Decoding the Book of Revelation: Overcoming Fear and Misunderstanding with Ian Paul

Exploring the Language of Scripture

In this episode of Exploring the Language of Scripture, Daniel Mikkelsen and New Testament scholar Ian Paul tackle the complexities of the Book of Revelation, addressing common fears and misunderstandings about this often daunting text.

They explore how understanding biblical Greek and Hebrew, alongside the cultural context of scripture, can transform the way we read the Bible—especially Revelation. Ian sheds light on how Greek grammar reveals new dimensions of familiar passages, such as the Lord's Prayer and John 3:16. He also explains why Revelation is so saturated with Old Testament references, and how its apocalyptic imagery—dragons, beasts, and more—should be understood.

Throughout the conversation, they emphasise the importance of reading scripture in community and explore how Revelation offers both challenge and comfort to Christians today. If you've ever wondered how to approach Revelation with confidence, or how biblical languages deepen your understanding of scripture, this episode is for you.

#RevelationExplained #BiblicalLanguages #ChristianTheology

Don’t miss the next episode: In the next episode, we’ll discuss Temples in the New Testament with Nick Moore.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction
02:03 - Meet Today's Guest: Ian Paul
04:10 - Ian Paul's Journey into Greek and Hebrew
07:10 - Why Original Languages Are Like 3D, Not 2D
09:36 - The Role of Translation in Biblical Interpretation
13:08 - The Complexity of Biblical Texts and Their Interpretations
16:17 - Why Bother Learning Greek?
19:47 - Are We Misunderstanding the Lord's Prayer?
24:25 - Greek Grammar and New Insight into John 3:16
26:20 - When Translations Go Wrong
28:28 - Why Study the Book of Revelation?
34:07 - Why Is Revelation a Feared Book?
36:53 - Why Is Revelation So Strange?
39:44 - What Is Apocalyptic Literature?
45:49 - How Revelation Contains the Full Story of Scripture
49:30 - Revelation Tells Us How It Should Be Received
51:57 - The Most Quoted Old Testament Book in Revelation
53:43 - Revelation: A Book of Challenge and Comfort
55:14 - The Culture Promises What Only God Can Give

Music Credits:
Music from #Uppbeat
https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/aspire

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Podcast Keywords:
biblical languages, New Testament, Old Testament, Christ, bible study, Relationship with God, learn biblical languages, Biblical Theology, Christianity, Covenants, New covenant, old covenant, language acquisition, Biblical Greek, Biblical Hebrew.

Kapitler

1. Introduction (00:00:00)

2. Meet Today's Guest: Ian Paul (00:02:03)

3. Ian Paul's Journey into Greek and Hebrew (00:04:10)

4. Why Original Languages Are Like 3D, Not 2D (00:07:10)

5. The Role of Translation in Biblical Interpretation (00:09:36)

6. The Complexity of Biblical Texts and Their Interpretations (00:13:08)

7. Why Bother Learning Greek? (00:16:17)

8. Are We Misunderstanding the Lord's Prayer? (00:19:47)

9. Greek Grammar and New Insight into John 3:16 (00:24:25)

10. When Translations Go Wrong (00:26:20)

11. Why Study the Book of Revelation? (00:28:28)

12. Why Is Revelation a Feared Book? (00:34:07)

13. Why Is Revelation So Strange? (00:36:53)

14. What Is Apocalyptic Literature? (00:39:44)

15. How Revelation Contains the Full Story of Scripture (00:45:49)

16. Revelation Tells Us How It Should Be Received (00:49:30)

17. The Most Quoted Old Testament Book in Revelation (00:51:57)

18. Revelation: A Book of Challenge and Comfort (00:53:43)

19. The Culture Promises What Only God Can Give (00:55:14)