The historicist system of interpretation understands the book of revelation as setting forth the major events of christian history spanning the time of john until the present. Thompson goes through a careful analysis of the historical evidence for the reign of. The purpose of revelation many people either fear the book of revelation or have an unhealthy interest in it. Historical this method views the book of revelation as a blueprint of history, i. Clavis apocalyptica 1627, a commentary on the apocalypse by joseph mede. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john. The traditional view that john the apostle wrote revelation is also implied by its. Questions such as whether the thousandyear rule of christ should be interpreted literally or symbolically begin to arise. Revelation is a long epistle addressed to seven christian communities of the roman province of asia minor, modern turkey, wherein the author recounts what he has seen. First, this view denies the book of revelation any specific historical. Even though life may be difficult now, the result is assuredgod wins in the end. Albert barnes, bengel, elliott, martin luther, joseph mede, isaac. The preterist approach to revelation the unfolding of.
How can we understand the book of revelation and its many interpretations. Then i saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. The revelation of jesus christ, which john the apostle was given on the isle of patmos, is a disclosure of events that were imminent at the time of the books writing and that now lie in the past. In the book of revelation, the apocalyptic hopes of the early christian community find their clearest and most complete expression. While debated by some, he was most likely the apostle john, brother of james, and author of the gospel of john and three epistles. The weakness of the futurist approach is that it views the bulk of the book of revelation as describing events in a distant future. The book of revelation is explained in a simple, understandable way in this fulllength film. Over the course of the churchs history there have been four main approaches. But god designed this book for a very different purpose. Further, the harlot city is defined in this point of view as rome.
So the book clearly is to all of gods people in every generation. Sep 19, 2011 the book of revelation offers encouragement for the believer, especially in times of hardship and trial. Revelation gives a birds eye view of the entire sweep of christian church history. Historicist interpretations see revelation as containing a broad view of history, whilst preterist interpretations treat revelation. The book of revelation offers encouragement for the believer, especially in times of hardship and trial. Apocalypticism was not a new phenomenon among christians.
And this is one of the biggest problems with how people approach the book of revelation. Four parallel columns present the information you need on these key views, and inform you about outstanding commentators on the book of revelation. Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. Proponents of this view living at different periods of church history cannot agree with one another, since. Anacrisis apocalypseos 1705, a commentary on the apocalypse by campegius vitringa. Throughout church history, there have been four different views regarding the book of revelation. David aunes massive commentary on the book of revelation is another that should be consulted by every serious student of scripture. Revelation is viewed as symbolically expressing the cosmic conflict between the kingdom of god and satanic powers. There are four main views or ways that the book of revelation is interpreted. Click charts to enlarge charts from jensens survey of the nt used by permission another chart from charles swindoll. In this view, the book contains neither historical allusions nor predictive prophecy. Notable and influential commentaries by protestant scholars having historicist views of the book of revelation were. Marvin pate, in his four views on the book of revelation 231 correctly states, i believe, that how one approaches revelation 1. A commentary of the book of revelation bible truth.
The book of revelation often called the revelation to john, apocalypse of john, the revelation from jesus christ from its opening words, the apocalypse, the revelation, or simply revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. Aug 04, 2009 revelation the dragon pursuing a woman, from the bamberg apocalypse. Consequently, much of the book had little direct relevance for those persecuted believers to whom the book was originally addressed. Or is it essentially an imaginative depiction of historical events in the first century. The study of the prophecies of daniel and revelation is important to the spiritual dynamics of the seventhday adventist church. Revelation, book of historical exegesis conservapedia.
This view conflicts with the books own often repeated claim to be prophecy 1. These discussions are intended in part to demystify the book of revelation, which. That book allowed the proponents of each of four different views to present an overall summary of their approach to the book of revelation. The book of revelation was written sometime around. Four views on the book of revelation explores the four main views in which revelation is understood. Unlike most books of the bible, revelation contains its own title. Revelation then becomes merely a collection of stories designed to teach spiritual truth. Revelation is is a book of prophecy written by a prophet, its about our future and were supposed to be preparing and readying ourselves in our faith and practice for such a day and time that will be fast approaching upon this world. Historicism, a method of interpretation in christian eschatology which associates biblical prophecies with actual historical events and identifies symbolic beings with historical persons or societies, has been applied to the book of revelation by. The four views and their proponents are 1 the preterist view, by kenneth l. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. White and the interpretation of daniel and revelation.
Also, a possible interpretation will be given for select sections of the book. The hebraic book of revelation intro a torah to the tribes. They have their understanding of the book of revelation obscured by their lack of understanding about history, biblical language, and even modern opinions. The book of revelation does not begin in the way the pseudepigraphal book of enoch begins, with a statement to the effect that the content is not for the present generation, but for a remote generation that is still to come. The background to the book of revelation biblical thinking. When christians discuss their millennial views, they are speaking of their interpretation of the much debated passage in revelation 20.
While many associate the word apocalypse with great disaster, the book of revelation begins and ends by saying that those who read, understand, and apply its message would be happy for doing so. Explains how revelations context and setting can help us understand its original meaning and apply its message to our own lives in the modern world. Christ is the one who will come triumphantly to once and for all defeat his enemies and reign with his people. Historicist interpretations see revelation as containing a broad view of history, whilst preterist interpretations treat revelation as. It was refreshing to read a book about how to approach revelation in its entirety. Aug 02, 2001 what you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in asia.
The historicist view has been the interpretive approach of numerous wellknown individuals. Almost all new testament scholars now take the view that revelation was. Thus, the historical context of the book of revelation is the persecution of. Preterist, which means gone by, is derived from the latin word praeteritus. This leads to an even bigger issue of how the book of revelation should be explained. Four views on the book of revelation counterpoints. There is considerable disagreement on how the book of the revelation should be interpreted. The book of revelation apocalypse 1 introduction revelation1 or apocalypse2 is a unique, complex and remarkable biblical text full of heavenly mysteries. Charts on the book of revelation is a useful supplement to courses on the book of revelation in both the church and the academy.
White is professor of classics and christian origins at the university of texas at austin, and acted as historical consultant for apocalypse. It fittingly has the last place ending the scriptures and gods revelation to man. Heretofore, my discussions on the book of revelation have centered around the rapture if and when it will happen, the millennium, and who the antichrist is. The idealist view teaches that revelation describes in symbolic language the battle throughout the ages between god and satan and good against evil. Wilsons charts cover a range of historical, literary, rhetorical, and interpretive issues that will guide the careful student in making more viable interpretations of this difficult yet enriching book. Interprets revelation as a timeless depiction of the cosmic struggle between the forces of good and evil. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation. Mar 19, 2019 the book of revelation starts with this is a revelation from jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. Ministers should present the sure word of prophecy as the foundation of the faith of seventhday adventists, declared ellen white. The author of the book of revelation, saint john the divine, offers a transcription of seven letters and later describes strange beasts, visions of judgments, governments, demonic battles, heaven, and a new world order a prophetic vision for the end of the world. The other mode of interpretation is what we might call a literalist mode, where it is assumed that at least some events in the book of revelation are literal historical events that have played. Page 8 page 9 alternative views preterist then only historical history only idealist allegorical.
What is important to know to properly interpret the book. An issue that must be addressed before proceeding to an examination of the text of revelation is our basic hermeneutical approach to the book. The three views of eschatology evidence and answers. This book allows proponents of each of the four major interpretive views on revelation to present an overview from their perspective. Views revelation as a panoramic view of church history from apostolic times to the present, seeing in the symbolism such events as the barbarian invasions of rome, the rise of the roman catholic church as well as various individual popes, the emergence of islam, and the french revolution. However, commentators who take this approach often deny that the book has any specific historical meaning. How accurate are the descriptions of these seven cities mentioned in the book of revelation according to archaeology and history. John, identified as one who bore witness to the word of god, and to the testimony of jesus christ. The book of revelation closes its awful description of the judgments which are coming upon the earth by inviting to the sinner, come to christ, and, after one reads and understand the book of revelation, he too will close the book and invite the sinner to, come, and receive, jesus christ as you savior. Athanasius of alexandria clearly hold to the historical view in his many writings. Take a look at the basic structure of the book of revelation.
This book by gregg, on the other hand, is a detailed, versebyverse commentary, with the text divided into paragraphs, and each paragraph followed by four parallel columns. If youre befuddled by the book of revelation in the bible, dont fret. Explains how revelation s context and setting can help us understand its original meaning and apply its message to our own lives in the modern world. Introduction some general comments about the book of revelation and its uniqueness. Jan 24, 2011 the idealist approach mines the book of revelation for timeless theological truths that apply to all generations. The book of revelation was written sometime around 96 ce in asia minor.
The historicist view teaches that the book of revelation is a symbolic. The different approaches that various people or groups use to understand the book of revelation called interpretive horizons are generally grouped under four major categories, with some subgroups see the kingdom of god. Views revelation as a panoramic view of church history from. However, differences occur when attempting to interpret the millennial kingdom mentioned in revelation 20. Charts on the book of revelation is a useful supplement to. Revelation has a wide variety of interpretations, ranging from the simple historical interpretation, to a prophetic view on what will happen in the future by way of the will of god and the womans victory on satan symbolic interpretation, to different end time scenarios futurist interpretation, to the views of critics who deny any spiritual value to revelation at all, ascribing it to a humaninherited archetype. An historical exegesis of the book of revelation from this point of view thus seeks to represent an interpretation of its original meaning. 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. A parallel commentary covers the traditional views in an evenhanded fashion. The book of revelation page 1 of 4 preterist idealist classical dispensationalist progressive dispensationalist ideology historic. The key problem for historicism is the need to constrain the events of the book of revelation into the historic mold brought to the text by the interpreter. As we will see when we come to the various systems of interpretation, maintaining the proper historical perspective is of utmost importance. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The book needs to be understand under the shadow of roman imperial might, emperor worship and the persecution of christians that resulted from their treasonous refusal to bow the knee to caesar as lord and savior.
The conviction that god controls the course of history. What you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in asia. The historical context in which it was written what are the four major views of interpreting the book. Historicist interpretation commentary a testimony of. The book of revelation has direct relevance to the real historical first century churches to whom it was addressed, and. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john.
Historicism, a method of interpretation in christian eschatology which associates biblical. However, much debate surrounds the proper interpretation of this. Why the modern view of the book of revelation may be flawed. They seek to read the book of revelation in its historical context. Since different interpreters give priority and attention to different historical events or geographical regions, the results predictably vary. The historicist view follows a straight line of continuous fulfillment of prophecy which starts in daniels time and goes through johns writing of the book. The traditional view that john the apostle wrote revelation is also implied by. Returning the book of revelation to its historical context st. The strongest point of aunes commentary is the amount of information it contains regarding relevant extrabiblical literature that sheds light on the historical context. According to this approach, much of the book deals with the apostasy of the roman catholic church, followed by the reformation and the restoration.
Revelation is meant to produce in you comfort, courage, hope, and praise. Literary, historical, and theological perspectives 9780825439391 by. This interpretive method robs revelation of any meaning for those to whom it was written. Aug 15, 2015 the book of revelation is explained in a simple, understandable way in this fulllength film. Preterist views revelations prophecies as reflecting actual historical events in apostle johns near future, which have been. As i read the four views, the preterist view fascinated me. Some general comments about the book of revelation and its uniqueness.
The importance of historical perspective commentary. The book of revelation, the last book of the bible, has fascinated and puzzled christians for centuries. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading four views on the book of revelation counterpoints. This view also ignores revelations prophetic character and, if carried to its logical conclusion, severs the book from any connection with actual historical events. How one sees the opening phrases like these things, will soon take place and. Historicist interpretations of the book of revelation wikipedia. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. Revelation the dragon pursuing a woman, from the bamberg apocalypse. The book of revelation starts with this is a revelation from jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place.
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