Great prophecies in the book of revelation show how and when these catastrophic events will occur. The book of revelation explained volume 4 other publications by the author dan iel and rev at on texts exam ned depressi on did j esu d c nd i to h ll. According to the book of mormon, the bible went through the hands of a great and abominable. However, it did wonders for my understanding of revelation. As with trying to read any scriptural commentary from cover to cover, this took a while to get through. Youll find four major interpretive approaches to the book of revelation that can help you read, understand, and figure out the apocalyptic letter of john. Understanding the book of revelation, pamphlet ebook. The language and imagery is so chosen as to appeal to the maturing gospel scholar, to those who already love the lord and have some knowledge of his goodness and grace. These groups were placed in one of three districts, each of which acted under the direction of a district presidency. This press release was originally published on may 7, 2020.
The book of revelation, also called revelation to john or apocalypse of john is the last canonical book of the new testament in the bible. In the first chapter, the risen and exalted christ is speaking to john. The book of revelation made easier in bible lds bookstore. Understanding the book of revelation a systematic study. Jan 02, 2020 a simple outline for the book of revelation is found in revelation 1. Read revelation 5 commentary using a testimony of jesus christ. Numerous verses in the book of mormon and the doctrine and covenants aid our understanding of the apocalypse. Ridges shares his highly acclaimed approach to teaching the scriptures in this volume of the awardwinning gospel studies series, the book of revelation made easier.
Both testaments can be divided into history instruction prophecy revelation is the only book of prophecy in the new testament. How understanding words meanings can unlock the book of. Throughout the country our lds servicemen were organized into groups that functioned like quorums and moved with their military units. Dragons and demons, angels and plagues, mark of the beast, stars fall, heavens rolled up cats and dogs living. The first verse of this book announces that it is the revelation of jesus christ, which god gave him revelation 1. The prophecies found in the book of revelation are almost identical to.
The final book of the bible is titled, the revelation of john. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. Apr 28, 2015 the book of revelation is similar to other literature of the time thats called apocalyptic, which typically includes visions, global clashes, endoftheworld warnings, and many, many symbols. Religious studies center, brigham young university, 2009, 27189. The revelation of jesus christ, which god gave him to show. Seeing the book of revelation as a book of revelation. Revelation is a glorious book but is frequently obscure and difficult for. The book of revelation provides some of the keenest insights in scripture concerning the big picture of work. It is, of course, the cryptic symbolism of revelation that makes it challenging to understand. The manual states, john was one of the saviors original apostles.
Understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation. For some parts of the book of revelation, joseph smith, first prophet of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, often inadvertently called the mormon church, went to the lord with direct questions. The book of revelation is similar to other literature of the time thats called apocalyptic, which typically includes visions, global clashes, endoftheworld warnings, and many, many symbols. You thought revelation was about the end of the world. Joseph smith said, the book of revelation is one of the plainest books god ever caused to be written. Helping young people connect the dots lds living the name bradley r. As part of scripture, the book of revelation was given by inspiration of god 2 timothy 3. This book serves as a concise guide to help readers focus on what matters most the doctrine.
Understanding the book of revelation the book of revelation is an exciting yet often misunderstood book in the bible. Making sense of the book of revelation deseret book. There are four common views regarding how revelation applies to us today. The author of revelation mentioned his name, john, four times throughout the book revelation 1. Study the bible online using commentary on revelation 5 and more. It should be the last book of the bible that anyone seeks to become an expert on. A need exists for good, lds oriented commentaries on the scriptures, especially biblical texts, and these two volumes begin to meet that need. It is a revelation that was received by the apostle john while he was in romanimposed exile on the island of patmos in the eastern mediterranean around 90 a. Understanding the book of revelation introduction reading the book of revelation, also called the apocalypse of st. Asia in this book is part of the country that we now call turkey. For those parts which are prophetic, it will be much easier to see meaning after the events have transpired.
Revelation bears similar features to the book of daniel d. In this new study guide, the authors examine the book of revelation phrase by phrase, including the actual scripture passages and revealed corrections from the joseph smith translation. The book of revelation explained volume 3 p reface you will noti ce th at the b ook of reve lation e xplained, volume 3, begins with chapter 8, not chapter 1, and ends at the conclusion of chapter 11. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. How can the book of mormon be true when it says in. May 16, 2007 this is the best book hands down on the lds perspective of revelation that i have read thus far there are parts of the book of revelation whose meaning has yet to be revealed but where these are encountered the authors are candid enough to acknowledge this and to give us their best understanding as of now about those parts. Revelation is the only book with a promise of blessing to readers 1. Brother wilcox is widely known for his work at byu and as a speaker and an author. He has served as chair of a general chirch curriculum writing committee and as a bishop and stake president. This framework is primarily laid out in daniel and revelation. With brief, easy to understand versebyverse notes, renowned educator and seasoned gospel scholar david j. Very important we note this and realize we cannot study revelation in the same way we study the book of romans. Background about the characteristics of apocalyptic writings.
Such is the view of the latterday saints relative to this most misunderstood of all scriptural accounts. Modern revelation, not a knowledge of history, languages, and symbolism alone, is the key to making sense of the apocalypse. Yet the book of revelation need not remain closed, at least for latterday saints who accept modern revelation. The things john had already seen are recorded in chapter 1. Summary of the book this is not a comprehensive outline of the book. Christians throughout history have given almost unanimous affirmation to the identity of the books author as john the apostle, who had been exiled to the island of patmos by the authorities for preaching the gospel in asia. Volumes of commentary have been written around it in order to increase our understanding. Helps for understanding the book of revelation segment 3 main. A need exists for good, ldsoriented commentaries on the scriptures, especially biblical texts, and these two volumes begin to meet that need. In the first verse of the book, the apostle john recorded christs words, the revelation of jesus christto show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. Understanding revelation study 1 circumstances of revelation p.
The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. The versebyverse commentary on revelation introduction this commentary on revelation will prove, contrary to what most people think, that the revelation, the last book of the bible, is not difficult to understand if we will take a simple, facevalue, commonsense approach to interpreting it. An archaeologist and two assistants discover symbols from the book of revelation on the walls of an ancient room. This is to corre spond with the chapters in the revelation. Now you can appreciate the book of revelation as never before. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. For some parts of the book of revelation, joseph smith, first prophet of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, often inadvertently called the. Revelation reveals the events of the day of the lord revelation 1. The book of revelation is a source of hope and encouragement for christians because the book tells about the triumphant return of our lord, jesus christ. A careful examination of the book of revelation explains its purpose and what it is about. Without a thorough understanding of the rest of scripture most of revelation will neither make sense nor be appropriately appreciated. The book of revelation takes an approach to the plan of salvation that is found nowhere else in all of our inspired writings.
Apr 11, 2011 throughout the country our lds servicemen were organized into groups that functioned like quorums and moved with their military units. This booklet contains vital understanding that will forever change your outlook on the future. He describes himself as their brother in the family of god. Understanding the book of revelation kindle edition by. Making sense of the book of revelation represents a distillation of insights brother millet has gained from thirty years of teaching the new testament. Revelation is a source of hope and encouragement for christians because the book tells about the triumphant return of our lord, jesus christ. See the full list here the church of jesus christ of latterday saints editors note.
Some of the important themes that come from this sacred text include jesus christ, the last days, the second coming, good versus evil, gods judgments against. Book of revelation was written to address this need. The greek word for revelations is apokalupsis which literally means unveiling or taking off the cover a we are meant to understand the book of revelation. The book of revelation is rich in symbolism, so much so, that most christians find it difficult to understand. Contains 22 chapters, 404 verses and 12,000 words 1. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. Although prophecy is scattered all through the bible, two books focus almost entirely on symbolic representations. Its purpose is to give encouragement and hope for all. The book of mormon is a separate book taking place on a different continent. Members of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints value the bible and the book of mormon as sources for revelation about the organization of christs church, the commandments, plan of salvation, the process of repentance, important spiritual events such as christs life and ministry, and as an example of gods dealings with men.
Pack staggering events foretold in your bible will shock the whole world. This is the best book hands down on the lds perspective of revelation that i have read thus far there are parts of the book of revelation whose meaning has yet to be revealed but where these are encountered the authors are candid enough to acknowledge this and to give us their best understanding as of now about those parts. The book of revelation and work bible commentary theology. Understanding the book of revelation kindle edition by rose. How do mormons interpret the warning in revelation about. If that is considered adding to the bible, then most denominations are guilty. John the divine in some translations of the bible without comparing what it says to the rest of sacred scripture, can be a confusing experience. Keys to understanding revelation united church of god. How can the book of mormon be true when it says in revelation. The word revelation apokalupsis means an uncovering, a revelation, n. That concept is confirmed in the cited scripture by the words the book of. Understanding the book of revelation church of jesus christ.
It fittingly has the last place ending the scriptures and gods revelation to man. The time for understanding the book of revelation is now at hand. Revelation 5 commentary a testimony of jesus christ. The rise and fall of the antichrist appendix four a brief overview of the book of revelation. It is the only biblical book that is wholly composed of apocalyptic literature. Applying the best available sources of commentary from a variety of scholars, donald and jay parry show that the book of revelation is meant for us to understand. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. Book of revelation overview church of jesus christ. G if ts, oce and t hepera on of t new testamen church how to study ident ifying the beasts of revelat on jud e, t h ac t s of t po a, volume 1 sunday school quarterly jud e, t h ac t s of t po a, volume 2.
We ought to be transformed by what we read, to become more faithful servants of christ. He has published several books, including understanding isaiah, understand the parables of jesus christ, and everyday miracles. You and your family are a blessing beyond description to us and so many others. The book of revelation explained volume 4 1 introduction to the revelation revelation 1. The book of revelation is the last book of the bible in our canon for good reason. Psalms, isaiah, daniel, and ezekiel make the most important contributions to revelation. Arndt and gingrich define revelation as a disclosure to expose or uncover see also moulton 42. Revelation contains more old testament references than any other new testament bookalmost 70 percent of its verses contain old testament references. John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. Yet it is a tough nut to crack, not only because of its intrinsic difficulty but because of the myriad interpretations that have grown up around the book. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. Understanding the book of revelation and the book of. Draper, understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation, shedding light on the new testament.
Therefore, this book contains information god intends to disclose or reveal to humans, rather than conceal from us. Wilcox may have sounded familiar to many latterday saints when he was announced as a member of the new young men general presidency in general conference, and rightly so. Revelation does not give us information just to tickle our fancy. The messages contained in the book of revelation are taught in the church of jesus christ of latterday saints gospel doctrine classes in sunday school as part of the new testament study year. A brief overview of the book of revelation the rise and. Understanding the book of revelation a systematic study in. A summary of key messages and themes for each chapter of 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. Daniel, recorded 600 years earlier, sets the stage for the larger and more detailed book of revelation, which describes many events nowhere else in the bible. The book of revelation is a revealing of jesus christ in glory. Uncovering the book of revelation with richard draper duration.
In revelation 1, john draws on the following symbols from book of daniel to describe his vision of jesus. The book of revelation, or the apocalypse as it is also called, is the last book of the bible. An excellent commentary on the book of revelation for mormon readers. Understanding the book of revelation november 12, 2016 kenneth l. The book of revelation, in particular, holds many treasures, but though it can be. Christ tells john to write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.
In 30 minutes, understanding the book of revelation ebook will help you understand the different ways christians have interpreted revelation throughout the centuries. To jerry and sherry roberts thank you for your faithful friendship and love for our lord and my family. The author endeavors to encourage the persecuted saints of his own day and, by application, the church throughout the ages. A simple outline for the book of revelation is found in revelation 1. On may 11, 2020, the first presidency of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints updated the list of temples in the first phase of reopening. Revelation explained part 1 jesus unveiled revelation. Revelation is the only prophetical book in the new testament c. Number of temples opened for husbandwife sealings grows from 17 to 34. Book of revelation mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. That concept is confirmed in the cited scripture by the words the book of this prophecy, which of course is the book of revelation. Rns what the lds curriculum attempts to do with revelation reflects our own mecentered, therapeutic era. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. The only additions in their version of the king james version of the bible is in the form of footnotes and reference information. It is the final expression of and complement to the prophecies of the jewish prophets.
The bible is a history book, it tells the pastbut like no other history bookit tells the present and future just as clearly. A message to the latterday saints from the book of revelation. Book of revelation overview insight for living ministries. God reveals a basic framework for understanding future events.