The Revelation
The author of the Book of Revelation is the Apostle John (Rev. 1:1, 9; 21:2, 22:8). The title of the book describes the content and purpose of John's writing. The word "Revelation" means" to take the cover off," from the Greek word apokalupsis. It is the uncovering or unveiling of the glory of Christ, and of future events (1 Thess 2:19).
Revelation was addressed to the churches of Asia Minor (Rev. 1:4) specifically name in chapters two and three. This book was written at a time when these churches were undergoing persecution and difficulty. The two most important such periods were during the reigns of Nero in A.D. 37-68 and Domitian in A.D. 81-96.
There are four views on the interpretation of the the Book of Revelation. The first is the preterist view. It places the events and visions described as belonging to the past, particularly to the Roman Empire of the first century A.D. The proponents of this view explain the highly symbolic nature of the book as John's endeavor to hide the real meaning of what he was saying from the general populace, making it relative to the believers who lived at that time. They also consider the main purpose of this writing was encouragement for believers regarding God's ultimate intervention in the affairs of men. It is very unlikely that this view is correct in light of the prophetic nature of the book (Rev. 1:3). Some of the descriptions are of future events and cannot possibly be identified as historical ones.
The second view is the historical view, maintaining the Revelation is a panoramic view of history from the first century A.D. to the Second Coming of Christ. However, this position is unsubstantiated because historians have been unable to identify precise events in history which would answer particular visions that are symbolized.
The third view is the symbolic (allegorical) view which contends that Revelation portrays the continuing conflict between the forces of good and evil throughout the span of human history. According to this view, the book was designed to give encouragement because good will triumph in the end.
The fourth view is the futuristic view, maintaining that from chapter four to the end of the book. Revelation deals with end-time events. According to this view, Revelation is not concerned with the evens of John's own day as much as later historical events, particularly those things that will take place in connection with the Second Coming of Christ. The proponents of this view would outline Revelation as follows (cf. Rev. 1:19): chapter one deals with the past; chapters two and three discuss things that were present at that time and throughout the church age; chapters four through twenty-two speak of things that are yet to come, which things include the "Day of the Lord" as well as the Second Coming of Christ (cf. Rev. 4:1). Reference Key Bible KJV Introduction to The Book of Revelations.
Many people have fear reading Revelation. With all its imagery and symbolic language it almost reads like a Stephen King horror story than the word of God. Why be afraid of the truth?
Revelations along with the rest of the bible is the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. You can not fight this war afraid.
Revelation was addressed to the churches of Asia Minor (Rev. 1:4) specifically name in chapters two and three. This book was written at a time when these churches were undergoing persecution and difficulty. The two most important such periods were during the reigns of Nero in A.D. 37-68 and Domitian in A.D. 81-96.
There are four views on the interpretation of the the Book of Revelation. The first is the preterist view. It places the events and visions described as belonging to the past, particularly to the Roman Empire of the first century A.D. The proponents of this view explain the highly symbolic nature of the book as John's endeavor to hide the real meaning of what he was saying from the general populace, making it relative to the believers who lived at that time. They also consider the main purpose of this writing was encouragement for believers regarding God's ultimate intervention in the affairs of men. It is very unlikely that this view is correct in light of the prophetic nature of the book (Rev. 1:3). Some of the descriptions are of future events and cannot possibly be identified as historical ones.
The second view is the historical view, maintaining the Revelation is a panoramic view of history from the first century A.D. to the Second Coming of Christ. However, this position is unsubstantiated because historians have been unable to identify precise events in history which would answer particular visions that are symbolized.
The third view is the symbolic (allegorical) view which contends that Revelation portrays the continuing conflict between the forces of good and evil throughout the span of human history. According to this view, the book was designed to give encouragement because good will triumph in the end.
The fourth view is the futuristic view, maintaining that from chapter four to the end of the book. Revelation deals with end-time events. According to this view, Revelation is not concerned with the evens of John's own day as much as later historical events, particularly those things that will take place in connection with the Second Coming of Christ. The proponents of this view would outline Revelation as follows (cf. Rev. 1:19): chapter one deals with the past; chapters two and three discuss things that were present at that time and throughout the church age; chapters four through twenty-two speak of things that are yet to come, which things include the "Day of the Lord" as well as the Second Coming of Christ (cf. Rev. 4:1). Reference Key Bible KJV Introduction to The Book of Revelations.
Many people have fear reading Revelation. With all its imagery and symbolic language it almost reads like a Stephen King horror story than the word of God. Why be afraid of the truth?
Revelations along with the rest of the bible is the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. You can not fight this war afraid.
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