Apr 29, 2016 revelation delivers to the distressed churches of asia minor and to the church in all ages, the triumphant assurance that behind the scenes of history and despite the vicissitudes of history, the kingdom of god is in power, and jesus christ the king of all kings is on his fathers throne executing his sovereign judgment over the world. Are we to take prophecies literally or allegorically. It is the most important and valuable prophetic book in the bible. The bible is the word of god given in the words of men in history. The book of revelation, full of complex imagery and vivid depictions of violence, outlines gods plan for the second coming of christ and the punishment of satan in a lake of fire. This mode of interpretation, which sees later events in christian history as fulfilling predictions in the book of revelation, is known as the continuous history view. Brief history of revelations the book of revelations is the last book of the new testament consisting of only 22 verses and is prophetic in nature. The meaning of the book of revelation can seem confusing to the average reader. None of us can see the full spiritual realities that lie behind our experiences.
A tip to anyone planing on reading the book of revelation, is to read the book of daniel first. Behind the scenes of history the book of revelation page 1. Even amid the trials of history and the last days as depicted in the book of revelation, we can have the assurance that all heaven. The responsibility of the safety of this holy book is taken by almighty allah by himself. Far from being a revelation, it is the most abstruse book in the whole bible. In light of biblical revelation, these angels turn out to be fallen angels or demonic spirits. Someone has well said that the book of genesis and the book of revelation are like two book ends that hold the bible together. Tim lahaye author of revelation unveiled, and the left behind series bernard mcginn professor of the history of christianity at the university of chicagos divinity. As groothius accurately points out, angels are the messengers of god sent to do his will, usually behind the scenes. What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory. The simple fact that all scripture has passed through the. Views revelation as a panoramic view of church history from apostolic times to the present, seeing in the symbolism such events as the barbarian invasions of rome, the rise of the roman catholic church as well as various individual popes, the emergence of islam, and the french revolution. Most christians believe that the book of revelation refers to events which are to take place in the future, but this view may be only partially right.
The historical sees revelation as a symbolic prophecy of the entire history of the church from the. The john of revelation does associate himself with the prophets 22. The word apocalypse means unveiling and thats exactly what the book of revelation isit is a prophetic book that discusses the unveiling of what is going to happen in the nearing end times and what will come with the final revelation of jesus christ. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. The book of revelation doesnt mean what you think biblical. But the book of revelation lifts the veil on these spiritual realities to allow us to see gods cosmic plan to bring salvation into history through jesus christ. But in fact its slightly more complicated than that. Besides the many books, there are websites, tv evangelists, lecture series, movies and videos. Hes present now with his church by his spirit, and hell return to claim final victory over all his. Since domitian was assassinated in ad 96, we can date the book roughly at ad 95. Though the turn of the millennium came and went without a second coming of jesus, much attention is still. The book of revelationhistory and prophecy united church of god.
It is when the book is rigidly interpreted in light of twentyfirst century conditions that revelation becomes trivialized. The revelation of saint john scarcely merits the title. In all its uses, revelation refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible. The book of revelation, the rapture and related bible prophecies have spawned a whole industry in recent years. 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. Oct 21, 2016 you will love this video it will help you understand better itt is very good and a little long i encourage all of you to watch this kick back and relax. 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. Revelation is often described as a the revelation of john meaning the revelation to john 1. Buy a cheap copy of the real history of the end of the. Introduction from the notes on the introductory matters, i concluded that the apostle john wrote revelation from the island of patmos at the end of domitians reign. Revelation is the finale of the entire bible bringing gods word to a dramatic conclusion. The historicist system of interpretation understands the book of revelation as setting forth the major events of christian history spanning the time of john until the present. Lesson 3 page 22 of standard edition jesus and the book.
The current bestselling, multivolume left behind series by tim lehaye and jerry b. Hal lindseys 1970 book the late great planet earth and the left behind series by tim lahaye and jerry b. How accurate are the descriptions of these seven cities mentioned in the book of revelation according to archaeology and history. I was in the spirit on the lords day, and heard behind me a. Truths about him and his final victory, that the rest of scripture merely allude to, become clearly visible through revelation about jesus christ see historical and theological themes. Yet it has a clear and definite historical background. In its wonderful companion series at cascade, david mathewson, from denver seminary, has a splendid and accessible study of the book of revelation. He was told to write the things which he saw and heard. Is the author speaking of past events or future events. In genesis you have the story of the beginning of human sin. Many people view revelation, sometimes called the apocalypse, as a mysterious book of strange symbols and images. 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. Revelation to john, also called book of revelation or apocalypse of john, last book of the new testament.
The old testament records the history of humanity and gods plan of redemption, the new testament records, gods fulfillment and completion of his plan. The stage players for the book of revelation jesus creed. Returning the book of revelation to its historical context. In the bible, we find that there are good angelic and bad demonic spirits. The book of revelation presents itself as a prophetic, pastoral message that the church has come to recognize as an inspired word of god. In genesis there is the beginning of civilization and of history. Historicist interpretation commentary a testimony of. Indeed most of the material is secondhand, being borrowed liberally from the old testament books of isaiah, ezra, ezekiel and, in particular, daniel which also. The book of revelation is the work of a specific writer, who wrote under specific circumstances, to specific recipients, and in a specific literary genre. Quran is a source of great inspiration, guidance, and wisdom for millions of muslims all over the world.
Oct 14, 2014 the left behind movie 2014 depicts the rapture, which is often assumed to be clearly explained in the bible, especially the book of revelation. The was the title given to the book in the latin vulgate 3. The history of the bible the are many ways the history of the bible can be divided, one method is dividing the periods according to the methods of atonement. The book therefore is a divinely given book, and is the revelation of jesus christ and not of john.