Healthy of Iife: Overview of The Book of the REVELATION

Why Should We Care About The Book of the REVELATION?

Two of the seven principles of Christ deal with the resurrection of the dead in Christ and eternal judgment.

Nearly half of the books of the Bible address occurring events in the last days.

Jesus tells us to watch and be on guard.

A number of Jesus’ parables address his Second Coming.

John the apostle says that we would be blessed if we read the prophecy of the Revelation.

What we believe about the last days will affect how we approach life and our walk with Christ in light of the judgment we’ll receive for our deeds when he returns.

What we know and understand about the last days can prepare us to be discernible and effective witnesses in that time.

What we know and understand about the last days can prepare us to be able to discern the lies and deceit of the antichrist.

What we know and understand about the last days can determine which category of Christians we’ll be part of in those days.

Categories of Christians

Five Foolish Virgins category
Five Wise Virgins category
Saints who are deceived by the Antichrist
Saints who are martyred for their faith
Saints who become apostates

Five Methods of Interpretation

ALLEGORICAL

– believes what God said in plain language is not really what He meant.

MYSTICAL

– believes what God said in plain language may mean other things.

DEVOTIONAL

– searches beyond the plain meaning for personal spiritual application.

RATIONALISTIC

– believes the Bible is not the authoritative inspired Word of God.

LITERAL

– assumes God’s Scriptures in their plain meaning are reliable which…
– means God meant the Bible to be understood by all who believe
– means the Bible explains what God wants us to know through normal use of language

When the plain sense of Scripture makes common sense, seek no other sense; therefore, take every word at its primary, ordinary, usual, literary meaning unless the facts of the context indicate otherwise.

Because “we know in part and we prophesy in part” (1 Cor. 13:9), there will be controversy.

So… In the ESSENTIALS… there must be UNITY.

So… In ALL THINGS… there must be CHARITY.

Author

The apostle John exiled on the isle of PATMOS. The rocky island was located off the shore of Turkey in the Aegean Sea. Written around 90-96 AD, toward the end of the reign of Emperor Domitian. The “Revelation” of Jesus Christ.

- The Greek for “revelation” is apokalupsis.

- Literally means the UNVEILING or the REVEALING of Jesus Christ.

Four Major Schools of Interpretation