The last book of Holy Scripture, or rather the New Testament, is called "The Revelation of John the Theologian". But more often it is called "Apocalypse". A more mysterious book cannot be imagined. And her second name inspires fear. The fact that the events of the coming end of the world are encrypted in the "Revelation" is already clear from the title. But how can you find out what exactly John the Theologian wrote about, because the apostle spoke ambiguously about his visions?
A little about the author of "Apocalypse"
Among the twelve apostles who followed the Son of God everywhere, there was one to whom Jesus, already on the cross, entrusted the care of his mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was John the Evangelist.
The Evangelist was the son of the fisherman Zebedee and the daughter of St. Joseph (the Betrothed of the Virgin Mary) Salome. Father was a we althy manhe had hired workers, he himself occupied a significant place in Jewish society. The mother served the Lord with her property. At first, the future apostle was among the disciples of John the Baptist. Later, together with his younger brother James, John left his father's boat on the Lake of Gennesaret, responding to the call of Jesus Christ. The apostle became one of the three most beloved disciples of the Savior. St. John the Theologian even began to be called a confidant - this is what they said about a person who is especially close to someone.
When and how was Apocalypse written?
Already after the ascension of Jesus, in exile, the apostle wrote "Apocalypse" or "Revelation about the fate of the world." After returning from the island of Patmos, where he was exiled, the saint wrote his Gospel in addition to the already existing books, the authors of which were Mark, Matthew and Luke. In addition, the apostle John wrote three epistles, the main idea of which is that those who follow Christ need to learn to love.
The departure from the life of the holy apostle is shrouded in mystery. He - the only one of the disciples of the Savior - was not executed or killed. The saint was about 105 years old when John the Theologian himself insisted on his own burial alive. His grave was dug up the next day, but there was no one there. In this regard, we recall the words of Christ that the apostle will not die until the second coming of the Savior. Many believers are confident in the veracity of this statement.
"Apocalypse" by John the Theologian
SamoThe name of the book of the apostle in translation from Greek means "revelation". The writing of the last part of the New Testament took place approximately in 75-90 years after the birth of Christ.
Some Bible scholars doubt the apostle's attitude to the authorship of the most mysterious book, since the style of writing the "Gospel of John" and "Apocalypse" are different. But there are arguments in favor of a saint.
- The author calls himself John and says that he had a revelation from Jesus Christ on the island of Patmos (it was there that the saint was in exile).
- The similarity of the "Apocalypse" with the epistles of the apostle and the Gospel from his name in spirit, syllable and some expressions.
- Ancient testimonies recognizing that John the Evangelist is the author of the last book of Holy Scripture. These are the stories of the disciple of the Apostle St. Papias of Hierapolis, and St. Justin Martyr, who lived for a long time in the same city with the holy elder, and many others.
The essence of "Revelation"
The last book differs from the rest of the New Testament in style and content. The revelations from God, which the Apostle John the Theologian received in the form of visions, tell about the appearance of the Antichrist on earth, his number (666), the second coming of the Savior, the end of the world, the Last Judgment. It gives hope to the hearts that the last prophecy of the book describes the victory of the Lord over the Devil after a difficult struggle and the appearance of a new heaven and earth. Here will be the eternal kingdom of God and people.
Interestingly, the number of the beast- 666 - still understood literally, when interpreting the entire book, it turns out to be only a key to unraveling the literal content of the name of Antichrist. The right time will come - and the whole world will know the name of the enemy of Christ. A person will appear who will calculate each letter in the name of Satan.
Interpretation of the Revelation of John the Theologian
It is necessary to know and remember that "Apocalypse", like any of the books of Holy Scripture, requires a special approach. It is necessary to use other parts of the Bible, the works of St. Fathers, Doctors of the Church, in order to correctly understand what is written.
There are different interpretations of the "Apocalypse" of John the Evangelist. Many of them are contradictory. And in this light, according to the statement of one of the interpreters, Archpriest Fast Gennady, the reason for the contradiction is that each person, in his own mind, is trying to understand the meaning of the visions of the holy apostle, bestowed by the Spirit of God. Therefore, the true decoding of the mysterious book is possible only thanks to Him. And the saying of St. Irenaeus of Lyon says that the Spirit of God is where the Church is. Only Her interpretation of the "Apocalypse" can be correct.
The main interpretation of the "Revelation" is the work of the holy Archbishop of Caesarea - Andrew, dated the VI century. But there are books by other clergymen and theologians explaining the meaning of what is written in the Apocalypse.
The contents of the beginning of the "Apocalypse"
One of the modern authors of interpretations of the last book of the Holy Scriptures is Father Oleg Molenko. TempleJohn the Evangelist - this is the name of the church, the rector of which he is. His explanations to the "Apocalypse" reflect the past works of the holy fathers, but at the same time they are passed through the prism of real events and today's life.
At the very beginning, "Revelation" tells about why the "Apocalypse" was written, where and how the Apostle John the Theologian received it. The importance of predictions of the future, given to people in order to have time to prepare for the Last Judgment, is emphasized.
The following is a message to the seven churches. The interpretation of John the Theologian shows that many of the warnings of the apostle, given to him through revelations, subsequently came true. Thus, the Ephesian Church collapsed.
The number 7 is not indicated by chance. It is sacred and chosen by God himself. Here is a warning about the abolition of Christian holidays and Sunday by the Antichrist. Instead, Saturday will be reserved for rest. The special place of the number 7 is indicated by many things in the Bible and the Church:
- 7 Sacraments;
- 7 Ecumenical Councils in the Church;
- 7 Gifts of the Holy Spirit (major);
- 7 His manifestations;
- 7 Virtues (basic);
- 7 passions (sins to fight);
- 7 words in the Jesus Prayer;
- 7 requests for the Lord's Prayer.
In addition, the number 7 can be observed in life:
- 7 colors;
- 7 notes;
- 7 days of the week.
About the features of "Apocalypse"
Church of John the Theologian,the rector of which is the author of the popular Interpretation, father Oleg Molenko, gathers many parishioners who are eager to understand the "Apocalypse". It should be remembered that this book is prophetic. That is, everything she talks about will happen, perhaps in the near future.
Prophecy was difficult to read and comprehend in the past, but these days everything that is said in Revelation seems to be written for us. And the word "soon" should be taken literally. When will it come? The events described in the predictions will remain only a prophecy until they begin to come true, and then they will develop rapidly, then there will be no time at all. All this will happen, according to the interpretation of Father Oleg, who heads the church of St. John the Theologian, from the beginning of the Third World War, when all types of weapons that exist in the world will be used. Chapter 9 of the Apocalypse tells about her. The war will start as a local conflict between Iran, Iraq, Turkey and Syria, in which the whole world will be drawn. And it will last 10 months, devastating the earth by one third of the people living on it.
Is it possible to correctly understand predictions without interpretation?
Why is the "Revelation of St. John the Evangelist" so difficult for the correct perception even of the saints? It must be understood that the apostle saw everything described in the revelations more than 2000 years ago and spoke about it in words accessible to that time. As for the heavenly (or spiritual), it is impossible to convey in simple language, hence the symbolism in the prophecy. Riddles and encrypted predictions are for people who are far from God. Truethe meaning of everything said in the "Apocalypse" can be revealed only to spiritual people.
One can still talk a lot and for a long time about the prophecies of the holy apostle, but one article will not be enough for this. Interpretations do not always fit even in a whole book. The Church of St. John the Evangelist (that is, the apostle, like Jesus, leads and patronizes it), which modern Orthodoxy is considered to be, can give up to eight different interpretations of Holy Scripture (according to the number of degrees of spiritual development). The evangelist himself belongs to the saints of the highest level. But there are few like him.
Believing or not predictions is everyone's business. The prophecies of the holy apostle are needed to reflect on your life, repent of sins and fight them. It is necessary to be kinder and try to resist evil, as if it were the Antichrist himself. Peace be with you!
