What We Know about the Book of Revelation
- Not
called “Revelations.”
-
Meant to be read aloud.
-
Differences between King James Version and Inspired Version (Joseph
Smith’s New Translation of the Bible) are minimal (?).
- What else???
Apocalypse Means:
-
Revealing
- A
class of literature dealing with the end of time, often very symbolic.
-
Ancient Jewish literature growing out of Old Testament prophecy (Daniel,
parts of Isaiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah, and so on) in which visions or
travels through Heaven reveal divine secrets…about the future.
Various
Interpretations of The Book of Revelation
- Revelation
predicts in detail the course of human history culminating with the end
of the world and the second coming of Christ.
- Revelation
concerns only the end of time.
- Revelation
addresses events that have already occurred (around the end of the first
century C.E.) and was specific counsel regarding what was happening in
John’s day.
- Revelation is a
message for all eras (general principles of history) concerning the
church and her fight with the "Devil" (evil in the world).
- A combination
of the above interpretations.
Organization of The Book of Revelation
-
John’s Vision of the Heavenly Christ (Revelation 1:1-20)
-
Letters to the Seven Churches of Asia (Revelation 2:1-3:22)
-
John’ Vision of God and the Lamb (Revelation 4:1-5:14)
-
Opening the Seven Seals of God’s Scroll (Revelation 6:1-8:2)
-
Sounding the Seven Trumpets (Revelation 8:3-11:19)
- The
Satanic Trinity: The Dragon and the Two Beasts (Revelation 12:1-14:20)
- The
Seven Bowls of God’s wrath (Revelation 15:1-18:24)
- The
Final Victory and the Last Judgment (Revelation 19:1-20:15)
-
John’s Vision of the Heavenly Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-22:21)
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