...The last book in the New Testament is the book of Revelation. It is a probably one of the most discussed and debated books of the entire Bible. The book of Revelation is one of the books of the Bible that most everyone seems to have an opinion about, but yet it is a book that is often misunderstood. This is mostly due to misinterpreted because it contains symbols that must be interpreted, along with different meanings of words. Many scholars of the Bible have studied the book of Revelation and still will have different opinions on what this book represents. We often find ourselves getting very frustrated when trying to figure out what this book is trying to tell us. One thing that most can agree on is that we know for sure is that this book is the final chapter in God’s plan for the human race. We can spend all day trying to figure out what these different things mean but the bottom line is, it doesn’t matter what we think and what we believe is going to happen. God is in control and God’s plan will be fulfilled regardless of what anybody thinks or believes might or might not happen. So how do we go about interpreting and understanding the book of Revelation? Dr. Cornelius Venema, president and professor of doctoral studies at Mid-America Reformed Seminary and associate pastor of Redeemer United Reformed church in Dryer, Indiana published in his article in the Table Talk magazine, dated January 1, 2012. In this article he gives us a five examples...
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...Apocalyptic literature is the exposure of something concealed in the past (Wilcox, J.A., 2018). Some forms of apocalyptic writing are interpretations of dreams and visions, or monsters and angels who speak about God’s imminent plans (Wilcox, J.A., 2018). Four characteristics found in apocalyptic writing include: sense of universality, cosmic dualism, ethical dualism, and predestination. The book of Revelation reveals strict and up-to-date facts and discussions “such as: angelic guides and interpreters, a cosmic perspective and eschatological emphasis, its origin in situations of conflict (good versus evil), distress and persecution for the in-group, striking contrasts and vivid content derived principally from dreams or visions, and an extensive...
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...Coptic Orthodox Church’s Interpretation of the Signs in The Book of Revelations * The biggest question man asks is: “Where am I going in the after life?” From a Christian perspective, they wish to be saved in the Second Coming in order to reach the Kingdom of Heaven. This can be traced back to the Book of Revelation written by John the Beloved, a disciple of Jesus Christ. According to many Christian dogmas, The Book of Revelation is regarded as an interesting, complex, and a controversial book. Through this book, the reader sees a joyous picture; an open gate in heaven. Revelation means revealing the divine mysteries to mankind. It is a very difficult, symbolic book to understand. It is the only prophetic book of the New Testament, which holds facts beyond human understanding. The book’s use of numbers, symbols, colors, and similes resulted in a unique interpretation from the Coptic Orthodox Church. 0 In the beginning of the book, John explains that his days are near. He visions a shining Jesus, surrounded by seven stars and seven golden lamp-stands. In 2:1–3:22, John is given orders to deliver a message to each of the churches, addressing specific strengths and failings of each church, providing encouragement to some and driving others to repent before Judgment Day. God holds a scroll sealed with seven seals, and nobody is worthy of breaking the seals except Jesus. The second half of Revelation begins with the opening of God’s sanctuary in heaven. A...
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...In the eyes of Phillip Kent, the town was going to hell. First, they built the air force base that caused large military trucks to clog up the roads. Then they built the test site where they plotted the end of the world. And plot they did. Phillip would rant and rave and scream and complain to anyone that would listen. “They’re doing stuff over there that’s not right,” he would say, his hands shaking and his long face dripping with sweat. “I know. I read the Book of Revelations. I know end times when I see it, and this here’s the end times – mark my words. They’re messing with things that shouldn’t be messed with.” Still, no one paid him any mind. Every town had their fool, and Phillip was the fool of Beatty, Nevada. So, when Doris and Marvin Hinckley moved to Beatty in the summer of ’57, they followed suit with the rest of the town....
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...The question posed for discussion this week is how the eschatological vision of ultimate, yet eventual victory presented in the book of Revelation encourages believers to "overcome" in the present? Looking at a verse listed we see that "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death." (Revelation 2:11 NKJV) The second death referred to in this passage could indicate annihilation or resurrection for eternal torment. Typically, the second death here stands for eternal destruction in the lake of fire. God reserves this second death for all unbelievers. Some of the passages listed in the prompt come from the seven letters from Jesus to the seven churches. During those letters, Jesus informed those that overcame the temptations presented to them what would await them in eternal life. He reminded all believers in the seven churches who initially received the letters just as He tells each believer today. The final judgment, the end of days is still yet to come. These encouragements to overcome also give me hope of life eternal with...
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...Revelation 21:1-8 Rachel Ahlberg Theology 213: Book of Revelation December 2, 2014 God the Creator and Redeemer brings all things into completion. Revelation 21:1-8 is the conclusion of everything that has been described throughout the book of Revelation and it is the introduction to eternity. This passage inspires us to stay faithful and steadfast in our Christian life, awaiting the day when there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain, for the old order of things will have passed away. Near the end of the first century, when Revelation was written, the Emperor Domitian began a period of severe persecution against the Christian church. Despite the persecution, this group of believers had faith that Jesus would return. As time passed, however, their hope began to wane. The book of Revelation as a whole is a letter to the early Christian Church to encourage them to maintain faithful witness despite persecution and temptation. Revelation reminds us that, even though Christ is no longer on earth, we have Christ in us. He empowers us and gives us hope for the future. He removes all evil so as to transform and renew His creation. He brings peace and a future to those who are sealed. He promises us all things new and, for those who reject him, all things of judgment. When John refers to a new heaven and a new earth he is not just talking about a new version of the same thing, he is talking about God making a complete transformation of His creation. He does not...
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...Revelation 22: Eden’s Restoration 1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and His servants will serve him. 4 They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever. John and the Angel 6 The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent His angel to show His servants the things that must soon take place.” 7 “Look, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy written in this scroll.” 8 I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I had heard and seen them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who had been showing them to me. 9 But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your fellow prophets and with all who keep the words of this scroll. Worship God!” 10 Then he told me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is...
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...Vy Truong REL C 212 - 011 12/12/2014 THE GENERAL EPISTLES OF 1 AND 2 PETER The General Epistles of 1 and 2 Peter were written by Peter between 60 and 65 A.D. They were not intended for a specific church but written for all believers of the Church in general. Peter’s letters showed the internal strife that affected the church. Peter showed how external persecution should be handled, and he mentioned the significance of being a religio licita. During his life, Peter composed several apocryphal texts including the Gospel of Peter, Acts of Peter, Acts of Peter and Hebrew, Acts of Peter and the Twelve, Gnostic Apocalypse of Peter, a Letter of Peter to Phillip, Apocalypse of Peter, Coptic Apocalypse of Peter, the Gospel of Mary, the Pseudo-Clementina, the Gospel of Thomas, The Pistis-Sophia, the Dialogue of the Savior, and the Apocryphon of James. During that time, in the Christian church, there were three things about Christians that concerned the Gentiles including Pax Deorum, Cannibalism, and Immorality. However, Roman persecution of Christians was not as extensive as described. In his Epistles, Peter talked about Jesus and His suffering for human beings so that humans can have the opportunity to repent and be cleansed. “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit” (1 Peter 3:19). There was one important question that caused some debates among people at that...
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...Counter to Christian end time theology, promoted by popular books and movies, there will not be an evil man over a ten nation confederacy, ruling the entire world at the second coming of Yeshua. There will not even be a seven year tribulation. We will have no warning of the imminent destruction of the planet Earth. In Luke 17:26-30, Yeshua said, the end will be like the Days of Noah and Lot. Christian theologians completely miss the mark when interpreting the prophecies in the Bible. They try to apply the mysteries of the Book of Revelation and the Book of Daniel as future events relating to the world as a whole. But the first step in correctly understanding Biblical prophecy is recognizing that prophesy is all about Israel and Judah. Another disadvantage Christian theologians suffer is their lack of knowledge concerning Israel and Judah. Christian theologians are unaware that most of the prophecies in Revelation and Daniel are fulfilled, with the evidence being, Jewish history. Some theologians might call my views Preterism, a Christian belief that...
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...The Nazarene Way of Essenic Studies 666: The Number of the Beast The Book of Revelation of St. John the Divine "No one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or name of the beast, or the number of his name, and his number is 666" ~The Book of Revelation 13:17-18 Some versions of Christian eschatology holds that this prophecy refers to future events, typically that the Mark of the Beast is one way in which the antichrist will exercise power over the earth, during the period known as the Tribulation in the book of Revelation. Opinions as to what form it will take are varied. The literal interpretation is that the number 666 will be imprinted on the skin, but with recent technological developments the possibilities of universal control are limitless. The notion that the mark is required for all commerce implies that the mark might actually be a special card, or that we might have to have our fingerprints scanned into a worldwide database in order to be recognized in business. Or, the mark might be some kind of smart chip implanted into the body. In Revelation 14:9-12, the third angel warns of wrath and retribution to all those who bear this mark on their heads or hands. The number 666, which supposedly represents the name of the Antichrist, is another source of controversy. There are various theories about the meaning of this verse, and there have been many attempts to show that a person is the Antichrist by relating his name to the number 666. One interpretation is...
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...Seminary Abstract The Millennial kingdom refers to the thousand-year reign of Christ specifically mentioned in Revelation 20:1-6. The significance of the Millennial Reign of Christ when it comes to human history. Since the beginning of time, in the Garden of Eden, man has been set on a course that will ultimately end in the Second Coming of Christ. There have been multiple signs and warnings that have come and gone throughout history, and each time, mankind has reaffirmed the belief that the end time was near. The Millennial Reign of Christ Massive confusion exists within Christian churches about the “Millennium,” a unique thousand-year period depicted in the book of Revelation. Some teach this period is entirely symbolic, and not worth fretting over. Others say we’re in the Millennium now, and that it began when Jesus Christ defeated Satan by His death, burial, and resurrection. Most prophecy teachers contend that this apocalyptic period is still future, that it will immediately follow the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, and will be a time of universal peace on earth as Jesus Christ governs all nations from Jerusalem. But what is the real truth about the thousand years? To discover the answer, one must carefully examine the only authoritative source where it’s taught, the Bible, especially chapter 20 in the book of Revelation. (Wohlberg, 2007) Here’s Revelation 20 in its entirety: And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great...
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...The Nazarene Way of Essenic Studies 666: The Number of the Beast The Book of Revelation of St. John the Divine "No one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or name of the beast, or the number of his name, and his number is 666" ~The Book of Revelation 13:17-18 Some versions of Christian eschatology holds that this prophecy refers to future events, typically that the Mark of the Beast is one way in which the antichrist will exercise power over the earth, during the period known as the Tribulation in the book of Revelation. Opinions as to what form it will take are varied. The literal interpretation is that the number 666 will be imprinted on the skin, but with recent technological developments the possibilities of universal control are limitless. The notion that the mark is required for all commerce implies that the mark might actually be a special card, or that we might have to have our fingerprints scanned into a worldwide database in order to be recognized in business. Or, the mark might be some kind of smart chip implanted into the body. In Revelation 14:9-12, the third angel warns of wrath and retribution to all those who bear this mark on their heads or hands. The number 666, which supposedly represents the name of the Antichrist, is another source of controversy. There are various theories about the meaning of this verse, and there have been many attempts to show that a person is the Antichrist by relating his name to the number 666. One interpretation is...
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...Apocryphal books, and, why the Biblical Christians and their churches have rejected them as part of the original 60 books of the Old and New Testaments. The fifteen Apocryphal books which the Roman Catholics have included in their Bibles come from a collection of about eighteen or more books written during the Inter-testamental period. This period of four hundred years began with God giving the last book of the Old Testament which was Malachi. The Inter-testamental period ended with the coming of Christ and the writing of the New Testament. During this four hundred years God sent no prophets to Israel and was silent giving no written revelation. The word "apocrypha" means "of questionable authenticity (cai.org)". These are called non canonical books because when the canon of Scriptures were accepted by the early Christians they recognized that these books contained artificial material and therefore were not inspired of God. These books are also called "pseudepigraphal", meaning "false writings" to designate them as spurious and unauthentic books of the late centuries B. C. and early centuries A. D. These books contain religious folklore and have never been considered inspired of God by biblical Christians from the earliest times of churches (cai.org). Some have referred to these books as the missing books of the Bible and conclude they are new discovers which are part of God's revelation. Nothing could be further from the truth. The sixty six books that...
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...Your Name Professor’s Name Class Name Date the Assignment is Due Religious Studies The New Testament The New Testament contains twenty-seven books that focus on Jesus of Nazareth. Each book according to (Ehrman, 2006) contained in the New Testament has its author, context, theme, and a persuasive principle. When the books are combined, they contain one of the history’s most fruitful, different, intricate, and captivating writings. The books in the New Testament are divided into three categories, which are the Gospels, the Epistles, and the Book of Revelation. The Gospels as (Berkhof, 2004) states are the books Matthew, Mark, and Luke. These books consist of a similar story and differ in some additions, special emphases, and exclusions according to the author and the messages being passed across. The Gospels relay the story of Jesus of Nazareth, his ministry, gathering of disciples, trial, crucifixion, and his resurrection. Acts on the other hand narrates the story of the resurrection and when the disciples are commissioned to witness. Acts is described as the history of the first church of Christ. The Epistles on the other hand are twenty-one books, also known as letters that are written by church leaders to different churches around the world. The first fourteen of the letters are known as the Epistles of Paul written by St. Paul in his association with the earliest churches in the first and the second century. The next seven letters are named the Catholic Epistles of...
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...the emergence of the Qur'an and the belief that it is a divine revelation from Allah. According to Islamic tradition, in the year 610 A.D. Muhammad received his first revelation from the angel Gabriel during the ninth month of Ramadan, outside the city of Mecca. I mentioned how,over a period of time from 610 when he received his first revelation to his death in 632, Muhammad had a number of revelations which today compose the 114 chapters or Surahs known as the Qur'an. 2. Now the Qur'an, just to kind of orient you to the Qur'an, is organized in a way that may be somewhat familiar to you in that it is somewhat similar to what we find at least in the epistles of Paul in the New Testament. The chapters of the Qur'an are not arranged according to chronology, but according to size, just the way the Pauline epistles are arranged according to their length, from the largest, the longest - Romans, down to the shortest. In the same way, you have the Qur'an organized according to the longest Surahs to the shortest Surahs without any particular reference to the timeframe in which they're given. 3. This sometimes can create some difficulty or dissonance when reading the Qur'an because the Qur'an also adopts what is known as "abrogation." Abrogation means that an earlier revelation can be abrogated, or overturned, by a later revelation, and so sometimes the abrogation occurs prior to when you actually read about the revelation later on because it occurred in a shorter Surah. So there are some...
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