Changes

Due to its prophetic nature Revelation is considered a difficult book to understand (though its imagery has made it a popular one, even in the secular world).  It has also given rise to a cottage industry of sorts with the almost endless number of books attempting to interpret the prophecies in light of modern-day political events (along with conferences and seminars to sell those books).

Due to its prophetic nature Revelation is considered a difficult book to understand (though its imagery has made it a popular one, even in the secular world).  It has also given rise to a cottage industry of sorts with the almost endless number of books attempting to interpret the prophecies in light of modern-day political events (along with conferences and seminars to sell those books).

==Acceptance as Canonical==

==Acceptance as canonical==

The Book of Revelation was one of the last books to be fully accepted into the New Testament Canon largely due to its difficulty in being understood.  To this day the Eastern Orthodox church does not include it in its Divine Liturgy (though it is included in Roman Catholic and Protestant ones).  [[Martin Luther]] did not consider it to be apostolic or prophetic in 1522 (though by 1530 he had largely changed his view); [[John Calvin]] did not write a commentary on it (the only Biblical book on which he did not).

The Book of Revelation was one of the last books to be fully accepted into the New Testament Canon largely due to its difficulty in being understood.  To this day the Eastern Orthodox church does not include it in its Divine Liturgy (though it is included in Roman Catholic and Protestant ones).  [[Martin Luther]] did not consider it to be apostolic or prophetic in 1522 (though by 1530 he had largely changed his view); [[John Calvin]] did not write a commentary on it (the only Biblical book on which he did not).

The Whore of Babylon has been the subject of great controversy as to its representation.  Historically Protestants have claimed the chapters refer to the Roman Catholic Church.<ref>For an example see [[Matthew Henry]]'s Complete Commentary on Revelation 17:https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/revelation/17.html</ref>  This interpretation is not as common in modern times due to ecumenical dialogue between Catholics and some Protestant groups, but is still prevalent, especially among [[fundamentalist]] branches of Protestantism.

The Whore of Babylon has been the subject of great controversy as to its representation.  Historically Protestants have claimed the chapters refer to the Roman Catholic Church.<ref>For an example see [[Matthew Henry]]'s Complete Commentary on Revelation 17:https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/revelation/17.html</ref>  This interpretation is not as common in modern times due to ecumenical dialogue between Catholics and some Protestant groups, but is still prevalent, especially among [[fundamentalist]] branches of Protestantism.

====Millennial Reign====

====Millennial reign====

After the Tribulation period begins the events of the Millennial Reign, found from Chapter 19 through the end of the book.

After the Tribulation period begins the events of the Millennial Reign, found from Chapter 19 through the end of the book.

==Interpretations==

==Interpretations==

===Letters to the Churches (Chapters 2-3)===

===Letters to the Churches (Chapters 2–3)===

There are three historical interpretations for the letters, all of which could be simultaneously true:

There are three historical interpretations for the letters, all of which could be simultaneously true:

*The most common interpretation is that the letters were to the congregations directing them of certain actions needed (all seven cities historically existed and each was known to have a local congregation in it).

*The most common interpretation is that the letters were to the congregations directing them of certain actions needed (all seven cities historically existed and each was known to have a local congregation in it).

The most common interpretation of this section is that the visions prophesy events to take place during the End Times.  These views frequently attempt to interpret current geo-political events in light of the text.<ref>For example, the view that the European Union is a precursor to the forthcoming one-world government.</ref>

The most common interpretation of this section is that the visions prophesy events to take place during the End Times.  These views frequently attempt to interpret current geo-political events in light of the text.<ref>For example, the view that the European Union is a precursor to the forthcoming one-world government.</ref>

Those primarily of the [[Preterist]] view postulate that the writing describes a period of persecution in the early church either during the reign of [[Nero]] (54 - 68) or [[Domitian]] (81 - 96) and therefore the events have already taken place.

Those primarily of the [[Preterist]] view postulate that the writing describes a period of persecution in the early church either during the reign of [[Nero]] (54–68 A.D.) or [[Domitian]] (81–96 A.D.) and therefore the events have already taken place.

==In Popular Culture==

==In popular culture==

Works and concepts based on Revelation include "666" as the number of the [[devil]], the great writing by [[Dante]] in his ''Inferno'', and [[Michaelangelo]]'s [[Last Judgment]] in the [[Sistine Chapel]].<ref>http://danteworlds.laits.utexas.edu/circle3.html</ref>

Works and concepts based on Revelation include "666" as the number of the [[devil]], the great writing by [[Dante]] in his ''Inferno'', and [[Michaelangelo]]'s [[Last Judgment]] in the [[Sistine Chapel]].<ref>http://danteworlds.laits.utexas.edu/circle3.html</ref>

== See also ==

==See also==

* [[Whore of Babylon]]

* [[Whore of Babylon]]

* [[Great Apostasy]]

* [[Great Apostasy]]

==References==

==References==

{{reflist}}

{{reflist}}

{{New Testament Books}}

{{New Testament Books}}