Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation wikipedia. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. There are many other views as to the interpretation of the book. The book of revelation can be daunting to read, and even harder to understand if you dont pay attention to what it says about itself at the very beginning and at the very end. Bible and theology kindle edition by zondervan, pate, c. Churches of christ seek to practice the principle of the bible being the only. Understanding the numerical symbolism in revelation 4.
The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. The four views and their proponents are 1 the preterist view, by kenneth l. Then, christ presides over the final judgment and eternity. The community of christ views the book of mormon as an additional witness of jesus christ and publishes two versions of the book through its official publishing arm, herald house. Im not a member but i do follow there web sites, pcg. A study outline of revelation church of christ in zion. When people read the book of revelation they encounter this vast array of symbols. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets.
Among the things found in this book was the idea that revelation was speaking about such things as the soviet union, nuclear attacks between the ussr and the us, etc. This study is being researched and written in an effort to try and bring to light the evidence which is available to help in the dating of this book. The book of revelation is the ending to the greatest story ever told. The church that would face severe persecution revelation 2.
Your views on the roman catholic church are similar to the philadelphia church of god. Jan 24, 2011 this approach understands the book of revelation to be a detailed map of history from the first coming of christ to the second coming of christ. Book of revelation overview church of jesus christ. The roman catholic church antichrist beast of revelation in. The fourth approach of the book of revelation is not examined by elliot and is the view that this study shall take. The first christian church historian, eusebius, who reports the views of gaius and dionysius, also indicated his doubts about traditional johannine authorship in.
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. Depending on our specific life contexts, we may be drawn to some or all of the images of jesus in revelation, or we may find some or all of them strange, or even repulsive. The church and the book of revelation commentary a. Marvin pate, in his four views on the book of revelation 231 correctly states, i believe, that how one approaches revelation 1. The roman catholic church accepts the book of revelation as authentic scripture. The book of revelation addresses seven letters to seven churches in asia minor modernday turkey revelation 23. These lessons showfrom the scriptureswhat the book of revelation is all about. Four views on the book of revelation counterpoints. Is one of the most difficult to understand due to its intense use of symbolic imagery. At the writing of the book of revelation, ephesus had left her first love. Postmillennialism is an interpretation of chapter 20 of the book of revelation which sees christs second coming as occurring after the millennium, a golden age in which christian ethics prosper. In the 1970s there was an extremely popular book titled the late great planet earth which allegedly interpreted the book of revelation. Dating the book of revelation church of christ articles.
This book by gregg, on the other hand, is a detailed, versebyverse commentary, with the text divided into paragraphs, and each paragraph followed by four parallel columns. Postmillennialism is an interpretation of chapter 20 of the book of revelation which sees christ s second coming as occurring after the millennium, a golden age in which christian ethics prosper. This book allows proponents of each of the four major interpretive views on revelation to present an overview from their perspective. Futurists hal lindsey taught this in his best selling book, the late great planet earth as did tim lahaye in the very popular book series, left behind. When christians discuss their millennial views, they are speaking of their interpretation of the much debated passage in revelation 20. The seven churches described in the book of revelation. The fourth approach of the book of revelation is not examined by elliot and is. The words were given to an angel who in turn gave them to john. Such is the view of the latterday saints relative to this most misunderstood of all scriptural accounts. A surface reading of revelation 20 seems to lend itself to chiliastic interpretation, and so, beginning in the third century as the church pushed back against montanism, it also pushed back against chiliasm, and in the process, against the book of revelation.
The book ends with confirmations of authenticity by god, christ and john. The revelation of jesus christ webberville church of christ. The book of revelation portrays jesus in varied ways, as a sacrificial lamb, but also as a conquering hero. In this view the seven churches in revelation 2 and 3 are seen to represent 7 stages of church history. It was written to christians of the first century 1. Chuck missler revelation session 6 the letter to the. I currently minister at a church of christ in west palm beach, florida. It talks about many things revealed to its author john of patmos. In contrast to the spectacle of christ s suffering and death on the cross, revelation shows us christ s victory over satan, sin, and death. Yet there is a blessing pronounced on all those who read, hear, and keep the words of it.
The book of revelation made clear west palm beach church of. Differently, the church fathers identified the antichrist with one or more popes, but not with the pontifical institution itself, to say with all. Outline of the book of revelation floral heights church of. Studying the book of revelation oak ridge church of christ.
Idealism acknowledges that the book of revelation was originally written to encourage the early church in its struggles under religious and political persecution. The authorized edition is based on the original printers manuscript and the 1837 second edition or kirtland edition of the book of mormon. Josh howe will continue his discussion on the book of revelation live on the lindsay church of christ facebook page at 7pm this evening. Sometimes called iterism, this approach views the visions of revelation as a portrayal of the church s struggle throughout the entire period between the first and second comings of christ. The book of revelation has always appealed to people. Whats the catholic view on the seven churches mentioned. The closest youll come to that is to go to the catechism of the catholic church, go to the back where it has a list of all the scriptural references to the book of revelation, and look them up.
The book consists of the revelation unveiling, uncovering of jesus christ which god gave. No, traditional theology teaches that the infinite god became man, completing his revelation to man in jesus christ. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading four views on the book of revelation counterpoints. Then i saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. The end of the book of revelation sees a new heaven and a new earth coming down and.
The book is often called the revelation of john, but notice the statement in verse 1. Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, thus with violence the great city babylon shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore. If revelation were about the destruction of jerusalem and was written prior to ad 70, then why did jesus not address the jerusalem church which was in existence up to the siege of jerusalem immediately prior to its destruction. The meaning of the 7 churches of revelation the seven churches of revelation represent report cards for christians. Throughout church history, there have been four different views regarding the book of revelation. Some note that although the term church ekklesia is not found in chapters 618 of the book of revelation, saints hagion, rev.
Each letter, as proclaimed by jesus and recorded by john the apostle, declares the triumphs and failings of the recipient churches and warns each congregation to repent. The advice in these letters is prophetic, forewarning presentday christian communities of the snares that. In the book of revelation, the christians are told they will be victorious in the end and their enemies will be crushed in defeat. The revelation of jesus christ walnut street church of. Just like the four views, preterist, futurist, idealist and historicist, all these views are also mostly read into the text. This approach understands the book of revelation to be a detailed map of history from the first coming of christ to the second coming of christ. Basically there are three sections after the letters to the seven churches. Five common misinterpretations of the book of revelation, the here are five of the most common fallacious statements propagated in the name of john the revelator. 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. In reading the book, we must not get so bogged down in the symbols of it so as to miss the major lessons in it. There are at least four different views or interpretations of revelation. Nov 21, 2016 the roman catholic church accepts the book of revelation as authentic scripture.
The contributors are eminently qualified to represent their various schools of thought. In our study of the book of revelation, we must remember that john writes of events that are signified and of things which must shortly take place rev. 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. The reason is that the book is full of vivid images, but with little explanation as to what the images mean. Eschatology, the second coming, and the book of revelation. So the book clearly is to all of gods people in every generation. But the futurist view that revelation is predicting events yet to be fulfilled is only one of four traditional christian ways of looking at the bibles most enigmatic book. Church of christ lessons on the revelation of jesus christ.
A number of expositors down through history have held that the seven churches represent seven sequential stages of church history. The book of revelation is the only book in the new testament that begins by specifically stating its source, the revelation of jesus christ, which god gave to himand signified it by his angel to his servant john rev. The book of revelation pronounces a blessing upon he who reads and those who hearand keep those things which are written in it rev. Revelation made clear bible study in the book of revelation. The word revelation means an uncovering, unveiling, a disclosure of truth. The revelation of jesus christ online study resource from the church of christ. Two additions to the counterpoints series now provide a forum for presentation and critique of, and interaction among, the predominant views on the book of revelation and on the millennial reign of christ and his church. The idealist view teaches that revelation describes in symbolic language the battle throughout the ages between god and satan and good against evil. Understanding the book of revelation 15 understanding the seven churches of revelation 10 i was in the spirit on the lords day, and i heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, i am the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, and, what you see, write in a book and s end.
The last book in the biblical canon of the new testament is the book of the apocalypse revelation, written by john toward the end of the reign of emperor domitian a. I expect that i will see more things and tweak my views as i continue to study revelation. Is the book of revelation canonical in the orthodox church. These four views are carefully and evenhandedly analyzed and then applied to each verse and passage in revelation. Identifying the opposition characters in revelation 5. The last book in the biblical canon of the new testament is the book of the apocalypse a. It is obvious to the reader of the book that it contains much figurative language. Christ will then reign upon the earth for one thousand years. While it generally rejects the term mormon to describe its members, the church abides by a number of theological distinctions unique to mormonism, including but not limited to. What the bible says about the roman catholic church. The book of revelation has often been neglected because many think it is too difficult to understand. What are catholic views on the book of revelations. Sometimes a given scriptural passage is taken up into the official tea.
Four views a parallel commentary, edited by steve gregg and published by thomas nelson and sons. When it comes to official views on each passage, that normally is left to scholars to work out. It is imperative to keep the context in mind when interpreting figurative language. Revelation is a book that is filled with great imagery and symbolism. The roman catholic church antichrist beast of revelation. In a society flooded with temptation, they bring the christian back to the first commandment.
As in ancient times, backsliding continues to be a danger for people who believe in jesus christ, but reading these short letters to the seven churches of revelation serves as a stern reminder. Jun 07, 2017 the book of revelation there is no s on the end. This view has christ returning after the millennium, and we christians in charge. John simply wrote down the things that were revealed to him revelation 1. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john. The beast, the false prophet, who has the number 666, the antichrist.
Revelation, written by john toward the end of the reign of emperor domitian a. Understanding the book of revelation the church of jesus christ. That book allowed the proponents of each of four different views to present an overall summary of their approach to the book of revelation. From here you can read the book of revelation, listen to audio sermons on the revelation prepared and delivered by bobby stafford or read the study lessons on the revelation of jesus christ prepared and published here by david hersey. Too many people believe that revelation is a book that cannot be understood. The term subsumes several similar views of the end times, and it stands in contrast to premillennialism and, to a lesser extent, amillennialism. Robert harkrider a study guide of the book of revelation. On tuesday, april 6, 1830, joseph smith, oliver cowdery, and others convened to organize the church of christ.
Notice this revelation is to deal with things which must shortly take place. I utterly reject those false doctrines in view of jesus himself being the perfect sacrifice doing away. When christ is what we promote in the church we will continue to have opportunities to minister outside the walls. Its theme is victory in christ, thus a letter of comfort 14.
Rodney thomas teaches through the book of revelation on sunday mornings with the anchors class at broadway. The revelation of jesus christ walnut street church of christ. The church and the book of revelation commentary using a testimony of jesus christ. John s authorship is affirmed by justin, irenaeus, clement of alexandria, tertullian and the muratori fragment really by the entire tradition of the church from the. Yet this does not prove that the church is present at that time because saints is a generic term which describes believers of all ages. Even now christ walks with his church, protects his church, and conquers his brides enemies rev. The community of christ was founded as a restorationist church, although today attitudes are largely congruent with mainline protestant christianity. Whats the catholic view on the seven churches mentioned in. First of all, the catholic church does not have an official viewpoint on the book of revelation. The book of revelation gravel hill church of christ.
Thomas uses a powerpoint presentation for each of his lessons. There is something about a good mystery that stirs the heart and revelation is certainly mysterious. How one sees the opening phrases like these things, will soon take place and. Consider what the very first verse of the book says, the revelation of jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servants things which must shortly take place rev. There is considerable disagreement among students of revelation as to when it was written. The revelation of jesus christ revelation one in the first words of revelation we find a general introduction to the entire message. Of all the seven churches in the book of revelation, there is only one that we should strive to be.
Outline of the book of revelation floral heights church. John s authorship is affirmed by justin, irenaeus, clement of alexandria, tertullian and the muratori fragment really by. But any view that states the bulk of the book is about the second coming of jesus cannot be correct. Before developing this argument, i would like to point out that the term fullness of divine revelation can be misunderstood to mean that christ revealed absolutely everything about god. They are also told by god not to give in to their enemies and worship who they want them to worship, but to worship god and only god. The church of christ coc religion is straight out of the pits of hell. The book begins, the revelation of jesus christ, which god gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. The three prevailing millennium views in revelation. No doubt this book has been abused and misused to promote several unscriptural beliefs. Through the prophet joseph smith, the lord has given us vital keys to understanding the book of revelation, particularly the meaning of the seven seals. Welcome to our online version of the king james translation of the revelation of jesus christ.
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