Why are there so many interpretations? (Understanding the book of Revelation)

Continuing our series on Revelation, in this episode we look at the different ways people approach the book to begin with, and what a significant difference that makes!
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Resources mentioned:
Revelation: A Guided Tour of the Apocalypse - www.discipledo...
Craig Koester, Revelation and the End of All Things is available at: tinyurl.com/56...
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[@margreethakkerman4026]

I am a historicist, after been raised in futurism and having believed that for 35 years. But after much more indepth study I now am convinced that historicism is the correct ( biblical) interpretation. Greetings and blessings from the Netherlands.

[@kvelez]

3:37 Futurism. 5:12 Preterism. 6:19 Historicism. 10:10 Dispensationalism 11:44 Chiasm. 11:35 Rhythm.

[@Vmurph]

Awesome explanation! 🌟

[@jdoss61]

By far the best explanation of the book of Revelation that I have ever seen! I have for many years looked at it in most of the different views and have by and large just went Panmill😊! But of late I have had a desire to really seriously study it. Thank you so much for a clear, informative overview of the book! I will recommend it to anyone who asks about the book! Thank you! 🙏

[@Miketee68]

thanks, i like your view of this, I like to combine the idealist and preterist views. I like how you combine them all. thanks,

[@sandracoombs2255]

Thought provoking and interesting. Thx. 😊

[@NickensCharles]

There isn't so many interpretations of Revelation. There is only 1, mine!🤣🤣🤣

[@sydney.g.sloangammagee8181]

Did I hear you correctly??? @2:43 . . . It's helpful to understand, "Ok, I am not the first person to pick this book up & I'm not prideful enough to think that whatever the Holy Spirit reveals to me is the true meaning." There are a lot of Christians who do that. Sounds pious, but its really prideful. Instead. We want to listen to the voices throughout history that have tried to tackle this book. Doesn't mean we believe everything they say, it doesn't mean we agree with everything they say. But we do need to, at least, understand how people, besides ourselves, especially people in different time periods & different cultures have understood Revelation. Because that'll help us see the lenses that we read the book through & our own kind of myopic understanding that we inadvertently bring to the text. Wow!!! I had to copy that word for word from the transcript to be sure of exactly what you said here!!! (I'm not clear on the definition of 'myopic' but I got the gist of it.) Ok, I see the value of grasping how people previously interpreting the meaning of Revelation is important . . . especially as farther back as possible for better original cultural reference . . . (keeping in mind they had no idea what this future would be like that John couldn't adequately describe, compared to us living it out) added value, coming forward in time from people who maybe didn't understand past culture of John's time but thinking they were living in the last days yet still not seeing things we know today . . . for our own clarity, to ask ourselves, "Am I making these same mistakes of interpretation? Am I able to comprehend something now that they couldn't possibly have known back then? What can I learn from this, about a past culture, that I have no way of knowing?" However, I strongly object to your part of this that says, " . . . I'm not prideful enough to think that whatever the Holy Spirit reveals to me is the true meaning." The "prideful" part I get, but anything the Holy Spirit reveals has to be true meaning. So what are you really saying with that? That maybe it is NOT the Holy Spirit revealing true meaning, but instead a demonic spirit? NO - not to a true "born-again" believer. They cannot read my mind, they cannot put that complicated of ideas into my mind, they observe & can throw their darts & use (unsaved) people around me to attack & torment, even put words in their mouth to speak to me, etc. but true meaning only comes through the Holy Spirit & Revelation is directly from Jesus to His beloved Apostle, John!

[@BillWalkerWarren]

Great video! Two books I would like to suggest are Steve Gregg’s the four views of revelation. And G K Beals commentary on revelation. Both are cool . I do like Calvin’s approach it was more or less to not do violence to the scripture and not impose his bias . Basically let revelation be revelation. I tend to be Amil myself self but I am not locked into anything. Great video! Blessings

[@DiscipleDojo]

Yes, both Gregg and Beale's commentaries are in the recommended reading list in our "Revelation: A Guided Tour of the Apocalypse" course! Great resources indeed!

[@BatMite19]

First of all, love your action figures! But .. to the subject at hand. I am a classical/partial preterist, but I also subscribe to your understanding about the dual nature of prophecy. I believe that Revelation is specifically about the destruction of Jerusalem, as you can find strong parallels between it and Josephus' "The Jewish War." I believe that at the fall of Jerusalem at AD 70, the New Heavens and New Earth began, but only in a spiritual sense. There is the "already and not yet." I believe we are in the millennium of Revelation 20, and that evil and the church will both continue to grow. I guess that makes me a preterist amil, not a postmil. I do believe that at the end of the millennium (which is not a literal 1000 years), the final events of Revelation will take place. Satan will rise and make war on the church in a profound way, Jesus will return, and the resurrection and judgment will occur. So, everything up to chapter is past, the millennium is present, and everything that happens after the millennium is future. But in no way does that discount the fact that Revelation is scripture for the ages, and that the things that happened in AD 70 aren't, in a spiritual sense, true for every generation. Quite the contrary. An idealist view can really serve to point out spiritual truths that are relevant to every generation. Again, an "already and not yet" mentality. I enjoyed your video.

[@DiscipleDojo]

I agree. I think Preterists get the Olivet Discourse right for the most part and in my book "You WANT to be 'Left Behind'!!" I have a chapter which puts the parallels between Jesus's words and Josephus' account of 70AD in comparison so people can see exactly how true Jesus's prophetic warning ended up being.

[@BatMite19]

@@DiscipleDojo On an interesting note, all three synoptics contain an Olivet Discourse, but John does not. That's because Revelation is John's Olivet Discourse! :)

[@DancerOfClouds]

I am a Full Preterist and believe what Jesus said that His Kingdom is Spiritual. I believe the Church today is no different than the JEWs of Old. They rejected Jesus because he wasn't the KING they were looking for. Strangely, the Church is still looking for the same POWERFUL, VENGEFUL KING.

[@ArleneAdkinsZell]

Oh thank you for this great explanation.

[@KalliBella1]

Great explanation! As you were talking I thought of two things: "Revelation" is the unveiling of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is revealed as the One worthy to open the scroll/break the seals. He is the One in control and ruling the events concerning His Church and the entire creation, and is in control of the End! Revelation reals who is in control. Second, John often echoed the teachings of Jesus: John 16: 33, in this world we will have tribulation. But He would have us be of good courage (stand/persevere), because He has absolutely overcome this world.

[@DiscipleDojo]

Amen!

[@edwinalvarez1619]

I want to read your book recommendations on Revelation. I’m currently reading the epistles. Granted it’s a bit intimidating for me to do a deep study on the Bible because I feel I always miss something but God wants us to understand his word. All in all good stuff!

[@timdieckman2162]

👍❤️🙏

[@reeferfranklin]

2:42 that is legitimately a description of my approach to the entire faith now, like I'm not the first person in the past 4,000 years or so to think about this faith & I'm not prideful enough to believe that I, or anyone else for that matter, that has thought about this has gotten it all right and in all likelihood most have gotten much of it wrong & much of it right, therefore I can only pray & have faith that the Holy Spirit will serve as my compass to swallow the meat & spit out the bones of this vast landscape that is Ethical Monotheism & Christendom as I "study to show myself approved a workman for God, that need not be ashamed, correctly dividing the word of truth."

[@liontribe555]

No true sorry... There is tribulations and then the great tribulation.

[@DiscipleDojo]

That's a distinction which Dispensenationalism imports into the text, rather than what Scripture itself actually teaches.

[@ThatBibleStudyChannel2023]

What books do you recommend on revelation brother?

[@DiscipleDojo]

@@ThatBibleStudyChannel2023 see the recommended reading in the workbook at www.discipledojo.org/revelation

[@ThatBibleStudyChannel2023]

@@DiscipleDojo Thank you and God bless.

[@janeyranlett6567]

Thank you for your teachings. Where did you come across the "rhythms" or cycles graphic? I need that

[@DiscipleDojo]

I made it. It is based on Craig Koester's line drawing in "Revelation and the End of All Things"

[@janeyranlett6567]

@@DiscipleDojo do you have a downloadable version? I went to your website but didn't see anything like that. Brilliant!

[@jkdbuck7670]

I dont understand so much about The Revelation. What I do understand is Who is revealed and Who is victorious.

[@DiscipleDojo]

That's definitely the most important thing to understand! :)

[@michellerawlinson4827]

I am baffled...When is Jesus Millennium Kingdom? Isn't that time for God's remnant?

[@DiscipleDojo]

Where do you read about a millennial kingdom, apart from a single passage in Revelation filled with highly symbolic imagery? For an overview, see the podcast series "Apocalypse Now??" over at www.discipledojo.org/podcast

[@michellerawlinson4827]

@DiscipleDojo That is were, Revelation. I have been praying for understanding for years because my spirit isn't convinced of the popular teaching. So today, you popped up, and I am so excited to understand.

[@qwerty-so6ml]

@@michellerawlinson4827 PRETERISTS take away from the words of the book of prophecy. Revelation 22:19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

[@edwardgreen5880]

Church etymology has a deviation. Circe Pharmakia, poisoner.

[@Habanecro]

hehehe first

[@thaatsriight]

The first shall be last, and the last shall be first. Hehehe

[@DancerOfClouds]

I love your channel and your closing remarks were remarkable. I am a Full Preterist and my Faith is built solely on the Words Of Christ. If my understanding does not align with His Words; it is my understanding that is wrong, not Jesus's words. (He said we must become as little children) Mat 5:18 (King James Version) For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. The words of Jesus above must never be forgotten. Heaven and Earth MUST pass away before ANY aspect of (then) Jewish Law, passes away. We Christians follow Christ NOT the LAW. 1. We Must be living in the New Heaven and Earth (The Old Testament speaks much of this) 2. All must be fulfilled. Temple Destruction Foretold Mat 24:1-3 1As Jesus left the temple and was walking away, His disciples came up to Him to point out its buildings. 2“ Do you see all these things?” He replied. “Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; everyone will be thrown down.” 3While Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately. “Tell us,” they said, “when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?”… Daniel 9:26 Then after the sixty-two weeks, the Messiah will be cut off and will have nothing. Then the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood, and until the end, there will be war; desolations have been decreed. Luke 19:44 They will level you to the ground--you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation from God." Revelation 21:22 But I saw no temple in the city because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. Ephesians 2:19-22 So you are no longer outsiders or aliens, but fellow-citizens with every other Christian [the saints, NKJV] - you belong now to the household of God. Firmly beneath you is the foundation, God's messengers and prophets, the corner-stone being Christ Jesus himself. In him each separate piece of building, properly fitting into its neighbor, grows together into a temple consecrated to the Lord. You are all part of this building in which God himself lives by his Spirit. This is a Spiritual Temple and it has come down as such: John 4:23 But a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such as these to worship Him. John 18:36 Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” But as it was (Then) the Temple was still standing and the Jewish LAW was in full effect. However, we know from the Words of Jesus that the LAW ended when the Holy Temple fell.

[@DiscipleDojo]

I actually agree that Jesus in the Olivet Discourse was talking primarily about the events of 70 AD and that followers of Messiah worldwide are the Temple in the New Covenant (and the eschatological New Jerusalem will be the ultimate fulfillment of it).

[@dunk_law]

The Epithet - "holy harlot". The Great Marriage was an important part of Mesopotamian religion where the reigning king or high priest of a city would engage in ritual intercourse with the high priestess of Inanna. This was done as part of an acting out of the myth of the marriage of Inanna with Dumuzi--an agriculture god.

[@DiscipleDojo]

Do you have a primary source citation for that? I'd be interested to read the exact wording, if so.

[@dunk_law]

@@DiscipleDojo see - Nature’s Retaliation in the Sumerian Epic Gilgamesh: An Ecocritical Study This aligns with the fundamental principles of Torah. As H.W.F. Saggs points out in "the Babylonians - "It should perhaps be emphasised that the basis of the Sumerian city was agriculture and not industry.", the same goes for Torah. The "unclean" animals and birds were NOT unclean as generally thought today. "unclean" meant not for humans to kill or eat. Mary Douglas in "Purity and Danger" got things very, very wrong. Those animals in todays ecological terms would be called "keystone species". As an example bats eat there own weight in insects every night. Bats would eat the pests that carry sap infections to the fig tree and grape vine, thus stopping the fruit from dropping. Deut 28:39,40 is referring to a caterpillar & a leaf hopper that carry an infection. Bats, Little owls & Hoopoe eat them.

[@dunk_law]

@@DiscipleDojo For the Minoan - The goddess Rhea - Aegean Universal Mother, Great Goddess, Pre-Hellenic Great Mother Goddess. Also known as Britomartis, Great Goddess of Bronze Age Crete and the Aegean Islands. Great Mother. She had no consort and ruled supreme before the coming of patriotic Hellenic invaders. Archetypal Triple Goddess. Britomartis, the Sweet Virgin, Dictynna, the Lawgiving Mother and Aegea, the foundress of Aegean civilization. aka Coronis. Pre-Roman Latium knew Her as Rhea Silvia, Rhea of the Woodland, under Whose rule, the Vestal Virgins were neither celibate nuns, nor servants of the state, as they became in later ages. They were choosers and deposers of the early Latin kings, a college of matronae who ruled the rulers and took no husbands. Her children were cared for by Acca Larentia - the Holy Harlot or High Priestess.

[@dunk_law]

@@DiscipleDojo See Prostitutes and Courtesans in the Ancient World regarding “istaritu”. See also Bryn Mawr Classical Review for this book.

[@dunk_law]

@@DiscipleDojo An interesting contrast to this is - THE END OF THE MALE CULT PROSTITUTE: A LITERARY - HISTORICAL AND SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF HEBREW QADES-QEDEslM by PHYLLIS A. BIRD