THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST

The Book of Revelation (the APOKALUPSIS ἀποκάλυψις in the New Testament Greek) is the last book of the Bible, and as such, contains vital prophetic information from the risen, ascended and glorified Jesus Christ. It was written by the Apostle John between 95-96 AD. John was banished to the Island of Patmos by the Roman Emperor Domition during a period of intense persecution of the Church.

The risen Christ revealed the message to the Apostle John in  aseries of visions and verbal communications, with the intention of delivering the message as a means of comfort and strength to the Church.

INTERPRETING THE REVELATION

There are four main interpretive approaches to the book:

1. The Historical Method

This view claims the book covers the entire history of the church, picturing the antagonism of the forces of evil in the world against the church.

2. The Praeterist

This approach sees the greater part of the prophecies as fulfilled in the past, especially in the confrontation of the church with the Roman Empire. The victory of the church is foretold and assured.

3. The Spiritual

This method of interpretation holds that the book manifests the ultimate and permanent triumph of truth over error.

4. The Futurist Approach

This approach maintains that from chapter Rev 4 on all is predictive (Rev 1:3, Rev 1:19). Purpose of the book.