In his commentary on revelation, gregory beale using some insights from richard bauckham highlights some of the ways revelation uses the numbers 4, 7, 12each are numbers signifying fullness and completion. Revelation outlines a long series of events that relate to one another in a. Its no secret that the book of revelation loves its numbers, but you may not have realized just how much. Revelation symbols defined revelation timeline decoded. A star falls from the sky buring like a torch during the third trumpet. 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. On the radio you are sharing with us the services of the first baptist church in dallas, and this is the pastor bringing the eleven oclock morning message entitled the symbolic meaning of numbers we are preaching through the book of the revelation. Let us consider the meaning of numbers in the book. A testimony of jesus christ is a commentary that explains some of the mysteries of revelation. By counting links in the table below, and ignoring repeated sevens of things in the same verse, the number obtained is seven times seven, or 49. The entire time which the church needs to fulfil her mission upon earth. Dean garrett, a commentary on the doctrine and covenants salt lake city. Symbols in the book of revelation semnele vremurilor.
One like the son of man stood in the midst of seven golden lampstands with seven stars in his hand rev. Numbers are not hidden codes, but numbers gain meaning by the things associated with them. The book of revelation explained volume 1 gospel trumpeter. In revelation 20, 1,000 years is symbolic of two things. Just keep in mind not all numbers have symbols behind them and are just numbers. T o understand the way john communicates as a pr ophet. Symbolism in the book of revelation the bart ehrman blog. In other words, it is the way you interpret scripture.
Understanding images and symbols in the book of revelation. The symbolism of numbers in the book of the revelation. The book of revelation is written in a style very rich in symbols and images. Interpreting the symbolism in the book of revelation. Many have wondered if the third temple will ever be built. He was ordained to the full work of the gospel ministry in 1959. Number 7 in the book of revelation meaning of numbers.
Five common misinterpretations of the book of revelation, the here are five of the most common fallacious statements propagated in the name of john the revelator. For instance, the number seven represents wholeness and completeness. The list of sevens in revelation agape bible study. Nothing in revelation will contradict anything else in the bible. During this period, although dangerous, satan cannot prevent the elect of god from responding to their calling. Elder charles taylor primitive baptist 1996 a short sketch and the desires of the author. The subject of numbers in the bible could lead us to an exhaustive study in itself, but for the purpose of this study, we will briefly examine a few numbers that have symbolic or spiritual meaning throughout the books of the bible. He has served churches in north carolina, georgia, texas, and tennessee. Symbols in the book of revelation saint marys press. He demonstrate over and over that if you will accept its. Few things in the book of revelation have caused more confusion and even division and conflict than this great apocalyptic books use of numbers. Book of revelation part 1 notes evangel community church. Are we to take prophecies literally or allegorically.
For part one of this article, go here historical background. Jesus christ received this revelation from his father and passed it on to the apostle john in a dramatic vision. Hermeneutics is the study of the principles of interpretation. Introduction to revelation, how to study, symbolic. For instance, many religious people have gone to revelation 20. Why do catholic bibles not include the book of revelation. A commentary on revelation the preterist archive of.
Sevens are used in reference to churches and spirits before gods throne revelation 1. In your revelation study guide you say that theres a symbolic meaning for the numbers in the book. One of the most misunderstood symbols in the book of revelation is the beast who rises from the sea in chapter there is also a beast from the land, but this article will not focus on him. Even when the text seems quite explicit as to the identification of what is being described, commentators refuse to take the text at face value. 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. Some of these are explained in the other two articles on revelation in this issue. Treating revelation exactly as god intendedas a book that contains different, additional prophecies, largely separate from those previously recorded in his wordis the first great key to unlocking the book. The book of revelation is a must read for all christians, especially those of us living in the endtimes, that time period defined by the second regathering of the jews to israel. Book of revelation explained a testimony of jesus christ.
Elder charles taylor was born in blount county, tennessee, january 12, 1921. Symbols used in revelation include numbers, seals, trumpets, bowls, measuring the temple, and many others. Revelation is the finale of the entire bible bringing gods word to a dramatic conclusion. Personally, i think that either side can make a good case, but i will go ahead and present my current opinion on this issue warning. David reagan presents an overview of the entire book of revelation, covering the book chapter by chapter. What is the significance of onethird in revelation. In this post i provide a list of the numbers used in the book of revelation because those numbers are often seen as symbolic. Though joseph smith seldom discussed revelation, he did make some helpful remarks in a discourse delivered on april 8, 1943. Over 2000 years ago, jesus christ was revealed at his first coming as the savior, the. The book with seven seals is the book of human destiny, an outline of the great events which connect themselves with the church until its final triumph. The key to bible interpretation, especially for the book of revelation, is to have a consistent hermeneutic. The number seven can be found almost anywhere you look in revelation.
Criswell, expository sermons on revelation, volume 1, pp. Study the following materials which give biblical illustrations of what seem to be symbolic uses of numbers. Lesson 2 the alpha and the omega 2 symbolic numbers in revelation amen. 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. In the symbolism of numbers in scripture 5 is the number of grace. The main way, however, to understand why there is so much symbolism in revelation is to understand that john is a prophet like jesus and the old testament pr ophets. 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. Numbers in the book of revelation as part of the first trumpet, hail and fire mixed with blood are thrown down on the earth 8.
Come explore the works of temple scholar frank shallieu. There is a strong bias against literal understanding of numbers in the book of revelation. The book of revelation is filled with mysterious symbols. The book of revelation in the bible is one of the more difficult books of the bible to understand. The number 7 and the book of revelation a heart for god.
It can be easy to overlook the meaning of numbers in a prophetic message. The meaning of the book of revelation can seem confusing to the average reader. Therefore, we also must keep in mind the second principle necessary to a proper understanding of the book of revelation. Speculations about the identity of the beast are rampant. Part 1 letters to the seven churches part 2a the first scroll. Numbers in the book of revelation compiled by felix just, s. Johnny tiller pole creek baptist church 7051981 here, dr. Is the author speaking of past events or future events.
Indeed, some might feel revelationssymbols and metaphors are so confusing that they. Numbers in the book of revelation the preterist archive. As part of the second trumpet, fire is thrown into the sea and onethird. Order of end time events 46 part 2b the first scroll. This is helpful but still the symbolism in the book of revelation is so difficult for me to understand that it makes me wonder how many people in antiquity actually read and understood this or similar books. And many religious people believe that the book of revelation offers no help anyway, because it cannot be understood. And john is told to eat the book in revelation 10, as though we now have access back into the garden again. John in the book of revelation saw the mark while he was in the spirit.
Tiller expounds upon the spiritual significange of numbers and repetition of numbers in the book of. I heard or read somewhere that the book of revelation isnt included in catholic bibles, but that they have 73 books instead of the protestant 66, which protestants know as the apocryp. Wycliffe commentary of all the symbolic numbers in the book of revelation, the number 7 receives prominence. Therefore, in this post i want to show a comprehensive list of the numbers in the book of revelation. Symbols and numbers in revelation south fulton street. The patriarch job portrayed this truth as well when he penned the words of elihu, the only comforter to whom god laid no. The book of revelation is saturated with symbolic language. The significance of the number 7 in the book of revelation. For a study of the symbolic meaning of numbers see w. The author of the book of revelation has grouped many things into sevens. For more information on the symbolism of numbers in sacred scripture please see the document the significance of numbers in scripture in the. For example, will the entire ocean literally turn to blood, as revelation 16 claims.
Symbols in the book of revelation a reference sheet for the symbols that are used in the book of revelation. For example, in america 911 is associated with emergencies because this is. The book of revelation is not so intimidating once you understand what the author was up to. I have compiled a list of website commentary for you all to better understand the symbolism here. Do our minds become confused when we hear all those sevens and l2s, and all those strange titles applied to jesusthe alpha and omega and the bright morning star. He emphasizes that the book of revelation is not difficult to understand. This is not going to be an exhaustive breakdown of all of the symbols and numbers but, rather, a demonstration of some tendencies that exist in scripture, and some things that can be discerned about the book. John wrote to christians who were persecuted by unbelieving jews for their faith and were either enduring or would soon endure tribulation from roman authorities as an illegal religion because they refused to worship caesar. The opening of its seals is the revelation of future history. The revelation research foundation has completed work on a 3d version of ezekiels temple, utilizing the drawings of mr.
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