Though it is little more than a piece of scholarly gossip, some have even suggested that the reformer john calvin, one of the best interpreters of the scriptures the church has known, shied away from writing a commentary on. May 16, 2007 this is the best book hands down on the lds perspective of revelation that i have read thus far there are parts of the book of revelation whose meaning has yet to be revealed but where these are encountered the authors are candid enough to acknowledge this and to give us their best understanding as of now about those parts. The book of revelation takes an approach to the plan of salvation that is found nowhere else in all of our inspired writings. The book of revelation also provides warnings and speaks of things that can be done to defend against them in the latterday.
Latterday revelation explains the meaning of these beasts, as recorded in doctrine and covenants 77. One passage that causes a stir among christians is the seven plagues, or bowls, that. Understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation. Dec 01, 2019 revelation a brief outline of the text. Oct 10, 2017 the book of revelation sheds light on a host of events surrounding the return of jesus christ to the earth. Dec 23, 2019 what the lds curriculum attempts to do with revelation reflects our own mecentered, therapeutic era. Decoding revelation 3 so we now have two keys to understand how to properly decode the book of revelation.
Just as the title of the book says, it is another testament of jesus christ, not a modification of the words of the apostles. 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. The one thing every christian should be doing but most are not. In the november 20, 1999 issue of the lds church news p. Consequently, there are a wide variety of interpretations about the meaning of the book, particularly in the traditional christian world. Some of the important themes that come from this sacred text include jesus christ, the last days, the second coming, good versus evil, gods judgments against the wicked, safety for the righteous, and the temple. The bibles most controversial book becomes a road map for each persons very own spiritual. The interpretation of the book of revelation is not that of the restored church of god, or any person within it, including me. The book of revelation is one of the most intriguing, confusing, and misunderstood books in all of scripture. Latterday saints are fortunate that the restoration has provided many keys to interpret this book. The seven sealed book and the lion who was also a lamb.
The book of revelation also called the apocalypse of john, revelation to john or revelation from jesus christ is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the final book of the christian bible. Interpretive models for the book of revelation as a whole. The broadcast will originate from the conference center. Revelation the dragon, two beasts, and the mark lds. Dec 18, 2019 revelation depic t two mighty beasts coming to the fore, both representing different aspects of the kingdom of satan in his time as well as ours. In this new study guide, the authors examine the book of revelation phrase by phrase, including the actual scripture passages and revealed corrections from the joseph smith translation. Scripture study can be a bit daunting because of the use of symbolism. I see this as another parallel here worthy of further exploration. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. The four beasts were four of the most noble animals that had filled the measure of their creation, and had been saved from other worlds, because they were perfect. In our study of the book of revelation, we must start out with the clear understanding thataside from changes and errors of translationit is as though the same words were written in the book of mormon or the doctrine and covenants. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and. I believe that in the book of revelation our lord jesus christ has already given us an excellent key to the interpretation.
If you have already fallen in love with johns presentation of the plan of salvation as it is set out in the apocalypse, you are one of the favored few in the church. How do mormons interpret the warning in revelation about. The 144,000 in the book of revelation david jeremiah blog. The greek term denotes an unveiling or uncoveringthus, a revelation p.
After these things i looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands revelation 7. The book of revelation encourages followers of jesus christ to remain faithful in the. Reagans book, wrath and glory, covers the book of revelation chapter by chapter. Numerous verses in the book of mormon and the doctrine and covenants aid our understanding of the apocalypse. Listen to this report filed by john in the seventh chapter of revelation. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. Joseph smith said, the book of revelation is one of the plainest books god ever. The bibles answer the greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka.
Its message for the righteous continues to promote comfort and confidence. So by the time you get to jesus, youre expecting, when you hear that he is a lamb, perhaps something specific. The book of mormon is a separate book taking place on a different continent. Third, we need to establish a very important principle that applies to all scripture prophecy included. The book of revelation is the only apocalyptic book in the new. The book of revelation explained in under 5 minutes youtube. So, the book of mormon, brought forth through the prophet joseph smith, teaches. The book of revelation is clear that, for a time, the latterday saints will have to face these conditions with courage and faith. Nov, 2019 in the book of mormon, which loves to take the rhetoric of the book of revelation and run with it, lamb or lamb of god appear over 50 times. Revelation the last book in the bible was written to tell us about the futureespecially the final conflict between god and satan, and the triumph of jesus christover all the powers of evil and death and hell. The story originates in jerusalem, but the majority after the first 50 pages or so takes place in ancient america. Other patterns presented include characteristics of gods warning trumpets to the world, the preparation of the righteous, the great harvest of missionary work, the character and downfall of babylon, the consequences of sin, and the blessings reserved for the righteous. It is the only book of the new testament classified as apocalyptic literature rather than didactic or historical, indicating thereby its extensive use of visions, symbols, and allegory, especially in connection with future events.
Book of revelation overview church of jesus christ. What the lds curriculum attempts to do with revelation reflects our own mecentered, therapeutic era. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. Yet the term lamb arnion occurs in revelation 28 times. There are several other articles available on biblical interpretation.
The interpretation of the book of revelation has often proven difficult throughout the history of the christian church. One beast arises out of the sea, hence we will call it the sea beast. They also teach that revelation is the foundation of the church established by jesus christ and that it remains an essential element of his true church today. The april proceedings will mirror the october 2020 general conference. Read the revelation with the same spirit that you would any gospel subject. Yet the book of revelation need not remain closed, at least for latterday saints who accept modern revelation. Anyone who has read the popular left behind novels or listened to. The term lion is used of christ only once in revelation, though this is the book which reveals christs lionlike majestic authority and character.
But this revelation section 77 is not a complete interpretation of the book. In other words, the blowing of the seven trumpets is an important series of interventions by god on behalf of his people. Rns what the lds curriculum attempts to do with revelation. Second, like many other parts of scripture, the revelation had clear meaning to those who read it when the book was written, and yet has a prophetic meaning also. Interpreting the book of revelation is a detailed and documented analysis of revelation, the most challenging book of the bible. The book of revelation unveiled united church of god. Joseph smith said, the book of revelation is one of the. The best example of joseph smiths providing an explanation of the book of. No man is capable of opening a single prophecy in this book. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation.
In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture. Plans for virtual april 2021 general conference announced newsroom of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints the first presidency of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints has announced that the april 2021 general conference will be virtual only. Mcconkie 191585 of the quorum of the twelve apostles, 1 and seeing the book of revelation as a book of revelation, by gerald n. Seeing the book of revelation as a book of revelation. Jan 24, 2012 the book of revelation is written primarily in symbolic language. Though it is little more than a piece of scholarly gossip, some have even suggested that the reformer john calvin, one of the best interpreters of the scriptures the church has known, shied away from writing a commentary on the book of revelation for this very reason. Of all the books in the bible, the book of revelation is one of the most difficult to understand. So, the book of mormon, brought forth through the prophet. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. An overview of revelation multimedia training kit covers the book of revelation verse by verse. Christs apostle johns revelation extends from before the creation of this world to the end of this earths temporal existence.
Dec 12, 2019 the know after four introductory chapters, the body of the apocalypse of john begins with the revelator seeing a book, a scroll, or document of some kind, in the hand of the lord, who was seated upon his heavenly throne. Prayerful study of this book can bring you a deeper understanding of the. The book of revelation has been available in english since the king james. I would argue that perhaps both the book of revelation and the book of the dead come from the same source. How understanding words meanings can unlock the book of. An apocalypse is a very specific kind of literature with no modern equivalent. 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. Sep 19, 2011 first, the revelation was a spiritinspired tract to encourage believers facing trials and persecution. One of our most fascinating exercises in scriptural interpretation is to study the book of revelation, to ponder its truths, and to discoverto our surprise and amazement what this commonly misunderstood work is all about.
Reagans video program, revelation revealed, presents a sweeping overview of the entire book of revelation. The book of revelation was written in the first century a. To those living under oppression today, this book is very important. Two book of mormon passages underscore the importance of the revelation of john for the latter days. The bible dictionary of the lds edition of the king james bible places the. Consequently, there are a wide variety of interpretations about the meaning of the book. Additional passages of scripture located in the book of mormon and the doctrine and covenants offer some assistance in understanding the book. Its panoramic vision helps readers to know of the signs of his coming, but also provides valuable points to ponder and suggestions for personal preparation and application. In addition, the prophet joseph smith 180544 taught. Latter day saints teach that the latter day saint movement began with a revelation from god. Filled with scores of symbols and images, johns glorious vision, as set forth in the book of revelation, is often a bewildering vision at that. The point is simply that his kingly crown, rule, and power lies in his person and redemptive work as the lamb of god who died in our.
Yet a careful and specific study of the words found in scripture and their origins will unlock a treasure and lead to a meaningful understanding of how we can better interpret messages from the word of god. Continuous revelation provides individual latter day saints with a testimony, described by richard bushman as one of the most potent words in. Joseph smith said, the book of revelation is one of the plainest books god ever caused to be written. The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. John, revelations of the encyclopedia of mormonism.
Its theme is that there will be an eventual triumph on this earth of god over the devil. In episode 92, we discussed intertextuality in the book of mormon. The book of revelation refers to christ as a lamb nearly 30 times. Use scriptures and prophetic revelations that are more easily. Johns work stands as a testament of the foreknowledge of god and has thereby given hope and assurance. Continuous revelation provides individual latter day saints with a testimony, described by richard bushman as one of the most potent words in the mormon lexicon.
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 old testament allusions and visionary narrative to be too strange and too different from other new. The interpretation of the book revelation lamb and lion. That is, they are true and are the very words the lord wants us to have on the matters with which they deal. Revelation to john, also called book of revelation or apocalypse of john, abbreviation revelation, last book of the new testament. The record was written with one part on the interior and the other part on the exterior and then had been sealed with seven seals revelation 5. The bible dictionary of the lds edition of the king james bible places. This key verse can be used to unlock the meaning of the book. Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. The book of revelation has been available in english since the king james version was translated from the original greek in 1611. 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 old testament allusions. Dec 14, 2019 the vision of the blowing of the seven trumpets of revelation 811 should be understood against the background of the old testament. By the early 19th century, when god called joseph smith as the prophet of the restoration, the book of revelation was included in almost all versions of the bible and was widely read. Symbols and numbers we read this in this text the number 7 symbolism and meaning revelation 1. He the lord has withheld the sealed portion of the book of mormon from us.
The first is that it speaks in symbols, and second is that the meaning behind many of those symbols will be found in the old testament. Hugh nibley has tirelessly worked to show the connection between the ancient egyptian temples, ritual, and christian worship. In other words, the mormon s claim that parts of revelation predict the book of mormon is wrong. The name of the book, revelation, is a translation of the title in the original new testament greek, apocalypsisthe origin of the other name by which the book is now known, the apocalypse. This very powerful and dynamic teachingtool on the book of revelation shines a light on the symbolism and the mysteries of god revealed to mankind in this g. Revelation 810 the seven trumpets and the little book. The imagery of johns vision stoked peoples imaginations and gave rise to many different interpretations, as it continues to do today. Johns work stands as a testament of the foreknowledge of god and has thereby given hope and assurance through nearly two millennia. Any view that does not give meaning to the symbols in revelation as occurring in the first or second century is wrong. Consequently, there are a wide variety of interpretations about the meaning of.
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