It must always be kept in mind, however, that this book is a book of prophecy, intended to shew the things which must shortly come to pass. A lion one creature was like a lion, symbolising the kingship of christ. The book of revelation is a revealing of jesus christ in glory. But most of the symbols in the book of revelation werent confusing to johns original audience, because they were drawn from the old testament and from the world around them. On this page i will answer questions that students have frequently asked in my three decades of teaching revelation. You will understand what revelation says about the past, present, and future, and how it relates to.
Revelation to john, also called book of revelation or apocalypse of john, last book of the new testament. The book of revelation explained book of revelation online. That fact, however, does not mean that the book is easy reading. Theres nothing gnostic about this idea, any more than its gnostic to say that jesus never intended us to look for actual trees in peoples eyes who are critical of others.
Some things in the visions are symbolic and interpreted within the vision, such as the lampstands representing the churches rev. The symbols offer more vague association than direct correspondence, and even when we get the symbols, we may feel like there is much that we dont understand. Anyone who has read the book of revelation, the last book in the new testament, has come face to face with many strange, fairytalelike creatures and events. I still thought revelation was about the end of the world, right. Sep 05, 2019 all i can add to some already good answers is. Jan 02, 2020 a simple outline for the book of revelation is found in revelation 1. Take a look at the basic structure of the book of revelation. Name the name of the book comes from the first verse, the revelation of jesus christ which lets us know that this book is all about the unveiling or uncovering of the person, plan and.
In order for one to understand any symbol correctly he should find a sufficient number and variety of the same symbol elsewhere in scripture and study carefully the truths of those identical symbols, which are explained in scripture. Both testaments can be divided into history instruction prophecy revelation is the only book of prophecy in the new testament. 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. The book of revelation is filled with mysterious symbols. And there has been much speculation about it some of it bordering on offthewall, but some of it serious and scholarly. But this view, of itself, is unsatisfactory for many reasons. The book of revelation is not so intimidating once you understand what the author was up to. Symbols in the book of revelation semnele vremurilor. Understand the purpose, key themes, and symbolism of the most fascinating book in the bible with the book of revelation for dummies, an easytounderstand guide that will help you grasp the enduring messages of revelation and apply them to your life. Revelation is not primarily metaphorical because it is not a purely rhetorical work, but first and foremost a revelatory experience in which john was a participant. Because revelation is a vision, it is full of symbolism.
Nothing in revelation will contradict anything else in the bible. The revelation explained simply chapter one the gift of the unveiling the revelation of jesus christ, which god gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. It is, of course, the cryptic symbolism of revelation that makes it challenging to understand. Symbols in the book of revelation saint marys press. Gods plan has marvelously been laid out and recorded from the beginning unto the end. The meaning of symbols in the book of revelation wordbytes.
Symbolism in the book of revelation the bart ehrman blog. The book of revelation is perhaps the most mysterious book in sacred scripture. 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. April 23, 2020 no comments albuquerque, nm revelation explained, a team of bible teachers out of albuquerque, is pleased to announce the unveiling of their latest training, an online training that sets out to explain in detail what the book of. And i might add you would chuckle at the literal interpretation.
Understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation. This revelation timeline decoded bible study provides a table of symbols that were used by john in the book of revelation. One scholar without the benefit of the restored gospel described revelation as a book that finds. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. It is here to help christians to survive in a hostile world, and that is how we need to study. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. The book s vivid imagery and striking symbolism have produced 4 main interpretive approaches. It is a survival manual, explaining how to survive when the world is against you.
This revelation bible study page and free bible study outlines and teacher guides present a uniquely balanced, scholarly, and commonsense approach to the book. These symbols were easily recognized by the first readers, because the meanings had been. The revelation of christ revelation 15 seven scenes in heaven scene 2 the 4 creatures. This is helpful but still the symbolism in the book of revelation is so difficult for me to understand that it makes me wonder how many people in antiquity actually read and understood this or similar books. Many major entities and symbols in the book of revelation are introduced earlier in the bible. Therefore, we also must keep in mind the second principle necessary to a proper understanding of the book of revelation. Other things in the vision are simply accessories, like in a dream. The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. Symbolic language, however, is one of the chief characteristics of apocalyptic literature, of which this book is an. My point is that if we confine the study of the symbols in revelation to gods word as. Understanding symbols and figures bible study tools. If youre befuddled by the book of revelation in the bible, dont fret. We now look at the second scene in the vision of heaven, recorded in revelation chapters 4 and 5.
The whole book is symbolic in the sense that it was. No other new testament book poses more serious and difficult interpretive challenges than revelation. The book of revelation, often called the book of revelations, revelation to john, apocalypse of john, the revelation, or simply revelation, the revelation from jesus christ from its opening words or the apocalypse, is the final book of the new testament, and therefore also the final book of the christian bible. What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory. There is no need to read this reference guide from cover to cover. And there has been much speculation about it some of it bordering on off the wall, but some of it serious and scholarly. Symbols in the book of revelation a virtuous woman. Daniel who through the book received revelations from god.
And many religious people believe that the book of revelation offers no help anyway, because it cannot be understood. Paradoxical symbols in the book of revelation 7 things to know and. The use of the old testament in the book of revelation. The book of revelation uses many symbols, which has led to two extremes.
The book of revelation is clothed in symbols so that only those sincerely seeking truth will find it. The book of revelation was written for a people under pressure. Apr 28, 2015 the book of revelation is similar to other literature of the time thats called apocalyptic, which typically includes visions, global clashes, endoftheworld warnings, and many, many symbols. That greek word is en which is defined in part by dr. As we all know, the book of the revelation is not an easy book to understand. Come explore the works of temple scholar frank shallieu. Revelation symbols defined revelation timeline decoded. The book of revelation explained in under 5 minutes youtube. Huge dragons attempt to swallow children, a beast with multiple heads arises from the midst of the sea, angels dump golden bowls out on the. Interpreting the symbolism in the book of revelation. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation.
The book of revelation explained book of revelation. Now, with the above definitions in mind, we must note the particular character of revelations symbols as visionary symbols. May 10, 2016 name the name of the book comes from the first verse, the revelation of jesus christ which lets us know that this book is all about the unveiling or uncovering of the person, plan and. This booklet contains vital understanding that will forever change your outlook on the future. A simple but complete guide albuquerque, nm revelation explained, a team of bible teachers out of albuquerque, is pleased to announce the unveiling of their latest training, an online training that sets out to explain in detail what the book of revelation actually means. The revelation research foundation has completed work on a 3d version of ezekiels temple, utilizing the drawings of mr. So if this book is revealing something, what exactly is being revealed.
The following is the forward and a portion of a chapter from a forthcoming book which, in my view, falls in. It means unveiling and is used in scripture of the u. The following is the forward and a portion of a chapter from a forthcoming book which, in my view, falls in the latter category. This book was not written for us to speculate over while we put our feet up. Ironically, the paradoxical ones can be particularly easy to figure out. People who do not understand its symbols simply do not know the bible quite well. Revelation is interpreted from a literal base, taking into account comparative language that points to a literal ultimate meaning. These indepth versebyverse studies harmonize the holy bible from genesis to revelation.
John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 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. You will understand what revelation says about the past, present, and future, and how it relates to the. Do our minds become confused when we hear all those sevens and l2s, and all those strange titles applied to jesus the alpha and omega and the bright morning star. In fact, there is actually a lot of repetition in the book that operates like different chapters of a book or scenes of a movie.
The book of revelation is deemed by many to be one of the most difficult books in the bible. For instance, many religious people have gone to revelation 20. They are part of an entire system of symbolism in the entire bible that is there in plain view. A simile can carry a richness of communication which a simple nonsymbolic. Many have wondered if the third temple will ever be built. Symbols are frequently employed in the book of revelation within similes where resemblance is emphasized. Revelation 12 explained jesus unveiled revelation is. This book in the hand of god is symbolical of something.
The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. Another example of a paradoxical symbol in revelation is found in chapter. Apocalyptic writings often contain images and symbols that modern readers find difficult to understand. In the first chapter, the risen and exalted christ is speaking to john. The book of revelation is a series of visions, but not every vision represents the same thing, nor are they in any strict chronological order. Which god gave to him to show to his servants what must soon take place revelation i. The things john had already seen are recorded in chapter 1. The churches to whom it was first written didnt have the luxury of doing that. Dragons and demons, angels and plagues, mark of the beast, stars fall. Understanding symbols and figures commentary using a testimony of jesus christ. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. There are symbols, but the bible itself will explain what these symbols mean either by direct statement or through a comparison of the usage of the symbol elsewhere in the scriptures.
Revelation part 2 precept ministries international. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. The revelation of christ revelation 15 the prologue the introduction resource. The book of revelation is written in symbolic language which can only be properly understood by knowing the symbols of the language, which is revealed by the various types, shadows and illustrations shown throughout the bible. Revelation apocalypse symbols defined, literal explanation given. The book of revelation depicts jesus with a sword issuing from his mouth. Revelation uses many signs, or symbols, that are not to be understood literallyrevelation 1.
The book of revelation is similar to other literature of the time thats called apocalyptic, which typically includes visions, global clashes, endoftheworld warnings, and many, many symbols. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. You thought revelation was about the end of the world. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. In all its uses, revelation refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible. However, even though the book of revelation is written in symbols, the bible explains itself in a literal language. 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.
Outline of visions john saw and recorded now before we proceed further with our studies of the book of revelation, i would like to provide you with an outline of the book as a useful guide to your study. Very important we note this and realize we cannot study revelation in the same way we study the book of romans. If you open the book of revelation and simply begin reading it as an unfolding scenario, it goes something like this. A symbol is simply an object used to represent something else. Daniel bridges the entire 70 years of the babylonian captivity from 605 to 536 b. On the one hand, some argue that the book cannot be understood and must simply be interpreted in terms of a general conflict between good and evil or god and satan, with the good or god winning in the end. But god is working out a supreme master plan, involving every human being. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. The title of the book comes from the name of its chief character and author. To read the book of revelation, we need to understand the symbolism the same way the first readers did without any misguided interpretation. Symbols in the book of revelation a reference sheet for the symbols that are used in the book of revelation.
The four living creatures that were before the throne are explained as follows. A study of the symbols in revelation right word truth. Could you explain the book of revelation in full simple terms. Pack staggering events foretold in your bible will shock the whole world. The symbolism in book of revelation mike blume ministries.
Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. The very first words of the book give us a clue to its explanation the revelation of jesus christ. Understanding the book of revelation book of revelation, paperback the big book of bible difficulties. Revelation often has references to symbolism from other prophecies and visions, like the visions of daniel, ezekiel, and zechariah.
Great prophecies in the book of revelation show how and when these catastrophic events will occur. In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture. Each section can be accessed by the simple menu found at the bottom. Christ tells john to write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. One will find that the language and statements of scripture, itself, should make these symbols clear. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation. Most of the commentators think it represents the book of revelation, in which case, of course, it would not include the present description of the book itself, but only of its contents as applied to subsequent chapters.