Is it possible for the book to be made easier for latterday saints to understand. By the time the writings that are now included in the new testament were assembled in their present form, three letters and one gospel were also attributed to john. I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. He has published several books, including understanding isaiah, understand the parables of jesus christ, and everyday miracles.
Section 77, which was known in its earliest form as a key to understanding the book of revelation, is critical see an 1851 edition of the pearl of great price. Understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation. Book of revelation overview church of jesus christ. An archaeologist and two assistants discover symbols from the book of revelation on the walls of an ancient room. Were here to help you teach kids about the love of jesus found in the book of revelation. I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead sardis. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation. The purpose of revelation many people either fear the book of revelation or have an unhealthy interest in it. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. Jan 29, 2016 an archaeologist and two assistants discover symbols from the book of revelation on the walls of an ancient room. Revelation 12 to 22 he that overcometh shall inherit. Latter day saints teach that the latter day saint movement began with a revelation from god. If youre befuddled by the book of revelation in the bible, dont fret. How understanding words meanings can unlock the book of.
Use various latterday revelations which expand upon the same subjects in similar. The theme of the book is the events leading up to the jesus second coming. Understanding the book of revelation lds gospel doctrine plus. Apr 28, 2015 what can we do to understand the book of revelation. The key to understanding is the mysterious book of revelation is comprehending its story flow. Such is the view of the latterday saints relative to this most misunderstood of all scriptural accounts. Book of revelation mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. A guide for understanding by vern sheridan poythress prepared for use with the course nt 311, general epistles and revelation, at westminster theological seminary, philadelphia version 2. Understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation, richard d. When such messengers come and a written record is made of the visit and their message, automatically new scripture is formed. 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. The book of revelation doesnt mean what you think theres more to understanding this ancient book than you realize.
God would not have given it to us if its meaning were entirely a mystery. How do mormons interpret the warning in revelation about. Understanding the book of revelation is a timely book as we approach the twentyfirst century. The bible dictionary of the lds edition of the king james bible places the. Introduction revelation is a confusing book to most people despite the many commentaries written. Rns what the lds curriculum attempts to do with revelation reflects our own mecentered, therapeutic era. Have an overall knowledge of the plan of salvation and of the nature. Use scriptures and prophetic revelations that are more easily understood. Book of revelation lds gospel discussion thirdhour.
This book deeply enriched my study as i read the book of revelation. Revelation is meant to produce in you comfort, courage, hope, and praise. In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture. Understanding the book of revelation and the book of. Jun 17, 2018 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 great book.
In revelation chapter 3, we continued with the last 3 of the 7 churches. Dean garrett, a commentary on the doctrine and covenants salt lake city. It is the only biblical book that is wholly composed of apocalyptic literature. Four times the author identifies himself as john 1. 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.
The key to understanding the book of revelation is to interpret it as literally as possibleit says what it means and means what it says. 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. These things saith he that hath the seven spirits of god, and the seven stars. Read the revelation with the same spirit that you would any gospel subject. The format leads the reader along nicely and makes its points in a logical and concise manner. R evelation is a confusing book to most people despite the many commentaries written. In our study of the book of revelation, we must start out with the clear understanding that. For the first time in audio format, richard draper examines in depth the teachings of the book of revelation. Understanding the book of revelation by donald parry. According to the book of mormon, the bible went through the hands of a great and abominable. In the book of revelation, the apocalyptic hopes of the early christian community find their clearest and most complete expression. This revelation was given to him by god the father. Through the prophet joseph smith, the lord has given us vital keys to understanding the book of revelation, particularly the meaning of the seven seals.
All the events of chapter 9 immediately precede the. Grab our free introduction to revelation lessons here. You could ask the same question about any bible that contains the book of revelation, since revelation was not part of the bible at the time it was written. Great prophecies in the book of revelation show how and when these catastrophic events will occur. Joseph smith said, the book of revelation is one of the plainest books god. Continuous revelation provides individual latter day saints with a testimony, described by richard bushman as one of the most potent words in. This booklet contains vital understanding that will forever change your outlook on the future.
But god designed this book for a very different purpose. We have 7 wonderful adult children plus 2 who became our wards as teens, and a bunch of adorable grandchildren. If we apply ourselves with full purpose of heart, we can catch the vision of what the ancient revelator recorded bruce r. 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. Yet the book of revelation need not remain closed, at least for latterday saints who accept modern revelation. Without the book of revelation, the new testament ends similar to how the old testament and the book of mormon ends. This very powerful and dynamic teachingtool on the book of revelation shines a light on the symbolism and the mysteries of god revealed to. The book of revelation was written in the first century a. Sep 18, 2007 i dont understand how the book of revelation relates to the gospel as taught by jesus in the new testament. 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. A need exists for good, ldsoriented commentaries on the scriptures, especially biblical texts, and these two volumes begin to meet that need. Revelation for kids the book of revelation made simple for. Every statement is to be taken to mean for exactly what is written unless such interpretation is highly improbable to spiritual reason, or against scripture elsewhere.
White is professor of classics and christian origins at the university of texas at austin, and acted as historical consultant for apocalypse. When studying the revelation its very easy to feel lost. By studying the original meaning of words from the book of revelation, we will see many principles that we can apply to our everyday lives. 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. He has served as chair of a general chirch curriculum writing committee and as a bishop and stake president. Of all the books in the bible, the book of revelation is one of the most difficult to understand. Revelation chapter 3 explained book of revelation each. 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. Know that the book of revelation deals with things that are to occur after new testament times. This impressive book succeeds in opening up the book of revelation to clearer understanding.
The church of jesus christ of latterday saints commonly referred to as the mormon church claims to be the restored church of the lord jesus christ on the erath today. The four angels mentioned in revelation 7 are angels of the restoration. We have to approach it with an entirely different perspective than we do, say, the book of mormon, and if we refuse to do that, its all just a blur of nonsensical words. Though it is scholarly and comprehensive, the text is not ponderous or difficult to read. Christians outside the mormon church often quote the following scriptures to condemn lds doctrine and open scripture. Joseph smith, the first prophet of this, the last dispensation of time before the second coming of christ, had questions about some of the symbolism in the book of revelation, and he took them to the lord. 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. This summary of the book of revelation provides information about the title, authors, date of writing, chronology, theme, theology, outline, a brief overview, and the chapters of the book of revelation. A need exists for good, lds oriented commentaries on the scriptures, especially biblical texts, and these two volumes begin to meet that need. The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. Truths about him and his final victory, that the rest of scripture merely allude to, become clearly visible through revelation about jesus christ see historical and theological themes. Revelation 12 to 22 he that overcometh shall inherit all. So, the book of mormon, brought forth through the prophet joseph smith. Seeing the book of revelation as a book of revelation.
The book of revelation was written sometime around. Revelation for kids the book of revelation made simple. Its title is derived from the first word of the koine greek text. Sep 29, 2014 understanding the book of revelation by donald parry. 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. Apocalypticism was not a new phenomenon among christians. Volumes of commentary have been written around it in order to increase our understanding. 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. In the books last chapter god reiterates that his words were given to reveal and not to be sealed revelation 22.
Helps for understanding the book of revelation segment 3 main theme an archaeologist and two assistants discover symbols from the book of revelation on the walls of an ancient room. And sometime read it alongside one of the better commentaries. Understanding the book of revelation lds gospel doctrine. Section 77, which was known in its earliest form as a key to understanding the book of revelation, is. The apocalypse, or revelation to john, the last book of the bible, is one of the most difficult to understand because it abounds in unfamiliar and extravagant symbolism, which at best appears unusual to the modern reader. Perhaps no book in all scripture has generated more questions or stimulated more discussion than the book of revelation. Latterday saints are often accused of adding scripture, when the book of revelation so obviously reviles against that possibility. Understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation richard d. Numerous verses in the book of mormon and the doctrine and covenants aid our understanding of the apocalypse. There is no uniformity of belief whatever, except that none of those outside the church envision it for what it truly is. In doing some ancient scripture studies, i have found several accounts t. A message to the latterday saints from the book of revelation.
I dont understand how the book of revelation relates to the gospel as taught by jesus in the new testament. This paper looks at a few of the many symbols in revelation and discusses the nature of apocalyptic style, the vision given in code, the great enemies of the last days, and the mark of the beast. I live in logan, utah with my husband gary, two white poodles and a white oddeye cat. 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.
Helps for understanding the book of revelation segment 3. A very, very insightful and helpful commentary on the book of revelation in the new testament which provides a great deal of clarity to the symbolism and many of the difficult passages of the book. 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. How do mormons interpret the warning in revelation about adding to the book.
It is no exaggeration to describe the book of revelation as a story of horrors and destructions. Messages of the book of revelation for latterday saints. The lds believes in an open canon, so long as it is given by god to one of. This commentary presents a comprehensive analysis of johns book through the lens of the lds doctrine and mormon experience. In the book s last chapter god reiterates that his words were given to reveal and not to be sealed revelation 22. Pack staggering events foretold in your bible will shock the whole world. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. In all its uses, revelation refers to something or someone, once hidden, becoming visible. Reading it straight through in one, two, or three settings is very helpful because you will see connections. Jan 02, 2020 in these chapters god tells us what eternity with him will be like. In other words, the blowing of the seven trumpets is an important series of interventions by god on behalf of his people.
Revelation 810 the seven trumpets and the little book. The reason most commentaries fail to enlighten the books contents is because they violate one or more of the three basic principles of sound biblical interpretation. The book of revelation, part 1 the book of revelation is rich in symbolism, so much so, that most christians find it difficult to understand. Its meaning is positive, not fearful or terrifying to those who serve god. The questions and answers are recorded in doctrine and covenants 77. Exploring the text of the doctrine and covenants,eds. A good portion of the book of revelation is a prophecy of heavenly messengers coming to earth at a time beyond johns day. What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory. Mcconkie, understanding the book of revelation, ensign, september 1975. The vision of the blowing of the seven trumpets of revelation 811 should be understood against the background of the old testament. Organized in 1830, the church of jesus christ was reestablished after several centuries of religious turmult and sectarianism. Nov 18, 2011 the book of revelation is like an epic 3d movie. 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. Harper on a spring sabbath in 1843, a gathering of latterday saints opened their worship service with a hymn.