Have an overall knowledge of the plan of salvation and of the nature. In the book s last chapter god reiterates that his words were given to reveal and not to be sealed revelation 22. Know that the book of revelation deals with things that are to occur after new testament times. Such is the view of the latterday saints relative to this most misunderstood of all scriptural accounts. I highly recommend this book for those wanting to gain a greater understanding of the book of revelation, especially from an lds perspective. 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. In this view, the book contains neither historical allusions nor predictive prophecy. The book of revelation made easier in bible lds bookstore. 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. How understanding words meanings can unlock the book of. Messages of the book of revelation for latterday saints. 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. 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. 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.
Use various latterday revelations which expand upon the same subjects in similar. It also is available on audio file for listening, as well as through digital format on. 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. Making sense of the book of revelation deseret book. Nov 20, 2008 understanding the book of revelation is an excellent christian booklet with revelation bible charts that explain the symbols. 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. 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. 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. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. Making sense of the book of revelation represents a distillation of insights brother millet has gained from thirty years of teaching the new testament. In the first chapter, the risen and exalted christ is speaking to john. If you want to better understand the book of revelation and the end times. For some parts of the book of revelation, joseph smith, first prophet of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints, often inadvertently called the mormon church, went to the lord with direct questions. For non lds this book will provide a good summary of what lds scripture adds to the understanding of the apocalypse of john.
This book serves as a concise guide to help readers focus on what matters most the doctrine. 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. Smith translated an ancient text by the gift and power of. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. Through modern revelations, much information has been given to help deal with the reality of death. Uncovering the book of revelation with richard draper. Joseph smith said, the book of revelation is one of the plainest books god. Jan 02, 2020 a simple outline for the book of revelation is found in revelation 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.
The books second and third chapters contain vital warnings to the seven churches that existed in asia minor in the first century a. 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. 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. Understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation. The key to understanding is the mysterious book of revelation is comprehending its story flow. Yet the book of revelation need not remain closed, at least for latterday saints who accept modern revelation. According to the book of mormon, the bible went through the hands of a great and abominable. The theme of the book is the events leading up to the jesus second coming.
Book of revelation mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. The book of revelation was written in the first century a. Exploring the text of the doctrine and covenants,eds. The book of revelation is the last book of the bible in our canon for good reason. 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. Of all the books in the bible, the book of revelation is one of the most difficult to understand.
Understanding revelations in the bible biblical archaeology. So, the book of mormon, brought forth through the prophet joseph smith. Two book of mormon passages underscore the importance of the. God reveals a basic framework for understanding future events. The answers, direct from god, are contained in the collection of modern revelations called the doctrine and covenants. See more ideas about church history, lds books and history. Seeing the book of revelation as a book of revelation. The answers, direct from god, are contained in the collection.
Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. 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. From as early as justin martyr in the second century a. Perhaps no book in all scripture has generated more questions or stimulated more discussion than the book of revelation. 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. Now you can appreciate the book of revelation as never before. Rns what the lds curriculum attempts to do with revelation reflects our own mecentered, therapeutic era. Read the revelation with the same spirit that you would any gospel subject.
It is no exaggeration to describe the book of revelation as a story of horrors and destructions. While the section headings provide context for the revelations, they dont tell the compl. The four angels mentioned in revelation 7 are angels of the restoration. 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. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. Is it possible for the book to be made easier for latterday saints to understand. Get to know mother eve and father adam with the lds living book club pick for may. A few years ago, melinda wheelwright brown began to be bothered by the gulf between the divine. Revelation for kids the book of revelation made simple. The time for understanding the book of revelation is now at hand.
Use scriptures and prophetic revelations that are more easily understood. As such, this can be ordered online, through the church or purchased at any deseret book. Consequently, there are a wide variety of interpretations about the meaning of the book, particularly in the traditional christian world. With brief, easy to understand versebyverse notes, renowned educator and seasoned gospel scholar david j. The bibles final book, revelation, can seem intimidating or downright impossible to comprehend, even for serious students of the scriptures. Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator. The book depicts him as the risen, glorified son of god ministering among the churches 1.
Revelation is first and foremost a revelation about jesus christ 1. A need exists for good, ldsoriented commentaries on the scriptures, especially biblical texts, and these two volumes begin to meet that need. Revelation then becomes merely a collection of stories designed to teach spiritual truth. When studying the revelation its very easy to feel lost. Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. 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.
Nephi and johns revelations of the last days part 1 the book of mormon lecture 20 by hyrum andrus duration. 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 our study of the book of revelation, we must start out with the clear understanding that. We highlighted the important adage, if the plain sense makes sense, then seek no other sense, or you will end up in nonsense.
Understanding the book of revelation and the book of. Whether were looking for gospel meaning or struggling with understanding revelations in the bible, historical bible study can help us find our way. A need exists for good, lds oriented commentaries on the scriptures, especially biblical texts, and these two volumes begin to meet that need. He invited members of the church to seek the holy spirit to understand the important messages of this book for their lives.
Understanding the abrahamic covenant through the book of. In short, the book of revelation is arguably the most important book you will read in your life time. 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. Don is an amazingly thorough writer with a hebraic scholars understanding of the culture and language used as well as a solid spiritual foundation. A simple outline for the book of revelation is found in revelation 1. 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. 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. Revelation reveals the events of the day of the lord revelation 1. Revelations in context audiobook by the church of jesus. Of course, joseph smith had a background of angelic tutoring that none of us share.
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. 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. A message to the latterday saints from the book of revelation. The book of revelation had its origin in a time of crisis, but it remains valid and meaningful for christians of all time. 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. Fortunately, these were two of the topics addressed by the prophet in doctrine and covenants 77. This view also ignores revelations prophetic character and, if carried to its logical conclusion, severs the book from any connection with actual historical events. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. All the events of chapter 9 immediately precede the. Joseph smith said, the book of revelation is one of the plainest books god ever caused to be written. It is the only biblical book that is wholly composed of apocalyptic literature. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. Revelation for kids the book of revelation made simple for.
Smith translated an ancient text by the gift and power of god to produce the book of mormon, lds sacred text. Understanding the book of revelation is an excellent christian booklet with revelation bible charts that explain the symbols. 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. Two book of mormon passages underscore the importance of the revelation of john for the latter days. 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. For nonlds this book will provide a good summary of what lds scripture adds to the understanding of the apocalypse of john. People have shied away from this book because of its use of symbolism and its cryptic references.
It is, of course, the cryptic symbolism of revelation that makes it challenging to understand. 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. 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. 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. 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. John, revelations of the encyclopedia of mormonism. Book of revelation overview church of jesus christ. 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 this view, revelation is a sort of crystal ball that gives a timeline of literal future.
Four times the author identifies himself as john 1. Includes definitions, symbols, ways of approaching the text, and different interpretations. 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. Understanding the book of revelation is a timely book as we approach the twentyfirst century.
Modern revelation, not a knowledge of history, languages, and symbolism alone, is the key to making sense of the apocalypse. The things john had already seen are recorded in chapter 1. It is the final expression of and complement to the prophecies of the jewish prophets. The revelation of saint john the apostle geneva bible 1599. Modern scripture adds to an understanding of the man and his writings in. For the first time in audio format, richard draper examines in depth the teachings of the book of revelation. This framework is primarily laid out in daniel and. As the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth 1. Christ tells john to write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. Jun 17, 2018 the book of revelation explained takes you on a easy to understand and eyeopening journey through the book of revelation.
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