Understanding the book of revelation a systematic study. Apr 28, 2015 revelation never describes itself as a symbolic code of future events plotted on a timeline. In revelation the message is that god is coming to judge. While some have continued to defend the view that the bible, inspired by god, is gods selfrevelation in a direct way, others, have argued that gods selfrevelation is to be found primarily in divine action or in the person of jesus. Believers are not responding to the titles before or behind a mans name but rather to the power of gods word, regardless of which vessel it comes through, for the kingdom of god is not in word, but in power 1 cor. Members of the religious community frequently debate its content and offer various theories about nearly every aspect of its message. The secrets are known only to god and revealed by god when god chooses to reveal them and precisely to whom he chooses to reveal them.
Special revelation is distinguished from general revelation in that it is direct revelation from god. By relying on the bibles own consistent interpretations of its symbols and figurative language, we can have confidence that our understanding is based on gods inspired word rather than on our own opinions 2 peter 1. The magnificent city has plenty of room for the saints of all agesgods peopleto dwell in comfort and with great joy. In this connection we may well note the prophets declaration, to those properly endowed and enlightened, that the book of revelation is one of the plainest books god ever caused to be written. To understand revelation, we must be familiar with its literary form, terminology, symbolism, and frequent use of old. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Sep 30, 2015 in this book, peterson shows how reading revelation well can radically transform our prayer life and see the world from the perspective of gods throne room. 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 important for us to know about the events that will.
Revelation is apocalyptic, a kind of writing that is highly symbolic. The book of revelation is a source of hope and encouragement for christians because the book tells about the triumphant return of our lord, jesus christ. For an adequate understanding of revelation, the reader must recognize that it is a distinct kind of literature. Websters dictionary in science, which is based primarily on our study of nature, the main goal is to understand physical realities. Perhaps the most striking and profound aspect of this book is its relevance and importance to our lives today. Ray stedman guides you on a versebyverse exploration of the book of revelation, bringing to life the mysteries of this highly symbolic book of the bible. This beautiful, fullcolor hardback volume offers fresh insights into familiar parts of the bible, and an exciting grasp on. The book of revelation is notoriously difficult to understand. Gods final word encompasses and brings into brilliant focus the entire scope of human history of eternity itself. Jan 02, 2020 the book of revelation is understandable.
Jan 01, 1991 god s final word encompasses and brings into brilliant focus the entire scope of human historyof eternity itself. Understanding the book of revelation a systematic study in. Christian life books, art, trinity,revelation,christian. The throne of god appears, surrounded by twenty four thrones with twentyfour elders seated in them. Examples include god s direct speech to various people e. Jun 21, 2016 gods people will dwell with christ on the new earth revelation 21. God was going to show him a vision, and john was to record this vision and send it to these seven churches in asia minor.
After all, gods word is a library of 66 books, genesis to revelation. By relying on the bible s own consistent interpretations of its symbols and figurative language, we can have confidence that our understanding is based on god s inspired word rather than on our own opinions 2 peter 1. Understanding revelation kindle edition by stedman, ray. In modern times the christian faiths claim to possess a unique revelation of god has faced numerous challenges. Gods sovereign rule the big theme of revelation is gods sovereign rule chapters 45 over his church and history, and therefore even though satan is still at work now, satan and his minions will be destroyed and god will. Instead of relegating bible prophecy to oblivion, the honest student of gods word will give himself to diligent study of this book of the hour, and discover for himself what god has revealed by this revelation. The book of revelation describes the seven trumpets and the seven bowls as seven first plagues and seven. He also describes revelation as a window to gods plan for the world, having spent many years studying this book as a chronological presentation of gods revelation in jesus. But in these last days, gods revelation knowledge is beginning to flow among his people more than ever before. Understanding the 66 books of the bible by david jeremiah. Keys to understanding revelation the book of revelation has been the center of more speculation than any other book in the bible. The key to understanding the book of revelation is to interpret it as literally as possibleit says what it means and means what it says. 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 bible.
But recognizing this comes from understanding how to read this kind of. This framework is primarily laid out in daniel and revelation. As a start, some useful ideas are in reading god s two books by george murphy, who explains why it s better to use scriptural theology based on the bible instead of natural theology based on what we see in nature as a foundation for building our understanding of god. The word revelation means an uncovering, unveiling, a disclosure of truth. Therefore we can expect clarification of some symbols in the book of revelation in other parts of gods inspired word.
Revelation books four views on the book of revelation. Revelation books four views on the book of revelation edited by marvin pate, the revelation of jesus christ by john walvoord, the book of revelation by clarence larkin, revelation revealed by jack van impe, keys to understanding the book of revelation by arthur bloomfield, wrath and glory by david reagan, revelation unveiled by tim lahaye, a commentary on the revelation of john by george. Like a wellwritten detective story, gods final word explores the depths of johns revelation versebyverse and brings to life the mysteries of this highly symbolic book. Understanding the book of revelation, pamphlet ebook. In this book, peterson shows how reading revelation well can radically transform our prayer life and see the world from the perspective of gods throne room. Understanding the numerical symbolism in revelation 4. Lines are being drawn between what gods word teaches us and the secular approach to understand this world based on mans ability. Understanding the book of revelation hope for the times we are living now the book of revelation was written to encourage the christian church in every generation. As gods own speaking to mankind, it stands alone as the highest, most profound book. This topic is covered in more detail in my book, jesus, the alpha and the omega. The bible is the mind of christ between two covers, but those covers enclose ancient writings that may seem confusing. Watch our overview video on the book of revelation, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The books second and third chapters contain vital warnings to the seven churches that existed in asia minor in the first century a. This book is gods open letter to us and contains critical information about our future.
Regardless of your background, gods message in the bible is not too difficult for you, nor is it far away. Around the world, leading members of the religious community debate its content and offer theories about every aspect of its message. Understanding the 66 books of the bible will orient you with each of gods special booksgenesis through revelationwhether youre a new reader or a veteran student. The lord communicated directly to john to them revelation 1. Like the books of prophecy in the old testament, revelation proclaims a message. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. Bible prophecy was not written to frighten, or bewilder, but to aid the reader in understanding gods program for time and eternity. As always, petersons writings are grounded in solid research and a rich understanding of christian history and theology. 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. Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. Symbolic language, however, is one of the chief characteristics of apocalyptic literature, of which this book is an. We must have spiritual understanding because gods word is spirit and it is life john 6.
Therefore we can expect clarification of some symbols in the book of revelation in other parts of god s inspired word. Ray stedman has done an excellent job of sharing background for the historical setting of revelation, especially the 7 churches, but he also brings out the importance of making it personal to you where you living today. Revelation is a revelation, the revelation of jesus christ 1. Gods people will dwell with christ on the new earth revelation 21. Keys to understanding revelation united church of god. The topic of gods wrath is enormous and it requires study to understand the right balance between gods mercy and gods justice. Keys to understanding revelation the book of revelation. The prophecies found in the book of revelation are almost identical to. Take the fastest journey through the bible you have. The word from which we get tachometer means either or both something that will happen soon or something that will happen speedily.
Ray guides you on a versebyverse exploration of the book of revelation, bringing to life the mysteries of this highly symbolic book of the bible. I want to thank the many diligent scholars from whom i have mined deeper insights into the. Reading the book of revelation, also called the apocalypse of st. The book of revelation was written sometime around 96 ce in asia minor. The time for understanding the book of revelation is now at hand. Gods people can look forward to adventures beyond his present life which will be grander than anything we can now imagine. The theme of the book is the events leading up to the jesus second coming. It is the revelation of jesus christ to show his servants revelation 1. In revelation the message is that god is coming to judge and to redeem, and that the powers of evil and empires will clash before god establishes the fullness of his kingdom. Identifying the opposition characters in revelation 5. The book of revelation explained in under 5 minutes youtube.
God reveals a basic framework for understanding future events. At the end of the book of romans, we read in chapter 16 verse 25, now to him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of jesus christ, according to the revelation of the mystery. The message of revelation is as relevant today as ever before, as our world seems to be descending into chaos. Although its visions often seem bizarre to the western reader, fortunately the book provides a number of clues for its own interpretation e. Visions of blessings from god for heaven and earth. Natural theology natural theology is theology deriving its knowledge of god from the study of nature independent of special revelation. Gods final word encompasses and brings into brilliant focus the entire scope of human historyof eternity itself. Church of christ lessons on the revelation of jesus christ.
Have you ever wondered what the book of revelation is all about. Understanding the book of revelation t he book of revelation, or the apocalypse, has been the center of more speculation by scholars and casual readers than any other book of the bible. In theology, based primarily on studying scripture, the main goal is understanding spiritual realities. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading gods final word. God would not have given it to us if its meaning were entirely a mystery. Stedman wrote over twenty books with a million copies in distribution. Conventional understanding until recent times was that the book of revelation was written to comfort beleaguered. The book s second and third chapters contain vital warnings to the seven churches that existed in asia minor in the first century a. Dec 20, 2017 the word revelation means an uncovering, unveiling, a disclosure of truth.
As always mr stedman makes it easy to understand while explaining biblical truths. His book body life had a tremendous impact on the church in the twentieth century. Revelation means an unveiling, a disclosure, a display of who god is and what he promises to do. Instead of relegating bible prophecy to oblivion, the honest student of god s word will give himself to diligent study of this book of the hour, and discover for himself what god has revealed by this revelation. The revelation of jesus christto show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. As recent history attests, the euphrates river is drying, a significant event in bible prophecy that is currently being fulfilled.
The bible is much more than a book of morals and interesting stories. 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. Such revelation is sufficient to communicate the gospel, unlike general revelation, and thus. Applying the best available sources of commentary from a variety of scholars, donald and jay parry show that the book of revelation is meant for us to understand and that it is possible to understand it. The revelation of john, a servant of god, which was given unto him of jesus christ. It also implies that in revelation god wasnt really speaking to the very first. Continuing to examine the book of revelation within its original historical, literary, and biblical context, dr. The importance of the understanding of dispensational theology. Have an overall knowledge of the plan of salvation and of the nature of gods. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the. One who studies gods word will find new strength and understanding to their personal life with a greater ability to apply scripture.
Understanding the book of revelation introduction reading the book of revelation, also called the apocalypse of st. A dispensational approach is symmetrical giving the understanding of events of the past, present and future of gods total plan. The book is not a concealment, a puzzle, a riddle, as some people think. As mentioned before, the books very name means to reveal to unveil, to open to understanding what otherwise could. The final and total end of all evil is promised in revelation 2122a new heavens and a new earth. The bible itself provides many of the keys to understanding it. Revelation never describes itself as a symbolic code of future events plotted on a timeline. The lamb and the sevensealed scroll is the second volume in dr. Booker turns his clear, prophetic explanation to the sevensealed scroll, which contains the word of the lord given to daniel and is sealed until the time of the end. Understanding the book of revelation is a timely book as we approach the twentyfirst century. The key to understanding is the mysterious book of revelation is comprehending its story flow. This book of books brings us the divine revelation of god, his plan for man, and his eternal purpose. There are four common views regarding how revelation applies to us today. I want to thank the many diligent scholars from whom i have mined deeper insights into the yetunfolding prophecies of daniel and revelation.
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