4 interpretations of the book of revelations

Four parallel columns present the information you need on these key views, and inform you about outstanding commentators on the book of revelation. Whether were looking for gospel meaning or struggling with understanding revelations in the bible, historical bible study can help us find our way. The plethora of views, however, can be distilled into essentially four main categories. It can perhaps be best understood in distinction from the other major interpretations of revelation. 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. Futuristic interpretations of the book of revelation the. Revelation 6 new international version niv the seals. What is the idealist interpretation of the book of revelation. Charts on the book of revelation is a useful supplement to courses on the book of revelation in both the church and the academy. The biblical description seems to point to believers of this present church age. Revelation 21 commentary matthew henry commentary on the. 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.

All the term means is that the book of revelation is a type of prophetic literature that uses a lot of symbols. That there are differing views on the interpretation of the apocalyptic writings in the book of revelation is no secret. The futurist interpretation is the view which is held by all premillennialists and is the one which i accept and present to you. The heart of this volume is the presentation of four common interpretations of the book of revelation. When interpreting the book of revelation there are two important elements to remember. The book comprises two main parts, the first of which chapters 23 contains moral admonitions but no visions or symbolism in individual letters addressed to the seven christian churches of asia minor. In like manner, there is perhaps no other book that is more controversial than the book of revelation either. Kenneth gentry does a nice job of presenting the preterist position, which is normally linked to postmillennialism. One of the most intriguing books of the bible is the book of revelation. But just how is one to understand the book of revelation.

The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. Charts on the book of revelation is a useful supplement to. Christ tells john to write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. Interpreting the symbolism in the book of revelation. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation wikipedia. Interpretations of revelation by mike mazzalongo posted. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. Is this book a prophecy of future events yet to take place, or. Revelation speaks of things that are already history. Bible scholars have taken one of four interpretations concerning the book of revelation. This book by gregg, on the other hand, is a detailed, versebyverse. Traditionally, interpreters have approached revelation in four primary ways. Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.

In the previously mentioned section on the meaning of the coming of christ in revelation, the author notes the various ways in which a coming of god or christ is used in scripture, whereby christ is sometimes said to come in a spiritual sense rev 3. Revelation was written to the seven churches that are in asia 1. Wilsons charts cover a range of historical, literary, rhetorical, and interpretive issues that will guide the careful student in making more viable interpretations of this difficult yet enriching book. So we dont look to specific events to happen a specific time in history. In the first chapter, the risen and exalted christ is speaking to john.

If youre befuddled by the book of revelation in the bible, dont fret. Revelation gives a birds eye view of the entire sweep of christian. Revelation then becomes merely a collection of stories designed to teach spiritual truth. The visions in this book run parallel to one another. Then i heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, come. In this view, the book contains neither historical allusions nor predictive prophecy. Interpretive models for the book of revelation as a whole. The interpretation of the book of revelation has often proven difficult throughout the history of the christian church. Ben witherington iii, author of the following article, asking the right question, once hitched a ride from a couple who believed the earth was flat. Futuristic interpretations of the book of revelation now that my book the triumph of christianity has come out, im thinking about my future books.

In my opinion, interpretations of this type have hurt and defeated the purpose of the book of revelation. The book of revelation is by far one of the most challenging books in the bible, yet well worth the effort to study and comprehend. Hitherto the prophecy of this book has presented to us a very remarkable mixture of light and shade, prosperity and adversity, mercy and judgment, in the conduct of divine providence towards the church in the world. This position found a resurgence in the late 1980s and 90s after being on the brink of extinction. In the first verse of the book, the apostle john recorded christs words, the revelation of jesus christto show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. Later in revelation, john will refer to the holy spirit in the singular rev.

Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. Second, an interpreting angel is sent from jesus to help john understand what he is seeing. Apocalypse for everyman aims to give a sequential interpretation of revelation chapters 6 to 20 as a steadily unfolding series of events, but all in the future, except for the first four seals ch. The idealist approach doesnt interpret revelation in terms of any particular. Revelations four horses of the apocalypse esoteric meanings. Although a christian work, the apocalypse belongs to a class of literature dealing with eschatological subjects and much in vogue among the jews of the first. The apostle saw a throne set in heaven, an emblem of the universal dominion of jehovah. Take a look at the basic structure of the book of revelation. The historical approach of revelation this is the name generally given to interpretations of the book which see it as a road map for church history in toto, rather than a detailed description of the end times that is, the seven year tribulation and what follows. Here are brief definitions of the four major interpretive approaches. A simple outline for the book of revelation is found in revelation 1. One will interpret revelation according to ones method of interpretation. The principal divisions of the book of revelation are the following.

In fact, the opening passage contains a blessing to everyone who reads, hears, and keeps the words of this prophecy. It sees the book of revelation as primarily prophetic. Youll find four major interpretive approaches to the book of revelation that can. 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 date of the book in its present form is probably near the end of the reign of domitian a.

The different approaches that various people or groups use to understand the book of revelation called interpretive horizons are generally grouped under four major categories, with some subgroups see the kingdom of god. Four views on the book of revelation are presented, critiqued, and defended. It looks at four interpretations of revelation, and why those particular interpretations are held. Book of revelation biblical interpretations, pictures. This view also ignores revelations prophetic character and, if carried to its logical conclusion, severs the book from any connection with actual historical events.

A parallel commentary covers the traditional views in an evenhanded fashion. God is showing the past, present, and the unfolding of future history. That book allowed the proponents of each of four different views to present an overall summary of their approach to the book of revelation. Similarly, the number twelve and anything divisible by twelve is the number of the people of god rev. Apocalypse, from the verb apokalypto, to reveal, is the name given to the last book in the bible. This book is a tremendous tool for anyone wishing to understand how different schools of interpretation approach the book of revelation. The things john had already seen are recorded in chapter 1. The apocalyptic book of revelation is a symbolic glimpse.

The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and. However, much debate surrounds the proper interpretation of this apocalyptic work. Because it contains so many symbols, some people teach the book as if it were a sort of aliceinwonderland story for adults. The book of revelation was written to seven churches as both encouragement and challenge. How can we understand the book of revelation and its many interpretations. The imagery of the cosmic battle in heaven and on earth makes. Revelation 422, reveals the future end time events that extend into the future unto eternity and establishes this as the end of gods revelation to man. The book of revelation is notoriously difficult to understand. There have traditionally been four or five schools of thought on the interpretive framework of the book of revelation. As with every book in the bible, we must attempt to read revelation from the perspective of the firstcentury christians to whom it was originally written. What is the idealist interpretation of the book of. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. It makes numerous references to various constellations in the night sky. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope.

Four views on the book of revelation focuses specifically on the book of revelation and the primary ways in which it is read and understood today. Since the book of revelation is considered in the apocalyptic genre, the text can be extremely difficult to understand. Revelation 4 bible commentary matthew henry concise. Four views on the book of revelation counterpoints. 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.