Jump to: Hitchcock's • Smith's • ATS • ISBE • Easton's • Webster's • Thesaurus • Greek • Library • Subtopics • Terms Topical Encyclopedia The term "Apocalypse" is derived from the Greek word "apokalypsis," meaning "revelation" or "unveiling." In the context of the Bible, it refers primarily to the Book of Revelation, the final book of the New Testament, which is attributed to the Apostle John. The Apocalypse is a prophetic work that reveals the ultimate triumph of God over evil and the establishment of His eternal kingdom.Biblical Context The Book of Revelation is a complex and symbolic text that has been the subject of extensive interpretation and study. It is addressed to the seven churches in Asia Minor and is filled with vivid imagery, including visions of heaven, angels, beasts, and the final judgment. The book opens with a vision of the glorified Christ and proceeds to describe a series of divine judgments upon the earth, culminating in the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of a new heaven and a new earth. Key Themes 1. The Sovereignty of God: The Apocalypse emphasizes God's ultimate control over history and His power to bring His purposes to fulfillment. Revelation 1:8 declares, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, says the Lord God, who is and was and is to come—the Almighty." 2. The Victory of Christ: Central to the Apocalypse is the victory of Jesus Christ over sin, death, and Satan. Revelation 19:11-16 portrays Christ as a conquering King, riding a white horse, with the armies of heaven following Him. 3. Judgment and Redemption: The book outlines a series of judgments, including the seven seals, trumpets, and bowls, which serve as divine retribution against sin and rebellion. Yet, it also offers hope of redemption for those who remain faithful. Revelation 7:14 speaks of those who have "washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb." 4. The New Creation: The Apocalypse concludes with the promise of a new heaven and a new earth, where God will dwell with His people. Revelation 21:1-4 describes this vision, stating, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away." Symbolism and Imagery The Book of Revelation is rich in symbolism, which has led to various interpretations throughout Christian history. Key symbols include the seven seals, the four horsemen, the beast, the dragon, and the New Jerusalem. These symbols convey spiritual truths and future events, often drawing from Old Testament imagery and apocalyptic literature. Interpretative Approaches Several interpretative approaches have been applied to the Apocalypse: · Preterist: This view sees the events of Revelation as having been fulfilled in the early history of the Church, particularly in the first century. · Historicist: This approach interprets Revelation as a chronological account of church history from the apostolic age to the end times. · Futurist: This perspective views most of the book as prophetic, concerning future events leading up to the second coming of Christ. · Idealist: This interpretation sees Revelation as symbolic of the ongoing struggle between good and evil, applicable to any era. Relevance to Christian Life The Apocalypse serves as a source of hope and encouragement for believers, affirming that despite present trials and tribulations, God's ultimate victory is assured. It calls Christians to remain faithful, to persevere in the face of persecution, and to live in anticipation of Christ's return. Revelation 22:12 reminds believers, "Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done." Hitchcock's Bible Names Dictionary ApocalypseSmith's Bible Dictionary ApocalypseA Greek word meaning revelation, applied chiefly to the book of Revelation by John. [REVELATION OF ST. JOHN] ATS Bible Dictionary ApocalypseSignifies revelation, but is particularly referred to the revelations which John had in the isle of Patmos, whither he was banished by Domitian. Hence it is another name for the book of Revelation. This book belongs, in its character, to the prophetical writings, and stands in intimate relation with the prophecies of the Old Testament, and more especially with the writings of the later prophets, as Ezekiel, Zechariah, and particularly Daniel, inasmuch as it is almost entirely symbolical. This circumstance has surrounded the interpretation of this book with difficulties, which no interpreter has yet been able fully to overcome. As to the author, the weight of testimony throughout all the history of the church is in favor of John, the beloved apostle. As to the time of its composition, most commentators suppose it to have been written after the destruction of Jerusalem, about A. D. 96; while others assign it an earlier date. It is an expanded illustration of the first great promise, "The seed of the woman shall bruise the head of the serpent." Its figures and symbols are august and impressive. It is full of prophetic grandeur, and awful in its hieroglyphics and mystic symbols: seven seals opened, seven trumpets sounded, seven vials poured out; mighty antagonists and hostile powers, full of malignity against Christianity, and for a season oppressing it, but at length defeated and annihilated; the darkened heaven, tempestuous sea, and convulsed earth fighting against them, while the issue of the long combat is the universal reign of peace and truth and righteousness-the whole scene being relieved at intervals by a choral burst of praise to God the Creator, and Christ the Redeemer and Governor. Thus its general scope is intelligible to all readers, or it could not yield either hope or comfort. It is also full of Christ. It exhibits his glory as Redeemer and Governor, and describes that deep and universal homage and praise which the "Lamb that was slain" is forever receiving before the throne. Either Christ is God, or the saints and angels are guilty of idolatry. "To explain this book perfectly," says Bishop Newton, "is not the work of one man, or of one age; probably it never will be clearly understood till it is all fulfilled." Easton's Bible Dictionary The Greek name of the Book of Revelation (q.v.). Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) The revelation delivered to St. John, in the isle of Patmos, near the close of the first century, forming the last book of the New Testament.2. (n.) Anything viewed as a revelation; a disclosure. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia APOCALYPSEa-pok'-a-lips. See APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE; REVELATION OF JOHN. PETER, APOCALYPSE OF See APOCRYPHAL GOSPELS, II, 4; LITERATURE, SUB-APOSTOLIC (Introduction). ZEPHANIAH, APOCALYPSE OF A (probably) Jewish apocryphal work of this name is mentioned in the Stichometry of Nicephorus and another list practically identical with this; a quotation from it is also preserved by Clement of Alexandria (Strom., v. 11, 77). Dr. Charles thinks this indicates a Christian revision (Encyclopedia Brittanica, II, article "Apocalypse"); others suppose it to point to a Christian, rather than a Jewish, origin. See Schurer, HJP, div II, volume III, pp. 126-27, 132; GJV4, III, 367-69. APOCALYPSE OF BARUCH ba'-ruk. See APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE. BARUCH, APOCALYPSE OF NOAH, BOOK (APOCALYPSE) OF Greek 993. Boanerges -- Boanerges, an epithet applied to the two sons of ... ... Samaritan village (Lk 9:54); which marked James as the victim of an early martyrdom (Ac 12:2); and which sounds in the thunders of John's Apocalypse" (, 98). ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/993.htm - 8k Library A Key to the Apocalypse A Brief Commentary on the Apocalypse The Epoch of the Apocalypse. The Apocalypse. The Scope of the Apocalypse is Indicated by Its Place in the ... The Apocalypse of Peter The Apocalypse. The 144,000 Sealed in the Apocalypse are Converts to Christ from ... The Scope of the Apocalypse Shewn by Its Place in the Canon The Apocalypse of John. Thesaurus Apocalypse... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. APOCALYPSE. a-pok'-a-lips. See APOCALYPTIC LITERATURE; REVELATION OF JOHN. PETER, APOCALYPSE OF. ... /a/apocalypse.htm - 8k Zephaniah (11 Occurrences) Ephesus (20 Occurrences) Separate (115 Occurrences) Apollyon (1 Occurrence) Canon Apocrypha Parousia Syriac (2 Occurrences) King (25505 Occurrences) Resources What is the Apocalypse of Peter? | GotQuestions.orgWho are the four horsemen of the apocalypse? | GotQuestions.org What is the Apocalypse? | GotQuestions.org Apocalypse: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
    |