However, it is lamentable that baptists as a whole have an inadequate understanding of the book of revelation and consequently have embraced false teachings. The second method of interpretation is known as the idealist method. The first blessing is in the first chapter of revelation in verse 3. 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. Exploring the book of revelation baptist messenger of. The book of revelation focuses on how bad the world is. It is the final expression of and complement to the prophecies of the jewish prophets. Revelation an alliterated exposition of the last book in the bible by pastor max alderman bible baptist church 889 hwy 24 statesboro, ga 30458 9127645615. Independent fundamental baptists and the book of revelation. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. A commentary of the book of revelation bible truth.
Like most southern baptist churches in the 90s, we talked a lot about the rapture, the antichrist, the tribulation, and miscellaneous details we. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation wikipedia. Watch our overview video on the book of revelation, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The whole book was to be received with all its fearful truths as a revelation from god. The historicist view follows a straight line of continuous fulfillment of prophecy which starts in daniels time and goes through john. As other threads here on online baptist has already brought out, and i have brought out in my revelation chapter 1922 study, the futuristic method was the method of interpretation by the early church fathers long before the catholic church taught amillennialism. The book of revelation must be taken literal whenever possible. A redemptivehistorical, modified idealist approach to the book of revelation february 25, 20 posted by sam waldron eschatology, new testament, systematic theology i was recently involved in symposium on the book of revelation sponsored by several churches in reno, nevada and held at sierra bible church.
John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. 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. I believe aspects of all four are present in the book although i would be mostly preteristhistoricist, since john said. Revelation 1 niv bible the revelation from jesus christ. Throughout the whole bible the biblical authors often times interpret apocalyptic literature symbolically. The obscure and extravagant imagery has led to a wide variety of christian interpretations. This is the view that the prophecies of this book were fulfilled during the early church history. Schreiner new testament scholar at the southern baptist theological seminary holds a pretty unique balance when. Every statement is to be taken to mean for exactly what.
Revelation reveals the events of the day of the lord revelation 1. Jan 20, 2016 due to the use of the verb signified in revelation 1. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some. The book of the revelation is not meant to be a linear unfolding of what will happen from the first coming of christ to the second coming of christ, waiting for profoundly imaginative minds to engage the text and come up with things like, ah, here is napolean, and here are the napoleanic wars, and here is russia, and here are airplanes with guns in their tails, and all. It fittingly has the last place ending the scriptures and gods revelation to man. There are many images found in the book of revelation and these images are explained by the writer with much detail. How these two verses do refute the idea that is so prevalent among the churches in the world today. He holds to a preteristic view and interpretation of revelation until he hits the 2nd coming and the millennium he then holds to a premillennial interpretation. A less wellknown historicist interpretation is the medieval churchs identification of the beast from the sea in revelation with the rise of islam. The book of revelation is a fascinating book, and the debate regarding its interpretation will continue.
Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation. Exploring the book of revelation baptist messenger of oklahoma. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. There are shouts and great voices speaking throughout the book of revelation. A 21st century interpretation of the book of revelation. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. Take a look at the basic structure of the book of revelation. Oct 02, 2014 with the release of the new left behind movie, christians once again are discussing the end times. Verse 7 is a crucial verse in the book of revelation declaring the two main themes of revelation which are the 2nd coming of christ and the impending judgment of the world. Interpreting the book of revelation heritage baptist church. Preaching workshop untangles book of revelation southwestern. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john. In order to understand it, you must interpret the bible correctly or you will end up with a symbolic mess. Launched in 1993 by the sbc executive committee as the successor to the baptist program, and supported with cooperative program funds, sbc life features articles and updates on topics and issues related to southern baptist missions and ministries.
The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. 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. The revelation of jesus christ should be interpreted as both a subjective and an. The first two verses of revelation describe the path this revelation tooka path that confirms its divine authoritybefore eventually being written down by john. That is to say, the specific, primary true information the. Some will interpret the how, what, and even the timing in the book of revelation differently depending on their method of interpretation. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it. With the release of the new left behind movie, christians once again are discussing the end times.
A series of visions, each one leading into the next. Apr 26, 2017 the futurist method is not, i repeat not, a catholic invention. The unveiling studies in revelation study guide warning. 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.
The author and date of revelation the books author was obviously john revelation 1. However, he merely writes the words of jesus revelation 1. Revelations mark of the beast exposed 22 revelations ancient discoveries duration. Interpretation there are four principal views concerning the interpretation of the book. Click on any of the articles or resources to explore expert analysis of the book of revelation. The book that is most closely aligned is the book of daniel. The letter is addressed to seven churches in asia 1. 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. In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture. How to understand revelation and daniel online baptist. The historicist view follows a straight line of continuous fulfillment of prophecy. Many in our day say that revelation is still a closed book, but this is not true. Revelation is a book with a direct, specified theme it is the revelation of jesus christ, 1.
Part of book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. We should study the book of revelation for theological reasons. Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator. The images that are seen in the book of revelation are explained by the author. Interpretation of scripture everything must have a proper foundation. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it.
It is not about evil, or judgment, or angels, or the antichrist, or false religion, or heaven. The revelation from jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. The revelation, however, seems mysterious and veiled. Schreiner new testament scholar at the southern baptist theological seminary holds a pretty unique balance when interpreting revelationhe. I have never heard proof of the sybolism in revelation as being supported by this one word bro. In 2011, the baptist messenger produced this original series entitled exploring the book of revelation. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. Click on any of the articles or resources to explore expert analys. Every statement is to be taken to mean for exactly what is written unless such interpretation is highly. In this understanding, the contents of the book are not seen to relate to any historical events at all, but only to symbolize the ongoing struggle between good and evil during the church age until christ returns.
So the quandary remains, how do the ideas from these books congeal into a unified whole. He holds to a preteristic view and interpretation of revelation until he hits the 2nd coming and the millennium he then holds to a premillennial. In revelation, johns visions reveal that jesus has overcome evil by. Im going to argue that he was talking about southern baptists and. Here is my verse by verse interpretation of the book of revelation chapter 1. Preaching workshop untangles book of revelation by keith collier on oct 15, 20 fort worth, texas swbts nearly 200 local church pastors and seminary students were challenged to overcome their fears of preaching through the book of revelation during southwestern baptist theological seminarys advanced expository preaching workshop, oct. The book of revelation, often called the book of revelations, revelation to john, the apocalypse of john, the revelation, or simply revelation, the revelation of jesus christ from its opening words or the apocalypse, is the final book of the new testament, and therefore also the final book of the christian bible. Interpretation of revelation baptist christian forums.
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. Pastors and people in the pew have often shied away from the revelation, in part because it is a genre of scripture that is unusual to us. Three angels broadcasting network 3abn 3,442,692 views 58. I spoke of my view as a redemptivehistorical, modified idealist approach to the interpretation of the book of revelation. 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. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory. While no other book in the bible has been as difficult to interpret, no other book in the bible is so compelling and fascinating. Nevertheless, i do believe that it is vital to understand that certain, historical events are referenced in the book of revelation. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. Sbc life, published by the executive committee of the southern baptist convention, is the journal of the southern baptist convention. There will be differences of opinion about exactly what and the timing of events that take place in the book of revelation. This gospel was the good news john the baptist, jesus, and the twelve. Despite our various views, there are some common threads upon which christians agree.
I for one love a mystery and what do all the symbols and sign mean. To illustrate this tension i am going to show some differences in popular revelation scholars 1 dr. As for your other verses you mentioned way up the list of posts, i can see where the words do mean the same as signified in rev. The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. The book of revelation unveils gods plan and purpose for the future.
The futurist method is not, i repeat not, a catholic invention. Revelation 12 a verse by verse, and even phrase by phrase study lets take a look at revelation 12 and go verse by verse, phrase by phrase. 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. There are 4 common methods of interpretation concerning the biblical book of revelation. It has been a great privilege to study and preach through the book of revelation these past few months you can. We always interpret narrative literally genesis, exodus, the gospels, etc apocalyptic literature is another story. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation.
The book elijah by michael obrien is faithful to the catholic point of view, while speculating on the events described in the book of revelation, but as mentioned before, there is no actual official interpretation of the book of revelation. He is general editor of explore the bible s new study, 1, 2, 3 john. My own understanding of the book is set forth in a very summary manner in the last chapter of my book from age to age a chapter that is not intended to be read until all of the other chapters have been completed. A wellknown illustration of an historicist reading of the book of revelation is the reformation identification of the harlot babylon in revelation 17 with the roman catholic church and the papacy. Preparing a top 5 list of commentaries on the book of revelation is extremely challenging in a number of ways. The letters of paul are straightforward and the gospels have a comfortable, narrative style. In all its uses, revelation refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible. It occupies a central place in christian eschatology. I have been studying this book all my life and what makes this book stand out among the rest is the mysteriousness of it.
Those events are subject to interpretation but they are not a salvation issue. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. Nov 12, 2016 so as a result, ive been a fundamental baptist since 1992 and im grateful for my wife and family in christ. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. 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. 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.
Approaching the book of revelation bellevue baptist church. The theme of the book of revelation is not about churches, although churches are mentioned. Why have we asked some of the most respected scholars in southern baptist life to address the topic of the various approaches to interpretation of the book of revelation and end times. A redemptivehistorical, modified idealist approach to the. If youre befuddled by the book of revelation in the bible, dont fret. Grant osborne of trinity evangelical divinity school holds a pretty unique view. The following facts and principles of interpretation should be understood in order for one to arrive at a correct understanding of the book of revelation. For a year and a half i taught the book of revelation to the midweek crowds of the miller road baptist church in garland, texas. The book of revelation was divinely inspired in the first century, but it presents a powerful, vibrant and essential message for the present, as it reveals the future. Dec 14, 2016 watch our overview video on the book of revelation, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Its purpose is to give encouragement and hope for all. Jim is professor of preaching at southeastern baptist theological seminary and pastor of teaching and training at the church at brook hills in birmingham, alabama.
Hundreds of the people asked that the notes of this study be published. Johnson says that, as a system of interpretation it is more. Basics for interpreting the book of revelation biblical reasoning. Revelation an alliterated exposition of the last book in the bible by pastor max alderman bible baptist church 889 hwy 24 statesboro, ga 30458 9127645615 permission graciously granted to to offer this work to our members please do not distribute this work. The preterist meaning past view errantly claims that revelation was all fulfilled by the end of the 1st century. So then, is this a valid understanding and restriction due to the use of the verb signified. The four historic approaches to interpreting the book of revelation may be defined as follows. People are being told that the book of revelation is a sealed book. The book of revelation has 2 different genres in it. Additional insights into john jerusalem is destroyed by titus in ad 70 who is in line to become the next emperor. If you want to understand how the current events of today are coinciding with biblical prophecy, then purchase a copy of this book. Interpretive models for the book of revelation as a whole. 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 great book. May 23, 2002 is there only one interpretation for the book of revelation or is this book multifaceted.
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