To study this important book of prophecy, it is important to have the correct approach to interpretation. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. It is full of strange and often scary imagery, confusing numbers, time references, and much. The book of revelation uses and identifies both types of crowns. 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. The apocalyptic book of revelation is a symbolic glimpse into. The author of the book of revelation, saint john the divine, offers a transcription of seven letters and later describes strange beasts, visions of judgments, governments, demonic battles, heaven, and a new world order a prophetic vision for the end of the world. The revelation is the only prophetic book of the nt and it is the keystone of the word of god. Anyone who has read the book of revelation, the last book in the new testament, has come face to face with many strange, fairytalelike creatures and events. The book of revelation concludes with the angels testimony and additional counsel from the lord. Some have become quite well known to the public, particularly in the late twentieth century the mark of the. Revelation symbols defined revelation timeline decoded. Understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation. Use this sheet for reference as you read the book of revelation.
The good news is that the bible always explains itself. Many years ago, i was involved in a public seminar for the community explaining the prophecies of the last days, and there was. However, with just a few tips for understanding certain confusing elements, the book opens up as an important and helpful book for christians. This vision contains a tremendous amount of symbolism.
In fact, there is actually a lot of repetition in the book that operates like different chapters of a book or scenes of a movie. Symbols in the book of revelation saint marys press. 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. The dragon chases the woman into the wilderness for 1,260 years as revelation 12 begins.
Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. In order for one to understand any symbol correctly he should find a sufficient number and variety of the same symbol elsewhere in scripture and study carefully the truths of those identical symbols, which are explained in scripture. Finally, the book of revelation explained in an easy to understand way. Many of the apocalyptic prophecies were given while the prophets were in a hostile foreign land. The book of revelation is the book for the present hour. Four horsemen of the apocalypse meaning in revelation. Symbols used in revelation include numbers, seals, trumpets, bowls, measuring the temple, and many others. The symbolism that chinese art embodies was explained to us by an artist when we were. Lets look at the characteristics of each horsemen and how they all play an important role in the end times from the bible book of revelation. It must always be kept in mind, however, that this book is a book of prophecy, intended to shew the things which must shortly come to pass. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. However, even though the book of revelation is written in symbols, the bible explains itself in a literal language. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand.
If you want to better understand the book of revelation. In all its uses, revelation refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible. We may never have thought of it in this way, but the book of revelation is a picture bookone that uses signs and symbols to communicate the message of the end times. Symbols are frequently employed in the book of revelation within similes where resemblance is emphasized.
Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. 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. Religious studies center, brigham young university, 2009, 27189. The book of revelation is clothed in symbols so that only those sincerely seeking truth will find it. Many major entities and symbols in the book of revelation are introduced earlier in the bible. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. Unlike most books of the bible, revelation contains its own title. This prophecy was given to john in a series of visions. Revelation study symbolism explained in the book of revelation. Charts on the book of revelation is a useful supplement to courses on the book of revelation in both the church and the academy. What are some of the keys to interpreting revelation, especially all the symbols. Symbolism in the book of revelation the bart ehrman blog. This book was written by john, the youngest of all the apostles.
If youre befuddled by the book of revelation in the bible, dont fret. Revelation is interpreted from a literal base, taking. Mar 29, 2011 the book of revelation explained by pastor alan hawkins of new life city, albuquerque, nm. The book of revelation explained by pastor alan hawkins of new life city, albuquerque, nm. 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. To those who claim that it is all symbolic and beyond our understanding, i say that the book of revelation is to be taken literally. The book of revelation was written to seven churches as both encouragement and challenge. Messages of the book of revelation for latterday saints. The following is the forward and a portion of a chapter from a forthcoming book which, in my view, falls in. The holy scriptures start with a revelation on the past genesis 1 and they end with a revelation on the future. The book of revelation doesnt mean what you think theres more to understanding this ancient book than you realize. Symbols and numbers in revelation south fulton street. Each symbol must be carefully examined, weighed, and adequately supported by strong evidence before a symbolical designation is made.
This is helpful but still the symbolism in the book of revelation is so difficult for me to understand that it makes me wonder how many people in antiquity actually read and understood this or similar books. This revelation timeline decoded bible study provides a table of symbols that were used by john in the book of revelation these revelation symbols are from the peoples new testament study notes by barton w. Revelation study symbolism explained in the book of. Dean garrett, a commentary on the doctrine and covenants salt lake city. Below the links are charts depicting the 7 parallel passages of the church age, the great tribulation and the last day that can be found in the book of revelation. However, even though the book of revelation is written in symbols, the bible explains.
And there has been much speculation about it some of it bordering on offthewall, but some of it serious and scholarly. Wilsons charts cover a range of historical, literary, rhetorical, and interpretive issues that will guide the careful student in making more viable interpretations of this difficult yet enriching book. Today im sharing all about 88 symbols in the book of revelation and showing you exactly what they mean. Each prophetic symbol is clearly explained in scripture. Mcconkie 191585 of the quorum of the twelve apostles, 1 and seeing the book of revelation as a book of revelation, by gerald n. Written by a man named john possibly john the apostle toward the end of his life, he records a vision he experiences, probably while dreaming or meditating. Volumes of commentary have been written around it in order to increase our understanding. The millennium is the church age includes video links revelation you tube videos. Interpreting the symbolism in the book of revelation 1. Charts on the book of revelation is a useful supplement to. The angel used the symbolism of candlesticks to represent the branches, or. Symbols in the book of revelation a reference sheet for the symbols that are used in the book of revelation.
If you want to better understand the book of revelation and the end times. Latterday saints are fortunate that the restoration has provided many keys to interpret this book. By using symbolic images and prophetic pictures, god is able to condense thousands of years of history into a very small space. Decoding revelation 1 christians everywhere are thoroughly confused about the book of revelation and the other prophetic books of the bible. The lefthand column lists the symbol as it appears in bible prophecy. Though joseph smith seldom discussed revelation, he did make some helpful. The number seven can be found almost anywhere you look in revelation. And jesus said, to you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of god, but to the rest it is given in parables, that seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand. Jun 17, 2018 the book of revelation explained takes you on a easy to understand and eyeopening journey through the book of revelation. Franciscan father stephen doyle provides a catholic commentary on the book of revelation and explains that todays people do not understand what the author of revelation. Draper, understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation, shedding light on the new testament. In his doctrinal new testament commentary, elder mcconkie further stated, we are in a much.
Take a look at the basic structure of the book of revelation. Each vision contains certain principles, and these principles are being worked out in the lives of. But i use parables to teach the others so that the scriptures might be fulfilled. What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory.
The book of revelation, often called the book of revelations, revelation to john, apocalypse of john, the revelation, or simply revelation, the revelation from jesus christ from its opening words or the apocalypse, is the final book of the new testament, and therefore also the final book of the christian bible. John s authorship is affirmed by justin, irenaeus, clement of alexandria, tertullian and the muratori fragment really by. The book of revelation explained by edgar cayce article by kevin williams the final book of the bible is called the book of revelation. Since we have seen that revelation is a book of prophetic visions, the elements of which are symbols of spiritual realities, it makes sense that the numbers present in the book would be symbols of something else, not just random quantities. Unveiling the symbolism in revelation introduction. Section 77, which was known in its earliest form as a key to understanding the book of revelation, is critical see an 1851 edition of the pearl of great price.
The book of revelation, part 1 the book of revelation is rich in symbolism, so much so, that most christians find it difficult to understand. Book of revelation explained go to revelation index for the 22 chapters title. The symbolism that chinese art embodies was explained to us by an artist when we were teaching in china. Symbols in the book of revelation a virtuous woman. The revelation is a very solemn book speaking much about divine judgments but it is also a.
So we dont look to specific events to happen a specific time in history. The book of revelation explained takes you on a easy to understand and eyeopening journey through the book of revelation. Once you understand the meaning of the symbol, bible prophecy becomes plain. When people read the book of revelation they encounter this vast array of symbols. May 21, 2019 these four horsemen of the apocalypse appear to symbolically portray four disastrous occurrences that will take place before the second coming of jesus christ. Truths about him and his final victory, that the rest of scripture merely allude to, become clearly visible through revelation about jesus christ see historical and theological themes. Revelation apocalypse symbols defined, literal explanation given. Jehovah the true god in the heavens and creator of all things. To read the word of god in this apocalyptic book without letting our imagination give us misguided.
The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. The symbolism in book of revelation mike blume ministries. This includes the most important aspect of comparing scripture with scripture 1 cor 2. The book of revelation has so many strange symbols and imagery. We may never have thought of it in this way, but the book of revelation is a picture book one that uses signs and symbols to communicate the message of the end times. And you apply these symbols used in revelation that were taken from the old testament to the life of jesus and the early church. Wedding day of the lamb gods reign is about to begin. After this is a vision of the new heavens and new earththe world in its celestial state revelation 21. To help you in your understanding, study the chart below. The book depicts him as the risen, glorified son of god ministering among the churches 1.
To read the word of god in this apocalyptic book without letting our imagination give us misguided interpretations, we need to understand the symbolism the same way the first readers did. The book of revelation is full of symbolic numbers. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. Revelation uses many signs, or symbols, that are not to be understood literally. It is full of strange and often scary imagery, confusing numbers, time references, and much more. The designation of symbols must be on an individual basis. Symbols in the book of revelation semnele vremurilor. A picture book the importance of symbolism in revelation. This 1927 german silent film borrows from the book of revelation and even has one of the main characters dance seductively on the back of a sevenheaded beast. The meaning of symbols in the book of revelation wordbytes. Because revelation is a vision, it is full of symbolism. Also it will be symbolic of reality, and the reality will be more real than the symbol for the simple reason that john uses symbols to describe reality. This revelation timeline decoded bible study provides a table of symbols that were used by john in the book of revelation. Revelation chapter explained book of revelation each.
The book of revelation is a series of visions, but not every vision represents the same thing, nor are they in any strict chronological order. The purpose of this page is to provide an indepth study of the book of revelation. The book of revelation is perhaps the most mysterious book in sacred scripture. The visions in this book run parallel to one another.
Likewise, an understanding of the symbols in revelation is necessary in order to receive the promised blessing. As the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth 1. Some have become quite well known to the public, particularly in the late twentieth century. Idealistic the idealistic or philosophy of history method looks upon revelation as a symbolic conflict between right and wrong. This approach to the book does not find any specific application of the signs and symbols. Some of these are explained in the other two articles on revelation in this issue. Revelation is interpreted from a literal base, taking into account comparative language that points to a literal ultimate meaning.
This gave us a greater appreciation of their paintings. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. Judgment day sarah connor might not be clothed in the sun, but she does give birth to a son who saves the world. The book of revelation doesnt mean what you think biblical. One reason god covered the prophecies in symbols was to protect the messages but the lord promised that these symbols will be given to his children yet be hidden to the rest of the world to you it has been given. The seven churches of revelation were real, physical congregations when the apostle john wrote this bewildering last book of the bible around 95 ad, but many scholars believe the. The apocalyptic book of revelation is a symbolic glimpse. Interpreting the symbolism in the book of revelation. 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. Revelation is first and foremost a revelation about jesus christ 1. And that same message is still relevant for us now. Symbols in the book of revelation you are permitted to understand the secrets of the kingdom of god. Revelation with book summary versebyverse bible commentary.