You and your family are a blessing beyond description to us and so many others. Jan 24, 2011 elements of the differing views can be incorporated beneficially into our understanding of the book. The four views and their proponents are 1 the preterist view, by kenneth l. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. Revelation, four views, by steve gregg, provides a parallel commentary on all of these four major views without any apparent bias. The things john had already seen are recorded in chapter 1. Why was the book of revelation included in the bible. How can we understand the book of revelation and its many interpretations. Youll find four major interpretive approaches to the book of revelation that can help you read, understand, and figure out the apocalyptic letter of john. Read four views on the book of revelation online by zondervan. The idealist view teaches that revelation describes in symbolic language the battle throughout the ages between god and satan and good against evil. The holy bible book 66 revelation kjv dramatized audio.
It is populated by winged and wild creatures, locust plagues, and sevenheaded beasts. With a book like the book of revelation, you will inevitably have several central messages depending on the angle from which you look at them. John the divine, although the godgiven title is at the very beginning of the text, the revelation of jesus christ, which god. Christians throughout history have given almost unanimous affirmation to the identity of the books author as john the apostle, who had been exiled to the island of patmos by the authorities for preaching the gospel in asia. I cannot point to a single commentary with which i agree entirely. The author has researched a vast array of commentaries and commentators on the book of revelation and given us a summary of four different ways of interpreting the book, straight from the mouths of proponents of the various views. One modern day interpertation of the events of revelation is a. Four views on the book of revelation zondervan counterpoints series does the book discuss other books that overlap revelation.
The careful student will recognize the symbolic nature of numbers in the book of revelation. Book of revelation overview insight for living ministries. Bible and theology kindle edition by zondervan, pate, c. In this parallel commentary, youll learn about four major traditional views and discover the differences in interpretations. John the divine is an example of apocalyptic writing a form that delivers a message using symbols, images and numbers. Reviewed by alex soto when a marriage covenant has been breached by harlotry, offended spouses can pursue divorce. An interlude in which the mystery of god is revealed and a special little book held by a strong angel as described by the apostle john in the bible at revelation chapter 10. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. Gregg sees these 4 categories as a helpful xaxis on eschatology. Four views on the book of revelation explores the four main views in which revelation is understood. Four views on the book of revelation counterpoints. I knew basically what revelation meant back in 1977, having been briefly introduced to a sound view of the book in a general eschatology course taught by greg l.
The endless love of jesus ministries 1,226,206 views 29. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Preterist views revelation s 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. Because its more of an overview, the only negative is it never went in depth on exegetical matters. Background information, origins, sources, pros and cons are all provided in introductions and sidebyside analysis. Four views on the book of revelation focuses specifically on the book of revelation and the primary ways in which it is read and understood today. Four views on the book of revelation counterpoints logos bible. For reasons we can only speculate on the decision to include it was made at the last minutetruly a cliffha. Nov 19, 2012 this is the holy book of revelation, known as the revelation of st. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate and summarize three of the four views based on the book, four views on the book of revelation, edited by c. For example, the futurists are correct in pointing out that some events described in revelation have yet to be fulfilled 2nd coming of christ, final judgement in chapter 20, renewal of all things in chapter 21,22. This is seen in revelation 7, revelation 1011, revelation 12, revelation 20 and revelation 21. The first blessing is in the first chapter of revelation in verse 3.
If youre befuddled by the book of revelation in the bible, dont fret. According to this approach, much of the book deals with the apostasy of the roman catholic church, followed by the reformation and the restoration. Four views of revelation class outline ray wimsett interpretive approaches i. Is the book of revelation a blueprint for the future that needs decoding if we want to understand current events. My own understanding of the book is set forth in a very summary manner in the last chapter of my book from age to age a chapter that is not intended to be read until all of the. Daniel for example appears to have witnessed john receiving part of revelation 22 in daniel 12, while john appears to have heard details in rev. Many of the presbyters in attendance at the council of nicaea didnt want it in the bible.
It is the first book that many new to the bible want to study, while it is often neglected by mature. The book of revelation often called the book of revelations, 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. It was refreshing to read a book about how to approach revelation in its entirety. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. Preparing a top 5 list of commentaries on the book of revelation is extremely challenging in a number of ways.
Four views on interpreting revelation sovereign grace. Preterist idealist classical dispensationalist futurist progressive dispensationalist the interactive counterpoints forum allows each author not only to present his view, but also to offer brief commentary on other views presented. The historicist view sees revelation as a record of the course of history from the time of the apostles to the end of the world. Great for any believer who wishes to deepen their understanding of the book of revelation, this is a great read. This is a paper written for my seminary class be107 hebrews revelation. The new jerusalem the book of revelation the great white throne judgement of jesus duration. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading four views on the book of revelation counterpoints. Perhaps no book of the bible has generated more controversy than revelation. Four views on the book of revelation are presented, critiqued, and defended. Marvin pate, in his four views on the book of revelation 231 correctly states, i believe, that how one approaches revelation 1. Revelation, four views, a parallel commentary steve gregg. Explore the four traditional interpretations of the book of revelation in this indepth, versebyverse overview. Most people are unaware that there is any other way to understand this mysterious last book of the bible. The book of revelation introduction the revelation of jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servantsthings which must shortly take place.
The plethora of views, however, can be distilled into essentially four main categories. 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. Historical this method views the book of revelation as a blueprint of history, i. Parts of the old testament, particularly in the book of daniel, are also written in the apocalyptic genre. No other book gives such extensive coverage of how the church has understood revelation over the centuries. To jerry and sherry roberts thank you for your faithful friendship and love for our lord and my family. Marvin pate, and 4 the classical dispensationalist view, by robert l. This book by gregg, on the other hand, is a detailed, versebyverse. Revelation books four views on the book of revelation. Gods work with the jews has, for the most part, been separate from his work with the church, but now in the book of revelation, it all comes together, and will be most clearly seen during the millennial kingdom. Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator. Some people see it primarily as a political statement. The author of revelation mentioned his name, john, four times throughout the book revelation 1.
Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. The interactive counterpoints forum allows each author not only to present his view, but also to offer brief commentary on other views presented. A simple outline for the book of revelation is found in revelation 1. Daniel baker posted in bible, book of revelation, books, new testament, sermons a couple days ago we introduced the book of revelation in preparation for our summer sermon series. Christ tells john to write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. This 250 page softbound book focuses specifically on the book of revelation and the primary ways in which it is read and understood today. Most 4 views books on the book of revelation compare and contrast dispensational premil. Preterist, which means gone by, is derived from the latin word praeteritus.
The assignment was to write a paper that explains the four major interpretive views of the book of revelation and explains their strengths and weaknesses. The book of revelation is strikingly different from the rest of the new testament. 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. How one sees the opening phrases like these things, will soon take place and immediately will govern ones subsequent approach. Church life the preterist archive of realized eschatology. It looks at four interpretations of revelation, and why those particular interpretations are held. The format for the main body of revelation, chapters 4 through 19, consists of four columns for the four major views.
The book of revelation is a fascinating book, and the debate regarding its interpretation will continue. Sep 30, 2015 bauckhams book will guide you into a richer understanding of the symbolism and their significance and literary art of johns prophetic imagination. Revelation books four views on the book of revelation edited by marvin pate, the revelation of jesus christ by john walvoord, the book of revelation by clarence larkin, revelation revealed by jack van impe, keys to understanding the book of revelation by arthur bloomfield, wrath and glory by david reagan, revelation unveiled by tim lahaye, a. As pointed out last week, if we are to understand the book revelation we must recognize the symbolic use of numbers in the book. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant john. The four views discussed are the preterist, idealist, classical dispensationalist futurist, and progressive dispensationalist views.
Of all the books of the bible, few are as fascinating or as bewildering as revelation. The book of revelation, by all accounts, is the most difficult book in scripture. The last book of the bible is one of the most complicated and confusinghow are we to understand it. Mar 07, 2012 the book of revelation, the final book of the new testament, has some of the most dramatic and frightening language in the bible. Convenient, onevolume format four parallel columns for easy comparison complete coverage of the major interpretations of revelation extensive coverage of the place. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it.
Revelation is filled with obscure and fantastic symbolism, and it teems with mystical references. John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. Four views is a comprehensive, evenhanded resource that offers a clear, fair presentation of four of the most important interpretations of the book, allowing you to evaluate. Introductionto revelation of modern responses to the book of revelation, three quickly come to mind. Is it a book of powerful imagery, with warnings and promises for the church throughout the ages. 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 prophecies have been fulfilled throughout history and are still being fulfilled. Revelation was the last book accepted into the christian biblical canon, and to the present day some churches that derive from the church of the east reject it.
This is the word of god and the testimony of jesus christ. It shows how the various views interpret revelation as well as why. Four views a brief theological analysis of full preterism. A parallel commentary covers the traditional views in an evenhanded fashion. For further information and visuals of the throne of god, angels, cherubim, four living creatures, new jerusalem, tabernacle, temple, jesus christ, song of moses, song of. Four views on the book of revelation christian research. It doesnt begin the way the pseudepigraphal book of enoch does, with the promise that the described events. Four views on the book of revelation explores the four main. Aug 03, 2010 four views on the book of revelation explores the four main views in which revelation is understood. Its purpose is to give encouragement and hope for all. Most prophecies in the book of revelation were fulfilled during the time. Eastern christians became skeptical of the book as doubts concerning its authorship and unusual style were reinforced by aversion to its acceptance by montanists and other groups considered to be heretical. That there are differing views on the interpretation of the apocalyptic writings in the book of revelation is no secret.
Preterist views revelations prophecies as reflecting actual historical events in apostle johns near future, which have been. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. Four parallel columns present the information you need on these key views, and inform you about outstanding commentators on the book of revelation. Try to discover the message to the original readers. Four views is a comprehensive, evenhanded resource that offers a clear, fair presentation of four of the most important. This book explores four of the main views in which the book of revelation is understood. Take a look at the basic structure of the book of revelation. In this lecture, bibleteacher steve gregg concludes his discussion of the four views of revelation. Paul spilsburys book is a close runnerup for my go to book for an introduction to revelation. Revelation books four views on the book of revelation edited by marvin pate, the revelation of jesus christ by john walvoord, the book of revelation by clarence larkin, revelation revealed by jack van impe, keys to understanding the book of revelation by arthur bloomfield, wrath and glory by david reagan, revelation unveiled by tim lahaye, a commentary on the revelation of john by george. So, the divine author of revelation is jesus christ and the human author is the apostle john. Discovering the message to the original audience is the top priority with any book of the bible, but.
Apr 01, 1998 of all the books of the bible, few are as fascinating or as bewildering as revelation. That book allowed the proponents of each of four different views to present an overall summary of their approach to the book of revelation. God revealed the entire church age in advance through the symbolic visions of the apocalypse 1. In revelation 1, john writes that the events of the book must soon take place. The book of revelation page 1 of 4 preterist idealist classical dispensationalist progressive dispensationalist ideology historic. Four views on the book of revelation institute for principle studies. Or is it essentially an imaginative depiction of historical events in the first century. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant john, 2 who testifies to everything he saw. The book of revelation also called the revelation of john or the revelation of st. Despite our various views, there are some common threads upon which christians agree. Four views on the book of revelation explores the four main views in which.