The Book of Revelation

[joshua 1 9]

Matthew 24 is indeed a good resource, but if someone doesn't have a decent grasp of eschatology, that might be just as confusing as Revelation itself. After all, Jesus is answering two questions related to two different periods of time. Separating these periods of time in His answers will be difficult for some. (I have written a short paper on the Olivet Discourse which attempts to clear that up. Should anyone care to look at it, it lives at
OLIVET_DISCOURSE.PDF)

 

[DingDing]

I've read the New Testament multiple times, as well as most of the books of the Old Testament...I've only read Revelation once.

...

Hello Drew, i would suggest that you need to read through multiple times.

 

[ver 2-10]

I've read the New Testament multiple times, as well as most of the books of the Old Testament...I've only read Revelation once.

I recently tried to do so again...and I can never get into it. All the symbolic language. I've tried reading it from several different translations...I just don't get it.

Following video should make it a bit easier.

 

[Marilyn C]

I've read the New Testament multiple times, as well as most of the books of the Old Testament...I've only read Revelation once.

I recently tried to do so again...and I can never get into it. All the symbolic language. I've tried reading it from several different translations...I just don't get it.

Maybe it's because I don't concern myself with eschatology? My thoughts being, do the best I can while I'm here and the end will work itself out. So I guess I'm a pantribulation panmillenialist lol...whatever happens happens.

I would like to get a better understanding of the book though. Are there any good study helps, that aren't slanted one way or the other, that anyone could recommend? Should I just pick up a Thompson chain reference and let scripture interpret scripture?

The only other books I have struggled with are the ones in the OT with all the begats...well and Leviticus...so what is it about this book?

Hi Big Drew,

There has been some good suggestions in your thread & I`ll add some of mine.


THE FOUR VISIONS

The predominant aim of Revelation is the setting forth the splendours of the Son of Man, & to reveal His glorious person. There are four visions of the Son of Man as He is known in the heavenly realm & each vision in turn carries through to completion one aspect of the fourfold ministry of Christ which He exercised when on earth. His Kinship was expressed in Matthew, His Heirship in Mark, His Mediatorship in Luke, & His Judgeship in John.

Vision 1. CHRIST - Head of the Body. (Rev.1 – 3)

This reveals the empowered Son of Man as the Sovereign Administrator. `in His right hand He held 7 stars.`


Vision 2. CHRIST - HEIR (Rev. 4 – 7)

This reveals the enthroned Son of Man as the Supreme Executor. `in His right hand He held the 7 sealed book.`


Vision 3. CHRIST - MEDIATOR (Rev. 8 – 13)

This reveals the exalted Son of Man as the Stately Mediator. `in His hand is a sacred censor.`


Vision 4. CHRIST - JUDGE (Rev. 14 – 22)

This reveals the entitled Son of Man as the Sublime Adjudicator. `in His hand is a sharp sickle.`


To reveal Christ to us in Revelation, there are three hundred & thirty references to the figures, shadows, symbols, types, patterns, persons, & buildings of the Old Testament.


This unveiling is the culmination of all the truths expressed from Genesis to Revelation, for all scripture is centred on one purpose and that is to reveal Christ to us in all His Glory.


regards, Marilyn.

 

[The Times]

I would like to get a better understanding of the book though.

To get a better understanding of the book of Revelation, you need to really focus on the following......

1) Whose Revelation it is?
2) To whom the Revelation is addressed to?
3) What is the purpose?
4) How does it differ to any other book in the Old and the New Testament?

Let's first quote the following....

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all things that he saw. Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.
John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth.

1) It is the Revelation of Jesus Christ that God the Father gave to his Son.
2) The letter solely addresses the Church, to whom John as the Church Patriarch is given the authority by the angel to deliver the Revelation of Jesus Christ to the seven Chuches in Asia, that is the Middle East.

Notice John is authorised to deliver the message to the seven Churches in the Middle East, where Rome is absent as a recepient to the message. So it is safe to say that all those seven Churches in Asia were comprised of the entire new covenant Church, otherwise why would a church denomination be left out from the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

3) The purpose is to inform the Church under the headship of John as the authorised Patrairch to the entire new covenant church age, from the 1st century, all the way until the coming of the Lord, at the end of the great harvest of God.

4) This differs from all other books, because it is not a message from a prophet or an apostle, rather it is a message passed down from the Father to the Son and finally to his Church.


Once you understand that the above letter is authored directly from the lips of God, without the inspired interpretation of an apostle, like John, you then come to realise that it is as if God the Father, through the Son is directly communicating a message to the Church in its entirety and throughout the entire new covenant age.

This is the only book that has no human input, rather it is a dictation verbatim from God the Father, revealed to the Son and then authorised through an Angel to deliver the message to John, who then becomes the sole authority to dispense the message to all the Churches that existed in his time and I mean every church denomination.

So there is a call to urgency to be vigilant in faith, for the time is at hand and with it is an exhortation to read it, because it is accompanied by a blessing from God the Father. Instruction is also given to KEEP to mind and heart, the prophesies within this letter, as it has more authority than any other book previous to it.

Note that with this message, is a message of rebuke From Jesus Christ, to every single church of the seven church denominations.

This book is not only authorised by God the Father, but it also has a mandate to read it and to keep the things within it throughout the New covenant church age. It would be in grave error for people to ignore this letter. Imagine God the Father instructing all the body of Christ to read it and keep to heart and mind the things written therein, only for some people to choose to ignore it. It would be no joking matter for people choosing to ignore it.

 

[dysert]

?

 

[joshua 1 9]

?

Complicated answers means that you still do not understand the subject. You gave me a 14 page answer to the question instead of a simple concise answer.

 

[joshua 1 9]

1) Whose Revelation it is?
2) To whom the Revelation is addressed to?
3) What is the purpose?
4) How does it differ to any other book in the Old and the New Testament?

There are basic rules for Bible interpretation that they teach in Bible college. A google search can bring up various web sites that talks about this. We know that John was writing to: "To the seven churches in the province of Asia". So the church today would be the secondary audience or reader of John's letter to the church.

Hermeneutics: the Eight Rules of Biblical Interpretation

 

[Revealing Times]

I've read the New Testament multiple times, as well as most of the books of the Old Testament...I've only read Revelation once.

I recently tried to do so again...and I can never get into it. All the symbolic language. I've tried reading it from several different translations...I just don't get it.

Maybe it's because I don't concern myself with eschatology? My thoughts being, do the best I can while I'm here and the end will work itself out. So I guess I'm a pantribulation panmillenialist lol...whatever happens happens.

I would like to get a better understanding of the book though. Are there any good study helps, that aren't slanted one way or the other, that anyone could recommend? Should I just pick up a Thompson chain reference and let scripture interpret scripture?

The only other books I have struggled with are the ones in the OT with all the begats...well and Leviticus...so what is it about this book?

BIG DREW....Revelation is really the apocalypse or revealing/uncovering meaning a curtain is being taken out of the way, we are being shown things that were never shown before. So God wants to show us something. It should not be hard to understand then. But we need the KEY because it is Encoded. Why did God Encode it? Well one reason it would have been very bad on the Church and John if Rome was called a BEAST. If the Anti-Christ was called a future Roman. If the Last Empire that was Destroyed would have been called the Roman Empire of 2000 years in the Future, that would still be treason, etc. etc. So it was encoded with the OLD TESTAMENT, once you get this KEY the book becomes very easy to understand. I will give you an EXAMPLE BELOW:

So Revelation chapter 12 speaks about a Woman that is clothed in the Sun, Moon and 12 Stars, she births child, and a Red Dragon seeking to destroy the child at birth, then the Child ascends to Haven and the Dragon chases the Woman into the Wilderness where God (Eagles Wings) protects her for 1260 Days, and since the Dragon can't get at her he goes after the Remnant of her Seed that keep Jesus' testimony.

What in the World does all this mean? Well it is simple. In Genesis 37:9 Joseph dreamed a dream that the Sun, Moon and 11 Stars would pay obeisance unto him. So the Sun (Jacob), Moon (Rachel) and 11 Stars (His Brothers, Joseph being the 12th) = ISRAEL, so the Woman is Israel.

Israel births Jesus, the Dragon (Satan) tries to kill the Baby/male-child (Herod killed all babies under 2 Years Old) but the male child (Jesus) ascends to the throne of God...........2000 Years later at the Abomination of Desolation Michael casts Satan out of heaven, so the Dragon via the Anti-Christ chases the Woman (Israel) into the Wilderness where God protects her for 1260 Days. Then the Dragon goes after the Remnant which means Small part that's left. So the people who became Christians after the Rapture, are the REMNANT, the Church is naturally in Heaven.

That is how you have to use Old Testament KEYS to understand the book of Revelation.

If John spoke about Israel instead of the WOMAN....Rome, who had destroyed Israel by this time might have crucified him, and destroyed any church with this boon in it. So "WOMAN" WAS USED and the Old Testament was used to encode it. Out of 404 verses in Revelation, 289 are about the Old Testament.

 

[dysert]

Complicated answers means that you still do not understand the subject. You gave me a 14 page answer to the question instead of a simple concise answer.

Thanks for your explanation. I would point out that there are some questions that don't have simple concise answers. I think understanding the Olivet Discourse is one of them.

 

[vinsight4u]

/nvm

 

[vinsight4u]

/nvm

 

[Quasar92]

I've read the New Testament multiple times, as well as most of the books of the Old Testament...I've only read Revelation once.

I recently tried to do so again...and I can never get into it. All the symbolic language. I've tried reading it from several different translations...I just don't get it.

Maybe it's because I don't concern myself with eschatology? My thoughts being, do the best I can while I'm here and the end will work itself out. So I guess I'm a pantribulation panmillenialist lol...whatever happens happens.

I would like to get a better understanding of the book though. Are there any good study helps, that aren't slanted one way or the other, that anyone could recommend? Should I just pick up a Thompson chain reference and let scripture interpret scripture?

The only other books I have struggled with are the ones in the OT with all the begats...well and Leviticus...so what is it about this book?

Hi Big Drew,

For starters, I suggest you have a look at the following thread in the Eschatology, end times prophecy forun:

The amazing works by Dr. Arnold Fruchtenbaum in his complete book of Revelation in chart form:

Which is the works of a true expert on Revelation as well as the entire Bible. He is a highly esteemed converted Jew to Christinity.


Here is more:

What is the book of Revelation all about ?

Hi friends,

The book of Revelation is in fact, the Revelation of Jesus Christ. It is as textually documented, a book of prophecy, which is not all apocalyptic by any means. In which the words of Jesus were: "Write, therefore what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later," according to Rev.1:19.

Following the introductory preface for the book in Rev.1, the first part pertains to the one body of Christ, divided into seven church characteristics over the entire church age, as documented in Rev.2 and 3.

The second part consists of personages and conditions in heaven and the exclusive all time personage worthy and capable of opening the seven seal prolog of the wrath of God, in the Lamb, Jesus Christ, recorded in Rev.4 through 6.

The third part begins with the seventh seal which contains the seven trumpet judgements, that come from the seventh seal, followed closely by the seven bowl/vial judgments of God. His wrath upon mankind as well as the earth itself, in fulfilling the prophecies in Dan.9:27; Mt.24; Mk. 13 and Lk.21. Together with His means of saving many people during the tribulation, through the 144,000 converted Israelite evangelists, and the two witnesses He will place on the earth to preach the Gospel in place of the departed Church, Recorded in Rev.7 through 11.

Within the above events, many personages are introduced, including the two beasts, one from the sea, the antichrist and the other from the earth, the false prophet and the ten horns/nations allied with them to fight against Christ and His armies from heaven at His second coming. The dragon, Satan, will give his throne, power and great authority to the beast out of the sea, the antichrist, in Rev.13.

The fourth part consists of the "mother of all prostitutes," the false religion that permeates the entire world, which the antichrist, false prophet and ten nation confederation completely destroy and set up a one world religion oriented to the worship of the antichrist himself who will claim to be God, according to 2 Thes.2:4. The final world power as well as its ruler is identified as a restored Roman empire, such as found in the European Union of today, and the antichrist, a person who was already dead and in the Abyss at the time Jesus gave the vision to John, in Rev.17:8 and 11.

The above is quickly followed with the destruction of the adulterous economic relationship of Babylon the Great, Jerusalem and Judea, has with all the nations of the earth, that will be destroyed in "one hour." Recorded in Rev.17 and 18.

The fifth part is the marriage of the Lamb [Jesus] to His Bride [The Church], and His second coming to the earth, with all His saints and angels from heaven, according to Rev.19:11-20 and Mt.24:30-31. The battle of Armageddon takes place, with Christ and His armies from heaven defeating the antichrist, and the false prophet. Who are then thrown into the lake of fire with the armies of the ten horns/nations destroyed.

Satan is caught and thrown into the Abyss for 1,000 years and the first resurrection takes place of all the martyrs who will be saved during the tribulation, who will be blessed and made priests of God and of Christ and rule with Him during His 1,000 year reign, of world peace, here on the earth.

When Jesus 1,000 year reign on earth is over, Satan will be released from the Abyss, build another huge army by a renewal of his deceit and lies. He will bring them all up against God's people around Jerusalem, where God will throw Satan into the lake of fire forever, and destroy his army with fire and sulfur from heaven, as recorded in Rev.20:1-3.

The sixth part is the end of the age, beginning with the great white thrown judgement, when the thrones are set for the judges and the books will be opened of evidence pertaining to all those who will participate in the second resurrection of all those who will be saved during the 1,000 year reign of Christ, and the Godless and the wicked, as found in Dan.12:2 and Jn.5:28-29. The seas will give up all their dead - death and Hades will be thrown into the lake of fire. Meaning from that point on, there will be no more death after this juncture in history. All those whose names are not found in the book of life, will be thrown into the lake of fire, as recorded in Rev.20.

The present heaven and earth will be destroyed by fire, according to 2 Pet.3:7 and Rev.21:1.

The seventh part consists of God creating a new heaven and earth, and the description of the eternal kingdom of God and some of the conditions that will take place when that time comes, in the next age. Where all of us who belong to Christ will live with Almighty God and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ throughout all eternity, in love, peace and happiness, as found in Rev.21 and 22.


Quasar92

 

[KnitReadRepeat]

Something like 65-75% of Revelation is quotes and allusions from the Old Testament, short references that first century readers well grounded in it would catch and understand because they could remember the context, teachings, and meaning of the original text. A really good grounding in the OT is essential for figuring it out. Ranko Stefanovic has a pretty good commentary, but don't depend on just one. Study widely, compare with the text, and use several different good translations that a close to the actual text, instead of being heavier on interpretation for clarity in the English language.

 

[Bud A]

I've read the New Testament multiple times, as well as most of the books of the Old Testament...I've only read Revelation once.

I recently tried to do so again...and I can never get into it. All the symbolic language. I've tried reading it from several different translations...I just don't get it.

Maybe it's because I don't concern myself with eschatology? My thoughts being, do the best I can while I'm here and the end will work itself out. So I guess I'm a pantribulation panmillenialist lol...whatever happens happens.

I would like to get a better understanding of the book though. Are there any good study helps, that aren't slanted one way or the other, that anyone could recommend? Should I just pick up a Thompson chain reference and let scripture interpret scripture?

The only other books I have struggled with are the ones in the OT with all the begats...well and Leviticus...so what is it about this book?

Read it again. If you do not get it just keep reading it as long as God Alone prompts you to. God has promised a blessing to all who read it out loud. Maybe you should try that also. Bud A

 

[Archmike]

Hi Big Drewski !

Read The Revelation time and time again, until sentences start making sense. Read the Olivet and Temple Discourses ( Mt 24, Mk 13 & Lk 21 ) over and over again as well. Nothing is clearer than Christ's description of what Christians will endure in the end times.....and note one other thing:

Any end time interpretation you read that suggests Christians will be swooped-away in a rapture before they endure hardship and great tribulation is A LIE, STARTED BY SATAN AND PROPAGATED BY THE BLIND AND WEAK. Christians will NOT escape tribulation in the end times.... period.

However.....time is running out for an extended study of the book The Revelation.

So, I advise you to read as I have mentioned above and also read Chapter 10 of The Revelation. In this chapter you will read about an incarnate angel that reads from a modern-day book. The book will reveal 7 end events. The messenger ( reading the book ) will preach around the world discussing never-before-revealed mysteries of God and the end times. This messenger is also the 1st Horseman of the 4 Horsemen of Apocalypse ( Rev chp 6 ). He is also the 7th Trumpeter, the Arm of the Lord, The Voice, The Mouth of the Lord, The Great trumpet, The White Horse Rider, The Herald, The Great Prince,.....and the list goes on.

I have you read chapter 10, because it will become incumbent upon you to recognize this messenger when he comes to the fore very soon. Wait for him, Watch for him, listen to him.

Good luck ! And God Bless !

 

[Archmike]

There are basic rules for Bible interpretation that they teach in Bible college. A google search can bring up various web sites that talks about this. We know that John was writing to: "To the seven churches in the province of Asia". So the church today would be the secondary audience or reader of John's letter to the church.

Hermeneutics: the Eight Rules of Biblical Interpretation

Bah, humbug....ordinary men without a seminary education, can interpret anything in the Bible.....including The Revelation. The seminary-educated would have us regular folk believe that we need those educated men to help us decipher The Revelation. We don't. Nor do we need to know the "8 rules of biblical interpretation".

Read the verses and words over and over and over again until the H.S. enlightens you !

That's all you need.....

 

[marineimaging]

I would not want to have a Bible, the Word of God, that does not have a promise of an ending to sin. I condense it down to this. Genesis, the beginning. The Garden, the door to sin. The 10 Commandments, God identifying to mankind what sin is. The old Testament, how it was historically. The new Testament, how God intended his Word to be revealed. Jesus, the Word of God, the Hand of God, the Son of God, the Redemption. Revelation, the end of satan and the beginning of life anew and eternal.

 

[marineimaging]

Hi Big Drewski !

Read The Revelation time and time again, until sentences start making sense. Read the Olivet and Temple Discourses ( Mt 24, Mk 13 & Lk 21 ) over and over again as well. Nothing is clearer than Christ's description of what Christians will endure in the end times.....and note one other thing:

Any end time interpretation you read that suggests Christians will be swooped-away in a rapture before they endure hardship and great tribulation is A LIE, STARTED BY SATAN AND PROPAGATED BY THE BLIND AND WEAK. Christians will NOT escape tribulation in the end times.... period.

However.....time is running out for an extended study of the book The Revelation.

So, I advise you to read as I have mentioned above and also read Chapter 10 of The Revelation. In this chapter you will read about an incarnate angel that reads from a modern-day book. The book will reveal 7 end events. The messenger ( reading the book ) will preach around the world discussing never-before-revealed mysteries of God and the end times. This messenger is also the 1st Horseman of the 4 Horsemen of Apocalypse ( Rev chp 6 ). He is also the 7th Trumpeter, the Arm of the Lord, The Voice, The Mouth of the Lord, The Great trumpet, The White Horse Rider, The Herald, The Great Prince,.....and the list goes on.

I have you read chapter 10, because it will become incumbent upon you to recognize this messenger when he comes to the fore very soon. Wait for him, Watch for him, listen to him.

Good luck ! And God Bless !

So, you are saying that the Word of God is false. That Satan breathed his foul word into it and corrupted it. That we are to throw away the Bible because it is a lie. Sir, I pray you find your soul because it sure sounds lost.

 

[Revealing Times]

So, you are saying that the Word of God is false. That Satan breathed his foul word into it and corrupted it. That we are to throw away the Bible because it is a lie. Sir, I pray you find your soul because it sure sounds lost.

They can't see the Rapture thus we are blind !! Don't sweat it, Jesus said all can't see even when they see, and all can't hear even when the hear. No use debating them, just make sure others hear the truth.