Bible Question: I am trying to understand the book of Revelations. It has always been hard for me to read it because I don't understand it. I ask God and the Holy Spirit for understanding, but I still don't. How do I understand this very important part of the Bible? |
Bible Answer: 1Dove: For starters -- and please pardon my playing the pedant -- let's get our term right: it's Revelation, singular, and it is not the Revelation of John but the Revelation of Jesus Christ to John. It is a book that promises a blessing to the reader [Rev. 1:3]..... So how does one approach this book? In prayer, of course, as with any other portion of Scripture. But I should think one would be ill advised, having no real knowledge of the Revelation, to open to it in a difficult translation such as the King James and merely begin to read without any additional study aids. I would choose a good modern translation, such as the NASB or ESV (English Standard Version) and read through the book several times. Then I would take it in small doses, a paragraph or so at a time, and study it more minutely, using various study aids and references, among which I could recommend the NASB Study Bible notes, MacArthur, Ryrie, and the Believer's Study Bible and the King James Study Bible (both published by Nelson).... And, finally, I would avoid like the plague any sensational commentaries that would have you to believe that whoever the world-class bad guy happens to be at the moment is probably the anti-christ or that the tragic events of September 11 last year are specifically described in this Apocalypse. Chances are good that you will not arrive at a complete knowledge and understanding by the method I've outlined or by any other method, but the chances are excellent that you will have learned a great deal by your prayerful study, and that you will feel your time has been well spent. --Hank |