Breaking down the book of revelation myblessedhope. Zucks work is intensely biblical and comprehensive but at the same time it is simple and uncomplicated. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation wikipedia. The book of revelation doesnt mean what you think biblical. Sweet sunday sermon helpful hints in revelation part 1. The real meaning of the bible s book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. The first volume deals with the prophecies found in the old testament. The book of revelation is the grand and noble conclusion to the bible. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and lion. It is a very important book and very important in teaching the bahai interpretation of certain biblical passages to devout christians. The rise of allegorical interpretation commentary a. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. Though it is little more than a piece of scholarly gossip, some have even suggested that the reformer john calvin, one of the best interpreters of the scriptures the church has known, shied away from writing a commentary on.
The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. While this book will be well received in the classroom, it is one that i will be wholeheartedly recommending to my congregation. It captives our attention, stirs our imagination, and points us to our glorious future destiny. All the term means is that the book of revelation is a type of prophetic literature that uses a lot of symbols. Oct 24, 20 in my recent post on the destruction of pompeii by the volcanic eruption of mount vesuvius in 79 ce i suggested that one of the authorseditors of the new testament book of revelation was reacting to this specific disaster and giving it an apocalyptic interpretation in the materials we now find in chapter 18the fall of babylon the great. Youll find four major interpretive approaches to the book of revelation that can help you read, understand, and figure out the apocalyptic letter of john. What is the historicist interpretation of the book of revelation. Its purpose is to give encouragement and hope for all. Here is my verse by verse interpretation of the book of revelation chapter 1. In some cases, this results in viewing historical change as a power in and of itself. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation. Zuck has drawn heavily on his many years of teaching in the seminary classroom to present an excellent treatise on biblical interpretation. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter.
This is the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. Interpretation must be based on the authors intention of meaning and not the reader. There are several other articles available on biblical interpretation. It rules over every tribe and people and tongue and nation, so it is greater than a single national government. You will get much more from this booklet if you will prayerfully read the book of revelation two or three times before starting it. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. The idealist approach is held by many in the present day, but it is fundamentally flawed as a method of interpreting the book of revelation.
Revelation is first and foremost a revelation about jesus christ 1. The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. Mar 19, 2019 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. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. Chapter one presuppositions of biblical interpretation. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. Garcia, we enclose a list of those verses from revelation for which an authoritative interpretation exists, and their sources in the bahai writings. Faithful adventist students of the bible have not come to agreement on its meaning through the years, even though ellen white makes passing reference to the passage in the book great controversy. Its most serious problem is that it brushes over the specificity found within the text. What is the futurist interpretation of the book of revelation. Interpretive models for the book of revelation as a whole. Mar 01, 2017 the images that are seen in the book of revelation are explained by the author.
We shall also look briefly at a fourth approach, the dogmatic, which has been well represented in each era. Chapters 2 through 5 of this book discuss in order the subtle, and. But what exactly is allegorical also known as mystical 1 interpretation and where did it come from zuck offers the following description of allegorization allegorizing is searching for a hidden or secret meaning. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and. For instance, the lamb, having seven horns and seven eyes, that took the book from god is christ because the image of the lamb appears as if it was. Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator. 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 simp. It shows the living relationship between the risen christ and his bride, the church.
This means we must get into the authors context, historically, grammatically, culturally and the literary forms and conventions the author was working in. In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. Understanding the correct methods of interpretation we live in a very dangerous age. Bernard ramm, protestant biblical interpretation, 3rd rev. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. Before developing a biblical approach to understanding and applying the bible, we pause to consider the presuppositions that have prevailed in each era. Can a prechristian version of the book of revelation be. Reagans video program, revelation revealed, presents a sweeping overview of the entire book of revelation. However, due to its nebulous interpretation method no two historicists agree on what symbols go with what historical events and the fact that johns original readers could not have understood the book of revelation in a historicist manner, the historicist view is not widely held today. According to ladd, theology, 671, the preterist interpretation rests partly on the assumption that the genre of revelation is very similar to other jewish apocalyptic literature such as the apocalypse of enoch, the assumption of moses, 4 ezra and baruch and is therefore interpreted similarly. Because it contains so many symbols, some people teach the book as if it were a sort of aliceinwonderland story for adults. While this book will be well received in the classroom, it is one that i. 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.
It is the fleshly or the superficial understanding of scripture. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. A 21st century interpretation of the book of revelation. The preterist approach to revelation the unfolding of. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john. Biblical interpretation archives book of revelation. May 01, 2002 this book is a study of the prophecies in the book of revelation. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. The other three systems are the historicist, the preterist, and the spiritual or idealist.
Biblical research studies group the book of revelation the culmination of prophecy someone has written an exposition of the book of revelation in two parts and entitled his volumes the crown jewel of prophecy. When the plain sense of scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense. Though it is little more than a piece of scholarly gossip, some have even suggested that the reformer john calvin, one of the best interpreters of the scriptures the church has known, shied away from writing a commentary on the book of revelation for this very reason. Historicism, a method of interpretation in christian eschatology which associates biblical prophecies with actual historical events and identifies symbolic beings with historical persons or societies, has been applied to the book of revelation by many writers. The interpretation of revelation has always been a subject of debate among bible interpreters. The seven trumpets section of revelation particularly 8. The atheist, the bible critic, the liberal christians are all very savvy with their twisting of the scriptures, which comes from the new hermeneutics, higher criticism, dynamic equivalent bible translation, and much more. The result is that the basic historicist interpretation of the book changes from one generation to the next. This is a book we have needed for many years and i praise the lord that it is now available. In it, john 1 talks about the ultimate defeat of evil and the glorious return and reign of the lord jesus christ.
The interpretation of the book of revelation has often proven difficult throughout the history of the christian church. There are many images found in the book of revelation and these images are explained by the writer with much detail. Breaking down the book of revelation first things first the golden rule of biblical interpretation. A case for the futurist interpretation of the book of revelation introduction while previous generations of dispensational interpreters may have enjoyed the luxury of the widespread assumption that the book of revelation primarily concerns future events, such a golden age has now come to an end. As the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth 1. Fulfillment of yahwehs feast of tabernacles where he will tabernacle or dwell with his obedient people occurs in the 6th seal at revelation 7. The book of the revelation of jesus christ is the only book in the bible that a special blessing is pronounced on those who read, on those who hear, and on those who keep the things that are written therein rev.
The book depicts him as the risen, glorified son of god ministering among the churches 1. Here is one take from catholic bishop barron on how revelation actually gives us a very profound teaching on how to read the rest of the bible. The wild beast with seven heads introduced at revelation. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. The images that are seen in the book of revelation are explained by the author. Symbolic language, however, is one of the chief characteristics of apocalyptic literature, of which. This is the apocalyptic vision which the biblical book of revelation says will come to pass, according to the understanding of many.
A case for the futurist interpretation of the book of revelation introduction while previous generations of dispensational interpreters may have enjoyed the luxury of the widespread assumption that the book of revelation primarily concerns future events, such a. Answers to a variety of questions on the book of revelation including, the meaning of the first horseman, the timing of the bowl judgments, the application of the churches of laodicea and thyatira to history, and the meaning of nation against nation. It talks about a time when god will dwell with men and he will wipe every tear from their eyes and there will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain for the old order i. The futurist interpretation of the book of revelation is one of four approaches to understanding the prophecies of revelation.
Radmacher, chancellor, professor of systematic theology, western seminary. What is the futurist interpretation of the book of. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. Because the book of revelation is categorized as apocalyptic literature and contains numerous symbols, it undergoes a great deal of abuse due to allegorical interpretation. 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 meaning of trumpets in the bible trumpets 2 jon. John the divine, although the godgiven title is at the very beginning of the text, the revelation of. I highly recommend it as it may also help you set the stage for better approaches on the book of revelation itself. An apocalypse is a very specific kind of literature with no modern equivalent. An overview of revelation multimedia training kit covers the book of revelation verse by verse. General principles of biblical interpretation principle 1. This is the holy book of revelation, known as the revelation of st. The historicist view follows a straight line of continuous fulfillment of prophecy.
This book is a study of the prophecies in the book of revelation. The basic premise of the futurist viewpoint is that the majority of the prophecies in. The book of revelation is one of the most encouraging books of the new testament. The interpreters of revelation are divided into three main schools. 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. Interpreting the symbolism in the book of revelation.
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