A presentation given at the byu new testament commentary conference held on may 15, 20, at brigham young university in provo, utah. Understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation. It compares the original published revelations with what we have today in the lds and rlds doctrine and covenants. If youre befuddled by the book of revelation in the bible, dont fret. Transforming revelation, i explain the book of revelation quite completely and sensibly but in a very unique and surprising way. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. Since each of the four new testament gospels contains an account of the suffering and death of jesus christ, it is perplexing that they receive so little attention in discussions of the atonement. The divine origin, the design, and the importance of this book. Panel discussion of the revelation of john the apostle youtube. Over the last three decades, word of the churchs acquisition of a book of mormon supposedly written in by elvis presley spread easily through fireside speakers, classroom teachers, and newspaper columnists.
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. This view also ignores revelations prophetic character and, if carried to its logical conclusion, severs the book from any connection with actual historical events. 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. It is the only biblical book that is wholly composed of. Read the revelation with the same spirit that you would any gospel subject. Revelation latterday commentary last days signs of the. An apocalyptic letter, it relies on visions, symbols, and old testament references to reveal the.
The book is 900 pages of commentary that explains the text phrase by phrase, using lds doctrine and both lds and nonlds scholarship, going back to the original greek. Koester, author of the anchor bible commentary on the book of revelation, as well as the shorter and cheaperso everyone should buy it book. Among the interpreters of the apocalypse, both in ancient and modern times, we find a vast diversity of opinions, but they may be all reduced to four principal hypotheses, or modes of. The answers, direct from god, are contained in the collection of modern revelations called the doctrine and covenants. Rating system is not about how well the book is written, but on its contribution to the lds community 1 avoid, 2 if desperate, 3 good book for the topic, 4 best book for topic, 5 must read for your christian development. Revelations in context is available on using the links above. The book of mormon affirms that john was foreordained. The best example of joseph smiths providing an explanation of the book of.
In the book of revelation, the apocalyptic hopes of the early christian community find their clearest and most complete expression. Lund, who later served as a member of the seventy, gave an overview of johns visions in revelation 422 and explained some of their basic meanings. The book of revelation is by far one of the most challenging books in the bible, yet well worth the effort to study and comprehend. Revelation 12 to 22 he that overcometh shall inherit. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. Here if anywhere we find ourselves in these confusing middle chapters of the book.
Aug 12, 20 a presentation given at the byu new testament commentary conference held on may 15, 20, at brigham young university in provo, utah. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them. Revelation 12 commentary the dragons departure to the. Book of revelation overview church of jesus christ. Book of revelation mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs.
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. One beast arises out of the sea, hence we will call it the sea beast. The author of the book of revelation identifies himself by name as john 1. Christians outside the mormon church often quote the following scriptures to condemn lds doctrine and open scripture.
Debunking the myth of elviss book of mormon keith a. The beast rising out of the sea with seven heads, ten horns, and ten crowns, revelation. The full greek text of the book is presented in sections along with king james version and the authors new rendition. The apostle john, the beloved disciple of jesus christ, is the author of this book. The manna is set in direct contrast to the things sacrificed to idols. Jesus christ, which god gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. Revelation then becomes merely a collection of stories designed to teach spiritual truth. Among the interpreters of the apocalypse, both in ancient and modern times, we find a vast diversity of opinions, but they may be all reduced to four principal hypotheses, or modes of interpretation. May 03, 20 a website for the upcoming byu new testament commentary series has popped up. Rns what the lds curriculum attempts to do with revelation reflects our own mecentered, therapeutic era. Understanding the book of revelation is a timely book as we approach the twentyfirst century. 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.
Hence its title in english, the book of revelation or the uncovering or unveiling. Read revelation 5 commentary using a testimony of jesus christ. Study the bible online using commentary on revelation 5 and more. We hope this dynamic commentary is a beneficial study tool in your devotion to the word of god. 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. A commentary of the book of revelation the revelation of jesus christ 20 by cooper p. The bible dictionary of the lds edition of the king james bible places the fall near 4000 b. Luther was at first strongly averse from the book, though, later, he printed it with hebrews, james, and jude in an appendix to his new testament. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading commentary. A panel discussion on the book of revelation at the second annual conference of the byu new testament commentary project held on may 14, 2014, at brigham young. We hope this commentary is a beneficial study tool in your devotion to the word of god. The revelation of saint john in blacks new testament commentary ada. Erekson this story appeared in the marchapril 2020 issue of lds living. This view also ignores revelations prophetic character and, if carried to its logical conclusion, severs the.
Of all the books in the bible, the book of revelation is one of the most difficult to understand. After seeing the father and the son in heaven, the vision of the history and destiny of. Their insightful commentary and detailed explanations help us better understand the meaning of the revelations and the circumstances in which they were given. Take a look at the basic structure of the book of revelation. It is likely disease and earthquakes had always existed, but the the devastation is a result of how these natural occurrences are magnified due to mans changing living conditions. Jan 10, 2010 joseph smith was told by god that the 7 seals are 7 year periods of the earth history. In our study of the book of revelation, we must start out with the clear understanding that. Christians down through the ages have known that christs return is presented in scripture as imminent, but.
Zwingli regarded it as nonbiblical, and calvin did not comment upon it. The book of revelation was written in the first century a. This commentary presents a comprehensive analysis of johns book through the lens of the lds doctrine and mormon experience. With bible gateway plus, you gain instant access to a digital bible study library, including complete notes from the niv cultural backgrounds. A commentary of the book of revelation bible truth. This can lead the reader to expect this pattern to continue. Latterday saints are often accused of adding scripture, when the book of revelation so obviously reviles against that possibility. Seeing the book of revelation as a book of revelation. The book of revelation refers to christ as a lamb nearly 30 times. Draper, understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation, shedding light on the new testament. The book of revelation, a prophecy of warning and hope.
Uncovering the book of revelation with richard draper youtube. Throughout history the book of revelation has been much understood and neglected. Consequently, there are a wide variety of interpretations about the meaning of the book, particularly in the traditional christian world. You can find the best commentary on revelation for you using. Yet the book of revelation need not remain closed, at least for latterday saints. The revelation of john the apostle byu new testament. In case its not on your or other readers radar, jim faulconers commentary on romans is a significant. 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. This commentary has been through advanced checking. Some christian scholars in later centuries questioned its authorship, objected to some of its doctrines for instance, its teachings about the millennium or its teaching that people would be judged according to their works, and found its. The apocalyptic book of revelation is a symbolic glimpse. In revelations of the restoration, authors joseph fielding mcconkie and craig j.
The short announcement on the main page promises a multivolume commentary on the new testament along with a new rendition of the greek new testament texts, which will combine the best of ancient linguistic and historical scholarship with latterday saint doctrinal perspectives. The church was eating earthly pagan food, but the overcomer is promised heavenly food from above. The commentary contains translation notes and analysis of ever verse. It is the only biblical book that is wholly composed of apocalyptic literature. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ. 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 land and the sea beast revelation depict two mighty beasts coming to the fore, both representing different aspects of the kingdom of satan in his time as well as ours. 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. Revelation latterday commentary last days signs of. When studying the revelation its very easy to feel lost. The beast coming out of the earth with two horns, deceiving the world by is false miracles, and causing every one to receive his mark in their right hand, revelation.
I cannot point to a single commentary with which i agree entirely. Ostler place modern revelation in its historical and doctrinal context. A compilation of biographical sketches of prominent men and women in the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. You can find the best commentary on revelation for you using the tools on the right side. Jun 01, 2007 and the book which was the book of life is the record which is kept in heaven. The 7 seals make mention of the emergence of disease and earthquakes. The book of revelation was written to seven churches as both encouragement and challenge. The prophet nephi writes in the book of mormon 1 nephi 14. Many of the events described in revelation 611 seem to be chronological in order. It is also available in print, ebook, and audio formats. Revelation 1 bible commentary matthew henry concise. Before beginning to go through the content of revelation, we recommend that you read through the introduction, overview, and hermeneutical sections to familiarize yourself with the framework concerning this incredible book of god.
The byu new testament commentary series is a twopronged project that seeks to 1 make a new, more accessible rendition of ancient greek texts of the new testament available to latterday saints. And the revelations which i have caused to be written by my servant john shall be unfolded in the eyes of all the people ether 4. Yes, this looks to be a very promising book thanks for the heads up. Revelation 5 commentary a testimony of jesus christ. In this view, the book contains neither historical allusions nor predictive prophecy. Lyman royal sherman biography the joseph smith papers. The revelation of john the apostle byu new testament commentary. So, the book of mormon, brought forth through the prophet joseph smith. Use scriptures and prophetic revelations that are more easily understood. Yet the book of revelation need not remain closed, at least for latterday saints who accept modern revelation. When israel was in the wilderness, god supernaturally provided manna for their food.
Commentary for revelation 1216 revelation 1214 interludes in the book of revelation. The apocalypse contains a prophetical description of the destruction of jerusalem, of the jewish war, and the civil wars of the romans. Lynne hilton wilson, revelation 111, come follow me. Last week, for the first time that i can recall in the five years since i had resigned my membership in the lds church, a good brother of the ward stopped me on my way to the car after church and said, i just wanted to tell you how much i admire you. The basic structure of the vision is chronological. Before beginning to go through the content of revelation, we. Apocalypticism was not a new phenomenon among christians. Jun 20, 2009 preparing a top 5 list of commentaries on the book of revelation is extremely challenging in a number of ways. Revelation ancient christian commentary on scripture weinrich, william c. Aug 03, 2014 a panel discussion on the book of revelation at the second annual conference of the byu new testament commentary project held on may 14, 2014, at brigham young university in provo, utah. Michael marquardt examines the earliest manuscripts of joseph smiths revelations, reaching back into history to preserve. 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.
A message to the latterday saints from the book of revelation. Joseph smith was told by god that the 7 seals are 7 year periods of the earth history. Revelation the dragon, two beasts, and the mark lds. Book of revelation for dummies cheat sheet dummies. This volume is a record of the revelations received by joseph smith which were included in the original book of commandments. Volumes of commentary have been written around it in order to increase our understanding. Panel discussion of the revelation of john the apostle. Introduction to the book of revelation its current significance. Revelation 12 to 22 he that overcometh shall inherit all. With bible gateway plus, you gain instant access to a digital bible study library, including complete notes from the niv cultural backgrounds study bible and the new bible commentary. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on the book of revelation. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. Revelation ancient christian commentary on scripture.