Revelation is the last book in the Bible.
It is a form of apocalyptic literature, meaning that it’s about the end of the world.
In this video I’m not gonna be spending a lot of time actually recounting the story
of revelation,
because you can get that kind of analysis in any video,
plus by just reading Revelation itself.
Instead, I want to spend as much time as possible explaining the relevance of the book of revelation
in the context of the bible
and Christianity more broadly, so that we can better understand its importance and purpose.
But first, don’t forget to like this video and subscribe for more great content! (pause)
The book of Revelation is written from the perspective of John, who we don’t know a
lot about.
Some have speculated that he is the Disciple John, others say he is somebody else.
John says that he is writing from the island of patmos off the cost of greece
Suddenly, John is told by a voice from heaven to record all he sees and hears,
and next a series of 7 Christian churches are criticised by the voice for a number of
reasons; some for being apathetic to Jesus’ message,
others too rigid or hypocritical.
After this there’s a rather confusing sequence of events in which a recently slain lamb opens
a series of seals,
wreaking havoc on the earth and its inhabitants.
The four horsemen of the apocalypse are sent to earth,
bringing pestilence,
war,
famine
and death.
Next the beast and antichrist rule over the world,
and finally Jesus returns to judge the world,
sending those who have sinned to Hell,
and the others he saves.
Jesus then rules the world for 1000 years,
before finally bringing the new earth and New Jerusalem into existence.
Revelation is a very hard book to accurately explain, because there are so many different
interpretations of it.
For starters, few can agree on its exact chronology,
all agree that it has some aspects of the future in it,
but some argue that it mostly refers to the past,
others the present
and some say that it is all referring to an event in the future.
This ambiguity that leaves it open to many different interpretations, as well as its
apocalyptic subject matter is one of the reasons why Revelation remains one of the most famous
books in the bible.
Revelation plays a key role in something called Christian eschatology, which means how Christians
perceive humanity will be treated by God at the end of the world.
To Christians, Jesus was the true messiah or chosen one who died on the cross for humanity’s
sins
and then rose on the 3rd day.
Revelation demonstrates Jesus as the messiah by having him fulfilling prophecies, or predictions,
made by him and others.
For example Jesus is rendered as the passover lamb, a sacrificial lamb that is referenced
many times in the old testament which is the Jewish bible.
Also, the Old Testament talks about a chosen one coming in the books of Daniel, and Genesis,
both books are referenced in Revelation.
Furthermore great detail is taken describing the exact measurements of the temple in revelation
21, so it fits with the description of King Solomon’s Temple in Kings thus underlining
Jesus’ nature as the king of the Jews.
As well as fulfilling all of these Old Testament prophecies, Jesus is said to be fulfilling
his own prophecy that he would himself return to judge the world. Jesus is thus shown to
be fulfilling not only his own prophecies, but also jewish ones
This is important because Revelation was written at a time when christians were being persecuted
by the roman empire and many thus at risk of losing the faith.
Revelation’s message that Jesus is the true messiah and that he will return to save the
world serves to show to many christians the need to keep the faith,
so that they will be one of the saved.
That’s Revelation. Thanks for watching, don't forget to like, share and subscribe!