The book of revelation, aka the apocalypse or the revelation of john, is the last book of the bible, and is one of the most difficult to understand because it abounds in unfamiliar and extravagant symbolism, which at best appears unusual to the mo. The book of revelation is just that a revelation 1. The english word revelation is translated from a greek word apocalypse, meaning to make known or uncover. The revelation may occur in a single, instantaneous act, or it may extend over a long period of time. Even though nations may agree on few things, they unite in their determination to maintain their authority rather than submit to the rule of gods kingdom. Much intrigue has built around these four characters featured in revelation 6 that iconic art, books, and even movies such as xmen apocalypse have capitalized on these four horsemen of the apocalypse. Book of revelation the last book of the new testament. May 21, 2019 one of the more eerie parts of the book of revelation includes four figures riding horses. 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. Revelation 1 new international version niv prologue.
Definition of book of revelation in the dictionary. He wrote from the small island of patmos after being banished there for preaching the gospel. Always pray for the holy spirit to guide your understanding while studying the bible. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. Revelation definition and meaning bible dictionary. 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 following historical events were significant to john the apostle and his audience. Understanding the parenthetical periods of the book of revelation.
Information and translations of book of revelation in the most comprehensive dictionary definitions resource on the web. Revelation consists of both words and deeds gods revelation of himself has been given to humanity by both deeds and words. Those churches were in ephesus, smyrna, pergamum, thyatira, sardis, philadephia, and laodicea. In general revelation, god reveals himself through his creation, such that at least some truths about god can be learned by the empirical study of nature, physics, cosmology, etc.
Before we begin our study, i am going to encourage you with the same words that i always offer. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. The book of revelation, the last book of the bible, has fascinated and puzzled christians for centuries. The book of revelation is the only apocalyptic document in the new testament canon. 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. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. Chapter seven is the first of these parenthesis, coming between the sixth and the seventh seals and reveals other things that are happening during this period of time. Aug 18, 2015 a biblical definition of revelation august 18, 2015 jack wellman patheos explore the worlds faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. It rules over every tribe and people and tongue and nation, so it is greater than a single national government. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope.
God would not have given it to us if its meaning were entirely a mystery. I cannot find the third woe or any reference to what the third woe means. Thus, it occupies a central place in christian eschatology. It renders its subject the spokesman or prophet of god in such a sense that everything he asserts to be true, whether fact or doctrine or. Translated from the greek apokalypsis, the word means unveiling, or revealing. Much intrigue has built around these four characters featured in revelation 6 that iconic art, books, and even movies such as xmen apocalypse have capitalized on these four horsemen of the apocalypse these four horsemen appear to symbolically portray four. It consists of god progressively unfolding his character, mighty acts, and purposes in history. How that by revelation he made known to me the mystery, as i wrote before in few words. A book sealed with seven seals, which could be opened by none but christ, who took the book to open it. The first is that the seven spirits of god are symbolic of the holy spirit. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. A vision of god on his throne in heaven revelation 4.
Something revealed, especially a dramatic disclosure of something not previously known or realized. John was a christian leader of jewish origin who was in exile on the roman prison island of patmos. Revelation is the supernatural communication of truth to the mind. To many people, the book of revelation is the most mysterious and enigmatic book in the whole bible.
The ultimate message of the revelation of christ is the glorious prophecy of his ultimate triumph for the cause of the almighty. Revelation definition of revelation by merriamwebster. 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. Revelation to john, also called book of revelation or apocalypse of john, last book of the new testament. A study of the book of revelation 1 understanding the parenthetical periods of the book of revelation read revelation 7 the seventh chapter of revelation is the first parenthetical passage of the book.
Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. The book is also written to all believers everywhere. Revelation definition of revelation by the free dictionary. The wild beast with seven heads introduced at revelation. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. One of the more eerie parts of the book of revelation includes four figures riding horses. Gog and magog what is the meaning of revelation 20. Jan 02, 2020 the book of revelation is understandable. Book of revelation definition of book of revelation by the free. Meaning of the book of revelation preterist those who subscribe to this view believe that the events in revelation took place in. Thomas aquinas believed in two types of individual revelation from god, general revelation and special revelation. To understand the book of revelation, one must be aware of seven parenthesis throughout the book of revelation. As its first verse declares, it is the revelation from jesus christ to show his servants what must soon take place. There are at least three possible interpretations of the seven spirits of god.
Jan 02, 2020 there are at least three possible interpretations of the seven spirits of god. Four horsemen of the apocalypse meaning in revelation. This idea has a strong tie to the book of revelation, as the gospel of jesus christ is the good news that he brought. Revelation of saint john the divine, apocalypse, revelation. A revelation is a surprising or interesting fact that is made known to people. Book of revelation definition of book of revelation by.
A biblical definition of revelation august 18, 2015 jack wellman patheos explore the worlds faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality. In terms of the book of revelation, this is the sense that most interpreters and readers recognize in it. The bible, and especially the book of revelation, uses the number 7 to refer to perfection and completion. The seven churches of revelation were real, physical congregations when the apostle john wrote this bewildering last book of the bible around 95 ad, but many scholars believe the passages have a second, hidden meaning. The book of revelation is the book in the bible that is considered to be shrouded in mystery. In revelation 2 jesus christ rebukes the church of thyatira saying, you allow that woman jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce my servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols revelation 2. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries 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. The background behind the names gog and magog is found in the book of ezekiel. Its called the book of revelation, not revelations. The book of revelation is also called the apocalypse of john and revelation of jesus christ, it is the last canonical book of the new testament and the only biblical book that is wholly composed of apocalyptic literature.
They see it as the unveiling of prophetic events to understanding. Websters dictionary 1828 websters dictionary 1828 revelation. Revelation definition and meaning collins english dictionary. In that book, certain hostile forces rose against israel. In jesus parallel prophecy in matthew 24, he explained. Revelation definition is an act of revealing or communicating divine truth. Revelation 5 bible commentary matthew henry concise. Revelation the last book in the bible was written to tell us about the futureespecially the final conflict between god and satan, and the triumph of jesus christover all the powers of evil and death and hell.
Revelation the dragon pursuing a woman, from the bamberg apocalypse. The principle of gaining knowledge by revelation is the principle of salvation. Oct 29, 2015 the book of revelation is just that a revelation 1. The book of revelation is johns record of that vision revelation 1. Divine revelation is one of the grandest concepts and principles of the gospel of jesus christ, for without it, man could not know of the things of god and could not be saved with any degree of.
Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. A series of visions, each one leading into the next. Events surrounding the apostle johns writings john, who wrote the bibles book of revelation, was the longest living apostle. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a. The interpretative key to the vision is found in the old testament. Many people think that the book of revelation cannot be understood. Book of revelation definition of book of revelation by the. However, when apocalypsis is used in a literal sense, it refers to the visible appearance of one previously unseen, as a woman shrouded by a veil is revealed when her. John mentions the beast from the abyss twice in revelation revelation 11. Continuous revelation from god to his saints, through the holy ghost or by other means, such as visions, dreams, or visitations, makes possible daily guidance along true paths and leads the faithful soul to complete and eternal salvation in the celestial kingdom. In all its uses, revelation refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible. 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 connection with future events.
Remember that the bible is a divine revelation and can only be understood with spiritual eyes. What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory. This book was written by john, the last surviving apostle revelation 1. The revelations of god are contained in the old and new testament. The book of revelation is addressed to believers, his servants, of the churches in seven cities of the roman province of asia. Historicist events are seen generally from history rather than as. My understanding so far is that trumpet 5,6, and 7 activate the woes,but the trumpet is not the actual woe. Knowing god an extraterrestrial message chuck missler. Messages from jesus to the seven congregations revelation 1.
The author names himself as john in the text, but his precise identity remains a point of academic debate. The most popular and feared book of the bible, the book of revelation, suffers a thousand deaths every time someone gets this wrong. Revelation 1 niv prologue the revelation from jesus. May 16, 2018 nevertheless, here is a fascinating point. If that is the meaning of the seven in the seven spirits, then it is not. Book of revelation synonyms, book of revelation pronunciation, book of revelation translation, english dictionary definition of book of revelation. Revelation meaning in the cambridge english dictionary. To read the word of god in this apocalyptic book without letting our imagination give us misguided interpretations, we need to understand the symbolism the same way the first readers did. The expositors bible commentary says this about the color of the fourth horse. Revelation definition, the act of revealing or disclosing. Book of revelation synonyms, book of revelation pronunciation, book of revelation translation, english dictionary definition of book. In the book of revelation, chapter 11 v 14 it is written, the second woe has past,the third woe is coming soon.
This first parenthetical passage is inserted here, between the sixth and seventh seal, and. Here are the 4 principles i use to study the book of revelation. The book of revelation bible prophecy dimension 11. Unlike most books of the bible, revelation contains its own title.