His books include the revelation of god in history. This book is gods open letter to us and contains critical information about our future. Ways of approaching the book of revelation chapter 3. The book of revelation is the last book he wrote around 96 ad.
It addresses the problems we face in our churches, portrays the awesome endtime events that will prepare the earth for christs return, and gives us a glimpse of the eternal glory that awaits every christian. Apr 29, 2016 revelation delivers to the distressed churches of asia minor and to the church in all ages, the triumphant assurance that behind the scenes of history and despite the vicissitudes of history, the kingdom of god is in power, and jesus christ the king of all kings is on his fathers throne executing his sovereign judgment over the world. Therefore, believers are strengthened to press on and endure e. There are several conclusions that can be drawn from the general revelation of god in creation, history, and human nature. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. The term revelation deals with how god has revealed himself to humanity, or in other words, how he has made himself known.
Visions of blessings from god for heaven and earth. How do you react to the message of gods rule over history. Book of revelation is actually a christian prophecy book filled with old testamentstyle language and imagery narrating events and descriptions like the mark of the beast, the battle of armageddon, the binding of devil, the rule of the lord, the great white throne of judgment and the finally the nature of the eternal city of god. It is the revelation of jesus christ to show his servants revelation 1. 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, a prophecy of warning and hope. Jun 21, 2016 the big theme of revelation is gods sovereign rule chs. Revelation 10 and the churchs history feast of tabernacles sermon by john w. Book of revelation biblical interpretations, pictures.
At this time, john was the leader of the church and the only remaining disciple of the twelve disciples of jesus christ who were alive, others having been persecuted and killed by the roman empire, except judas iscariot who killed himself after betraying jesus. 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. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation wikipedia. Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. Arvind sharma, birks professor of comparative religion, mcgill university spiritual traditions manifest themselves most clearly in the living human beings who embody them. In contrast, other theologians, notably pannenberg and moltmann, have reacted against the tendency in dialectical theol. In revelation, jesus also has a special saving role to play in the world as the son of god. The only thing opposing them are the people of god and these two prophets. The serpent god was none other than satan, whom revelation describes as that serpent of old, called the devil revelation 12. Thomas aquinas believed in two types of individual revelation from god, general revelation and special revelation. Christians throughout history have given almost unanimous affirmation to the identity of the books author as. The book of revelation was written sometime around 96 ce in asia minor.
John court, myth and history in the book of revelation. This interdisciplinary study brings together a reading of the book of revelation with an assessment of the work of wolfhart pannenberg and jurgen moltmann on the theology of history. The author of revelation mentioned his name, john, four times throughout the book revelation 1. The book of revelation is a revelation, the revelation of jesus christ 1. I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. Revelation means an unveiling, a disclosure, a display of who god is and what he promises to do. Jan 03, 2016 if your name is in the book it is your great and first calling to gaze on the revelation of god until you see the glory of the lamb see john 1. God and history in the book of revelation by michael. The beast, the book, and the beauty of the lamb desiring god.
A resourceful and thorough study of an important issue in new testament and systematic theology, this book is one that takes human action and reception into full account. The date of the book in its present form is probably near the end of the reign of domitian a. Ways of approaching the book of revelation chapter 3 god. The book of revelation, the final book of the new testament, has some of the most dramatic and frightening language in the bible. John was the youngest disciple of the twelve disciples of jesus who became an apostle of the church. The book was written around 96 ad by apostle john when titus domitian was the emperor of the roman empire.
Historicist interpretations see revelation as containing a broad view of history, whilst preterist interpretations treat revelation. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. The bible and gods revelation in history evangelical theological. God and history book of revelation society for new testament studies monograph series gilbertson on. This just means that the book sees god and jesus as being equal in divinity and awesomeness.
To the church in ephesus to the angel of the church in ephesus write. Here michael pearl gives a brief 5 minute overview of the revelation of jesus christ. Four times the author identifies himself as john 1. This is an interdisciplinary study which constructs a dialogue between biblical interpretation and systematic theology. We should respond with joy and anticipation first of all expecting this, and with determination and commitment in the face of opposition, in the face of temptations right in this life knowing that the end will overcome all the. I shall consider this in detail in chapters 4 and 5, but first i examine in this chapter three important ways in which interpreters have approached revelation. We reject any emphasis upon jesus as the personal word of god john 1. To finish off, william webb and gordon oeste bloody, brutal.
How to read revelation how then do you read the book of revelation. He alone can give you spiritual eyes and hearts to understand it. The book of revelation is not just about the future. Revelation is first and foremost a revelation about jesus christ 1. Only a god who is sovereign over history could fulfill the prophecies of the coming kingdom of god. When people read the book of revelation they encounter this vast array of symbols. God and history book of revelation society for new. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. Its important for us to know about the events that will. Patmos, not far from the coast of asia minor, because of the word of god and the testimony of jesus rev. The big theme of revelation is god s sovereign rule chs. God and history book of revelation society for new testament. 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 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.
Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. According to the book, this john was on the island of patmos, not far from the coast of asia minor, because of the word of god and the testimony of jesus rev. Mar 07, 2012 the book of revelation, the final book of the new testament, has some of the most dramatic and frightening language in the bible. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the. The great secrets of the book of revelation paw creek. Chapter one is clothed in christs glory and that glory shines brighter as this revelation unfolds. It explores this question partly through a study of a particular new testament text, the book of revelation, and partly through analysis of the work of two contemporary theologians. If your name is in the book it is your great and first calling to gaze on the revelation of god until you see the glory of the lamb see john 1.
How to study the book of revelation christian truth center. The book of revelation does assure us that in the end god will triumph over all his enemies a complete triumph. A summary of the book the book of revelation is gods unveiling of jesus christ in his present power and glory. New testament studies in dialogue with pannenberg and moltmann society for new testament studies monograph. Sep 20, 2007 it examines how far a reading of the book of revelation might either support or question the work of leading theologians wolfhart pannenberg and jurgen moltmann on the theology of history, exploring the way in which the author of revelation uses the dimensions of space and time to make theological points about the relationship between god and. Jesus as holy warrior in the book of revelation jesus. The message of hope in the book of revelation seek first. The apostle john, who wrote it under the inspiration of jesus christ revelation 1. The eternal revelations of jesus christ must show the transcending facts of his person. Revelation 22 niv eden restored then the angel showed.
Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. Mar 19, 2019 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. In the historical portions, gods sovereignty is demonstrated. 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. No wonder the sovereignty of god is such a prominent theme in daniel. It serves as an inset, not following a linear time sequence of the book of revelation.
It examines how far a reading of the book of revelation might either support or question the work of leading theologians wolfhart pannenberg and jurgen moltmann on the theology of history, exploring the way in which the author of revelation uses the dimensions of space and. The book depicts him as the risen, glorified son of god ministering among the churches 1. First, john describes the lords prophecy as it is spoken to him. Where does gods revelation residein the event or in the interpretation. We should read revelation because it gives a powerful perspective on the fact that faithfulness to god, though costly now, brings an eternal reward beyond compare. The principal divisions of the book of revelation are the following.
This book examines the question of how god might relate to the realm of human history. Book of revelation overview insight for living ministries. The book of revelation or apocalypse is the last book of the new testament and. It was to be established by abolishing the present kingdoms of men. Theologians generally distinguish god s revelation in two ways. When i open a book of medicine, philosophy, law, science, history and even theology, i read words, formulas, symbols and precepts. The book of revelation is the revelation of jesus christ to apostle john thus to us christians. If history is about the creation of meaning, what does it.
These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. Apocalyptic literature is an intensified form of prophecy. John is given a measuring rod to measure the temple of god, the altar, and those who worship there. It explores this question partly through a study of a particular new testament text, the book of revelation, and partly through analysis of the work of two contemporary theologians, jurgen moltmann and wolfhart pannenberg. God and history in the book of revelation by michael gilbertson. Feb 05, 2020 ever wonder how to study the book of revelation.
We likewise reject all views that say scripture is merely a human record of gods revelation as he encounters mankind in history, and so is a record subject to human imperfections. This is part one of a series of teachings on the book of revelation. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. The book of revelation speaks to many things it enriches our understanding of the lord as the beginning and end who reveals the meaning of human history 5. Revelation calls us to present faithfulness in light of a far greater eternal reward, even when that costs us. The big theme of revelation is gods sovereign rule chs.
The interpreters using the historicist approach for revelation had their origins in the jewish apocalyptic writings such as we see in the book of daniel, which predicted the future the time between their writing and the end of the world. I was in the spirit on the lords day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet. Twentytwo picture words are employed in revealing jesus christ as the source of this book. Oct 06, 2005 this book examines the question of how god might relate to the realm of human history. I was in the spirit on the lords day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, saying, i am alpha and omega, the first and the. From as early as justin martyr in the second century a. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john. In contrast, other theologians, notably pannenberg and moltmann, have reacted against the tendency in. New testament studies in dialogue with pannenberg and moltmann society for new testament studies monograph series 124 kindle edition by gilbertson, michael. Here michael pearl uses the book of revelation poster, available at.
Revelation 10 contains the seven thunders and the little book. Pray to the lord that he would interpret this book to your heart. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading god and history in the book of revelation. The message of revelation is as relevant today as ever before, as our world seems to be descending into chaos.
The interpretation held by this writer is that the book met a need at the time of its writing, that it dealt. Throughout most of history since the predictions of the book of daniel, historicism has been widely used. As the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth 1. In fact, no book exalts the lord more than this one with its incredible depictions of jesus in revelation 1. The book of revelation is an apocalyptic letter that relies on visions, symbols and old testament references to reveal the ultimate fulfillment of gods promise given to abraham in genesis. If jesus is a holy warrior in the book of revelation, can we just stop worrying about god as warrior and holy war in the old testament. Revelation 22 new international version niv eden restored. The most likely date is during the reign of domitian, ca. Listen to chuck swindolls overview of revelation in his audio message from the classic series gods masterwork. An important proponent of this view has been rudolf bultmann.