Book of Revelation
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The Book of Revelation, also known as the Book of the Apocalypse or the Apocalypse of John,[2] is canonically the last book of the New Testament. Written in Greek, its title is derived from the first word of the text, apocalypse (Koine Greek: ἀποκάλυψις, romanized: apokálypsis), which means "revelation" or "unveiling".[3][4][5] The Book of Revelation is the only apocalyptic book in the New Testament canon,[a] and occupies a central place in Christian eschatology.[3][4][5]
The book spans three literary genres: the epistolary, the apocalyptic, and the prophetic.[4][6][7] It begins with John, on the island of Patmos in the Aegean Sea, addressing letters to the "Seven Churches of Asia" with exhortations from Christ.[3][4][5] He then describes a series of prophetic and symbolic visions, which would culminate in the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.[3][4][5] These visions include figures such as a Woman clothed with the sun with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars, the Serpent, the Seven-Headed Dragon, and the Beast.[4]
The author names himself as simply "John" in the text,[3][4][5] but his precise identity remains a point of academic debate.[b] The sometimes obscure and extravagant imagery of Revelation, with many allusions and numeric symbolism derived from the Old Testament, has allowed a wide variety of Christian interpretations throughout the history of Christianity.[3][4][6]
Modern biblical scholarship views Revelation as a first-century apocalyptic message warning early Christian communities not to assimilate into Roman imperial culture, interpreting its vivid symbolism through historical, literary, and cultural lenses.[13][14][15]
- ^ Aland & Aland 1995, p. 159.
- ^ Eusebius 1904, 3.25.3-5.
- ^ a b c d e f Best 2025, pp. 114–236.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Paul 2020, pp. 36–58.
- ^ a b c d e Boxall 2013a, pp. 14–27.
- ^ a b c d e Boxall 2013b, pp. 28–55.
- ^ Stuckenbruck 2003, p. 1536.
- ^ Carson 2005, p. 465ff.
- ^ Holmes 2007, p. 749ff.
- ^ Collins 1984, p. 28.
- ^ Bauckham 1993, p. 2.
- ^ Stuckenbruck 2003, pp. 1535–1536.
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