The theological elements serve as a foundation for the parenetic elements. Themes from the book of revelation book of revelation last. The theology of the book of revelation by richard bauckham jim. This smaller section emerges as a theological micro cosm of the book as a whole. Revelation for postchristiansjune 27, 2019 war of words. The book of acts is about the mission of the church to bear witness to jesus. The book of revelation provides some of the keenest insights in scripture concerning the big picture of work. The greek name of the bible book of revelation, apoka. Here are the key themes from the book of revelation, as listed in the esv study bible through his sacrificial death, jesus christ has conquered satan, the accuser, and has ransomed people from every nation to become a kingdom of priests, gladly serving in gods presence. Here, in a 12week format, are carefully wrought studies that will ignite the mind and the heart.
Therefore, this book contains information god intends to disclose or reveal to humans, rather than conceal from us. However, like so many other commenters of varied theological backgrounds, the author occasionally inserts interpretations and speculations that go beyond the words of scripture. However, johnsons book also serves as an excellent commentary and devotional book. Gorman also finds seven major theological themes in the revelation the throne. And then i begin to look at some of the key structural themes. Amillennial commentaries on revelation best bible commentaries.
These themes set the book of revelation in a light that make it accessible to us and applicable to our lives. The situation we are facing is clearly unique and requires unique ways of expressing that faith, love, and hopebut the essential call has not changed one iota. A careful examination of the book of revelation explains its purpose and what it is about. This book is not a line by line exegesis of the book of revelation. Following the lamb into the new creation kindle locations 18791883. It portrays christ as the triumphant king and tells us of his complete and eternal victory over satan. The theology of the book of revelation by richard bauckham introduction most interpretations of revelation in contemporary churches are concerned with the chronology of the book of revelation. The book consists of six cycles of visions, each of which warns of the dangers arising from sin and evil.
The book of revelation and work bible commentary theology of. Before the book of revelation is even a few verses old, john says something that might seem to undercut a robust theology of work. I am glad this book was the required text for that course. Revelation was written by a man named john, who calls himself a brother in the faith 1. The book of revelation is one of the most difficult books in the bible.
Christian believers from johns time to the 21st century can find hope in god s. Book of revelation explained scripture by scripture. Revelation, theology of dictionary definition, verses and bible references on the topic of revelation, theology of using bakers evangelical dictionary of biblical theology online. In few other books of the bible is the ministry of angels so prominent. What main themes are in the bible book of revelation. Many other rich theological themes find expression in revelation.
We need to know how each book fits with the unfolding of the story, which books are really mainline in the story, and which are commentary on the main story. Beale shows, however, revelation is nor merely a futurology but a book about how the church should live for the glory. The book of revelation the new international greek testament. Revelation tyndale new testament commentary by leon l. Christs return christ came to earth as a lamb, the symbol of his perfect sacrifice for our sin. Analysis of book of revelation themes by phd students from stanford, harvard, berkeley.
Kent hughes, senior pastor emeritus, college church, wheaton, illinois. This theme is highlighted at the outset of the book in verse 1. In the theology of the book of revelation bauckham explicates how the sound interpretation of the theology of revelation must be based on the proper understanding of the imageries in its original context. The book of revelation and work bible commentary theology.
An expository journey through the book of revelation. This is seen in his judgments, his reigning over history, his being the creator, his defeat of satan, and the unfathomable greatness of his glory. In fact, revelation is a book in which all the great themes, seed plots, lines of doctrine and bible prophecy find their fulfillment. This book is written as an aid for pastors who want to preach through the book of revelation it might make a good gift for your pastor or your church library. The book of revelation is a work of profound theology.
Having established the macrostructure of the book, we will turn our attention to the three primary themes of revelation. At its broadest, it embraces not only a host of selfreferential observations on the nature of the. Here are three key themes that i think are central to the book of revelation. Sep 30, 2015 darrell johnsons discipleship on the edge.
Islamic theological themes by john renard paperback. These volumes address topics including salvation, the doctrine and works of god, and the book of revelation. I really struggled with all of these chapters, and indeed, the whole book. But its literary form makes it impenetrable to many modern readers and open to all kinds of misinterpret ations. The overall concept of divine revelation comprises the single largest theological category. Understanding the 10 essential themes of the bibles final book duvall, j. Christian believers from johns time to the 21st century can find. The overriding theme in the book is the concept that jesus shares the deity of god.
Gieschen the book of revelation is often interpreted as a document that is full of eschatology, namely, it is understood as depicting the gloom of the last days and the glory of eternity. Corrective strategies and themes for understanding the book. God is not to be compared with any leader, government, or. Theological themes romans is the most systematic presentation of theology found anywhere in scripture nkjv study bible, 2014. The theology of the book of revelation new testament. I read this book for a class on revelation at catholic theological union. This collection is helpful pastors, professors, and students exploring the major themes of the old and new testaments and the importance of reformed theology in the church today. Revelation particularly emphasizes gods sovereignty and jesus victory over death. First, theres john who cant believe hes meeting jesus live and in personnot to mention god, the angels, the armies of heaven, a sevenheaded.
This is the primary subject matter, and everything else. Richard bauckham explains how the books imagery conveyed meaning in its original context and how the books theology is inseparable from its literary structure and composition. It has become a book which is the object of the widest possible divergence of interpretation. Regardless, god promises blessing to the student of this book rev. The first creation story introduces the very novel concept of god creating from nothingn. Too often revelation is viewed as a book only about the future. This series is designed to help readers understand what the bible actually says and what it meanseach commentary examines the text section by section, drawing out its main themes.
Many of the complicated issues in revelation are thoroughly addressed and tied to the. What might the book of revelation have to say about these three theological virtues. May 07, 20 the above seven themes help to focus our interpretation of the book of revelation and serve as correctives overagainst the pseudofuturistic views that we have been inundated with over the years. It has also been called the book of the apocalypse. In revelation, faith means faithfulness and endurance and obedience. Yet it is a tough nut to crack, not only because of its intrinsic difficulty but because of the myriad interpretations that have grown up around the book. Feb 06, 2018 if you accept the thought that theology is a systematic inquiry about the nature of god and actions, then i would nominate the following themes in genesis. Cascade books, an imprint of wipf and stock publishers. In the theology of the book of revelation, richard bauckham explains how the books imagery conveyed meaning in its original context and how the books theology is inseparable from its literary structure and composition. There are many others that could be added, but i think that these three provide a good overall summary of the book. Through his sacrificial death, jesus christ has conquered satan, the accuser, and has ransomed people from every nation to become a kingdom of priests, gladly serving in gods presence. The final three chapters of the book dealt with the holy spirit in the book of revelation chap 6, what revelation reveals about the new jerusalem chap 7, and how we can read, teach, and understand the book of revelation today chap 7. These themes set the book of revelation in a light that make.
If you accept the thought that theology is a systematic inquiry about the nature of god and actions, then i would nominate the following themes in genesis. The dominant theme of the revelation of john is the second coming of jesus the messiah. Paul clarifies the core concepts of the christian faith. This book is the revelation of jesus christ given to the apostle john on the island of patmos through an angel. Revelation is the last book in the bible, the twentyseventh book of the new testament. The church is warned about sin and exhorted to holiness. The purpose of revelation the book of revelation has both an explicit and an implicit purpose. The author ably elucidates numerous themes in the revelation of christ to john. However, like so many other commenters of varied theological backgrounds, the author occasionally inserts interpretations and speculations that go beyond the words of. Johns vivid pictures of worship in heaven both exhort and instruct believers. Obviously god is the central character in the bible, so i walk through how gods character is revealed and developedif we can put it that wayas the message of the bible unfolds from genesis to revelation. This monumental commentary on the book of revelation, originally published in 1999, has been highly acclaimed by scholars, pastors, students, and others seriously interested in interpreting the apocalypse for the benefit of the church. Theological themes in revelation slightly edited from michael gormans excellent book, reading revelation responsibly.
There are many good, scriptural points in these sections. A common dating of the book is toward the end of domitians reign, at about the year 95 a. May 20, 2015 here are three key themes that i think are central to the book of revelation. We see in this book the tremendous results of the cross, twenty six times do we see christs sacrificial title lamb. The theology of the book of revelation by richard bauckham. By examining the relationship of literary form to theological argument in the book of hebrews, seven theological themes occurring throughout hebrews are elucidated, each of which is especially preva lent in 11. Sovereignty the main theme of the book of revelation is the sovereignty of god. Peaceable revelationa series of blog posts that explores themes related to peace and justice in the book of revelation. The book of revelation was written by the apostle john on the island of patmos.
Key themes of revelation strength through weakness. What this book reveals or unveils is jesus christ in glory. But its literary form makes it impenetrable to many modern readers and open to all kinds of misinterpretations. Here are the key themes from the book of revelation, as listed in the esv study bible. What are the theological themes in the book of genesis.
Sacramental theology in the book of revelation charles a. The only thing that revelation mentions regarding the book of life and the beast is that those who choose to worship the beast do not have their names in the book of life. There are three things in the book of revelation the depict the role of jesus to his followers. As part of scripture, the book of revelation was given by inspiration of god 2 timothy 3. Main theological theme of the book of revelation based on revelation 20. The above seven themes help to focus our interpretation of the book of revelation and serve as correctives overagainst the pseudofuturistic views that we. In order to understand it, you need to know a lot of the book of daniel, which is another very difficult book. Revelation, theology of bakers evangelical dictionary of. Tracing theological themes through the whole bible story. Though revelation does not include direct quotations of the old testament, there are constant allusions to texts, themes, and theological foundations of the hebrew bible. This name indicates the meaning of revelation it uncovers matters that had been hidden and discloses events that would happen long after it was written. This monumental new study of the book of revelation will be especially helpful to scholars, pastors, students, and others seriously interested in interpreting the apocalypse for the benefit of the church. Main theological theme of revelation 1544 words bartleby.
He also emphasizes how important the hebrew scriptures are for john as he composes his book. Dickens put a marvelous story out there for us and the bible is an even greater story. Early church tradition identified him with john the son of zebedee, one of the twelve apostles. What are the three main themes in the book of revelation. This is why the book ends with a vision of a new heaven and new earth. I have heard it said all too often that the tribulation is the devils hayday. The book of revelation states quite clearly that this mark was forced upon all the people. Summary the book of revelation calls christians to remain faithful to god and christ and to resist the powers of evil in the conviction that god will prevail and bring salvation in the new jerusalem. The theology of the book of revelation jehovah sabaoth. 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. Mistakenly called revelations plural, this book of the bible is correctly known as revelation. Theological themes in revelation columbine church of christ. This revelation was given to him by god the father, and it was communicated to the apostle john by an angel 1.