But god designed this book for a very different purpose. Seven reasons for studying the book of revelation ministry. Special revelation tells us that we can have a relationship with god. Listen to this report filed by john in the seventh chapter of revelation. The goal and purpose of the revelation the new message from god. The revelation of jesus christ was given to john by god to show his servants what must soon take place.
Here we are getting conflicting answers, all coming from various perspectives. The book of revelation is not just about the future. Nov 28, 2019 most people think the book of revelation is simply a book of prophecy. Therefore, this book contains information god intends to disclose or reveal to humans, rather than conceal from us. Why did john write the book of revelation, or did he.
The merriamwebster dictionary defines the english word apocalyptic as. The focus of this essay will be the examination of the purpose of the book of revelation. Revelation is meant to produce in you comfort, courage, hope, and praise. This paper was originally published on and was the best scholarship on the subject. 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. Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. Apocalyptic comes from the greek word apokalupsis, meaning disclosure or revelation revelation 1. Gods purpose for the book of revelation is also clear. After these things i looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands revelation 7.
Here bible teacher, and best selling author, michael pearl walks you through the scriptures and explains the true purpose of. The goal and purpose of the revelation the new message. The purpose of the offers of blessing that we repeatedly encounter in the revelation, its almost as though theyre part of the apocalyptic nature of the book because theyre assuring these people that though their reality, though what they actually see with their eyes indicates that they are cursed. This serves as a great summary to the book of revelation for those looking for a bible study on the book of revelation. In these chapters god tells us what eternity with him will be like. In future articles the letters to the seven churches as outlined in the first three chapters of the book will be examined. 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. Those who remain steadfast in their faith and confidence in the risen lord need have no fear. It is primarily composed of 14 concepts examples 7 seals, 7 trumpets, 7 vials, mystery babylon, the resurrections, etc. That it is written on the inside and on the back suggests a similarity to the scroll in ezek 2.
The book of revelation was written sometime around 96 ce in asia minor. It is the final warning that the world will surely end and judgment will be certain. It is the final expression of and complement to the prophecies of the jewish prophets. The book of revelation is the only book in the bible, that i know of, that has a blessing associated with it for those who will read itnot once but twice. In it he asked, who except cranks and lunatics reads the book of revelation. Revelation 5 the scroll and the lamb revelationlogic. The book of revelation isnt really the apostle johns revelation but jesus christ s, the author of life itself acts 3. Revelation to john appears to be a collection of separate. Aug 24, 2017 the book of life and the book sealed with seven seals are the same book, because the lamb only received one book in revelation and john twice referred to it as the lambs book of life. Thus, in the midst of a great sermon explaining the power of the holy ghost, nephi suddenly declared, and now i. The book of revelation explains how all these unfulfilled prophecies relate to each other. The author was probably a christian from ephesus known as john the elder.
First, it was written to encourage believers to endure persecution and to persevere through suffering. We dont know why john was exiled to patmos, but it may have been for refusing to worship the roman emperor domitian, who had declared himself a god. God would not have given it to us if its meaning were entirely a mystery. 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. The book itself suggests that the crisis was ruthless persecution of the early church by the roman authorities. Under these conditions, a christian named john wrote revelation, addressing it to the seven churches that were in asia minor. The book of revelation is the only apocalyptic document in the new testament canon although there are short apocalyptic passages in various places in the gospels and the epistles, and an extended apocalyptic passage in the book of daniel in the old testament. The book of revelation is the last book of the bible in our canon for good reason.
Jan 22, 2017 the holy quran and its purpose of revelation to mankind. The clear purpose of revelation love worth finding with adrian. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the. The sixth type or purpose of revelation is to restrain us from doing something. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. Christ tells john to write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. 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. The revelation of jesus christ about the time of the end the end of the age and what was to come after the christian dispensation. 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.
The greek word translated dominion is kratos, which is a very strong word. For many the purpose of the book of revelation served as only applicable to those of the first century christians. 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. Here bible teacher, and best selling author, michael pearl walks you through the scriptures and explains the true purpose. Do not wait until the wave crests and the threshold becomes too overwhelming to begin to prepare, or it will be too late and you will be swept. Apocalypticism was not a new phenomenon among christians. The book of revelation is generally considered one of the most difficult books to understand, not without good reason. The purpose and theme of the book of revelation for many the purpose of the book of revelation served as only applicable to those of the first century christians. Why would anyone write a book like revelation, which is so different from the other books of the new testament. The goal of the revelation is to give humanity this one great chance in its hour of greatest difficulty, challenge and uncertaintygreater than even the world wars and conflicts this will be. The revelation of the book is from allah, the mighty, the wise. Special revelation is the knowledge of god and spiritual.
Encourage first century christians to endure their persecution. 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. As part of scripture, the book of revelation was given by inspiration of god 2 timothy 3. The purpose of the book of revelation christian chat rooms. Gods word, the bible, is the only place where the way of salvation is found. January 22, 2017 december 1, 2018 admin the holy quran and its purpose of revelation to mankind. Oct 31, 2017 understanding the seven trumpets of revelation gods purpose gods wrath and mercy during the seven trumpets if separated from the larger context of this book, this chapter could make god appear to be very cruel and unfairly harsh so please read subsequent chapters as soon as possible. Most people think the book of revelation is simply a book of prophecy. 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. Take a look at the basic structure of the book of revelation. Revelation is often described as a the revelation of john meaning the revelation to john 1. The book of revelation is johns record of that vision revelation 1.
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. In the face of apparently insuperable evil, either from within or from without, all christians are called to trust in jesus promise, behold, i am with you always, until the end of the age. 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. It also explains how the kingdom relates to gods purpose for the church. I believe the clear purpose of revelation is exactly what it says it is. In this interview, thomas schreiner discusses the book of revelation. Book of revelation overview insight for living ministries. Its complex imagery and visions can be very difficult to understand and interpret. In the book of revelation, the apocalyptic hopes of the early christian community find their clearest and most complete expression. The things john had already seen are recorded in chapter 1. To many people, the book of revelation is the most mysterious and enigmatic book in the whole bible. So, in the end, the book of revelation is a book of hope and promise. Orley berg doesnt think the book of revelation is an incomprehensible mystery. Understanding the seven trumpets of revelation gods purpose gods wrath and mercy during the seven trumpets if separated from the larger context of this book, this chapter could make god appear to be very cruel and unfairly harsh so.
Four times the author identifies himself as john 1. This is the greek name of the book of revelation, and the book is known as the apocalypse in older english bibles. Dec 04, 2016 perhaps one of the reasons for the book of revelation is to reveal our true spiritual age as can be seen in 1 peter 2. One purpose was to present the reader with a better understanding of what their faith in christ would do for them. Revelation reveals the events of the day of the lord revelation 1. Purpose of the book of revelation wbmoores biblical.
In the first chapter, the risen and exalted christ is speaking to john. 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. The salvation of lost sinners is the ultimate purpose of special revelation. Another important purpose of special revelation is to call humanity into a relationship with god. If youre befuddled by the book of revelation in the bible, dont fret. Those who believe the book is mainly about the final seven or so years of history see its purpose as focusing on the needs and experiences of the church in those terminal years. Its purpose is to give encouragement and hope for all christians to continue watching for the return and triumph of the lord jesus christ. John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. The book of revelation cannot be adequately understood except against the historical background that occasioned its writing.
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 holy quran and its purpose of revelation to mankind. Dec 04, 2016 the purpose of the book of revelation. Purpose of the book of revelation wbmoores biblical insights. Included in the discussion will be which john wrote the book and the various interpretive views used with this particular book. The first blessing is in the first chapter of revelation in verse 3. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. The book of revelation had its origin in a time of crisis, but it remains valid and meaningful for christians of all time. The clear purpose of revelation love worth finding with.
The was the title given to the book in the latin vulgate 3. The bibles answer the greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. Name the book received its name because its contents came in the form of a revelation i. Now that weve explored the purpose of the book of revelation, lets turn our attention to its details. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. John was a christian leader of jewish origin who was in exile on the roman prison island of patmos. 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 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.
The book of revelation was likely written between a. Apr 29, 2016 ones understanding of the purpose of the book of revelation is interrelated with the assessment of its overall meaning. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. The purpose of revelation many people either fear the book of revelation or have an unhealthy interest in it. Lets have respect for others that have a different view on some things and maybe then we can all learn together.
Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. From as early as justin martyr in the second century a. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. A careful examination of the book of revelation explains its purpose and what it is about. Oct 11, 2019 the book of revelation explained part 3. The radical discipleship interpretation asserts that the book of revelation is best understood as a handbook for radical discipleship. This book is filled with mysteries about things to come. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it. The book of life and the book sealed with seven seals are the same book, because the lamb only received one book in revelation and john twice referred to it as the lambs book of life. This summary of the book of revelation provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of revelation. The purpose of revelation is to point to the return of jesus. The book of revelation begins with a short introduction in 1. While end day prophecy consists s of future events, that is not the purpose of prophecy. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john.
The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. What are some of the purposes for special revelation. It also is to warn of the final judgment that nonbelievers will endure on that last day. The theme of revelation is the revelation of the person and the prophetic program of jesus christ. Like daniel and other apocalypses, it was composed as resistance literature to meet a crisis. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. Its purpose is to give encouragement and hope for all. 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 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. Returning the book of revelation to its historical context by joey cobble. Revelation to john, also called book of revelation or apocalypse of john, last book of the new testament. Jan 02, 2020 a simple outline for the book of revelation is found in revelation 1.
He wrote it because christ commanded him to do that 1. John did not write it to teach his beliefs, or even to tell people his ideas. Revelation describes the purpose of the seven seals. Nov 03, 2012 the goal of the revelation is to give humanity this one great chance in its hour of greatest difficulty, challenge and uncertaintygreater than even the world wars and conflicts this will be. Thomas aquinas believed in two types of individual revelation from god, general revelation and special revelation. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. God wants his people to be strong when they suffer troubles. The comforting promise of revelation when you are certain of your future, then you can concentrate on your present. The book of revelation provides the clearest biblical portrait of the events of the tribulation, dealing with the specifics of that terrible time chapters 418.
The 144,000 in the book of revelation david jeremiah blog. This view has already been seen, in part, by the church fathers. 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. 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. While many associate the word apocalypse with great disaster, the book of revelation begins and ends by saying that those who read, understand, and apply its message would be happy for doing so. The book of revelation is the fulfilment of every biblical prophecy.
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