correctly studying the book of revelation

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carey

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I have not studied this book yet, because of all the symbolism, it has been very hard for me to understand. So, what is the correct way to study this book so that I can understand all of it's meanings?
 
Become very familiar with the OT.
Studying Revelation without knowing your OT well is like trying to use a mirror without your face.
 
Don't be afraid of making use of teachers.
They are one of God's gifts.

With that said, I would highly suggest not reading folks who interpret Revelation from headlines from the last 10 years..or even 100 years. Or at least don't rely on them.

Read people who aren't primarily trying to open today's newspaper and find fulfilled prophecy.
 
since revelation is full of symbols...you need to begin with something less symbolic to keep your study of revelation 'grounded'...it is too easy to just make symbols mean whatever you want them to mean...

the old testament prophets are not much help either since many of them are just as symbolic as revelation...

the best place to start is with the clear teachings on the end time...especially jesus' teaching on the end time in the gospels...for example the analogy of the sheep and goats...the promise that he will come again just as he ascended into heaven...and also what paul says about the appearance of the man of lawlessness and christ's coming...
 
Focus in the warnings that jesus gave to the churches and the final ending the perfect kingdom :).
 
carey said:
I have not studied this book yet, because of all the symbolism, it has been very hard for me to understand. So, what is the correct way to study this book so that I can understand all of it's meanings?
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Revelation is almost entirely composed of OT material. Thus, it would be advantageous to be familiar with the OT…in particular, Joel, Daniel, Ezekiel and the like.

Also, Revelation repeats the same theme over and over again –but uses different verbage and word pictures to get the message across. This theme is that the Righteous are not judged and that they spend eternity in Heaven with the Triune God; immediately after this is proclaimed, then the unrighteous are judged and suffer the second death.

Also, if you are into extra-Biblical sources, you can read the Koran in parallel with Revelation, as >75% of the Koran was taken from Revelation.
 
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As has been mentioned you need to study the OT because many quotes come from the OT. This chart may help
 

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Carey, you "study" the Bible any, and ALL parts of it like God says you should..... WITH HIM AS YOUR TEACHER. I find like EVERY one here finds.... If God does not unlock (reveal) Scripture (Himself) to us we would not know ANYTHING!

I can only share this with you.... The Bible teaches us that ONLY GOD KNOWS JESUS, and only JESUS knows the Father, and also those that HE WANTS TO REVEAL HIMSELF TOO! The Truth is Jesus, but then Jesus said in John 17 that God's Word is the truth... And that the Spirit of Truth cannot be recieved by the World.

So it becomes obvious, we should be RECEIVING the Truth from GOD HIMSELF! When we study the Bible without DOING THE BIBLE, we would not ADVANCE from the milk to the meat! My dear friend, We can only eat meat if we grow, we can only grow, IF GOD LET US!

I say this.... If God unlocks Revelation to ANY person, that person is being LEAD BY THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH IN TRUTH! Every verse God REVEALS to a person is growth in TRUTH, and that TRUTH will make that person free.

Praise the Lord, that HE STILL REVEALS TRUTH TO US TODAY. Trust HIM to reveal to you as well. ONLY HE CAN DO THIS! It is God's SOLE priviladge to REVEAL Truth to HIS PEOPLE!
 
I agree with gra, the koran is a muslim book, why on earth would I study the word of God and use something from a false religion? That makes absolutely no sense!
 
I'm not sure, but I definitely think you need a good grasp of the OT to understand Revelation. Also, you need to consider the historical, cultural and theological context of the book.

I know what not to do: claim you're a prophet with a personal word from God that contradicts his Word and ask others to join you in your 'cult' based on your private reading (only true one apparently) of Revelation. :)
 
A person can read such a book without believe it's God's Truth. They just have to be a discerning reader.
 
Old testament is key. know the sanctuary teachings also. being that revelation takes place in the sanctuary. blessings
 
What do you mean by 'sanctuary teachings' and Revelation taking place 'in the sanctuary'?
 
LoveMe1, yes, it's important to read God's Word and regularly but you could say that of anything? Do you read anything other than the Bible? I sure do, especially fiction. God can speak to us through whatever manner he wishes but obviously the Bible is the most concrete form of God's Word.
 
Tintin said:
LoveMe1, yes, it's important to read God's Word and regularly but you could say that of anything? Do you read anything other than the Bible? I sure do, especially fiction. God can speak to us through whatever manner he wishes but obviously the Bible is the most concrete form of God's Word.
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Not since reading the Bible no.

i have never been crazy for books and fiction would be my least.. if anything i would read true stories in the past.

Honestly i would feel like a traitor if i read the koran....
 
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