In this view, the book contains neither historical allusions nor predictive prophecy. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. A need exists for good, lds oriented commentaries on the scriptures, especially biblical texts, and these two volumes begin to meet that need. For the first time in audio format, richard draper examines in depth the teachings of the book of revelation. Understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation. Nov 20, 2008 understanding the book of revelation is an excellent christian booklet with revelation bible charts that explain the symbols. Examples from the book of mormon illustrate how the lord adapted his means of revelation from earlier ancient near eastern patterns to patterns found in. How understanding words meanings can unlock the book of. The key to understanding is the mysterious book of revelation is comprehending its story flow. Ridges shares his highly acclaimed approach to teaching the scriptures in this volume of the awardwinning gospel studies series, the book of revelation made easier. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. The issue of being a chosen people has obviously and most visibly been an issue historically for the jewish people, but the book of mormon treats it as something that.
In response to the criticism of some early church leaders, the lord emphatically revealed that revelations come in according to the language and understanding of his people, a principle nephi taught in the 6th century bc. Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. 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 us to understand. Christ tells john to write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. Exploring the text of the doctrine and covenants,eds. The book of revelation made easier in bible lds bookstore. The answers, direct from god, are contained in the collection.
Apr 28, 2015 the book of revelation is similar to other literature of the time thats called apocalyptic, which typically includes visions, global clashes, endoftheworld warnings, and many, many symbols. It also is available on audio file for listening, as well as through digital format on. Thanks be to the interpretive material found in sections 29, 77, 88, and others of the revelations in the doctrine and covenants and other latterday scriptures. Joseph smith said, the book of revelation is one of the plainest books god ever caused to be written. Joseph smith said, the book of revelation is one of the plainest books god. The book of revelation, also called revelation to john or apocalypse of john is the last canonical book of the new testament in the bible. Read the revelation with the same spirit that you would any gospel subject.
So, the book of mormon, brought forth through the prophet joseph smith. Such is the view of the latterday saints relative to this most misunderstood of all scriptural accounts. 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. It is the only biblical book that is wholly composed of apocalyptic literature. 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. Jan 02, 2020 a simple outline for the book of revelation is found in revelation 1. A few years ago, melinda wheelwright brown began to be bothered by the gulf between the divine. In this view, revelation is a sort of crystal ball that gives a timeline of literal future. This summary of the book of revelation provides information about the title, author s, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of revelation. The things john had already seen are recorded in chapter 1. Eve and adam lds living in early march, listeners of the all in podcast were introduced to melinda wheelwright brown and her upcoming book, eve and adam. We highlighted the important adage, if the plain sense makes sense, then seek no other sense, or you will end up in nonsense. Smith translated an ancient text by the gift and power of. The book of revelation had its origin in a time of crisis, but it remains valid and meaningful for christians of all time.
Four times the author identifies himself as john 1. A need exists for good, ldsoriented commentaries on the scriptures, especially biblical texts, and these two volumes begin to meet that need. Seeing the book of revelation as a book of revelation. Consequently, there are a wide variety of interpretations about the meaning of the book, particularly in the traditional christian world. I highly recommend this book for those wanting to gain a greater understanding of the book of revelation, especially from an lds perspective. In the book s last chapter god reiterates that his words were given to reveal and not to be sealed revelation 22. Understanding the book of revelation and the book of. Messages of the book of revelation for latterday saints. Previous to this book bh roberts project of synthesizing and editing the journals and history of the church, which was eventually published as the 7 volume series, as the history of the church, was the only project like this. The messages contained in the book of revelation are taught in the church of jesus christ of latterday saints gospel doctrine classes in sunday school as part of the new testament study year. As such, this can be ordered online, through the church or purchased at any deseret book. Use various latterday revelations which expand upon the same subjects in similar. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation.
Modern revelation, not a knowledge of history, languages, and symbolism alone, is the key to making sense of the apocalypse. Get to know mother eve and father adam with the lds living book club pick for may. Now you can appreciate the book of revelation as never before. With brief, easy to understand versebyverse notes, renowned educator and seasoned gospel scholar david j. Through modern revelations, much information has been given to help deal with the reality of death. 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 us to understand and that it is possible to understand it. Understanding the abrahamic covenant through the book of. In the first chapter, the risen and exalted christ is speaking to john. At the time that john was exiled by rome to patmos and received the revelations recorded here, apostasy was already creeping into christs true church. Of course, joseph smith had a background of angelic tutoring that none of us share.
It is, of course, the cryptic symbolism of revelation that makes it challenging to understand. Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator. Revelation for kids the book of revelation made simple. Revelation then becomes merely a collection of stories designed to teach spiritual truth. The theme of the book is the events leading up to the jesus second coming.
The book of revelation explained takes you on a easy to understand and eyeopening journey through the book of revelation. In our study of the book of revelation, we must start out with the clear understanding that. The book of mormon provides a unique understanding of the abrahamic covenant in that it reframes what it means to be the covenant people, or the chosen people of the lord. When studying the revelation its very easy to feel lost. The answers, direct from god, are contained in the collection of modern revelations called the doctrine and covenants. For non lds this book will provide a good summary of what lds scripture adds to the understanding of the apocalypse of john. Revelation is first and foremost a revelation about jesus christ 1. John, revelations of the encyclopedia of mormonism. Four keys for seeing the book of revelation as a book of revelation doctrine and covenants 77 gives the meaning of the sealed book and the opening of its seals. As the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth 1. Is it possible for the book to be made easier for latterday saints to understand. Have an overall knowledge of the plan of salvation and of the nature. On sunday, july 28, upsas open heart conversation ohc will focus on the church of jesus christ of latterday saints lds and understanding the revelations given to prophet and church founder joseph smith.
Since the rest of the vision is what john sees as each of the seven seals are opened, understanding the symbolism of the book and the seals is critical to understanding the book of revelation. The symbols are easier to understand than you think in the last post we looked at the importance of using a literal interpretation when studying the book of revelation. In short, the book of revelation is arguably the most important book you will read in your life time. The book depicts him as the risen, glorified son of god ministering among the churches 1. The bibles final book, revelation, can seem intimidating or downright impossible to comprehend, even for serious students of the scriptures. Making sense of the book of revelation deseret book. Nephi and johns revelations of the last days part 1 the book of mormon lecture 20 by hyrum andrus duration. Book of revelation overview church of jesus christ.
Jun 17, 2018 the book of revelation explained takes you on a easy to understand and eyeopening journey through the book of revelation. He invited members of the church to seek the holy spirit to understand the important messages of this book for their lives. The four angels mentioned in revelation 7 are angels of the restoration. In his book understanding the book of mormon, hardy concedes that the deuteroisaiah problem is more crucial than many apologists will admit, but that a more promising avenue for faithful latterday saints is to acknowledge that we probably know less about what constitutes an inspired translation than we do about ancient israel. Know that the book of revelation deals with things that are to occur after new testament times. 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. Use scriptures and prophetic revelations that are more easily understood. Includes definitions, symbols, ways of approaching the text, and different interpretations.
A few years ago, melinda wheelwright brown began to be bothered by the gulf between the divine doctrine of gender relations and the difficult. Revelations in context audiobook by the church of jesus. Rns what the lds curriculum attempts to do with revelation reflects our own mecentered, therapeutic era. Don is an amazingly thorough writer with a hebraic scholars understanding of the culture and language used as well as a solid spiritual foundation. Four passages in the book of revelation with specific application to latterday saints reveal that god will care for and protect his followers in the last days. The doctrine of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints is that god has revealed himself in the past, does so now, and will yet, but that the records of such revelations are not the revelations themselves. It is no exaggeration to describe the book of revelation as a story of horrors and destructions. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. The book of revelation was written in the first century a. The revelation of saint john the apostle geneva bible 1599.
Smith translated an ancient text by the gift and power of god to produce the book of mormon, lds sacred text. Modern scripture adds to an understanding of the man and his writings in. See more ideas about church history, lds books and history. A message to the latterday saints from the book of revelation. A simple outline for the book of revelation is found in revelation 1. Uncovering the book of revelation with richard draper. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. Filled with complex imagery, vivid depictions of violence, and challenging spiritual references, revelation is often set aside by readers in favor of more straightforward, easiertodigest biblical material. Two book of mormon passages underscore the importance of the. This framework is primarily laid out in daniel and. In the face of apparently insuperable evil, either from within or from without, all christians are called to trust in jesus promise, behold, i am with you always, until the end of the age mt 28. This book serves as a concise guide to help readers focus on what matters most the doctrine. This book contains stories told from the point of view of those who experienced the revelations in the doctrine and covenants, giving us insight into their meaning. Of all the books in the bible, the book of revelation is one of the most difficult to understand.
Book of revelation read, study bible verses online. Fortunately, these were two of the topics addressed by the prophet in doctrine and covenants 77. Whether were looking for gospel meaning or struggling with understanding revelations in the bible, historical bible study can help us find our way. Understanding the book of revelation is an excellent christian booklet with revelation bible charts that explain the symbols. It starts out simply enough, it is a revelation in greek, apocalypse from jesus christ, it is a prophecy, and it comes as a letter to seven churches. The book of revelation is the last book of the bible in our canon for good reason. If we did not realize already that it takes a lifetime to understand the bible and thats a good thing, the point is driven home when we get to the last book in the biblerevelation. And no other book of the bible promises blessings to those who read it, hear it and take to heart what is written in it. God reveals a basic framework for understanding future events. The time for understanding the book of revelation is now at hand. Ben witherington iii, author of the following article, asking the right question, once hitched a ride from a couple who believed the earth was flat. The books second and third chapters contain vital warnings to the seven churches that existed in asia minor in the first century a.
Revelation for kids the book of revelation made simple for. This view also ignores revelations prophetic character and, if carried to its logical conclusion, severs the book from any connection with actual historical events. While the section headings provide context for the revelations, they dont tell the compl. Two book of mormon passages underscore the importance of the revelation of john for the latter days. Revelation reveals the events of the day of the lord revelation 1. Yet the book of revelation need not remain closed, at least for latterday saints who accept modern revelation. Understanding revelations in the bible biblical archaeology. Making sense of the book of revelation represents a distillation of insights brother millet has gained from thirty years of teaching the new testament. According to the book of mormon, the bible went through the hands of a great and abominable. It is the final expression of and complement to the prophecies of the jewish prophets. 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.
Overall i really enjoyed the book and gained new insights. All the events of chapter 9 immediately precede the. If you want to better understand the book of revelation and the end times. The revelation of john the divine the argument it is manifest, that the holy ghost would as it were gather into this most excellent book a sum of those prophecies, which were written before, but should be fulfilled after the coming of christ, adding also such things as should be expedient, as well to forewarn us of the dangers to come, as to. From as early as justin martyr in the second century a. 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. Book of revelation mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs.
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