One of the most neglected books of the Bible is the
book of Revelation. It has been considered as being far too difficult to
understand or it has been used by false teachers to prove their way-out
theories and teachings. Either way, the result is the same, students of the
Bible put the book of Revelation aside, in favour of other, ‘easier’ books.
I want to prove this wrong. Revelation can be studied and understood by all who take the time to understand it. In fact it is an exciting, vivid book that captures our imagination as it delivers one of God’s most powerful messages.
Stories concerning the struggle between good and evil always hold a great fascination; movies carrying this theme such as Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings and Avatar are always box-office successes. Why is this? The knowledge of good and evil is inside us all. Deep inside everyone there is this struggle going on, with sometimes good and sometime evil winning, it’s apart of us, a part of our inner selves. So let’s open the story of this struggle between good and evil, let’s leave the man made stories, mere shadows of the real story and open the real story itself, the Book of Revelation.
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This study began over twenty years ago with version one. This version was a brief handwritten summary, similar to the survey you will find in Appendix A of this study. This version one, as far as I know, no longer exists. Since then I’ve picked up the idea from time to time with plans for that detailed study.
Version two was a more extensive handwritten study of some 120 pages. It was a major source and reference for this version you are reading now. Version three, my first attempt at typing the study onto a computer was lost when my computer was stolen before I completed it. This version was redone as version four which evolved into version five my current hard-copy version. Finally we get to this on-line version which because of the changes I am making as I am publishing it here, you could probably call version number six.
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Important Note:-
The Book of Revelation is a complex book in which many people have struggled with what seems like an endless series of strange visions. To help you, in Appendix A, I have provided a survey of the entire book giving brief overviews of each chapter. You may find it helpful to refer to this survey as you progress through the study.
Also at the end of each chapter you will find an overview. These overviews are designed to help in preventing you becoming so caught up in the complex series of visions being presented to you that you lose sight of the overall theme of the book. Sort of like becoming so caught up in viewing the trees that you lose sight of the forest.
Because many sections of this study contain many cross references, supporting ideas and explanations I am presenting, you may wish to keep a Bible open in front of you as you study.
Because many sections of this study contain many cross references, supporting ideas and explanations I am presenting, you may wish to keep a Bible open in front of you as you study.
Finally whether you read the complete study or you just skip to parts of interest, I hope you enjoy this study and it enriches your Christian life and understanding of God's word.
Mr Allan.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying reading your Revelation study. It is a new way of looking at things for me. I have been told it means different to what you have written, but your views seem to fit better to the text.
Thank you.
Ayaka.
Hi Ayaka
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments on my Revelation Study. I'm glad you're enjoying it.
Yes I do approach this book differently to how many others do but I believe we must stay as close as we can to how Christians in the 1st century would have understood the book. I believe that Jews in each church would have used their knowledge of the Old Testament to seek out understanding and that is what we should do to.
Again, thanks for you comment and enjoy your journey through my study.
May the Lord be with you in your seeking of understanding.
Allan
I followed your link and found this study. Impressive.
ReplyDeleteIt is very detailed.
Why don't you teach of Revelation in our church?
Asami
Allan, Thanks for this great work and particularly for the dating of the book. Cemented ideas have frustrated the seeker of truth for centuries. You are hot on my favourite reading list. I look forward to a more intensive investigation. God bless you for you effort and fearlessness. Amen.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feed back Russ.
DeleteThere is much more I could do with this blog but I've spent 25 years studying Revelation. Its time for a change.
There are many things about Revelation that have been lost and its likely we will never fully explain but if we can capture the big picture of what the book means it is enough.
Allan
Islam Versus Christianity I would like to say that this blog really convinced me to do it! Thanks, very good post.
ReplyDelete