To many people, the book of revelation is the most mysterious and enigmatic book in the whole bible. In all its uses, revelation refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible. The divine purpose in this book can be seen as threefold. He began his work, the purpose of this book is to show that the apocalypse is a manual of spiritual development and not, as conventionally.
Images of beasts, trumpets, plagues, and even dragons fill its pages. 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. Why did john write the book of revelation, or did he. The revelation of jesus christ, that is, the unveiling, revealing, and presentation to earth and heaven of the lord jesus christ as. In his book, power and purpose, russ lackey guides readers on an adventure through the harrowing pages of revelation in a clear and accessible way.
Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. This view has already been seen, in part, by the church fathers. Although its visions often seem bizarre to the western reader, fortunately the book provides a number of clues for its own interpretation e. The book of revelation is the fulfilment of every biblical prophecy. The holy quran and its purpose of revelation to mankind. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. The purpose of the book is not found in john, but in the plain statements given in the book and by an understanding of the content of the book. The purpose of the book of revelation christian chat. The reason most commentaries fail to enlighten the book s contents is because they violate one or more of the three basic principles of sound biblical interpretation.
The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the. Like many of the topics in revelation, there is much mystery surrounding the 144,000 mentioned in chapters 7 and 14. This bible study was recorded in 2008 please excuse the video quality. It gives us a tiny glimpse of heaven and all of the glories awaiting those. The 144,000 in the book of revelation david jeremiah blog. The book of revelation explained by pastor allen nolan is a teaching series on how to unravel the. 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. Revelation a study guide about the book of revelation. The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic.
When we properly assemble all of the prophecies, a mindboggling drama. 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. Revelation describes the purpose of the seven seals. We have a purpose for being hereto refresh the memory of others regarding the things of the lord. For all intents and purposes the revelation is a pastoral letter. Christian chat is a moderated online christian community allowing christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the christian chat app. In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture. While end day prophecy consists s of future events, that is not the purpose of prophecy. Intro to revelation biblica the international bible.
Returning the book of revelation to its historical context by joey cobble. But god designed this book for a very different purpose. The revelation of jesus christ was given to john by god to show his servants what must soon take place. Purpose of the book of revelation wbmoores biblical insights. John was one of the 12 disciples special students of jesus, who later became the apostles the first leaders of the christian church. The first purpose is to reveal christ in his deistic glory. In the book of revelation, the apocalyptic hopes of the early christian community find their clearest and most complete expression. John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. Most people think the book of revelation is simply a book of prophecy. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. Under these conditions, a christian named john wrote revelation, addressing it to the seven churches that were in asia minor. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. The correct way however to consider the revelation is to look at chapters 4 to 22 regarding the future see also paragraph 2 purpose and subject. What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory.
John did not write it to teach his beliefs, or even to tell people his ideas. 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. Why would anyone write a book like revelation, which is so different from the other books of the new testament. The focus of this essay will be the examination of the purpose of the book of revelation. Orley berg doesnt think the book of revelation is an incomprehensible mystery. 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 greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka.
Its complex imagery and visions can be very difficult to understand and interpret. I believe the clear purpose of revelation is exactly what it says it is. The book of revelation is generally considered one of the most difficult books to understand, not without good reason. Here bible teacher, and best selling author, michael pearl walks you.
Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. The comforting promise of revelation when you are certain of your future, then you can concentrate on your present. For an adequate understanding of revelation, the reader must recognize that it is a distinct kind of literature. 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. The clear purpose of revelation love worth finding with adrian. And if we keep this purpose in mind, itll help us understand what the book of revelation meant for early christians, and what it means to us modern readers too. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. He reflects on the best way to approach the book when studying it for the first time, explains what the mark of the beast is really all about, and offers words of counsel and encouragement for pastors hesitant to preach through revelation in their churches. It is the final warning that the world will surely end and judgment will be certain. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation. 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 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. Through this series we demonstrate that revelation is in fact about hope, meaning and purpose for a world headed for despair.
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. There is far too much detail to explain in one article so here i will only point out one of the major themes that run throughout the book. It is primarily composed of 14 concepts examples 7 seals, 7 trumpets, 7 vials, mystery babylon, the resurrections, etc. However, where can we find the right answers other than the very book itself.
One purpose was to present the reader with a better understanding of what their faith in christ would do for them. Returning the book of revelation to its historical context. 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. Some prophecies in revelation have been underway for centuries and others are about to begin. The was the title given to the book in the latin vulgate 3. Its purpose is to give encouragement and hope for all. In future articles the letters to the seven churches as outlined in the first three chapters of the book will be examined. The purpose for the book of revelation the apostle john writes to give courage to a church under heavy persecution from the evil empire and surrounded by an enemy that wished their demise in the person of the jews who stood forth as the principle accusers of the christians. Revelation is meant to produce in you comfort, courage, hope, and praise. In it he asked, who except cranks and lunatics reads the book of revelation. Included in the discussion will be which john wrote the. 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. The purpose of revelation many people either fear the book of revelation or have an unhealthy interest in it. Most people find the book of revelation confusing in its use of symbols and imagery.
And you will gain a new relationship with the world. The holy quran and its purpose of revelation to mankind the holy quran is the literal speech of allah, which was revealed to prophet muhammad peace be upon him in arabic language as a revelation to the whole mankind. Here we are getting conflicting answers, all coming from various perspectives. Revelation series is a new and fresh approach to understanding the wonderful mysteries of the final book of the bible revelation. The book of revelation begins with a short introduction in 1. 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.
Instead of a place that frustrates and disappoints you, it becomes the perfect learning ground, the perfect environment. Anyone familiar with revelation will notice that the prediction of events whether those already fulfilled at least from our perspective today or those events still future again, from our perspective today occupies most of the books content. The goal and purpose of the revelation the new message. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. 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. For many the purpose of the book of revelation served as only applicable to those of the first century christians. Purpose of the book of revelation wbmoores biblical. Apocalypticism was not a new phenomenon among christians. The clear purpose of revelation love worth finding with.
And gods revelation will call this purpose and give you the steps to knowledge to prepare for this purpose. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. The book of revelation main the community network of. This paper was originally published on and was the best scholarship on the subject. So, in the end, the book of revelation is a book of hope and promise. In this interview, thomas schreiner discusses the book of revelation. Introduction revelation is a confusing book to most people despite the many commentaries written. This book is filled with mysteries about things to come. The book of revelation contains several prophecies that integrate into one big story. The book of revelation describes a scene in heaven and the father is holding a book scroll sealed with seven seals. Revelation is often described as a the revelation of john meaning the revelation to john 1.
1099 452 178 25 143 1131 1174 1344 729 1300 1450 858 1027 409 108 279 895 618 298 1490 1292 195 62 1269 952 474 504 1179 601 1011 1464 216 682 63 788 49 1266 433 539 1061 371 960 1443 844 515 486