I have been trying to study as much as I can about the book of Revelations, but I have been having a hard time understanding some of the content, can anyone help me to better understand this book!
Any help is appreciated!
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I have been trying to study as much as I can about the book of Revelations, but I have been having a hard time understanding some of the content, can anyone help me to better understand this book!
Any help is appreciated!
That's a big question with a huge answer... Let me just give you an example
The book of Revelation means to uncover and reveal. John is taken to bear record to what he will be shown of the future.
First John is taken to the Lord's Day (1:10) and will be shown what is said by Our Lord concerning the 7 churches. Those are the seven candlesticks. (1:20)
The important fact known is that only 2 churches out of 7 will God be pleased in what they teach.
By chapter 4 John come up to heaven... And he is put in the spiritual form (4:2) seeing God on the throne. The four and twenty seats in (4:4) would be the courses of the sons of Aaron refer: (1 Chron, 24).
The seven lamps of fire (4:5) can be refer: in (Zech 4:2-10) as the eyes of the Lord which run to and fro through the earth. Also known as the Spirits of God.. Power, Riches, Wisdom, Strength, Honour, Glory, and Blessing.(Revel 5:12)
Hope that was some help
The Book of Revelation was written in code and describes events (mystically) that have already taken place.
I'd be happy to try and help you make sense of it. You need to narrow down what it is that you don't understand. I do not agree with wondergirl on this or Snd. Also to understand this book, you need to understand Daniel and some of the old testament prophecies.
Mostly what I don't understand is the seven seal judgements and what they intitle.
OK... you need to be even MORE specific. I am happy to help. Start with one verse and we will go from there. I am unsure where to begin... lets take it apart. Do you want to start with the white horse? Give me the verse you'd like to start with and this way others can join in the conversation.
The seals are like that foretold truth you are to have locked in your mind which God has prepared for us. When you watch for these seals, each are evidence to occur. They offer God's path of truth in avoiding the deception that the false christ will brings.Quote:
Originally Posted by techpro
You can also refer: Mark 13:5-27 that speaks of the same evidence ocurring, and it is Christ saying in Mark 13:23 But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.
My friend it is always good to study any part of the bible. Revelations can be very confusing as it is full of metaphor and allusion. It is also the word of God and can be exciting and give you great hope. My suggestion is to read it several times without any aids. Then begin to exegete (critically interpret) each passage using hermeneutical (hermeneutics is the science of interpretation) aids such as concordances, commentaries, and Key word tools (key words translated in Greek/Hebrew). Several suggestions would be: pray for understanding, ask God to reveal what he wants/needs you to know, ask yourself who the authors audience was/is and what was the author trying to say to his audience. Don't get discouraged. The main point of revelations is that God is in control and the good guys win. If you are covered by the blood of Christ you do not have to worry so much about eschatology (study of the end times), no matter what happens God will take care of you. Your end time could come today - be ready.
I agree with Wondergirl and IKARIS.
Most of what is in revelation took place many years ago.
Peace and kindness,
Fred
The book is called "The Revelation to John." Revelation, not Revelations.
Let's remember what is written in verse 3:20 and 3:21 of Revelation. "Hear Christ voice"
Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.
Christ was found to be worthy to open the seals ,( Revel 5:2-5) Christ alone opened the seals ](Revel 5:9)&(Revel 6:1) so that John could bear withness to the Word of God and the testimony of Christ Jesus which were those things John saw---> (Revel 6:2 John saw). Blessed is he that reads it (Revel 1:3)
My heart of love in Christ says we should "hear Christ" and it is the person who seeks to find, that will have a door open to him or her to "hear Christ". Christ testimony says blessed is he that reads, and hears my voice.
Reader: it is your choice, whether it be the seals that Christ opens for us to see, or the written scripture of Mark 13: 8-27, Matthew 24:4-33, or Luke 21:8-32.. They are the voice of Christ saying hear my voice!
Yes, you are correct WG - "Revelation" - my bad. Revelation does not refer, however, to events only in the past (have you even read it). It is not written in code either. It is metaphoric and symbolic in style.
Revelation 1:1 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:Quote:
Originally Posted by IKARIS
The Revelation (Greek 602 apokalypsis)
1) laying bare, making naked
2) a disclosure of truth, instruction
a) concerning things before unknown
b) used of events by which things or states or persons hitherto withdrawn from view are made visible to all
3) manifestation, appearance
Gal1:10-12 is a Revelation of Truth..
Gal:1:10-12 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught [it], but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
"Hear Christ Voice"
I was reading it when I was two, cut my teeth on it.Quote:
Originally Posted by IKARIS
I'm stickin' to my story -- Revelation was written in code amd is about something that has happened already.
Yes, I have read it studied ir and taught it.
Peace and kindness,
Fred
Fred, wondergirl,
Revelation the book that JOHN wrote... has NOT happened. We are the last Church the Lord Jesus spoke about. You are both in error.. but good news. I have come to set you straight... now aren't you happy??
You're too late. I knew the truth before you were born.Quote:
Originally Posted by classyT
I like this:
"Unlike most books of the Bible, Revelation contains it's own title. "The Revelation of Jesus Christ" (1:1) Revelation (GR.,apokalupsis) means an uncovering, an unveiling, or a disclosure. In the NT this word describes the unveiling of spiritual truth (Ro 16-25; Gal1:12; Eph 1:17;3:3), the revealing of the sons of God (ro8:9), Christs incarnation (Lk 2:32) and his glorious appearing at his second coming (2Th 1:7;1Pe 1:7). in all its used Revelation refers to something or someone once hidden, becoming visible. What this book reveals or unveils is Jesus Christ in glory. truths about him and his final victory, that the rest of scripture mearly alludes to, become clearly visible through revelation about Jesus Christ. This revelation was given to him by God the father, and it was communicated to the Apostle john by an angle (rev1:1)"
For what reason?Quote:
Originally Posted by 450donn
Unless we are over looking the reason, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass... Not things that already came, but things that will come to pass...
Gee WG, if and that a BIG IF the Book of Revelation was written in code, then how do you know that the things contained in it have already happened??Quote:
Originally Posted by Wondergirl
Thanks Jake, but I cannot take credit for it this time. That belongs to someone far smarter than me.
[QUOTE=classyT;1532004]Fred, wondergirl,Quote:
Originally Posted by classyT
First off, I would like you to show me where in the Bible does it say that Revelation actually belongs in the Bible. Also, on a side note, please refer me to were in the Bible does it say that Luke wrote Luke, And Mark wrote Mark. Please note that there is no inspired table of contents to tell us what books belong in the Bible. Now where in the bible does it talk about this last Church? You can't possibly be speaking of the "Church" mentioned in 1 Timothy 3;15. "...the Church of the living God, the PILLAR and GROUND of the truth."
You can't possibly expect me or anyone else to believe that these 75,000+ separate denominations of churches that can't even agree on something as important as baptism, who have conflicting doctrines, are The Church described in the Bible!
"You are both in error" No you are in error. By what authority do you judge that these people are in error?
"Can the blind lead the blind? Do they not both fall into the pit?" - Luke 6;39
~ PAX CHRISTUS
Respectfully DominusVobiscum You are not answering the OP's question. If you choose not to believe that the inspired words of God are contained in the bible, that is your right as a free person. However as Christians we do believe that. Certain parts of it's teachings come to disagreements because man not God has built religions and the doctrine they contain. If you are attending a church that teaches the whole, complete word of God and not the parts that suit them then you could fully understand and enter to the discussions here freely.
To directly answer your question. The bible in and of it self does contain true authorship of many of the books. Revelation 1:1-3 for example, Philemon 19 is another example, 2 Thessalonians 3:17 is another. Need I go on?
Classy was explaining that certain people were in error, I explained further why that is true. So please back up your claim that she was wrong with scripture if you can.
Now, to the OP's original question. There are many many excellent teachings by well known and respected bible scholars on the Book of Revelation. If you are interested in a couple, look up Grant Jefferies or Bible Prophesy revealed, John MacArthur for another and get their teachings on the subject. You can also look up Dr Jeremiah for a third option. While there are differences of opinions as to exactly what some of the passages might mean to a person they do believe that the book of Revelation has not yet come to pass. These are things of the end of days. Heck, if you want to understand more in a more modern context start reading the Left Behind series. While it is totally fictional and highly stylized there is truth in what he is trying to convey to the readers about the end times. There are a few religions that do not believe in the end times preferring to believe that the great tribulation is what we are seeing today. Or that it will not happen until Jesus returns to the earth or some other such non sense. If you get some good teaching series on the subject, I am sure you will understand further how the end plays out and how close we truly are to the end of this age.
Please be clear. Those are beliefs by conservative, even fundamentalist, Christian churches. Many mainstream Christian churches do not believe in the End Times, the Rapture, etc.Quote:
Originally Posted by 450donn
WG please correct your comment to read Catholics, and a few other religions. Most mainstream Christians do believe in the Rapture and in how the book of Revelation tells it.
Thanks
Please name the Christian groups that do. Here's my list --Quote:
Originally Posted by 450donn
Lutherans don't, United Methodists don't, Episcopalians don't, Presbyterians don't, Catholics don't, Unitarians don't, Quakers don't, UCCers don't, Unity Christ Centers don't, Northern Baptists don't, American Baptists don't, Congregationalists don't.
"Independant Free" or "Bible Church" or "non-denominational" or "Pentecostal" or "Evangelical" (unless it's Evangelical and Reformed) as well as Assembly of God and Southern Baptist -- rural churches and big-city megachurches -- do.
The idea of a Rapture is a recent thing. From Wikipedia --
"The concept of the rapture, in connection with premillennialism, was expressed by the American Puritans Increase and Cotton Mather. They held to the idea that believers would be caught up in the air, followed by judgments on the earth and then the millennium. The term rapture was used by Philip Doddridge (1738) and John Gill (1748) in their New Testament commentaries, with the idea that believers would be caught up prior to judgment on the earth and Jesus' Second Coming. The concept of a pretribulation rapture was articulated by Baptist Morgan Edwards in an essay published in 1788 in Philadelphia.
John Nelson Darby, considered the father of dispensationalism, first understood the pretribulation rapture in 1827."
450donn,
History tell us that most of Revelation has already happened such as 666 (Nero) he is dead and long gone. So is the persecuting Roman empire.
Peace and kindness.
Fred
Fred I am alittle surprised to hear you say this...Quote:
Originally Posted by arcura
We can read where it says that John was in spirit, and it was said to be The Lord's Day..
Revelation 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,
sndbay,
So!
That does not indicate that we should set aside the facts of history.
Most of what Reveleation predicted has come to pass long ago.
Peace and kmkindnemsss,
Fred
And that tells us what?Quote:
Originally Posted by sndbay
Wondergirl.
Good question.
What's the answer?
Fred
Right!Quote:
Originally Posted by Wondergirl
And don't forget: more than 500 million Orthodox don't.
Akoue,
That includes 1 billion more that don't
Peace and kindness,
Fred.
May I respectfully say that I think all of you are missing the really important part of the Book of Revelation?
I refer to the first four chapters and the letters to the seven churches in Asia.
In these letters Jesus Himself tells us what qualities He requires in a church in order for it to represent Him on this Earth.
Those churches that fail to measure up must either repent or their light will be removed.
For those of us who plan to leave at the Rapture, all the rest of the book will not have any bearing of us.
If we stay here, then we are in real trouble.
galvestonm
That is IF you believe in the rapture.
I certainly do not it is not a biblical teaching.
Yes revelation does give us direction on what a the people in a church should be like.
But that has nothing to do with any rapture.
Peace and kindness,
Fred
Just as Genesis is the book of beginning so Revelation is the book of completion.
In it, we see how God finalizes the divine program of redemption and vindicatles
His holy name before all creation. Revelation also features high moments of worship
Which the residents of heaven and the saints of God praise the Lord for His holy character
And righteous judgments. These extraordinary times of worship are usually presented as joyful songs of praise. Revelation was originally written to seven local churches in
Asia Minor, but its message applies to all christians everwhere. Jesus is coming
Again in great power and glory, and His certain return should motivate us every day to Spirit filled, loving action on His behalf.
Revelation centers around awesome visions and extraordinary symbols of resurrected
Christ, who alone has authority to judge the earth, to remake it and to rule it in
Righteousness.
AS you read revelation, watch for several life principles that play an important roll in this book .{An eager anticipation of the Lord's return in this book}Rev.30
{Obedience aleays brings blessings] Rev. 21
[The dark moments of our life will last only as long as is necessary for God to
Accomplish His purpose in us] Rev. 7
[You reap what you sow, more than you sow, and later than you sow.] 6.
This is some of what Dr. Charles Stanley has written on Revelation.
For your info The apostle John wrote Revlation during his exile on the island of Patmos.
Most scholars believe the book was written around A>D> 90-95.
I suggest you get an easy reading bible like the Living Bible or Living Translation.
Blessings,
Maggie 3
Rapture IS Biblical. It will happen.Quote:
Originally Posted by arcura
1 corinthians 15
51 But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! 52 It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. 53 For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.
1 thessalonians 4
The Hope of the Resurrection
13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died[f] so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.
15 We tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not meet him ahead of those who have died.[g] 16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, the Christians who have died[h] will rise from their graves. 17 Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. Then we will be with the Lord forever. 18 So encourage each other with these words.
Galveston,
Sorry, but I can not believe in multiple comings of Christ.
The bible says that there will be only one.
Read the book "THE PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE HOAX" by Harry Bethel.
It biblically proves that there will be n rapture.
There are several books out that prove that including "The Rapture Trap" by Dr. Paul Thigpen.
Peace and kindness,
Fred
Fred,
You have argued that before and it still is funny to me. Jesus sounds a trumpet and those living and dead in Christ will rise. No where does it say that Jesus will set foot on the earth does it? The second coming of Christ is at the battle of Armageddon and judgment day. Do you really want to live through all of the seven years of tribulations that are taught in Revelation? I certainly do not.
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