Though the seven churches of revelation are real churches, the writer uses them allegorically as seven future periods of the church. Revelation is an apocalyptic prophecy with an epistolary introduction. I cannot physically see him nor can i audibly hear him. This literary technique reaches godseekers in the 21st century to prove the integrity of the prophecy. The book of revelation is a personal book although it encompasses much of prophecy, revelation is a very personal book the apostle john wrote to the seven churches regarding the vision he received from christ. Prophecy and the book of revelation part 7 youtube. John wrote revelation while a prisoner on the island of patmos, approximately 8595 a. John introduces revelation as a letter to the seven christian churches of asia minor. Those churches were in ephesus, smyrna, pergamum, thyatira, sardis, philadephia, and laodicea. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the. In fact, this links the book of revelation to psalm 119, which is. King james version the bible calls this time period the last days and the time of the end, or end times. The book of revelation is the unveiling of jesus christ.
The letters to the seven churches in revelation 23 outline the course of church history from the first advent of christ to his second advent. Easytoread version the following are some outstanding features of lastdays, or. The first dvd, the great unveiling covers chapter one of the book of revelation. Join us as brother phil continues his lesson on prophecy and the book of revelation. The old testament prophets foretold that the future messiah or christ would end. Join us on a journey through the pages of this letter from christ to his people. Johns letters to the seven churches, written while he. The apocalyptic book of revelation uses symbols and old testament references to reveal a. The bible describes events and conditions that would mark the conclusion of the current system of things, or the end of the world. The entire book constitutes the letterthe letters to the seven individual. Though the book of revelation speaks of the end of the world using strange and fearsome symbols, the. 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.
First, well explore the historical background of the book of revelation. Were the seven churches of revelation a prophecy for today. The book of revelation is addressed to believers, his servants, of the churches in seven cities of the roman province of asia. All of the end time prophecy in the bible comes together in revelation, christ returns, judgments occur and gods great plan for mankind successfully comes together as satan is defeated and he and his followers are sent away into eternal punishment forever, never to trouble gods people again. The book of revelation, the rapture and related bible prophecies have. And he sent and signified it by his angel to his servant john. These were some of the things that interested me as a skeptical young man growing up in chicago while contemplating atheism or christianity. The book of revelation, the final book of the new testament, has some of the most dramatic and frightening language in the bible.
There are seven letters in the book of revelation that defy all explanation. With the possible exception of the letters in chapters 2 and 3, god revealed visions to. The book is also written to all believers everywhere. The book of revelation is an apocalyptic letter that relies on visions, symbols and old testament references to reveal the ultimate fulfillment of gods promise given to abraham in genesis.
The apocalyptic book of revelation is a symbolic glimpse into. My dear ephesus, ive written you a letter the book of revelation is all featured around one central figure, that figure is jesus christ. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope. In the 21st century, these periods are now historical and easily verifiable.
Today shawn continues his series on reading through the book of revelation. Revelation 1 the revelation of jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servantsthings which must shortly take place. The beasts of prophecy written about by daniel in his book and john of the book of revelation. The discipleapostle john, who followed jesus christ and witnessed his crucifixion, authored it. Each of the 22 chapters contains a revelation about a hebrew letter in consecutive order and provides an outline for the book itself. It is no accident, notes john mcray, that the letters in revelation are arranged in this. The literary genres of the book of revelation are an apocalypse, a prophecy, and an epistle or letter. The book of revelation has much to teach us about the events of the end times, and about our own hearts.
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