Book of Revelation facts for kids
The Book of Revelation is the very last book in the New Testament part of the Bible. It's also known as the Revelation to John or the Apocalypse of John.
Contents
What is the Book of Revelation?
This final book of the New Testament is usually called the Book of Revelation. Sometimes people just call it Revelation. In ancient Greek, the word apocalypse means revealing or unveiling. So, the book is about revealing important messages.
Some old copies of the book call it "The Revelation of John". Later copies sometimes called it "The Revelation of the Theologian". A theologian is someone who studies God and religious beliefs.
Why is Revelation Important?
Many people find the Book of Revelation to be one of the most interesting and challenging books in the Bible. It describes two main visions seen by its author. These visions are full of symbols and deep meanings.
Because of these symbols, people have many different ideas about what the visions mean. There have been many discussions and arguments over the years about the correct way to understand them.
Who Wrote Revelation?
The person who wrote the Book of Revelation called himself "John". There is some discussion about whether this John is the same person who wrote the Gospel of John or the letters of John in the Bible.
The author also wrote that he was on an island called Patmos when he saw his first vision. Patmos is an island located in the Aegean Sea.
What is Inside the Book?
The Book of Revelation starts with John introducing himself. It then includes letters written to seven different churches that existed at that time. Some people believe these churches also stand for different periods in history.
After these letters, the book describes many visions. These visions are highly symbolic, meaning they use pictures and ideas to represent deeper truths. This is why they can be understood in many ways.
Some people believe that many of the prophecies (predictions about the future) in the book have already come true. Others think they will happen at the end of time. Still others believe the book mainly shows that Christ will win over all bad things, without referring to specific future events.
The book finishes with a beautiful vision. It describes faithful people in the next life. They are shown celebrating and praising God around His throne.
Related Pages
- Apocalypse
- Eschatology
- Number of the Beast
- Rapture
- The Grapes of Wrath
Images for kids
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Front page of the Book of Revelation from the Bible of San Paolo fuori le Mura, made in the 9th century.
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The Vision of John on Patmos by Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld in 1860.
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St. John the Evangelist on Patmos by Hieronymous Bosch, around 1489.
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St. John receives his Revelation, from the Saint-Sever Beatus, 11th century.
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An angel appears to John, from a 13th-century manuscript in the British Library, London.
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The angel gives John a letter for the churches in Asia, from the Beatus Escorial, around 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." This is the White Rider from Tolkovy Apocalyps, Moscow, 17th century.
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Apocalypse 7, showing the 144,000 chosen people. From the Beatus d'Osma, 11th century.
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The Fourth Angel sounds his trumpet, from Apocalypse 8, in the Beatus Escorial, around 950.
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Apocalypse 12, showing the Woman and the Dragon. From the Beatus d'Osma, 11th century.
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A seven-headed beast that looks like a leopard, from Apocalypse 13, in the 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), from the Escorial Beatus.
See also
In Spanish: Apocalipsis para niños
