Interpretive models for the book of revelation as a whole. However, he merely writes the words of jesus revelation 1. Biblical research institute, general conference of seventhday adventists, 1992, 333334. A simple outline for the book of revelation is found in revelation 1. The book of revelation closes its awful description of the judgments which are coming upon the earth by inviting to the sinner, come to christ, and, after one reads and understand the book of revelation, he too will close the book and invite the sinner to. Strand has distinguished himself in a number of areas of biblical scholarship. Hermeneutical guidelines, with brief introduction to literary analysis worthington, oh. A less wellknown historicist interpretation is the medieval churchs identification of the beast from the sea in revelation with the rise of islam. Historically there have been three main approaches in interpreting the book of revelation.
Christ tells john to write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later. Ten keys for interpreting the book of revelation digital commons. But as for the matter of interpreting the messages in the revelation, the results seem as diverse as ever, if one is to judge by the various discussions and commentaries that keep appearing. Hermeneutical guidelines, with brief introduction to literary analysis strand, kenneth albert on. Literary structurea key to interpreting the revelation. A brief overview and interpretation of the book of revelation eric v. Interpreting the book of revelation by ed win re ynolds t the book of revelation comprises some of the most importantyet difficult reading in the bible.
Strand andrews university the book of revelation is by far the richest bible book inallusions to other parts of scripture, especially the 0 t. How does the literary structure of revelation contribute to understanding the books content. Strand is professor of church history at andrews university. Other books, such as zechariah, isaiah, jeremiah, and ezekiel, can help one way or another also in interpreting revelation. The book of revelation introduction the revelation of jesus christ, which god gave him to show his servantsthings which must shortly take place. It fittingly has the last place ending the scriptures and gods revelation to man. Most christians dont even realize other interpretations exist, but there are actually 5 different approaches to interpreting the book of revelation, maybe you knew. The book of revelation is the only book in the new testament that begins by specifically stating its source, the revelation of jesus christ, which god gave to himand signified it by his angel to his servant john rev. Kenneth strand, interpreting the book of revelation pdf hermeneutical guidelines, with brief introduction to literary analysis. 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. So this book is a revelation of jesus christ, not in the sense that matthew, mark, luke and john revealed him, but rather than the humiliated christ, we have. Though here the two main divisions of revelation are simply desig nated part i and part 11 see, however, the preceding page, in a revised form of the diagram, strand refers to these two main divisions of revelation as historical.
First, revelation is a fulfillment of the sixtyfive books that came before it. Bryan davis, the chiasms of the apostle paul introduction. We hope this commentary is a beneficial study tool in your devotion to the word of god. Strand, the eight basic visions in the book of revelation, andrews university seminary studies 25 1987. Box 10 fld 18 the significance of literary structure in interpreting the. The chart provides a summary of the whole book, supporting the theory of recapitulation. Kenneth albert strand is the author of interpreting the book of revelation 3. Gager, the attainment of millennial bliss through myth. You and your family are a blessing beyond description to us and so many others. Chiasmus study archive the preterist archive of realized. The book of revelation, in visionaries and their apocalypses paul d. Ten keys for interpreting the book of revelation edwin reynolds adventist international institute of advanced studies silang, cavite, philippines the book of revelation is at once one of the most important books of the bible for many christians, yet one of the most difficult books to understand. Hermeneutical guidelines, with brief introduction to literary analysis kenneth albert strand download bok. As a seminary graduate, pastor and former bible college president, i highly recommend this important work.
In it, john 1 talks about the ultimate defeat of evil and the glorious return and reign of the lord jesus christ. Strand, interpreting the book of revelation, worthington oh. Although prophecy is scattered all through the bible, two books focus almost entirely on symbolic representations. The author and date of revelation the books author was obviously john revelation 1.
Jul 18, 2016 when interpreting the book of revelation there are two important elements to remember. A wellknown illustration of an historicist reading of the book of revelation is the reformation identification of the harlot babylon in revelation 17 with the roman catholic church and the papacy. In the first chapter, the risen and exalted christ is speaking to john. Strand, interpreting the book of revelation, 2d ed. The real meaning of the bibles book of revelation is a popular, ongoing debate. Reviewed by alex soto when a marriage covenant has been breached by. Strand s theory of the structure of revelation takes two forms.
The ark of the covenant in the cosmic conflict vision of the. The things john had already seen are recorded in chapter 1. The book of revelation is one of the most encouraging books of the new testament. Adventists understanding of the book of revelation. Instead of narratives and letters containing plain statements of fact, the book of revelation is filled with angels. Outline for this study of the book of revelationpages 1, 2, and top of page 3.
Strands theory of the structure of revelation takes two forms. Idem, the eight basic visions, in symposium on revelation, f. Jan 02, 2020 a simple outline for the book of revelation is found in revelation 1. It is most important to understand that the book of revelation does not list the scenes and events in the same order in which they will actually occur. Doug cox, on the chiastic structure of revelation many have observed a strong correlation between the beginning and ending of. A reasonable guide to understanding the last book in the biblethis is one of the finest works on understanding the book of revelation that i have ever read. It is the first book that many new to the bible want to study, while it is often neglected by mature. The author endeavors to encourage the persecuted saints of his own day and, by application, the church throughout the ages. The recent trend toward better application of apocalyptic literature, including the book of revelation, is both interesting and welcome.
A study outline of revelation the church of christ in. Before beginning to go through the content of revelation, we recommend that you read through the, and sections to familiarize yourself with the framework concerning this incredible book of god. There are hundreds of quotes, references, and allusions to both the old and new testaments in the book of revelation. The author and date of revelation the book s author was obviously john revelation 1. There are hundreds of quotes, references, and allusions to both the old and new testaments in. Ann arbor, 1976, 18 notes among revelations numerous striking contrasts the following as exemplary. Kenneth albert strand author of interpreting the book of. Of all the literary types found in the bible books, none differs so drastically as the book of revelation. Strand the second edition of the open gates of heaven is called enlarged for two reasons.
August 1985 this paper represents an attempt to clarify the significance of the term ergon work in the book of revelation. For most the only question about eschatology that exists is whether you think the rapture is pre, mid, or posttribulation. Finding meaning in the literary patterns of revelation adventist. Understanding the book of revelation 15 understanding the seven churches of revelation 10 i was in the spirit on the lords day, and i heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, i am the alpha and the omega, the first and the last. In addition there are approaches which combine these methods or which present vaiiations of them. When interpreting the book of revelation there are two important elements to remember. Kenneth strand, interpreting the book of revelation worthington, oh. The interpretation of the book of revelation has often proven difficult throughout the history of the christian church. Ones soulwinner power would, certainly, more than double if he diligently studies, and understands, the book of revelation, and realizes what is going to take place on earth before too long. The letter is addressed to seven churches in asia 1. The book ends with confirmations of authenticity by god, christ and john.
Approaches to the book of revelation historically there have been three main approaches in interpreting the book of revelation. Key to understanding commentaries on revelations is knowing the position of the commentator. As a seminary graduate, pastor and former bible college president, i. Davidson, biblical principles for interpreting apocalyptic. Recapitulation in revelation 411 biblical research institute.
In the first verse of the book, the apostle john recorded christs words, the revelation of jesus christto show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. The bible is a history book, it tells the pastbut like no other history bookit tells the present and future just as clearly. Interpretation in symposium on revelationbook i by kenneth strand harold bryson notes. Book of revelation with a syllabus for applying the findings in religious instruction name of researcher. Some modalities of symbolic usage in revelation the. Box 10 fld 8 toward a theology of the book of revelation part i. What are some of the keys to interpreting revelation. This view suggests that the events in revelation do not all form a continuous series but the series of sevens seven seals in rev 6. Hermeneutical guidelines, with brief introduction to literary analysis, rev. In his 1979 book, interpreting the book of revelation, strand added a footnote to. It talks about a time when god will dwell with men and he will wipe every tear from their eyes and there will be no more death, or mourning or crying. Book of revelation was written to address this need. While there is only one old testament apocalyptic book daniel and one new testament book that demonstrates some features of this type revelation, it was a. 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.
Most churches today teach the futurist interpretation of the book of revelation. To jerry and sherry roberts thank you for your faithful friendship and love for our lord and my family. Edwin reynolds is professor of new testament at southern adventist university, collegedale, tennessee, and editor of the journal of the adventist theological society. Adventist scholars follow kenneth strands chiastic structure, which places the division between chapters 14 and 15. Summary of the book this is not a comprehensive outline of the book. Vel eric kotter name and degree of faculty adviser. It holds a unique place in biblical interpretation. Hermeneutical guidelines, with brief introduction to literary analysis. An apocalypse is a very specific kind of literature with no modern equivalent.
A study of the meaning of works in the book of revelation. Understanding the book of revelation 15 understanding the seven churches of revelation 10 i was in the spirit on the lords day, and i heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, 11 saying, i am the alpha and the omega, the first and the last, and, what you see, write in a book and s end. Hermeneutical guidelines, with brief introduction to. The eight basic visions in the book of revelation andrews university. Strand, the eight basic visions in the book of revelation, auss 251 spring 1987.