Reformed theology and the book of revelation

The book of revelation part theology simply profound january, 2017 on todays show, rob and bob talk about revelation, the two beasts, the number of the beast 666 and how these things relate to. Of course revelation is the most controversial book in the bible so you can find a different interpretation with each person you talk to. Revelation and god is the first volume and includes an extended prolegomena, the doctrine of revelation, and the doctrine of god. Sep 30, 2016 in episode 43 we continue our new series on the book of revelation. Great reformed commentary on revelation and much more. As a general rule of thumb, it is not a good idea to interperet the rest of the bible by one verse in the book of revelation. Chapters 4 and 5 are central to the book of revelation as they show the sovereign hand of the god, the only one worthy to bring both judgment upon sin and the fulfillment of redemption. The book of revelation is a riveting readbut a persistent question christians have is, what does it mean. Broadly speaking, the book of revelation affirms the theology of every book in the.

This is the first in a projected 4volume work, aiming to cover the broad category of systematic theology. Though it is little more than a piece of scholarly gossip, some have even suggested that the reformer john calvin, one of the best interpreters of the scriptures the church has known, shied away from writing a commentary on the book of revelation for this very reason. But there is one question that seems to be overlooked in our search for signs of the endtimes. In the event we are not able to fulfill this part of your order it will be canceled automatically. In response to a theological challenge to its underlying eschatology, the synod of the crc. The title of the book, the book of revelation, comes from the first sentence which describes the book as the revelation of jesus christ. The apostolic benediction pronounced on all those who shall pay a due regard to the contents of this book v. The two witnesses of revelation 11 the reformed reader. After an introduction, and letters to the seven churches revelation 1 through 3, the properly prophetic part of the book commences with a vision of heaven revelation 4.

Written with the laity in mind, the contents are challenging yet informative to both new and mature christians. Questions about the antichrist, the millennium, and many others a are sharply disputed. Making sense of the millennium, part 1 by kevin deyoung. This book is a collection of essays addressing various aspects of hyperpreterism a view of eschatology that argues all biblical prophecy was fulfilled in the first century. Revelation lectio continua commentary series beeke. I have been doing a bit of reading concerning the book of revelation. The theology of the book of revelation new testament theology kindle edition by bauckham, richard. Conference on reformed theology, and coeditor of the reformed expository. This chart illustrates the concurrent events associated with the second advent of christ. We are constantly battling heresy, both inside and outside the church. As we begin this study, i think it supremely important to understand that the book, in addition to everything else we learn in it, is foremost the revelation of jesus christ. Especially because of these millennial errors, reformed and presbyterian people must be clear as to the meaning of revelation 20. Our generation is fraught with challenges that militate against the christian faith.

Your hosts, rob and bob, continue to discuss the book of revelation by walking through the seven churches of revelation chapters 2 and 3. Without question, the book of revelation is difficult to understand. The symbolism of the book ranges through the entire old testament. The final three chapters of the book dealt with the holy spirit in the book of revelation chap 6, what revelation reveals about the new jerusalem chap 7, and how we can read, teach, and understand the book of revelation today chap 7. Six times in verses 17 is mentioned a period of a thousand years. The sermons were preached at christ reformed church in 2002. With these words donald barnhouse begins this helpful devotional commentary on the new testament book that puzzles so many. The first volume in the reformed systematic theology set of four projected volumes that draws on the historical theology of reformed tradition, exploring the first two of eight central points of systematic theologythe doctrines of revelation and the character of godwith an accessible and comprehensive approach that is biblical, doctrinal, experiential, and practical. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading reformed systematic theology. This new multivolume work brings together rigorous historical and theological scholarship. To encourage fidelity to christ in the midst of suffering by affirming that god rules history and will surely bring it to a glorious consummation of judgment and blessing in christ. The new jerusalem the book of revelation the great white throne judgement of jesus duration. Calvinists broke from the roman catholic church in the 16th. Once our stock has lowered, the price may return to its standard price.

Questions about the antichrist, the millennium, and many others a are sharply disputed among bible teachers today. Overview of the book of revelation reformed answers to. Synod dealt with an eschatological matter in 1918 and 1920 that became known as the bultema case and that resulted in the deposition of rev. Beale gives excellent reasons why this interpretation fits well. A brief retelling of the book of revelation reformation theology. The book of revelation is a riveting readbut a persistent question christians. A wellknown illustration of an historicist reading of the book of revelation is the reformation identification of the harlot babylon in revelation 17 with the roman catholic church and the papacy. Fourteen addresses were given in all counting the preconference, over three daysmostly on the book of revelation. There is a special blessing promised to those who read it and to those who hear it and treasure the truth that god has seen fit to give us. An immensely valuable gift to the twentyfirstcentury church. Death and hades in the book of revelation apostles creed. The design of the series of this wonderfully helpful series is to be biblical in exposition, doctrinal in line with the westminster confession of faith, etc.

In these conversations, ive received questions about reformed or covenant theology, eschatology the study of the last days, and the book of revelation. In the event we are not able to fulfill this part of. Overview of the book of revelation reformed answers. Sproul explains the importance of properly dating the book of revelation as we seek to understand the destruction of the temple in 70 a. Theology of redemption from the book of revelation. It is not a puzzle book to be used as a source of arcane calculations. Doubts resurfaced during the 16thcentury protestant reformation. Ive previously written about how according to the bible, we have been living in the end times for about two thousand years, since the first coming of christ. What unites reformed theology is a commitment to certain confessional. Reformed theology teaches that the bible is the inspired and authoritative word of god, sufficient in all matters of faith and practice. He is president and professor of systematic theology and homiletics at puritan reformed theological seminary, a pastor of the heritage reformed congregation in grand rapids, michigan, as well as the editor of banner of sovereign grace truth, the editorial. Revelation is thus a picture book, a dramatic presentation that enables the reader to have a godcentered view of history. Revelation for all time by kim riddlebarger ligonier ministries.

Although the christian reformed church is generally amillennialist in its eschatology and especially in its interpretation of the book of revelation. I really struggled with all of these chapters, and indeed, the whole book. In response to overtures about the bultema case, synod declared his. Each major section introduces readers to the biblical fundamentals and critical areas of concern. Preparing a top 5 list of commentaries on the book of revelation is extremely challenging in a number of ways. It appears there are two schools of thought as to the date the book was written, the book of revelation, date of writing. The first volume in a 4volume work combines rigorous historical and theological scholarship with application and. Revelation and god, joel beeke and paul smalley guide readers through two core tenets of the christian faith using a distinctly reformed perspective. This episode concludes the seven churches with a discussion of the final four churches. The book of revelation is a book that is either misunderstood and avoided, or it becomes a book where christians become overly preoccupied or imbalanced in their study of it. An ocean of ink has been spilled in attempts to interpret the book rightly, and there. The endless love of jesus ministries 1,253,329 views. Matthew henrys commentary on the revelation reformed. Nowhere is this fact more true than when considering the book of revelation.

Reformed systematic theology is the latest volume put out by joel beeke, paul m. Thus the dating of the book of revelation becomes crucial in properly interpreting the book. Reformed theology teaches that god rules with absolute control over all creation. He shows clearly that john received his prophetic visions directly many of us theologians recognize, and most of the students of scripture agree that the book of revelation is not easy to interpret. Beale discusses the focus of his lectures at the 20 scrbpc. Germany and japan in 1950 were quite a bit different than they were in 1940. The name by which the distinctively reformed doctrine of the last things is known is amillennialism. The theology of the book of revelation by richard bauckham.

Beeke is the president and professor of systematic theology at puritan reformed. Revelation and god kindle edition by beeke, joel, smalley, paul m download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Two individuals here represent the church in its faithful witness to the world the theology of the book of revelation cambridge. The theology of the book of revelation new testament theology. Bultema had authored a book titled maranatha, in which he tried to graft premillennialism into reformed theology. Studying the book of revelation grace online library.

Pcrt philadelphia conference of reformed theology conference. The aim of systematic theology is to engage not only the head, but also the heart and hands. In the same way, rome and jerusalem, the two main players in the book of revelation, were much different in 96 ad then they were in 66 ad. The book of revelation is the last book in the bible and completes the. Nov 18, 2012 chapters 4 and 5 are central to the book of revelation as they show the sovereign hand of the god, the only one worthy to bring both judgment upon sin and the fulfillment of redemption. Pastortheologian richard phillips provides a thorough and penetrating study of each chapter while highlighting the theme of the sovereign rule of christ over history for the salvation of his church. The book of revelation begins with a description of the glorious christ, who is in very deed reigning over the earth, holding the churches in his. Ferguson, chancellors professor of systematic theology, reformed theological seminarythe church needs good theology that engages the head, heart, and hands. Douglas kelly, professor emeritus of systematic theology at reformed theological seminary, charlotte. It professes to be the record of prophetic visions given by jesus christ to john, while the latter was a prisoner, for the word of god and the testimony of jesus revelation 1. Professor of biblical studies at reformed theological seminary in orlando. Only recently has the church compartmentalized these aspects of lifeseparating the academic discipline of theology from the spiritual disciplines of faith and obedience.

My own understanding of the book is set forth in a very summary manner in the last chapter of my book from age to age a chapter that is not intended to be read until all of the other chapters have been completed. I cannot point to a single commentary with which i agree entirely. In the theology of the book of revelation, bauckham gives a different perspective on the end times. The propagation of lies is commonplace and the repudiation of truth. A glorious vision or appearance of the lord jesus christ to the apostle john, when he delivered to him this revelation v. Jun 01, 2009 reformed christianity, as i shall soon have reason to emphasize, is but one of many particular christian subtraditions. Calvinism also called the reformed tradition, reformed christianity, reformed protestantism, or the reformed faith is a major branch of protestantism that follows the theological tradition and forms of christian practice set down by john calvin and other reformationera theologians calvinists broke from the roman catholic church in the 16th century. A less wellknown historicist interpretation is the medieval churchs identification of the beast from the sea in revelation with the rise of islam. The interpretation of the book of revelation has often proven difficult throughout the history of the christian church.

Oct 21, 2016 the new jerusalem the book of revelation the great white throne judgement of jesus duration. Pastortheologian richard phillips provides a thorough and penetrating study of each chapter while highlighting the theme of the sovereign rule. About the book the book of revelation is the book for the present hour. His redemptivehistorical commentary encourages readers to see the glory of christ as the exalted priest and king for his peopleand discover the powerful pattern of faith by which we join in the victory. In episode 43 we continue our new series on the book of revelation. Jan 02, 2020 reformed theology teaches that the bible is the inspired and authoritative word of god, sufficient in all matters of faith and practice.

The meaning of revelation 20 a thousand years is a figurative, or symbolical, description of the entire age of the new covenant. Interpreting the book of revelation, phillips explores the theme of the sovereign rule of christ over history for the salvation of his church. The book of revelation is the final book of the new testament, and consequently is also the. Calvinism also called the reformed tradition, reformed christianity, reformed protestantism, or the reformed faith is a major branch of protestantism that follows the theological tradition and forms of christian practice set down by john calvin and other reformationera theologians. He has foreordained all events and is therefore never frustrated by circumstances. I was given the subjects, lessons from the letters to the seven churches rev.

The book of revelation is not just about the future crossway. Revelation reformed expository commentary reformed. This name derives from the 20th chapter of revelation. Beeke phd, westminster theological seminary has written or coauthored one hundred books, and edited another one hundred titles. The number 1,000 is a symbolical number, made up as it is of the number 10.