The book was written around 96 ad by apostle john when titus domitian was the emperor of the roman empire. The book of revelation was likely written between a. The description of the antichrist mentioned in daniel 9. In revelation 14, we meet 144,000 people, who had the name of jesus and the father on their foreheads. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. The book of revelation often called the book of revelations, 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. In sharp contrast, the book of revelation provides ample internal evidence that it was written by a jew intimately acquainted with the historical events and locations he wrote about. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. The revelation of jesus christ which god gave him to show to his servants. Watch our overview video on the book of revelation, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. It starts out simply enough, it is a revelation in greek, apocalypse from jesus christ, it is a prophecy, and it comes as a letter to seven churches. Prologue the revelation from jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servants what must soon take place.
Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john. One of the intriguing questions discussed by scholars is the phrase of jesus christ iesou christou genitive case. The concluding book of the new testament begins in the following fashion. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of prophecy in this book. Even though the book of revelation was finally included in the new testament canon because christian leaders came to think it had been. Hold fast to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The revelation of jesus christ was given to john by god to show his servants what must soon take place. The reason for this difference in style could possibly be that, the book of revelation was revealed to john the apostle at his old age and was possibly penned with the help of someone who was not good in greek language. In all its uses, revelation refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible. Many people automatically look to connect any largescale disaster to revelation and see in it a sign of the end.
Revelation was written when christians were entering a time of persecution. 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. These four horsemen of the apocalypse appear to symbolically portray four disastrous occurrences that will take place before the second coming of jesus christ. 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 lions leopards and bears oh my. Revelation 1 niv prologue the revelation from jesus bible. Three and a half days later, however, gods two witnesses will be resurrected and, in full view of their enemies, ascend to heaven verses 1112.
Four times the author identifies himself as john 1. 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. Outside of revelation, examples of apocalyptic literature in the bible are daniel chapters 712. The lamb represents jesus, the lamb of god, who was slain for our sins. Revelation the dragon pursuing a woman, from the bamberg apocalypse. 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. For centuries, men have incessantly speculated as to the identity 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. If we did not realize already that it takes a lifetime to understand the bible and thats a good thing, the point is driven home when we get to the last book in the bible revelation. As a final response to this objection, much of the supposed differences are overdrawn and incapable of.
The book of revelation, it is argued, focuses almost exclusively on a coming of christ at the end of history. Four beasts of revelation and two great kings exposed. What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in asia. And today we are talking about the book of revelation, a book that has several different interpretations and one that many. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. Lets look at the characteristics of each horsemen and how they all play an important role in the end times from the bible book of revelation. Study scripture verses and use highlighting, underlining, and take notes in the bible. Ive been asked about who wrote the book of revelation. The author was probably a christian from ephesus known as john the elder. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online.
The book of revelation is the revelation of jesus christ to apostle john thus to us christians. A slain lamb with seven horns and seven eyes revelation 5 a great red dragon with seven heads and ten horns revelation 12 a leopardlike composite beast with seven heads and ten horns revelation. The book of revelation or apocalypse is the last book of the new testament and of the bible and speaks of the end times. 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. The book of revelation was written sometime around 96 ce in asia minor. This book is filled with mysteries about things to come. The two periods most often mentioned are the latter part of neros reign a. In this book he is always referred to as he which is, which was and which is to come, as in v4.
The book of revelation explained in under 5 minutes youtube. Because of this, it is concluded that the same author cannot be responsible for both books. Here are some musings on it, the first part taken from my textbook on the new testament. How accurate are the descriptions of these seven cities mentioned in the book of revelation according to archaeology and history. 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. Who are the two witnesses in the book of revelation. Visions, prophecy and politics in the book of revelation, princeton university religious professor elaine pagels. It does belong to a tradition of apocalyptic writing, which began in judaism in the second temple period. 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.
Similarly, if the author sees jerusalem destroyed in chapter 11, then chapters 1219 are about the fall of jerusalem from a different perspective. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. Revelation always implies the unveiling of something previously hidden, in. The book of revelation is the culmination of the prophecies about the end times, beginning with the old testament. Apocalypticism was not a new phenomenon among christians. Only a handful of extremists today even countenance the possibility that revelation could have been written pseudonymously. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. Brian chilton investigates the author of the book of revelation. The text of revelation states that john was on patmos, a greek island where.
The author of revelation mentioned his name, john, four times throughout the book revelation 1. Early christian tradition identified the writer of revelation as the apostle st. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. The new jerusalem the book of revelation the great white throne judgement of jesus duration. The book of revelation, the last book of the bible, has fascinated and puzzled christians for centuries. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. White is professor of classics and christian origins at the university of texas at austin, and acted as historical consultant for apocalypse. 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. John was the youngest disciple of the twelve disciples of. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope.
The book of revelation may hold vital clues about the coronavirus epidemic if outrageous claims made by christian hardliners are to be believed. The endless love of jesus ministries 1,145,414 views. In the book of revelation, the apocalyptic hopes of the early christian community find their clearest and most complete expression. Four horsemen of the apocalypse meaning in revelation.
What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory. Whats the significance of the 144,000 in revelation 14. How to study the book of revelation christian truth center. This article will look at this virus and its relationship to revelation. Three angels broadcasting network 3abn 2,886,527 views 58. And the witnesses will have the power to destroy their enemies with fire revelation 11. I even want to suggest that the book of revelation is one of the most important books in our bibles. Book of revelation overview insight for living ministries. John, the beloved disciple, while he was in exile on the island of patmos in the aegean sea. There are three primary theories on the identity of the two witnesses in revelation.
The witnesses will have the power to turn water into blood revelation 11. Written in symbolism, the book has always been surrounded by mystery and has fascinated mankind throughout the ages as to its meaning. Is coronavirus one of the plagues in the book of revelation. The book of revelation is the final book of the bible in which john the apostle outlined. As a teenager, i remember being a bit frightened of the book of revelation. I believe the book of revelation is moving forward in prophecy rather than restating that which was already predicted in the earlier chapters of the book. The book of revelation was written sometime around. Well, one thing thats helpful to remember in revelation, is that numbers mean things, sometimes in a different way than they do in historical narratives because revelation is an apocalyptic work that shows this.
Revelation was written in the last decade of the first century ca. The revelation of jesus christ is a book of prophecy on the end times and comprises the final book of the new testament and of the bible. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to everything he saw. This is the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. Revelation to john, last book of the new testament. John of patmos also called john the revelator, john the divine, john the theologian, and possibly john the apostle. Revelation has long been attributed to the author of johns gospel, in spite of the differences in style of writing. 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.
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