Ostler place modern revelation in its historical and doctrinal context. Revelation ancient christian commentary on scripture. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. 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 and that it is possible to understand it. Volumes of commentary have been written around it in order to increase our understanding. When israel was in the wilderness, god supernaturally provided manna for their food. Revelation then becomes merely a collection of stories designed to teach spiritual truth.
You can find the best commentary on revelation for you using. Aug 03, 2014 a panel discussion on the book of revelation at the second annual conference of the byu new testament commentary project held on may 14, 2014, at brigham young university in provo, utah. The apostle john, the beloved disciple of jesus christ, is the author of this book. Take a look at the basic structure of the book of revelation. A message to the latterday saints from the book of revelation. Revelation 1 bible commentary matthew henry concise. The bible dictionary of the lds edition of the king james bible places the fall near 4000 b. A commentary of the book of revelation bible truth. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation.
It is the only biblical book that is wholly composed of apocalyptic literature. With bible gateway plus, you gain instant access to a digital bible study library, including complete notes from the niv cultural backgrounds study bible and the new bible commentary. We hope this dynamic commentary is a beneficial study tool in your devotion to the word of god. And the revelations which i have caused to be written by my servant john shall be unfolded in the eyes of all the people ether 4. The byu new testament commentary series is a twopronged project that seeks to 1 make a new, more accessible rendition of ancient greek texts of the new testament available to latterday saints.
It compares the original published revelations with what we have today in the lds and rlds doctrine and covenants. Yet the book of revelation need not remain closed, at least for latterday saints who accept modern revelation. Book of revelation overview church of jesus christ. With bible gateway plus, you gain instant access to a digital bible study library, including complete notes from the niv cultural backgrounds. I cannot point to a single commentary with which i agree entirely. The book of revelation was written to seven churches as both encouragement and challenge. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. Luther was at first strongly averse from the book, though, later, he printed it with hebrews, james, and jude in an appendix to his new testament. Rating system is not about how well the book is written, but on its contribution to the lds community 1 avoid, 2 if desperate, 3 good book for the topic, 4 best book for topic, 5 must read for your christian development. Understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation. This commentary has been through advanced checking.
The basic structure of the vision is chronological. 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. 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 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. The short announcement on the main page promises a multivolume commentary on the new testament along with a new rendition of the greek new testament texts, which will combine the best of ancient linguistic and historical scholarship with latterday saint doctrinal perspectives. Michael marquardt examines the earliest manuscripts of joseph smiths revelations, reaching back into history to preserve. In our study of the book of revelation, we must start out with the clear understanding that. Christians down through the ages have known that christs return is presented in scripture as imminent, but.
Revelation 12 commentary the dragons departure to the. Before beginning to go through the content of revelation, we recommend that you read through the introduction, overview, and hermeneutical sections to familiarize yourself with the framework concerning this incredible book of god. Jun 01, 2007 and the book which was the book of life is the record which is kept in heaven. Among the interpreters of the apocalypse, both in ancient and modern times, we find a vast diversity of opinions, but they may be all reduced to four principal hypotheses, or modes of. Zwingli regarded it as nonbiblical, and calvin did not comment upon it. The beast coming out of the earth with two horns, deceiving the world by is false miracles, and causing every one to receive his mark in their right hand, revelation. Latterday saints are often accused of adding scripture, when the book of revelation so obviously reviles against that possibility. It is likely disease and earthquakes had always existed, but the the devastation is a result of how these natural occurrences are magnified due to mans changing living conditions.
The author of the book of revelation identifies himself by name as john 1. In revelations of the restoration, authors joseph fielding mcconkie and craig j. Christians outside the mormon church often quote the following scriptures to condemn lds doctrine and open scripture. The book of revelation is by far one of the most challenging books in the bible, yet well worth the effort to study and comprehend. The 7 seals make mention of the emergence of disease and earthquakes. Since each of the four new testament gospels contains an account of the suffering and death of jesus christ, it is perplexing that they receive so little attention in discussions of the atonement. The apocalyptic book of revelation is a symbolic glimpse. This view also ignores revelations prophetic character and, if carried to its logical conclusion, severs the. The divine origin, the design, and the importance of this book.
So, the book of mormon, brought forth through the prophet joseph smith. The revelation of saint john in blacks new testament commentary ada. The prophet nephi writes in the book of mormon 1 nephi 14. The full greek text of the book is presented in sections along with king james version and the authors new rendition. Hence its title in english, the book of revelation or the uncovering or unveiling.
Study the bible online using commentary on revelation 5 and more. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. Yet the book of revelation need not remain closed, at least for latterday saints. You can find the best commentary on revelation for you using the tools on the right side. Debunking the myth of elviss book of mormon keith a.
Their insightful commentary and detailed explanations help us better understand the meaning of the revelations and the circumstances in which they were given. 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. It is the only biblical book that is wholly composed of. Revelation 12 to 22 he that overcometh shall inherit. Aug 12, 20 a presentation given at the byu new testament commentary conference held on may 15, 20, at brigham young university in provo, utah. The book of mormon affirms that john was foreordained. Apocalypticism was not a new phenomenon among christians. The best example of joseph smiths providing an explanation of the book of. This view also ignores revelations prophetic character and, if carried to its logical conclusion, severs the book from any connection with actual historical events. Read revelation 5 commentary using a testimony of jesus christ. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading commentary. The revelation of john the apostle byu new testament commentary. One beast arises out of the sea, hence we will call it the sea beast.
This volume is a record of the revelations received by joseph smith which were included in the original book of commandments. Lyman royal sherman biography the joseph smith papers. Erekson this story appeared in the marchapril 2020 issue of lds living. This commentary presents a comprehensive analysis of johns book through the lens of the lds doctrine and mormon experience. In the book of revelation, the apocalyptic hopes of the early christian community find their clearest and most complete expression. An apocalyptic letter, it relies on visions, symbols, and old testament references to reveal the. Panel discussion of the revelation of john the apostle. If youre befuddled by the book of revelation in the bible, dont fret. Read the revelation with the same spirit that you would any gospel subject. Koester, author of the anchor bible commentary on the book of revelation, as well as the shorter and cheaperso everyone should buy it book. The book of revelation refers to christ as a lamb nearly 30 times. Understanding the book of revelation is a timely book as we approach the twentyfirst century. Lund, who later served as a member of the seventy, gave an overview of johns visions in revelation 422 and explained some of their basic meanings.
A compilation of biographical sketches of prominent men and women in the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Of all the books in the bible, the book of revelation is one of the most difficult to understand. Consequently, there are a wide variety of interpretations about the meaning of the book, particularly in the traditional christian world. The commentary contains translation notes and analysis of ever verse. 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. After seeing the father and the son in heaven, the vision of the history and destiny of. The land and the sea beast revelation depict two mighty beasts coming to the fore, both representing different aspects of the kingdom of satan in his time as well as ours. The answers, direct from god, are contained in the collection of modern revelations called the doctrine and covenants. Previous to this book bh roberts project of synthesizing and editing the journals and history of the church, which was eventually published as the 7 volume series, as the history of the church, was the only project like this. The manna is set in direct contrast to the things sacrificed to idols.
Over the last three decades, word of the churchs acquisition of a book of mormon supposedly written in by elvis presley spread easily through fireside speakers, classroom teachers, and newspaper columnists. The revelation of john the apostle byu new testament. Last week, for the first time that i can recall in the five years since i had resigned my membership in the lds church, a good brother of the ward stopped me on my way to the car after church and said, i just wanted to tell you how much i admire you. Yes, this looks to be a very promising book thanks for the heads up. Jan 10, 2010 joseph smith was told by god that the 7 seals are 7 year periods of the earth history. The book of revelation was written in the first century a. Revelation 12 to 22 he that overcometh shall inherit all.
Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. 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. Jun 20, 2009 preparing a top 5 list of commentaries on the book of revelation is extremely challenging in a number of ways. Joseph smith was told by god that the 7 seals are 7 year periods of the earth history. A commentary of the book of revelation the revelation of jesus christ 20 by cooper p. In case its not on your or other readers radar, jim faulconers commentary on romans is a significant. Use scriptures and prophetic revelations that are more easily understood.
Introduction to the book of revelation its current significance. The book is 900 pages of commentary that explains the text phrase by phrase, using lds doctrine and both lds and nonlds scholarship, going back to the original greek. Revelation 5 commentary a testimony of jesus christ. Lynne hilton wilson, revelation 111, come follow me. Revelation latterday commentary last days signs of the.
Rns what the lds curriculum attempts to do with revelation reflects our own mecentered, therapeutic era. Uncovering the book of revelation with richard draper youtube. In this view, the book contains neither historical allusions nor predictive prophecy. The apocalypse contains a prophetical description of the destruction of jerusalem, of the jewish war, and the civil wars of the romans. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. We hope this commentary is a beneficial study tool in your devotion to the word of god.
A panel discussion on the book of revelation at the second annual conference of the byu new testament commentary project held on may 14, 2014, at brigham young. A presentation given at the byu new testament commentary conference held on may 15, 20, at brigham young university in provo, utah. The church was eating earthly pagan food, but the overcomer is promised heavenly food from above. Seeing the book of revelation as a book of revelation. Revelations in context is available on using the links above. Panel discussion of the revelation of john the apostle youtube. Revelation latterday commentary last days signs of.
Draper, understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation, shedding light on the new testament. Here if anywhere we find ourselves in these confusing middle chapters of the book. Among the interpreters of the apocalypse, both in ancient and modern times, we find a vast diversity of opinions, but they may be all reduced to four principal hypotheses, or modes of interpretation. Revelation the dragon, two beasts, and the mark lds. Jesus christ, which god gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. The beast rising out of the sea with seven heads, ten horns, and ten crowns, revelation. Many of the events described in revelation 611 seem to be chronological in order.
An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on the book of revelation. Commentary for revelation 1216 revelation 1214 interludes in the book of revelation. Throughout history the book of revelation has been much understood and neglected. Some christian scholars in later centuries questioned its authorship, objected to some of its doctrines for instance, its teachings about the millennium or its teaching that people would be judged according to their works, and found its. 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. May 03, 20 a website for the upcoming byu new testament commentary series has popped up. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. Transforming revelation, i explain the book of revelation quite completely and sensibly but in a very unique and surprising way.
Revelation ancient christian commentary on scripture weinrich, william c. Book of revelation mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. It is also available in print, ebook, and audio formats. When studying the revelation its very easy to feel lost.