We would very much like to do a study on Revelation as it is apparent from the many confused ideas being circulated on this forum that there is much debate as to what is truth, but of course this is something to be expected for Babylon (the professing church) is (in the state of) confusion even as the Lord so states, thus the many conflicting ideas to its interpretation. Generally each individual bases their understanding of Revelation upon the teachings of whatever particular denomination they may be affiliated with, that and or upon what they have learned from the various writings and commentaries written upon the subject.
Here though we would like to begin fresh as though we had never attempted a study the book of Revelation before (which for many here may be true anyways), however before undertaking such a study it would be best if we knew precisely the best methods to study this wonderful book. Many would suggest that we simply start at the beginning and work our way through like any other book in the bible, verse by verse. There’s nothing wrong with this in general, however we believe Revelation was not specifically written to be understood in that particular manner, to properly understand it you will find the necessity of jumping from one chapter to another, sometimes forward sometimes backward. Likewise you will find that the book of Revelation is divided into several different segments, each dealing with a particular issue and at a particular time, and unless you understand this you will only be led into more confusion.
So how then shall we proceed?
In this study we will be following along (more or less) with a little pamphlet which was put out by the New Albany Ecclesia entitled, “Revelation How to Study it and Have it Make Sense”. Remember this is not a study OF Revelation, but rather a study of HOW TO STUDY Revelation. Once we have concluded this segment, and with the various incites gained we will be in a better position for a study of Revelation itself.
The first a question is asked, why?
“Why do you want to study Revelation? This is an important question. Some people seek this information to look knowledgeable to others. Some like to discuss it because they enjoy frightening others with colorful prognostications of coming events (much of which they don’t rightly understand themselves). Others look into it because it is now fashionable to know about Revelation (as many believe we are in the “End Times”, which the true bible chronology confirms that we are). Revelation was not written for the skeptic nor for the mere curiosity seeker but only for the sincere and humble servants, called of God, who seek to learn what He has been doing, is doing, and will be doing, and to such and such alone He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him in faith. (Heb 5:6)”
“The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever” (Deut. 29:29; Compare Matt. 13:10–12).
“No explanation of the prophetic and highly symbolic Book of Revelation and its “secret things” can be heartily received with assurance, nor accepted by discriminating minds, unless all its component parts are taken into consideration and given a complete and harmonious application. This necessitates a step-by-step approach, that is, a verse-by-verse treatment and analysis of the content. Such an investigative pursuit in understanding helps to minimize both conscious and unconscious evasiveness on the part of the expositor, who is thus required to face up to and address the intricacy of detail.
The purpose of our study of Revelation (that is when we begin it), therefore will be to satisfy the truth-seeker who, being less interested in a smooth, fiction-style, sermonizing rendition, is more concerned with receiving an explanation of the vision in all its minutiae.”
Continued with next post.
Return to Index
Here though we would like to begin fresh as though we had never attempted a study the book of Revelation before (which for many here may be true anyways), however before undertaking such a study it would be best if we knew precisely the best methods to study this wonderful book. Many would suggest that we simply start at the beginning and work our way through like any other book in the bible, verse by verse. There’s nothing wrong with this in general, however we believe Revelation was not specifically written to be understood in that particular manner, to properly understand it you will find the necessity of jumping from one chapter to another, sometimes forward sometimes backward. Likewise you will find that the book of Revelation is divided into several different segments, each dealing with a particular issue and at a particular time, and unless you understand this you will only be led into more confusion.
So how then shall we proceed?
In this study we will be following along (more or less) with a little pamphlet which was put out by the New Albany Ecclesia entitled, “Revelation How to Study it and Have it Make Sense”. Remember this is not a study OF Revelation, but rather a study of HOW TO STUDY Revelation. Once we have concluded this segment, and with the various incites gained we will be in a better position for a study of Revelation itself.
The first a question is asked, why?
“Why do you want to study Revelation? This is an important question. Some people seek this information to look knowledgeable to others. Some like to discuss it because they enjoy frightening others with colorful prognostications of coming events (much of which they don’t rightly understand themselves). Others look into it because it is now fashionable to know about Revelation (as many believe we are in the “End Times”, which the true bible chronology confirms that we are). Revelation was not written for the skeptic nor for the mere curiosity seeker but only for the sincere and humble servants, called of God, who seek to learn what He has been doing, is doing, and will be doing, and to such and such alone He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him in faith. (Heb 5:6)”
“The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever” (Deut. 29:29; Compare Matt. 13:10–12).
“No explanation of the prophetic and highly symbolic Book of Revelation and its “secret things” can be heartily received with assurance, nor accepted by discriminating minds, unless all its component parts are taken into consideration and given a complete and harmonious application. This necessitates a step-by-step approach, that is, a verse-by-verse treatment and analysis of the content. Such an investigative pursuit in understanding helps to minimize both conscious and unconscious evasiveness on the part of the expositor, who is thus required to face up to and address the intricacy of detail.
The purpose of our study of Revelation (that is when we begin it), therefore will be to satisfy the truth-seeker who, being less interested in a smooth, fiction-style, sermonizing rendition, is more concerned with receiving an explanation of the vision in all its minutiae.”
Continued with next post.
Return to Index
