Mar 12, 2021 a commentary on joseph smiths revision of revelation 12. The book of mormon, a biography latterday commentary. It is intended to help you better understand some of the background and issues in johns book. In our study of the book of revelation, we must start out with the clear understanding thataside from changes and errors of translationit is as though the same words were written in the book of mormon or the doctrine and covenants. The challenge is getting beyond the symbols to the represented realities. John calvin believed the book to be canonical, yet it was the only new testament book he did not write a commentary on. Rending the veil of unbelief book of mormon central. The word revelation never occurs again in the book that has come to bear that name. This time around we discuss the book of revelation, perhaps one of the most neglected books in our contemporary latterday saint lexicon. Susa young gates and the vision of the redemption of the dead. This commentary is based upon my personal notes, reflections and study of the book of revelation. The one major book of the new testament on which john calvin never wrote a commentary was the book of revelation. This is the seventh in a series of articles extracted and edited from the revelation of john the apostle, volume fourteen in the brigham young university new testament commentary series.
First, we believe that the book of revelation must mean something. Modern revelation, not a knowledge of history, languages, and symbolism alone, is the key to making sense of the apocalypse. An easyenglish bible version and commentary 2800 word vocabulary on the book of revelation. For those parts which are prophetic, it will be much easier to see meaning after the events have transpired. Verses 16 casey paul griffiths lds scholar the lords revelation to ezra thayer and northrop sweet contains several important statements about the current dispensation and its importance in the overall plan of salvation. Applying the best available sources of commentary from a variety of scholars, donald and jay parry show that the book of revelation is meant for us to understand and that it is possible to understand it. This creature has 7 heads and 10 horns and is like a leopard but with the feet of a bear, mouth of a lion, and is given power by the dragon rev.
We hope this dynamic commentary is a beneficial study tool in your devotion to the word of god. May 03, 20 talmages jesus the christ was for many years the primary lds commentary on the gospels, but it relied on victorian biblical scholarship that was outdated before the book was even published in 1915. Dec 18, 2019 revelation depict two mighty beasts coming to the fore, both representing different aspects of the kingdom of satan in his time as well as ours. The lord explained to nephi that another person, the apostle john, had been. This commentary presents a comprehensive analysis of johns book through the lens of the lds doctrine and mormon experience. But to understand revelation we must read it through first century eyes, and we must study it in light of the old testament. Volumes of commentary have been written around it in order to increase our understanding. A word list at the end explains words with a star by them.
Making sense of the book of revelation represents a distillation of insights brother millet has gained from thirty years of teaching the new testament. God delivered his messages in the form of images housed within discrete visions, with each symbol explaining, exposing, or emphasizing various aspects of the message conveyed. Uncovering the book of revelation with richard draper youtube. Read the revelation with the same spirit that you would any gospel subject. Revelation, coffman commentaries on the bible, one of over 110 bible commentaries freely available, this commentary, by the leading authority in the church of christ, presents a verse level look at the bible. Messages of the book of revelation for latterday saints. If you have already fallen in love with johns presentation of the plan of salvation as it is set out in the apocalypse, you are one of the favored few in the church. New commentary the revelation of john the apostle opens johns vision to modern readers. This was the first time joseph committed one of his revelations to writing.
Historians believe that he was unsure how to interpret it. They begin with a lengthy but vital introduction and then proceed on a verse by verse walk through the book. Grow, thou art an elect lady, revelations in context. A message to the latterday saints from the book of revelation by richard d. Theres an article on the book of mormon that discusses the importance of moving towards the narrative of a nineteenth century text which i think is really important. God delivered his messages in the form of images housed within discrete visions, with each symbol explaining, exposing, or emphasizing. One of our most fascinating exercises in scriptural interpretation is to study the book of revelation, to ponder its truths, and to discoverto our surprise and amazementwhat this commonly misunderstood work is all about. Before beginning to go through the content of revelation, we recommend that you read through the introduction, overview, and hermeneutical sections to familiarize yourself with the framework concerning this incredible book of god. Nick frederick has a gift for sharing thoughtprovoking insights about familiar topics. Harper, section 27, doctrine and covenants contexts springville, ut. A non lds publication contains this interesting commentary. Why did hiram page remain faithful to the book of mormon. Doughty southside christian church august 2015 introduction. Aug 14, 2012 the theme of pauls biography is the story of how the book of mormon has grown up into what it is today.
This perspective is explained in the paschal liturgy and the apocalypse new edition, 2004 by. Jan 24, 2012 protestant founder martin luther at first considered revelation to be neither apostolic nor prophetic and stated that christ is neither taught nor known in it. Engaging important questions concerning the interpretation of revelation in scholarship today, as well interacting with the various viewpoints scholars hold on these issues, beales work makes a major contribution in the muchdebated area of how the old testament is used in the apocalypse. In episode 92, we discussed intertextuality in the book of mormon. Additional scholarly commentaries about revelation have stated. Enduring word bible commentary revelation chapter 1. This commentary has been through advanced checking. Byu studies quarterly volume 38 issue 3 article 20 711999 understanding the book of revelation jay a. Yet the book of revelation need not remain closed, at least for latterday saints who accept modern revelation. Draper, why is the book of revelation called the apocalypse. It is only when we start to overallegorize it or to force its interpretation according to our preconceived ideas or doctrines about the end. Plagues, pestilences, pests and pandemics in these latter. On the jst of revelation 12 by common consent, a mormon. Beale, new international greek testament commentary nigtc, eerdmans, 1999, 1,309 pp.
Dec 14, 2019 the vision of the blowing of the seven trumpets of revelation 811 should be understood against the background of the old testament. God delivered his messages in the form of images housed within discrete visions, with each symbol explaining, exposing or emphasizing various aspects of the message conveyed. Lds come follow me revelation 111 dec 9 15 book of revelation made simplethis weeks lesson is the book of revelation dont panic. Either way, beginner or advanced gospel student, will benefit personally from this commentary and others by ridges, accompanied by pondering and personal. One beast arises out of the sea, hence we will call it the sea beast. The predominating thought in this chapter is that of the exalted and glorified christ amidst the congregations of his church, his constant attendance with them and concern for them being represented in this chapter as a fact connected not merely with the salvation of people, but especially with the execution. This is a book that jesus gave to show his servants something. On the jst of revelation 22 by common consent, a mormon blog. To many, the book of revelation is one of the most difficult books of the.
That is, they are true and are the very words the lord wants us to have on the matters with which they deal. For those parts which are prophetic, it will be much easier to. Every other time the book refers to itself, it is as a prophecy v. The book of revelation provides some of the keenest insights in scripture concerning the big picture of work. Providing versebyverse and often phrasebyphrase commentary, this volume helps clarify johns message. Book of revelation overview church of jesus christ. Joseph smith said, the book of revelation is one of the plainest books god ever caused to be written. Now is the perfect time to look for greater insights into the book of mormon and have an awesome tool to store all your insights for instant retrieval later. In other words, the blowing of the seven trumpets is an important series of interventions by god on behalf of his people. Verses 16 casey paul griffiths lds scholar hyrums father and brother samuel had already witnessed spiritual manifestations of josephs revelatory powers. Understanding the book of revelation is a timely book as we approach the twentyfirst century. Many writers over the centuries who did pontificate dogmatically about the last book in the bible might have done better to follow in calvins footsteps. I later learned that it was not always so and paul illustrated this for me with his chapter on missionary work.
Best commentaries and books on revelation logos bible software. These are all valuable insights, worthy of your attention. This fact notwithstanding, the prophet joseph once said. Revelation promises a blessing to those who read and heed what it says, which means that the book is meant to be understood and that it can be understood. Holland of the quorum of the twelve apostles explained the significance of. The stories behind the sections of the doctrine and covenants. On the jst of revelation 12 by common consent, a mormon blog.
Tvedtnes, firstborn in the wilderness, in pressing forward with the book of mormon, f. Additional passages of scripture located in the book of mormon and the. Best of book of mormon commentary list scripture notes. In 2020 the church of jesus christ of latterday saints is using the book of mormon for its course of study.
The book of revelation encourages followers of jesus christ to remain. A message to the latterday saints from the book of revelation. Applying the best available sources of commentary from a variety of scholars, donald and jay parry show that the book of revelation is meant for. Book of revelation mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. Two book of mormon passages underscore the importance of the revelation of john for the latter days. The materials on this website are a complete course on the book of revelation.
Revelation 8 commentary commentary critical and explanatory. If understanding the book of revelation takes a micro approach by scrutinizing. This book serves as a concise guide to help readers focus on what matters most the doctrine. Making sense of the book of revelation deseret book. Jul 09, 2020 working with michael rhodes and others on the multivolume byu new testament commentary, especially immersing myself again in the book of revelation, helped to focus and refine my understanding of what god has revealed about the last days.
The church of jesus christ of latterday saints, 2016. The revelation in section 3 marked a turning point in the life of the young seer. So, the book of mormon, brought forth through the prophet joseph smith. A commentary on the doctrine and covenants and other modern revelations, deseret book, 2000, p. To read the book of revelation is to see a myriad of representations pass by. However, that said, ridges commentary on the book of revelation and isaiah are outstanding and convey a deep understand of complicated writings by isaiah and john, in a clear and simple way. While even today the book remains difficult to interpret, we in the church do have a. The book of revelation is one of the plainest books god ever caused to be written tpjs, 290. Oftentimes we can read the blowing of the trumpets as a way to see god intervening in the realm of mortality, working to redeem, warn, and save his people. Revelation 810 the seven trumpets and the little book. Unveiling revelation and a landmark commentary series. The book of revelation was written in the first century a.
That purpose is the convincing of the jew and gentile that jesus is the christ book of mormon, title page. Revelation the dragon, two beasts, and the mark lds. Zwingli regarded it as nonbiblical, and calvin did not comment upon it. When i served my mission in 1976, we used the book of mormon heavily and as a central focus of our message. The revelation of john the apostle byu new testament. Only twentytwo years old, he had learned to use the prophetic voice to foretell the fulfillment of the lords promises to the house of israel. It is only when we start to overallegorize it or to force its interpretation according to our preconceived ideas or doctrines about the end of the age and the world to come that it gets indecipherable.
Verses casey paul griffiths lds scholar the lord begins the revelation by reassuring martin of the power he has to save and overthrow the machinations of the adversary. Parry is the most comprehensive lds treatment of the book of revelation. Revelation 1 commentary the revelation of jesus christ. The book of revelation and work bible commentary theology of. Pound for pound, the much longer book of mormon and doctrine and. The book of revelation refers to christ as a lamb nearly 30 times. The book of revelation was written to answer those questions.
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. Most important, the commentary emphasizes the primary focus of johns work, the revelation of jesus christ rev. The revelation of jesus christ, which john, a servant of god gave which was given unto him of jesus christ, to shew show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass. The book of revelation reveals much on our relationship with the lord, premortal life, missionary work, the millennium, and judgment day as well as a vision of the celestial kingdom. Visions, prophecy and politics in the book of revelation, princeton university religious professor elaine pagels. We can know the book of revelation speaks with clarity about the end times because of two central principles drawn from revelation 1. Mar 18, 2021 a commentary on joseph smiths revision of revelation 22. We are pleased to announce the release of the first volume to appear in the byu new testament commentary series. In this extraordinary commentary on this least likely of scriptures, terryl givens argues that among all our canonized books, the pearl of great price is the richest source of distinctive latterday doctrines. The commentary highlights the apostles witness that jesus is the lamb of god alive and active in these last daysdirecting earthly affairs and preparing his saints and the faithful so that the fathers intentions will ultimately be accomplished. Read or listen for background on doctrine and covenants 8. Giving a bigger picture into the research project as a while, wilson concludes that the works do not hold up to ancient text or revelation from god.
Seals 15 are explained logically in the past, with seal 6 matching the rapture. The revelation of john the apostle byu new testament commentary. This website is not owned by or affiliated with the church of jesus christ of latterday saints sometimes called the mormon or lds church. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the. A commentary on the book of revelation southside christian. Seeing the book of revelation as a book of revelation. New testament resources for latterday saints lds living. Hence its title in english, the book of revelation or the uncovering or unveiling. Uncovering the book of revelation with richard draper. The book of revelation is one of the plainest books god ever caused to be written. Protestant founder martin luther at first considered revelation to be neither apostolic nor prophetic and stated that christ is neither taught nor known in it.
And i saw another sign, in the likeness of the kingdoms of the earth. Madsen, the savior, the sacrament, and selfworth, address given at the 1999 byurelief society womens conference. The book of mormon has many purposes, and it contains many true and stimulating principles, but one purpose transcends all others in both kind and degree. It actually grew directly out of a lesson charleen gave for sunday school in 2017, and so you will notice that it is structured less like a lineforline commentary and more like a lesson plan which may be very handy if you are preparing a properly social distancedzoomed lesson over this reading. This is th first time an lds scholar has written so deeply into the new testament. The real horror of the last days is not the locusts with their vicious scorpion tails or the horseman and their deadly mounts so vividly described in revelation chapter 9. A commentary on the book of revelation pastor galen l. Obviously, joseph, through the spirit, had caught the secret of the book, and he loved it.
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