John is told to write down everything god shows him, and boy is god going to show him some strange things. And he signified, sending by his angel to his servant john. The book of revelation or apocalypse is the last book of the new testament and of the bible and speaks of the end times. The book of revelation was written to seven churches as both encouragement and challenge. Apocalypse in the book of revelation religion bible. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. Revelation s primary theological contribution is to eschatology. 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. The word comes from the greek word apokalupsis, which is used in the first verse. This is the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to everything he sawthat is, the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. Four horsemen of the apocalypse meaning in revelation.
John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. What is revealed is a series of major events that lead to the end of this present age, including christs return to the earth. End of the agecoupled with doom, gloom, and disaster. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to everything he saw. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. The book of revelation, the final book of the new testament, has some of the most dramatic and frightening language in the bible. These are just two of the questions answered in revelation 2. I found the title page to my mothers 1982, holman bible publishers, king james version, it reads. Initial investigation into the references made about the four horsemen of the apocalypse. King james version this book was written to encourage persecuted believers and affirm their faith that god will care for them. 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. The holy bible book 66 revelation kjv dramatized audio. What the modern reader or biblical scholar has to do is to try to read the text with.
Revelation the seven sealsso glad i saw this because revelation can be so confusing sometimes. 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. The book of the apocalypse, chapter 1 1 the revelation of jesus christ, which god gave unto him, to make known to his servants the things which must shortly come to pass. I first read this book in a high school religion class. In robert coovers the origin of the brunists 1971 justin miller, editor of the local newspaper, reflects on the fact that he had read revelations at the age of thirteen and never quite got over it.
Four times the author identifies himself as john 1. I think sena does a fantastic job explaining complicated details to someone that is not familiar with biblical studies. Revelation is a long epistle addressed to seven christian communities of the roman province of asia minor, modern turkey, wherein the author recounts what he has seen. John the divine, the revelation of jesus christ, the revelation, the apocalypse, the revelation of john, or the revelation to john. The martyrs 9 and when the lamb opened the fifth seal, i saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of god and for the testimony they had upheld. And he signified, sending by his angel to his servant john, 2 which bare witnessing to the word of god, and witnessing of jesus christ, in these things, whatever things he saw. An apocalyptic letter, it relies on visions, symbols, and old testament references to reveal the ultimate fulfillment of gods promise given to abraham in genesis. In the study of any book of the bible or any topic of scripture, a certain amount of ground work is needed for understanding, orientation, and motivation. The book of revelation was written sometime around. The book of revelation not revelations is the last book of the bible. Revelation was written by a man named john, who calls himself a brother in the faith 1. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, a stark account of the apocalypse and a prophecy of the world coming to an. From mel gibsons the passion of the christ to the left behind novels, the cultures. The angel gives a man named john the book of revelation.
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. Before they were left behind was released on march 1, 2005. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. White is professor of classics and christian origins at the university of texas at austin, and acted as historical consultant for apocalypse. The book of revelation and work bible commentary theology. Early church tradition identified him with john the son of zebedee, one of the twelve apostles. The revelation of jesus christ is communicated by an angel to a man named john when he was on the island of patmos john records the prophetic vision, in written text, and is instructed to send the document to the seven churches of asia. Bible biblestudytools video whats the book of revelation all about. The book begins with a highly symbolic vision of jesus christ had by. According to, it means revelation, disclosure, uncover, reveal.
This is particularly so with the book of revelation or prophecy in general. Revelation 1 wycliffe bible wyc 1 apocalypse of jesus christ apocalypse, or revelation, of jesus christ, which god gave to him to make open to his servants, which things it behooveth to be made soon. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. I am alpha and omega, saith the lord alpha is the first, omega the last letter in the greek alphabet. The bible companion series behold he cometh the book of the revelation study introduction 5 the book of the revelation of jesus christ study introduction i. Mar 07, 2012 the book of revelation, the final book of the new testament, has some of the most dramatic and frightening language in the bible. Unlike most books of the bible, revelation contains its own title. Revelation bible study beast of revelation revelation 12 bible guide get closer to god bible resources bible knowledge ephesus christian faith ephesus, the church that lost that lovin feeling, is the first of the 7 churches we will study as we journey through the revelation. Revelation 1, new international version niv the bible app. Of these interpretations, see aleazar, in his long commentary. The book of revelation has always been a mysterious and intriguing book, describing in symbolic terms the confrontation between the disciples of christ and the powers political and supernatural that hold sway over the current age.
This word means disclosure or revelation and conveys the idea of laying bare or uncovering. The popular idea attached to the word apocalypse, however, is one of a cataclysmic end of all things 3. In few other books of the bible is the ministry of angels so prominent. A peoples commentary on the book of revelation pablo richard, phillip berryman on. 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 also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. The book of revelation provides some of the keenest insights in scripture concerning the big picture of work. Since then, i have read dozens of commentaries on the book of revelation. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. The book of revelation is by far one of the most challenging books in the bible, yet well worth the effort to study and comprehend.
Let his enemies boast and rage ever so much in the intermediate time, yet he is both the alpha, or beginning, and the omega, or end, of all things. 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. Visions, prophecy and politics in the book of revelation. These four horsemen of the apocalypse appear to symbolically portray four disastrous occurrences that will take place before the second coming of jesus christ. Revelation greek apokalupsis means an uncovering, an unveiling, or a disclosure. 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. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. How is jesus the way, the truth, and the life john 14. This is the holy book of revelation, known as the revelation of st. The book of revelation apocalypse 1 introduction revelation1 or apocalypse2 is a unique, complex and remarkable biblical text full of heavenly mysteries.
In fact, the opening passage contains a blessing to everyone who reads, hears, and keeps the words of this prophecy. The seven feasts provide a thematic roadmap through the book of revelation, enabling us to view it as a sweeping dramatic production that actually makes sense. John the divine, although the godgiven title is at the very beginning of the text, the revelation of jesus christ, which god. 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 book of revelation was written sometime around 96 ce in asia minor. Hes just a mildmannered christian guy living in exile whenpow. It is the final book in the christian scriptures new testament and thus concludes the bible.
Book of revelationrevelations, the apocalypse bible study. And christ sent his angel to show it to his servant john, 2 who has told everything he saw. The question of religious violence generates great debate in popular culture christianity and political commentary today, most recently as the thirteenth novel in the alltime bestselling christian thriller series left behind entitled the rising. Yet it is a tough nut to crack, not only because of its intrinsic difficulty but because of the myriad interpretations that have grown up around the book. This book is sometimes called the revelation of st. John records the prophetic vision, in written text, and is instructed to send the document to the seven churches of asia. Although its visions often seem bizarre to the western reader, fortunately the book provides a. Modern biblical scholarship attempts to understand revelation in its 1stcentury historical context within the genre of jewish and christian apocalyptic literature. Revelation always implies the unveiling of something previously hidden, in. In the bible the greek word apokalypsis refers to the book of revelation, which was given to the apostle john. Douayrheims bible, apocalypse revelation chapter 22.
Using visions and symbols, the writer illustrates the triumph of good over evil and the creation of a new heaven and new earth. Few have actually read the book of revelation, but everyone is familiar with the idea of armageddon 4. This term has also been given to other ancient writings that are written in a form like that of revelation. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john. Revelation is the last book in the bible, the twentyseventh book of the new testament. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. The apocalypse, or revelation to john, the last book of the bible, is one of the. The revelation of jesus christ is communicated by an angel to a man named john when he was on the island of patmos. Just like in these few chapters of revelation where figures and symbols are cited, in the other parts of the rest of the scriptures there are also numerous items that warrant deeper study for which time is the. We hear the book of revelation and our minds race to the last days. The last book of the bible, revelation, is also sometimes called the apocalypse. 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.
The title of the book the revelation of jesus christ 1. Book of revelation, the seven seals revelation of john. I saw one like the son of man, clothed with a long robe and with a golden sash across his chest. The greek word apokalypsis or apocalypse appears in revelation 1.
Book of revelation revelations, the apocalypse bible study commentary and i saw, when he had opened the sixth seal, and behold there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair. His head and his hair were white as white wool, white as snow. We are all enjoying it immensely and its helping us to understand the book of revelation as it pertains to the holy catholic mass. What the bible narrates from genesis to revelation is too overwhelming to comprehend. This was written before the year 70, as all students of the book agree. The book of revelation is jesus christs unveiling of events to his servants revelation 1.