Book of Revelation facts for kids
The Book of Revelation, which is sometimes called Revelation to John, Apocalypse of John, or Revelation of Jesus Christ is the last book of the New Testament in the Bible.
Title
The last book of the New Testament is usually called the Book of Revelation or simply Revelation. Some of the earliest manuscripts have the title of "The Revelation of John" (Ἀποκάλυψις Ἰωάννου). Later manuscripts usually have the title of "The Revelation of the Theologian" (Ἀποκάλυψις τοῦ Θεολόγου). This is why the Authorized King James Version calls Revelation the Revelation of Saint John the Divine (divine was a seventeenth century word for theologian.)
In Greek, the word apocalypse means revealing or unveiling.
Introduction
Some people consider Revelation to be the most difficult book in the Bible. Over the course of the book the author has two visions. There are many different ways to interpret these visions, and there have been many arguments over which way is right.
Authorship
There is some disagreement over whether the John who wrote the letters of John, the John who wrote The Gospel of John, and the John who wrote the Book of Revelation are the same person. The person writing Revelation called himself "John". He also wrote that he was on Patmos, an island in the Aegean Sea, when he saw his first vision.
Content
The book begins by introducing John as the author and has letters to seven churches of that day. Some think that these churches also represent periods of history. Various visions follow which are highly symbolic which allows many different interpretations. They have been understood by various groups to represent past and future events. Some believe that many of these prophecies have already been fulfilled. Others think they will be fulfilled at the end of time. Others think they affirm the victory of Christ over all enemies, but do not refer to specific events. The book ends with a vision of the faithful souls in the next life rejoicing around the throne of God.
Related pages
- Apocalypse
- Eschatology
- Number of the Beast
- Rapture
- The Grapes of Wrath
Images for kids
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Frontispiece, Book of Revelation, Bible of San Paolo fuori le Mura, 9th century
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The Vision of John on Patmos by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld 1860.
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St. John the Evangelist on Patmos by Hieronymous Bosch, c. 1489
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St. John receives his Revelation, Saint-Sever Beatus, 11th century
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The Angel Appears to John, 13th-century manuscript, British Library, London
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The angel gives John the letter to the churches of Asia, Beatus Escorial, c. 950
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Revelation 6.2: "And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and to conquer." White Rider from Tolkovy Apocalyps, Moscow, 17th century
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Apocalypse 7, the 144,000 elect. Beatus d'Osma, 11th century
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The Fourth Angel sounds his trumpet, Apocalypse 8, Beatus Escorial, c. 950
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Apocalypse 12, the Woman and the Dragon. Beatus d'Osma, 11th century
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A seven-headed leopard-like beast, Apocalypse 13, Beatus Escorial
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"Thrust in thy sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe." (14:15), Escorial Beatus
See also
In Spanish: Apocalipsis para niños
