Revelation is meant to produce in you comfort, courage, hope, and praise. And if we keep this purpose in mind, itll help us understand what the book of revelation meant for early christians, and what it means to us modern readers too. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. Purpose of the book of revelation wbmoores biblical. In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture. The purpose for the book of revelation the apostle john writes to give courage to a church under heavy persecution from the evil empire and surrounded by an enemy that wished their demise in the person of the jews who stood forth as the principle accusers of the christians. Why did john write the book of revelation, or did he. It is the final warning that the world will surely end and judgment will be certain. We have a purpose for being hereto refresh the memory of others regarding the things of the lord. The book of revelation is generally considered one of the most difficult books to understand, not without good reason. The purpose of symbolism in the book of revelation 3 this is a rendering of the aramaic dy yeda, which has the default meaning know and in the causative form make known. In it he asked, who except cranks and lunatics reads the book of revelation.
John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. Revelation series is a new and fresh approach to understanding the wonderful mysteries of the final book of the bible revelation. Here bible teacher, and best selling author, michael pearl walks you. Most people find the book of revelation confusing in its use of symbols and imagery. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. Revelation describes the purpose of the seven seals. Christian chat is a moderated online christian community allowing christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the christian chat app. The focus of this essay will be the examination of the purpose of the book of revelation.
While end day prophecy consists s of future events, that is not the purpose of prophecy. The correct way however to consider the revelation is to look at chapters 4 to 22 regarding the future see also paragraph 2 purpose and subject. In the book of revelation, the apocalyptic hopes of the early christian community find their clearest and most complete expression. For many the purpose of the book of revelation served as only applicable to those of the first century christians. The book of revelation explained by pastor allen nolan is a teaching series on how to unravel the.
Revelation a study guide about the book of revelation. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. He reflects on the best way to approach the book when studying it for the first time, explains what the mark of the beast is really all about, and offers words of counsel and encouragement for pastors hesitant to preach through revelation in their churches.
The purpose of the book of revelation christian chat. Images of beasts, trumpets, plagues, and even dragons fill its pages. The purpose, as our title of this book depicts, is a message of comfort during a time of conflict that ultimately results in a conquest and a victory over the oppressor. What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory. Its purpose is to give encouragement and hope for all. This paper was originally published on and was the best scholarship on the subject. Like many of the topics in revelation, there is much mystery surrounding the 144,000 mentioned in chapters 7 and 14. Through this series we demonstrate that revelation is in fact about hope, meaning and purpose for a world headed for despair. The book of revelation is gods answer that in the end he will prevail and his final victory of justice over evil will be forever. Map of the 7 churches of revelation revelation was written as a letter to be circulated among the christian churches at seven important cities in asia. The reason most commentaries fail to enlighten the books contents is because they violate one or more of the three basic principles of sound biblical interpretation. So, in the end, the book of revelation is a book of hope and promise. The book of revelation main the community network of.
The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. The book of revelation is the fulfilment of every biblical prophecy. Some prophecies in revelation have been underway for centuries and others are about to begin. The clear purpose of revelation love worth finding with. In future articles the letters to the seven churches as outlined in the first three chapters of the book will be examined. For an adequate understanding of revelation, the reader must recognize that it is a distinct kind of literature.
Intro to revelation biblica the international bible. John did not write it to teach his beliefs, or even to tell people his ideas. It gives us a tiny glimpse of heaven and all of the glories awaiting those. 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 purpose of revelation many people either fear the book of revelation or have an unhealthy interest in it. 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. It is primarily composed of 14 concepts examples 7 seals, 7 trumpets, 7 vials, mystery babylon, the resurrections, etc.
The revelation of jesus christ, that is, the unveiling, revealing, and presentation to earth and heaven of the lord jesus christ as. The divine purpose in this book can be seen as threefold. However, where can we find the right answers other than the very book itself. Apocalypticism was not a new phenomenon among christians. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the. Most people think the book of revelation is simply a book of prophecy.
Purpose of the book of revelation wbmoores biblical insights. And you will gain a new relationship with the world. 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 reason most commentaries fail to enlighten the book s contents is because they violate one or more of the three basic principles of sound biblical interpretation.
The modern teaching of revelation being fulfilled during a sevenyear tribulation period at the coming end of earth, and the church being raptured out before this time, as this book completely useless. Since jesus christ is the actual author of the book of revelation, we can ask what the apostle johns purpose was but should we not rather ask what jesus christs purpose for. This book is filled with mysteries about things to come. The purpose of the book is not found in john, but in the plain statements given in the book and by an understanding of the content of the book. This bible study was recorded in 2008 please excuse the video quality. He began his work, the purpose of this book is to show that the apocalypse is a manual of spiritual development and not, as conventionally. The comforting promise of revelation when you are certain of your future, then you can concentrate on your present. In all its uses, revelation refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible. Instead of a place that frustrates and disappoints you, it becomes the perfect learning ground, the perfect environment. And gods revelation will call this purpose and give you the steps to knowledge to prepare for this purpose. Orley berg doesnt think the book of revelation is an incomprehensible mystery. Revelation is often described as a the revelation of john meaning the revelation to john 1. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. Revelation is apocalyptic, a kind of writing that is highly symbolic.
In this interview, thomas schreiner discusses the book of revelation. The holy quran and its purpose of revelation to mankind. When we properly assemble all of the prophecies, a mindboggling drama. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. This view has already been seen, in part, by the church fathers. The first purpose is to reveal christ in his deistic glory.
Returning the book of revelation to its historical context by joey cobble. For all intents and purposes the revelation is a pastoral letter. One purpose was to present the reader with a better understanding of what their faith in christ would do for them. The book of revelation contains several prophecies that integrate into one big story. But god designed this book for a very different purpose. To many people, the book of revelation is the most mysterious and enigmatic book in the whole bible. The holy quran and its purpose of revelation to mankind the holy quran is the literal speech of allah, which was revealed to prophet muhammad peace be upon him in arabic language as a revelation to the whole mankind.
Although its visions often seem bizarre to the western reader, fortunately the book provides a number of clues for its own interpretation e. John was one of the 12 disciples special students of jesus, who later became the apostles the first leaders of the christian church. Why would anyone write a book like revelation, which is so different from the other books of the new testament. Its complex imagery and visions can be very difficult to understand and interpret. I believe the clear purpose of revelation is exactly what it says it is. Introduction revelation is a confusing book to most people despite the many commentaries written. The book of revelation begins with a short introduction in 1. There is far too much detail to explain in one article so here i will only point out one of the major themes that run throughout the book. The goal and purpose of the revelation the new message.
In his book, power and purpose, russ lackey guides readers on an adventure through the harrowing pages of revelation in a clear and accessible way. The was the title given to the book in the latin vulgate 3. Both caird and ford thus argue that the purpose of revelation was to prepare and strengthen the christians of asia minor, as adressed in the letters to the seven. The revelation of jesus christ was given to john by god to show his servants what must soon take place. Returning the book of revelation to its historical context. The 144,000 in the book of revelation david jeremiah blog. Under these conditions, a christian named john wrote revelation, addressing it to the seven churches that were in asia minor. 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. Anyone familiar with revelation will notice that the prediction of events whether those already fulfilled at least from our perspective today or those events still future again, from our perspective today occupies most of the books content. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation. Now that weve explored the purpose of the book of revelation, lets turn our attention to its details. The book of revelation describes a scene in heaven and the father is holding a book scroll sealed with seven seals.
Here we are getting conflicting answers, all coming from various perspectives. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. The clear purpose of revelation love worth finding with adrian. Included in the discussion will be which john wrote the. 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.