He published and delivered it by angel to his servant john. The church in compromise the city and its affairs 2. But that should not keep us from reading it and understanding its main message. 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. God gave it to make plain to his servants what is about to happen. Apocalypticism was not a new phenomenon among christians. Thus, perhaps the first lesson of the book is how to properly read the bible. Revelation 1 new international version niv prologue. This triumph takes place amid much suffering, suffering that is intensified as the final end draws near.
The book is filled with deeply mysterious symbolism concerning human history and the end of history. I am grateful for the foundation that i received from revelation message bible college and i am grateful for my first official ordination and credential from revelation message, inc, during memorial day weekend, in may of 2005. It was written on both sides, fastened with seven seals. From what i see and reading book of revelations, we are in revelation 18 3. We therefore offer audio downloads of revelations of the new message texts free of. Whether were looking for gospel meaning or struggling with understanding revelations in the bible, ben witherington iii, author of the article asking the right question, says historical bible study can help us find our way. Revelation 2 begins a series of brief letters to seven churches that existed during the apostle johns time in asia minor modernday turkey. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. And this has led to the creation of some pretty dreadful books and hollywood movies containing serious errors and misunderstandings about what is revealed. Ill lead them up and present them by name to my father and his angels. The book of revelation can be confusing to the modern reader because much of it was written using a symbolic style of language that is not used today. I am your fellowservant and the fellowservant of your brothers the prophets and those who keep the message of this book. I shall not blot that name out of the book of life, but acknowledge it in the presence of my father and his angels 6 let anyone who can hear, listen to what the spirit is saying to the. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation.
Its main theme, or central focus, is the return of jesus christ. He lifts the curtain on revelations drama in eight scenes, helping our imaginations as well as our minds grasp the key concepts of this fascinating and enigmatic new testament book. I have completed a one year residency in clinical pastoral education at baptist healthcare pensacola, florida 20182019. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. The book of revelation is one of the most difficult books in the bible. It promises that god will institute universal peace, prosperity and cooperation over all the earth immediately after the return of jesus christ. The bible describes her as a woman and a great prostitute, having a name that is a mystery. Revelation the message audio bible audio only please like my facebook page.
Revelation 1922 portrays christs future triumph over the forces of evil and his recreation of the world for the redeemed. Our websites provide numerous texts and audio, we also understand there are individuals and communities who cannot access the internet and who would benefit from digital versions of the new message texts. They threw their crowns at the foot of the throne, chanting. In revelation, johns visions reveal that jesus has overcome evil by. Revelation 1 msg a revealing of jesus, the messiah. While revelation offers many details on the tribulationeven if they are often couched in the mystery of symbolic languageit is the final four chapters that dictate the overall message of the book. The book of revelation, the final book of the new testament, has some of the most dramatic and frightening language in the bible.
Messages from jesus to the seven congregations revelation 1. The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. Lets start with revelations, starts in 1981 and finishes in 2009. Revelation was written when christians were entering a time of persecution.
Book of revelation apocalypse in the bible king james. It reveals how this wonderful new world will be established and why it will never be destroyed or superseded by any other way of life or. For reasons we can only speculate on the decision to include it was made at the last minutetruly a cliffha. Use highlighting, underlining, and take notes while you study the bible. The message of hope in the book of revelation seek first. I also saw a powerful angel, calling out in a voice like thunder, is there anyone. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to everything he sawthat is, the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. The advice in these letters is prophetic, forewarning presentday christian communities of the snares that. Revelation 1 niv prologue the revelation from jesus. There is perhaps no more misunderstood book of the bible than revelation.
Watch our overview video on the book of revelation, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. The book of revelation is the only apocalyptic document in the new testament canon. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. 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. A series of visions, each one leading into the next. The fundamental message of the book of revelation is simple. Those churches were in ephesus, smyrna, pergamum, thyatira, sardis, philadephia, and laodicea. What was jesus message to the church in ephesus in revelation. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, a 2 who gives witness to the word of god and to the testimony of jesus christ by reporting what he saw. What does this final book of the bible meanand how will it affect you and your future. What was jesus message to the church in ephesus in. The book of revelation addresses seven letters to seven churches in asia minor modernday turkey revelation 23.
The last book of the bible explodes with a cosmic celebration of the triumph of gods global purposes in the world. Why was the book of revelation included in the bible. Lesson 8 revelations most thrilling message the book of revelation is one of the most important books in the entire bible. John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. The message of revelation bible speaks today wilcock, michael on. Yet it has a clear message for all who would devote themselves to its pages. In his commentary on the message of revelation, michael wilcock maintains that when gods words, declarations, arguments and reasonings had all been spoken, god gave the church a gorgeous picture book. 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 message is the bible paraphrased into contemporary english. In the book of revelation, the apocalyptic hopes of the early christian community find their clearest and most complete expression.
Lookthe lion from tribe judah, the root of davids tree, has conquered. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, a stark account of the apocalypse and a. Here is the message of the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who lives among the seven golden lampstands. Many of the presbyters in attendance at the council of nicaea didnt want it in the bible. The holy bible book 01 genesis kjv dramatized audio duration. The two periods most often mentioned are the latter part of neros reign a. I encourage you to bring your insights to class to share with others. Exploring its mystery and message heitzig, skip on. See whats new in logos 8 explore all features schedule a demo howtos. What main themes are in the bible book of revelation. The book of revelation, also sometimes referred to as the apocalypse, contains both literal and figurative prophecies, and both literal and figurative events. I heard a loud voice behind me, trumpetclear and piercing. In order to understand it, you need to know a lot of the book of daniel, which is another very difficult book. Deadness in the church the city and the assembly 3.
What particular time period does this message draw our. Revelation united states conference of catholic bishops. Christians familiar with the older apocalyptic writings would understand the books symbolism, for practically everything john said to his contemporaries was said before to people who suffered under similar circumstances. It is the final revelation of god to mankind, and within its message, it completes the messages and prophecies of the past, and links it all into the events to unfold in the near future. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. He can open the scroll, can rip through the seven seals. Overview of the book of revelation introduction revelation 119. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. Sincere bible scholars, in fact, disagree about the meaning of some of the symbolic passages. Each of these messages includes information apropos to each church, and from these messages we can draw lessons applicable to our own lives today.
Thus, it occupies a central place in christian eschatology. The book of revelation was written to seven churches as both encouragement and challenge. The book of revelation is addressed to believers, his servants, of the churches in seven cities of the roman province of asia. This is the revelation of jesus christ his unveiling of the divine mysteries, which god the. The message of revelation was intended for this particular time and set of circumstances. The author names himself as john in the text, but his precise identity remains a point of academic debate. The apostle john had been exiled to the island of patmos, off the.
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