In all its uses, revelation refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible. In the book of revelation, the apocalyptic hopes of the early christian community find their clearest and. The prophet joseph smith described this focus of the book of revelation. 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. Moreover, genesis intersects with jewish wisdom literature in a novel portrait of. Others think they understand the prophecies of the bibleand this is probably most true of the book of revelation. What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory. Revelation is first and foremost a revelation about jesus christ 1. Stevan davies the secret book of john is very yeasty.
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. Peace be with you from peace, love from love, grace from grace, faith from faith, life from holy life. The secret book of john, also called the apocryphon of john, is a secondcentury sethian gnostic christian text of secret teachings. 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. It fittingly has the last place ending the scriptures and gods revelation to man. Revelation to john, also called book of revelation or apocalypse of john, last book of the new testament. The apostle of jesus and the author of the gospel of john and the three letters of nt. The secret revelation of john harvards dash harvard university. How to interpret the secret meaning of the book of revelation how to interpret the secret meanings in the book of revelation how to better understand the coming events revelations of awareness 9617 no.
Revelation is a long epistle addressed to seven christian communities of the roman province of asia minor, modern turkey, wherein the author recounts what he has seen. Upon the cry of the angel, seven thunders utter mysteries and secrets that are. Pack staggering events foretold in your bible will shock the whole world. Martin luther called revelation neither apostolic nor prophetic in the 1522 preface to his translation of the new testament he revised his position with a much more favorable assessment in 1530, huldrych zwingli labelled it not a book of the bible, and it was the only new testament book on which john calvin did not write a commentary. The word apocalypse means unveiling and thats exactly what the book of revelation isit is a prophetic book that discusses the unveiling of what is going to happen in the nearing end times and what will come with the final revelation of jesus christ. This commentaryillustration publication is the book for anyone who has studied the apocalypse book of revelation and are convinced of 3 things. Years ago i heard some preach this book of revelation as we do the gospel. As the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth 1.
The secret revelation of john the secret book of john. The secret book of john, also called the apocryphon of john or the secret revelation of john. It does belong to a tradition of apocalyptic writing, which began in judaism in the second temple period. The book of revelation explained takes you on a easy to understand and eyeopening journey through the book of revelation. God would not have given it to us if its meaning were entirely a mystery. G if ts, oce and t hepera on of t new testamen church. Come explore the works of temple scholar frank shallieu. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. There are variations in the way christians interpret the book of revelation, and its without question the hardest book of the bible to understand. The book of revelation is a teachers delight, yet the preacher must tread softly here.
Sep 05, 2019 all i can add to some already good answers is. 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. Could you explain the book of revelation in full simple terms. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible.
John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. Gnosis is the yeast that lifts the dough of revelation above the arid flatland of religious convention. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. The book of revelation often called the book of revelations, 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. But this view, of itself, is unsatisfactory for many reasons. This web site explains the book of revelation, each individual scripture. Oct 21, 2016 you will love this video it will help you understand better itt is very good and a little long i encourage all of you to watch this kick back and relax. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. The book written within and without, and sealed with seven seals, revelation 5. 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. This booklet contains vital understanding that will forever change your outlook on the future. The author provides a useful and detailed verse by verse commentary on facing pages. In these chapters god tells us what eternity with him will be like. The book of revelation often called the book of revelations, 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.
But god is working out a supreme master plan, involving every human being. The book depicts him as the risen, glorified son of god ministering among the churches 1. 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. From both the book of revelation and the cited passage from the pistis sophia, one can see many similarities with respect to the appearance of a dragon in the heavens. Revelation 9 the fifth angel sounded his trumpet, bible. Aug 04, 2009 revelation the dragon pursuing a woman, from the bamberg apocalypse. The book of revelation apocalypse 1 introduction revelation1 or apocalypse2 is a unique, complex and remarkable biblical text full of heavenly mysteries. Then go into each of the twenty two chapters of the book of revelation one by one. The key to understanding the book of revelation is to interpret it as literally as possibleit says what it means and means what it says. This book in the hand of god is symbolical of something. His plan for the end times is in the scroll revelation 1. Revelation 12 explained jesus unveiled revelation is. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st.
The below summary of the apocryphon is derived from wisses translation. Unlocking the secrets of revelation tomorrows world. The savior had explained to john that thus the deficiency of. The apocalyptic book of revelation is a symbolic glimpse into. The apocryphon of john collection the gnostic society library. Gilles quispel commentary has for me, explained better than any other i have. If you want to better understand the book of revelation and the end times. It will prepare you for the rest of the material contained here. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. And we do not yet understand many things that god has said. And many religious people believe that the book of revelation offers no help anyway, because it cannot be understood. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. Since you asked me to send you a secret book which was revealed to me and peter that is. The secret book of john, also called the apocryphon of john or the secret revelation of john, is a secondcentury sethian gnostic christian text of secret teachings.
The book of revelation, sometimes called the apocalypse, is one of the most important books in the world. Can you know the future of our worldand your part in it. Revelation the dragon pursuing a woman, from the bamberg apocalypse. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. The text begins with john describing his own state of grief and. The book of revelation was written to seven churches as both encouragement and challenge. Take a look at the basic structure of the book of revelation. The very first words of the book give us a clue to its explanation the revelation of jesus christ. In revelation 12 this is the second great portent in the sky after the woman clothed with the sun. The crowned conqueror on the white horse armed with a bow, revelation 6. John of patmos was a war refugee, writing sixty years after the death of jesus and. I still thought revelation was about the end of the world, right. The book of revelation closes its awful description of the judgments which are coming upon the earth by inviting to the sinner, come to christ, and, after one reads and understand the book of revelation, he too will close the book and invite the sinner to, come, and receive, jesus christ as you savior.
So if this book is revealing something, what exactly is being revealed. It describes jesus appearing and giving secret knowledge gnosis to john the apostle. Most of the commentators think it represents the book of revelation, in which case, of course, it would not include the present description of the book itself, but only of its contents as applied to subsequent chapters. The book of revelation is war literature, pagels explained. The second recommended book is karen kings the secret revelation of john. Exploring the book of revelation, prophecy, and apocalyptic literature. Since it was known to the church father irenaeus, it must have been written before around 180 ce. From this church, those who overcome will be given the hidden. 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. Many have wondered if the third temple will ever be built.
It is the only book of the new testament classified as apocalyptic literature rather than didactic or historical, indicating thereby its extensive use of visions, symbols, and allegory, especially in connection with future events. The secret book of john the secret revelation of john aeon a divine power or nature emanating from the supreme being and playing various roles in the operation of the universe ineffable defying expression barbelo the first emanation something that is emitted or radiated of god autogenes self generated pleroma of, and. Annotated and explained breathes new life into the gnostic gospel messagetheir good news. And i took the little book out of the angels hand, and ate it up, as he was bid to do. A strange vision given to john of a world racked by geophysical upheaval and spiritual transformation, it is a book cloaked in allegory and metaphor.
If youre befuddled by the book of revelation in the bible, dont fret. How to interpret the secret meaning of the book of revelation. Some of it remains secret, for example what the thunders said. The book of revelation, the last book of the bible, has fascinated and puzzled christians for centuries. Even the author, john, is disputed by scholars no one can say with authority whether this john was an apostle or an otherwise unknown author. The star was given the key to the shaft of the abyss. Even though nations may agree on few things, they unite in their determination to maintain their authority rather than submit to the rule of gods kingdom. Great prophecies in the book of revelation show how and when these catastrophic events will occur. This very powerful and dynamic teachingtool on the book of revelation shines a light on the symbolism and the mysteries of god. The revelation research foundation has completed work on a 3d version of ezekiels temple, utilizing the drawings of mr. A commentary of the book of revelation bible truth.
Unlike most books of the bible, revelation contains its own title. This book of the revelation is frequently styled the apocalypse, derived from the word by which it is designated in greek. This book of the revelation tells what is in that scroll. The secret book of john is a complex developmental mythology that has been made more complicated because, over the years, versions of it have been improved by several levels of scribal alteration. The last book of the new testament is also called the prophecy book and the revelation of jesus christ. This is an extensive and scholarly but still very readable study of the text and the cultural milieu that both influenced, and in turn was influenced by, the apocryphon iohannis. The secret book of john the secret revelation of john.