Revision as of 11:13, 18 December 2006

The Book of Revelation, also called Revelation to John or Apocalypse of John is the last canonical book of the New Testament in the Bible. It is the only biblical book that is wholly composed of apocalyptic literature.

After a short introduction (ch. 1:1–10), it contains an account of the author, who identifies himself as John, and of two visions that he received on the isle of Patmos. The first vision (chs. 1:11–3:22), related by "one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle", speaking with "a great voice, as of a trumpet", are statements addressed to the seven churches of Asia. The second vision comprising the rest of the book (chs. 4–22) begins with "a door … opened in heaven" and describes the end of the world—involving the final rebellion by Satan at Armageddon, God's final defeat of Satan, and the restoration of peace to the world.

Revelation is considered by many Christians as one of the most controversial and difficult books of the Bible, with many diverse interpretations of the meanings of the various names and events in the account. Protestant founder Martin Luther at first considered Revelation to be "neither apostolic nor prophetic" and stated that "Christ is neither taught nor known in it" [1]. However, he later changed his mind. John Calvin believed the book to be canonical, yet it was the only New Testament book he did not write a commentary on.

In the 4th century, St. John Chrysostom and other bishops argued against including this book in the New Testament canon, chiefly because of the difficulties of interpreting it and the danger for abuse. Christians in Syria also reject it because of the Montanists' heavy reliance on it. In the 9th century, it was included with the Apocalypse of Peter among "disputed" books in the Stichometry of St. Nicephorus, Patriarch of Constantinople. In the end it was included in the accepted canon, although it remains the only book of the New Testament that is not read within the Divine Liturgy of the Eastern Orthodox Church.

Differently from these other Christian leaders and theologians, the Mormon prophet Joseph Smith simply said that "The Book of Revelation is one of the plainest books God ever caused to be written". He invited members of the Church to seek the Spirit to understand the important messages of this book for their lives.

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Symbolic meaning numbers the Book of Revelation