The historical school regards most of revelation describing events beginning chronologically close to its date of origin but extending through history to the end of time. The book of revelation is not so intimidating once you understand what the author was up to. Like all books of the bible, revelation was written in a particular time and place to particular people. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and.
The book of revelation is the fulfilment of every biblical prophecy. Revelation is first and foremost a revelation about jesus christ 1. With a simple understanding of what revelation teaches, christine. He emphasizes that the book of revelation is not difficult to understand. Do our minds become confused when we hear all those sevens and l2s, and all those strange titles applied to jesusthe alpha and omega and the bright morning star.
Paul, minnesota the power of a book can be seen in its effects,andfewbookshave had more dramatic effects than revelation. Yet it does this in such a way as to check the theological excesses and doctrinal dangers of imagination of which we are all too much aware after centuries of church history. It cannot be understood without knowing the ot prophets ezekiel and daniel especially, nor without knowing the words of the lord jesus in matthew 24. Indeed, some might feel revelationssymbols and metaphors are so confusing that they.
The author was probably a christian from ephesus known as john the elder. Ten keys for interpreting the book of revelation digital commons. Many people leave this last book of the bible firmly closed, and in. Yet, the book remains enigmatic and problematic,1 also in africa. It can perhaps be best understood in distinction from the other major interpretations of revelation. David guzik commentary on revelation 1 begins with an opening description of. Revelation with book summary versebyverse bible commentary. People have tried to explain this book in many ways. The interpreters of revelation are divided into three main schools. Onethird of the bible is prophecythe future written in advance. Daniel, recorded over 600 years earlier, sets the stage for the larger and more detailed book of revelation, which describes events found nowhere else in. The interpretation bible commentary series is one of the best available and eugene borings contribution in his book.
Christine weick is a bornagain christian with a passion for biblical prophecy. Revelation has a wide variety of interpretations, ranging from the simple historical interpretation, to a prophetic view on what will happen in the future by way of the will of god and the womans victory on satan symbolic interpretation, to different end time scenarios futurist interpretation, to the views of critics who deny any spiritual value to revelation at all, ascribing it to a humaninherited archetype. It fittingly has the last place ending the scriptures and gods revelation to man. God reveals a basic framework for understanding future events. Tyndale, 1983, 14 implies that other literalists have employed figurative interpretations where literalisms rules of interpretation at least allow for a. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. Youll find four major interpretive approaches to the book of revelation that can help you read, understand, and figure out the apocalyptic letter of john. While there is only one old testament apocalyptic book daniel and one new. The angel wakes john from his reverie not only with these words, but with the promise of a full interpretation of the mystery of the woman and the beast v. 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. Interpretation must be based on the authors intention of meaning and not the reader. In positive terms, revelation has inspired countless sermons and theological treatises, artistic works, and.
Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator. David reagan presents an overview of the entire book of revelation, covering the book chapter by chapter. 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. Because it contains so many symbols, some people teach the book as if it were a sort of aliceinwonderland story for adults. Literal interpretation of the bible means to explain the original sense. But recognizing this comes from understanding how to read this kind of. A bible commentary for teaching and preaching is a distinctive resource for those who interpret the bible in the church. Whether were looking for gospel meaning or struggling with understanding revelations in the bible, historical bible study can help us find our way.
This means we must get into the authors context, historically, grammatically, culturally and the literary forms and conventions the author was working in. However someone else told me the catholic church does not claim to know what the book of revelation means. Paul, minnesota christian liturgy, hymns, and art are saturated with the theology, symbolism, and language of the book of revelation. The book of revelation is, above all, the biblical book of the imagination the book pressing into service a plethora of images. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture.
What is the idealist interpretation of the book of revelation. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on the book of revelation. Understanding the book of revelation a systematic study. Paul tanner the book of revelation history of interpretation apr 25, 2002 appendix d.
The historicist view teaches that the book of revelation is a symbolic. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. The book of revelation had its origin in a time of crisis, but it remains valid and meaningful for christians of all time. This is a very readable commentary presented in everyday language by a fine biblical scholar. But its also saturated with symbolism and prophecy, which has led to a variety of methods of interpretation. Five common misinterpretations of the book of revelation, the here are five of the most common fallacious statements propagated in the name of john the revelator. The historicist view follows a straight line of continuous fulfillment of prophecy which starts in daniels time and goes through john. Preterists understand the book exclusively in terms of its firstcentury setting, claiming that most of its events have already taken place. Traditionally, interpreters have approached revelation in four primary ways. Historicists take it as describing the long chain of events from patmos to the end of history. What is the idealist interpretation of the book of. Understanding revelations in the bible biblical archaeology society.
As the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth 1. The book depicts him as the risen, glorified son of god ministering among the churches 1. Could you explain the book of revelation in full simple terms. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. The real meaning of the bible s book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. Understanding the book of revelation introduction reading the book of revelation, also called the apocalypse of st. All the term means is that the book of revelation is a type of prophetic literature that uses a lot of symbols. Systems of interpretation commentary a testimony of. John the divine in some translations of the bible without comparing what it says to the rest of sacred scripture, can be a confusing experience. But, of course, we cant leave it at that many books of the bible are very easy to understand on the surface. An apocalypse is a very specific kind of literature with no modern equivalent. Most christians dont even realize other interpretations exist, but there are actually 5 different approaches to interpreting the book of revelation, maybe you knew.
We dont know why john was exiled to patmos, but it may have been for refusing to worship the roman emperor domitian. Revelation and interpretation appeared in biblical authority for today, edited by a. The futurist school regards most of the book of revelation, from chapter 4 on, as applying to events far removed from. Though it is little more than a piece of scholarly gossip, some have even suggested that the reformer john calvin, one of the best interpreters of the scriptures the church has known, shied away from writing a commentary on the book of revelation for this very reason. Although not easily accessible to one unfamiliar to the landscape of biblical scholarship, this text is more than worth the effort. Most believe that the book of revelation is sealed, closed from understanding.
A history of the interpretation of revelation craig r. Book of revelation biblical interpretations, pictures. All of these aspects are brought together in the topic at hand. The commentary of the new american bible the official roman catholic bible for america states that the. This view maintains that the words in the entire book have. The book of revelation was written sometime around 96 ce in asia minor. Interpreters of revelation normally fall into four groups. This framework is primarily laid out in daniel and revelation. The biblical texts quoted from revelation are the translation of the author of this dissertation, whereas the other biblical texts, unless stated otherwise, are quoted from the revised standard version. I have spoken with this deacon about the book of revelation and he wanted to be sure i understand the catholic churchs interpretation. Revelation 17 commentary the angels interpretation.
The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. But when revelation was written and began to shed forth its light, we find the book of daniel opening up like the spring flowers in response to the warm sunshine. Introduction revelation is a confusing book to most people despite the many commentaries written. And many religious people believe that the book of revelation offers no help anyway, because it cannot be understood. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. The obscure and extravagant imagery has led to a wide variety of christian interpretations. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. Answers to a variety of questions on the book of revelation including, the meaning of the first horseman, the timing of the bowl judgments, the application of the churches of laodicea and thyatira to history, and the meaning of nation against nation. The book of revelation is johns record of that vision revelation 1. This is particularly so with the book of revelation or prophecy in general. Historicism, a method of interpretation in christian eschatology which associates biblical prophecies with actual historical events and identifies symbolic beings with historical persons or societies, has been applied to the book of revelation by many writers. Most churches today teach the futurist interpretation of the book of revelation.
Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation. The simplest explanation for the book of revelation is that it is a final chapter in 3 different ways. The book of revelation bold type and underlining of scripture text have been added for emphasis your questions and comments are welcome note. The interpretation of revelation has always been a subject of debate among bible interpreters.
A scientific and devotional commentary on the book of revelation wheaton, il. Additionally, because of the books place as the capstone of bible prophecy, and indeed of all scripture,2 ones interpretation of the rest of scripture and ones accompanying presuppositions especially regarding the millennium play a pivotal role in determining ones interpretation of the revelation. The woman of the apocalypse is a figure described in chapter 12 of the book of revelation. Intro to revelation biblica the international bible. The interpretation of the book of revelation has often proven difficult throughout the history of the christian church. The time for understanding the book of revelation is now at hand. The reason most commentaries fail to enlighten the books contents is because they violate one or more of the three basic principles of sound biblical interpretation. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. Franciscan father stephen doyle provides a catholic commentary on the book of revelation and explains that todays people do not understand what. The postapostolic period for at least the first one hundred years after john wrote the book of revelation, what evidence. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture. For most the only question about eschatology that exists is whether you think the rapture is pre, mid, or posttribulation.
John was a christian leader of jewish origin who was in exile on the roman prison island of patmos. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation. The literal or normal interpretation of the bible simply means to explain the original. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. Principles of interpretation, in symposium on revelationbook 1.
Futurists place the book primarily in the end times. After daniel finished recording the prophecy, he asked god to explain what it meant. The introduction proper revelation title of the book our bibles carry the title of the book as the revelation of john, or the revelation to john which means it is a revelation given to the apostle john, but the proper name is found in the first words of 1. The idealist interpretation could also be called the symbolic or spiritual interpretation. The prophecies found in the book of revelation are almost identical to. A verse by verse explanation of the book of revelation. We also mentioned attacks upon the authority of the book by way of questioning its apostolic authorship and acceptance into the canon. Planned and written specifically for teaching and preaching needs, this critically acclaimed biblical commentary is a major contribution to scholarship and ministry. The book of daniel was a sealed book until the time of the end daniel 12. Bible for many christians, yet one of the most difficult books to understand. Enduring word bible commentary revelation chapter 1.
John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. 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. He demonstrate over and over that if you will accept its. Holy fathers, use words and events from sacred scripture with some freedom to explain their belief in the assumption. A commentary of the book of revelation bible truth.
760 1335 365 1088 221 407 496 956 161 893 1438 195 136 1511 1479 480 356 603 1230 120 541 578 5 1499 1272 577 1632 1417 563 1227 89 1221 1398 416 1117 41 1066 530 1212 1439 1034 648 805 514 870