Aune, word biblical commentary wbc, thomas nelson, 19971998, 1,869 pp. Daniel, recorded 600 years earlier, sets the stage for the larger and more detailed book of revelation, which describes many events nowhere else in the bible. Smith, revelation, in the wycliffe bible commentary, pp. There is similar symbolism in other portions of this book. The confusion of revelation jewish theological seminary. This very powerful and dynamic teachingtool on the book of revelation shines a light on the symbolism and the mysteries of god revealed to mankind in this g. This framework is primarily laid out in daniel and revelation. The book of revelation closes its awful description of the judgments which are coming upon the earth by inviting to the sinner, come to christ, and, after one reads and understand the book of revelation, he too will close the book and invite the sinner to, come, and receive, jesus christ as you savior. This commentary has been through advanced checking. Whenever possible, the selfidentification in revelation should be used.
Some bible commentators believe they were a heretical sect who followed the teachings of nicolaswhose name means one who conquers the peoplewho was possibly one of the deacons of the early church mentioned in acts 6. Likewise, the bible, like any other book, should be presumed to. This view maintains that the words in the entire book. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on the book of revelation. Herein ivp in its brazos theological commentary on the bible delivers a fascinating volume on the book of revelation that is a fine resource for ministers, seminary teachers, students, and learned laypeople. In addition to the milelong rap sheet of inconsistencies with the rest of the bible. Other problems with the bible, new testament and old testament introduction to the bible and biblical problems. The book of revelation explained key facts and issues. As the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth 1.
Theories abound on mysteries of revelation bibles final. Some reasons why humanists reject the bible american. Introduction to revelation bible book of revelation. One still finds in modern commentaries on revelation the attribution of this or that. For this reason, this study guide commentary is designed to provide an introduction to each book of the bible. Though it is filled with signs, the book of revelation is accessible to those who have an understanding of the first 65 books of the bible, and especially an understanding of the first 39 books of the bible, the old testament. This view maintains that the words in the entire book have almost been fulfilled. And in 1860, william henry burr produced a list of 144 selfcontradictions in the bi ble. Yet he didnt make the light producing objects the sun and the stars until the fourth day 1. Jan 02, 2020 nowhere does the bible identify these two witnesses by name, although people through the years have speculated. Study the bible online using commentary on revelation and more. Much of revelation was written in symbolic language, using word pictures and images that are sometimes difficult for modern readers to understand. The lions share of revelation chapters 6 through 18, give indepth details about the events, personalities and reasons for that fast approaching day of reckoning scheduled for our world.
The commentary ties together the whole bible, connecting the old testament to the new, making sense of everything together, and bringing to life the message of god. Revelation is the most controversial book in the bible and, yet, it is the only book, which specifically promises a blessing to those who hear it, and who meditate upon it. Try, for example, to tell a child the story of what happened at sinai and. Revelation is the only new testament book on which john calvin did not write a commentary. The book of daniel is his companion commentary published posthumously ten years later in 1929 the swordsearcher larkin commentary module contains both commentaries as well as the 61 charts and. Read revelation commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. First, within the new testament, the designation of christ as the word or logos. He wanted jesus to show these things to his own servants. That includes the book of revelation as all writing in the bible was inspired by the holy spirit of god, but the penman was the apostle john.
Today we continue to witness a surge of popular interest in bible prophecy and questions concerning such matters as the last days and the second coming of christ. Interpreters have no right to isolate one aspect of truth by excluding others. The revelation to john by stephen smalley is a magisterial interpretation of johns apocalypse as a grand drama, which can only be properly understood in light of johns gospel and letters and in the context of the johannine. 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. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is. Nov 04, 2019 as with the opening verses of revelation, the closing verses of revelation reveal and confirm that this book is about and applies to all christians and to all people throughout the church age. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. Johnson believes the text and bases his conclusions on it.
Then gods temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. This document has been generated from xsl extensible stylesheet langua. We ask whether this does not give the book of revelation a very special connection with the. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. Revelations about the book of revelationprobably the most consequential vision of the future ever written is the bibles book of revelation. The full name, jesus christ, occurs in verse 5 for the third and last time in the book of revelation compare vv. Scientists once could not explain meteors, eclipses, tornadoes. Through their individual gospelsmatthew, mark, luke, and johnfocused on particular elements of christs.
A helpful versebyverse commentary enlivened by the authors unique charts. Revelations was written some time between 60 and 90 ad. The preterist interpretation is that all of revelation has been fulfilled in the past. On the development of the christian cannon or the new testament read this material.
However, there are many other figures used that are not as clearly explained. Best commentaries and books on revelation logos bible software. One reason may be because its human author, the apostle john, was in prison for his faith, and may have had to use symbolic language to get it past the roman censors. Scholarly debates continue as well, especially regarding the occurrence, timing, and theological. Jesus sent his angel to show them to me, his servant john 2 i, john, have written about everything that god showed me. The interpreters of revelation are divided into three main schools. The book of revelation is rooted in the old testament. Any person who has truly experienced grace after reading scripture with a truly open heart and has accepted christ knows the bible is absolutely both an answer and a rule book. The first two are the presupposition of the entire book of revelation, while the third will come to full realization in johns visions as the book draws to a close. 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.
Conversational in tone, this book is suited to help anyone reach an insightful understanding of the book of revelation that stimulates rocksolid faith in jesus christ. The book of revelation the new international commentary on. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. When i preached through the book of revelation, alan johnsons commentary quickly became a goto reference for me, along with mounce. And the bible closes with another global and universal book. Here, the seven heads and ten horns are attributed to one individual, satan. It was written by john while he was exiled to patmos and discusses end times prophecy, the return of jesus christ, and other revelations. If our interpretation doesnt make sense for the original readers, weve. Amillennial commentaries on revelation best bible commentaries.
Technical questions and textual issues are briefly dealt with in notes at the end of. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. One should also note that the anchor bible series in 2014 came out with a new commentary on revelation. There was a certain hesitation on the part of the early church to include the book of revelation in the canonical scriptures of the new testament. Bible commentary on the book of revelation by brian pepper. It is only when we start to overallegorize it or to force its interpretation according to our preconceived ideas or doctrines about the end. The revelation of jesus christ vs 1 this refers to the revealing of jesus himself 1 pe 1.
The author has drawn on the ablest scholars and the best books available to him to give a very understandable commentary. There are no mistakes or contradicitions in either. In the 18th century, thomas paine in the age of reason compiled many of the bibles selfcontradictions. Revelation is first and foremost a revelation about jesus christ 1. Revelation is one of the most debated books of the bible. A new translation with introduction and commentary. This commentary on revelation will prove, contrary to what most people think, that the revelation, the last book of the bible, is not difficult to understand if we will take a simple, facevalue, commonsense approach to interpreting it.
An advocate of source criticism and an expert in early christian prophecy, david aune examines the full range of secular and biblical literature in search of possible sources for the striking literary devices in revelation over three volumes and more than 1,500 pages. That includes the book of revelation as all writing in the bible was inspired by the holy spirit of. The book of revelation is the only apocalyptic book in the new. The biblical contradictions therefore prove that the book has many false statements. Understanding the book of revelation how can i do it. This series combines history, politics, and theology to explain the book of revelation in light of modern times and world events. Enduring word bible commentary revelation chapter 1. The story of jesus stands or falls on the trustworthiness of the gospels. The best understanding, however, can be found in other parts of scripture. Many readers of the bible treat it as though it were like a puzzlepicture, where we have to. Morphological and syntactical irregularities in the book of. God reveals a basic framework for understanding future events. The revelation is the only book in the nt mentioning john as author.
Nevertheless, this is a useful critical commentary of a complex and often confusing book. Second principle the second principle is to identify the literary units. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. The scroll and the lamb 1 and i saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. But the difficulties are not due to gods perfect revelation, but to our imperfect. Written by the apostle john while he was in exile on the island of patmos, the book of revelation is written to seven local churches. Prologue the revelation from jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. In the 17th century, spinoza considered the bible to be. John mentions his name four times in the book revelation 1. Greek and hebrew words have been transliterated to make the material accessible to readers unfamiliar with the biblical languages. Larkins book of daniel and book of revelation commentaries. It is exceptionally practical as well, something that is often missed.
Jesus sent his angel to show them to me, his servant john. The interpretation of revelation has always been a subject of debate among bible interpreters. Book of revelation explained verse by versedownload the study notes for this study here. The book of revelation also called the apocalypse of john, revelation to john or revelation from jesus christ is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. Revelations cast of characters united church of god. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. Genesis god creates light and separates light from darkness, and day from night, on the first day.
The book of revelation is both fascinating and confusing. Justin the martyr around 100 to 165 ac, irenaeus around 140 to 220 ac and the muratori canon end of 2 nd century confirm that the apostle john is the author. Denying its teachings is blasphemy against the holy spirit. Revelation teaching series crossings community church. Comprehensive and understandable, the new collegeville bible commentary series brings the timeless messages and relevance of the new testament to todays readers. In the new testament, there are contradictions between the. Like all books of the bible, revelation was written in a particular time and. Its important to point out right off the bat that each of the gospel writers had a particular intention and focus. The apocalyptic book of revelation is a symbolic glimpse. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to everything he saw.
The truth about the book of revelations elaine pagels youtube. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, who testifies to everything he sawthat is, the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. The expositors bible commentary is based on the new international version of the bible, but may be used with any translation. Revelation 1 commentary grace and peace, glory and power. The reason for this was obviously the great difficulty of interpreting the apocalyptic symbols of the book. Anyone who has read the popular left behind novels or listened to. The study of inconsistencies in the bible has a long history. The breathtaking conclusion resounds with gods promise, behold, i make all things new.
Before we go into the first chapter and verse of revelation chapter 1, i would like to acquaint you with the penman, john the apostle. A commentary on the greek text of the apocalypse by stephen s. The book of revelation was written to seven churches as both encouragement and challenge. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. I believe that god himself is the author of the bible. This is the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. Book of revelation explained verse by verse youtube. After the exordium, and the seven epistles to the seven churches of asia minor, to whose angels or bishops the book seems to be dedicated, revelation 1. Who are the two witnesses in the book of revelation. Revelation brazos theological commentary on the bible. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre.
The time for understanding the book of revelation is now at hand. Broadus lists seven theories of interpretation and tregelles lists three. Best commentaries and books on revelation logos bible. Beale, the book of revelation, for many allusions to the old testament, and merrill c. The book depicts him as the risen, glorified son of god ministering among the churches 1. Although good expositors differ on the details of the book of revelation, when it comes to the broad interpretation, there are four major systems. Is coronavirus one of the plagues in the book of revelation. The revelation shows what god is going to do with his universe and with his creatures. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text.
Revelation 5 bible commentary on the book of revelation. For example, the woman attacked by a dragon in revelation 12 has been identified in many different ways. The book of revelations is the last book in the new testament. The book of revelation is the most detailed of the bible s prophecies concerning that coming intervention. The nature and purpose of the book is explained in the first chapter. A list of over 700 inconsistencies in the bible from. You must accept that the book is from god in order to accept it as being truthful and accurate and then when you. 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. No new testament book has caused as much confusion and been subjected to as many varied interpretations as revelation. The two witnesses in revelation will have miraculous powers to accompany their message revelation 11. Corys lucid style reveals the true message of the book of revelation. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm.
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