roman persecution john exiled to the isle of patmos for his faith, was sent an angel with gods commission to record the word of god, and the testimony of jesus christ, and of all things he saw. This long and detailed prophecy is in the last book of the bible, revelation. For further information and visuals of the throne of god, angels, cherubim, four living creatures, new jerusalem, tabernacle, temple, jesus christ, song of moses, song of. 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.
Short summary of the book of revelation prophecy talk. The vision which opens the book and the verse that organizes it. Why is revelation, the last book of the bible, so different from the rest of the text. Revelation is a book written to reveal the future, and jesus christ is the one who does the revealing.