Can I start reading anywhere in the bible?

Question

I just started becoming a believer of Jesus and I am wondering if I could read anywhere in the Bible. For instance, could I read revelation before anything else?

Answer 1

You could, but I suggest that starting with the Book of John in the New Testament would be better. John gives an easy to understand biography of Jesus and His days before His death and resurrection. Revelation is a Book that is rather difficult to understand mainly because of the prophecies of the last days. The Book of Daniel is the same way. It's best to read and learn about Jesus which is the first four Books of the New Testament then build up from there.

You don't have to start with John, but any of ther first four Books will be good. The apocalyptic books are intense and complicated and needs to be studied separately and probably with help too.

Answer 2

You may want to start from Genesis. It explains the whole history of mankind from the beginning. You understand the relationship that Jehovah God had with his people the Israelites and why they lost their relationship with God and who replaced them. Also you will understand the first prophecy Genesis 3:15 which is still being fulfilled today. Also when you read Genesis 3:1-5 you read of the serpent that deceived Eve. But was it really a serpent? Well that's when you need to read the last book of the BIble, Revelation to help you know who it is...REvelation 12:9 says that Satan was the original serpent.

So you can really tell that the bible is inspired by God because the write of Moses did not know Apostle John who wrote Revelation. So how did John know that the serpent was Satan?

Answer 3

Dear Haku Keiichi -

Welcome to the family of believers!

You certainly can start anywhere. However for a new believer it might be easier to start with the New Testament - then Psalms and Proverbs, then the Old Testament. Sometimes people get bogged down in the genealogies of the Old Testament.

As you read through, start with prayer - it is also good to make a list of what you learn about God.

Email me if you would like help at all, I have been studying and teaching Bible studies for a long time. I can recommend some good Bible study materials.

Please don't be discouraged by the negative comments on here. There are many wonderful Christian brothers and sisters who are here to help and encourage you!

God Bless you!

Answer 4

Of course, you can, but why not read the book of Daniel in the Old Testament first and then Revelation. Daniel gives you the kingdoms of the world and the dominating powers of those kingdoms.

They are portrayed in a dream to a king and Daniel prophesies to the king the history of the world.
Gold head of statue is Babylon
Silver shoulders, breast and arms - Medes and Persia
Bronze belly and thighs - Greece
Iron legs - Rome
Iron and clay - feet w/ten toes - Revived Roman Empire or EU
10 toes represent 10 kingdoms of the world. Divided kings

God removes and establishes kings or presidents. Two kingdoms(Assyria and Mesopotamia) fell before Babylon, but the statue starts with Babylon.

You get a blessing for just reading Revelation.

Answer 5

Praise God and welcome aboard.

Yes, you can read any part of the Bible that you wish. But I would suggest that you start your learning from the beginning. Think of it like this, if you were going to an Algebra class and you didn't know anything about it or very little and I told you to start at the end and gave you a test on it -what would you know? I think that the Bible should be read in its entirety, before skipping all around. This way you'll have a better understanding of why, what, who and how. I also believe that the OT is the best way of learning who God is and a wonderful insight into His character.

God Bless You

Answer 6

Sure, you could...but you won't understand it. There are as many explanations for the imagery in Revelation as there are people who have actually read the book. There is alot of very good stuff in Revelation, if you come to it with an open mind that hasn't already been "set" by reading or listening to someone else's notions of what those fabulous images mean.

If I may, I would recommend that you begin with the Gospel of Luke. I like it because it is the most complete story of the life of Jesus Christ. Acts is also a good book, if you want the actual beginnings of the church. Again, you would have to come to these books without any pre-conceived notions, and in today's world, beset with so many differing opinions, that is hard to do.

Whatever you decide, please remember to pray before you begin to read, and when you come to a part that is difficult for you to understand, pray again. Let God lead you as much as possible. Again, you will find that there are as many different opinions about what this or that verse means, as there are people who have read it. Don't let them confuse you, just keep letting God lead you. He actually knows alot more about what is written in there than any Bible scnolar you might consult.

Answer 7

I would not suggest that. I would read Matthew first, then John, Mark and Luke. That gives you an overall picture of Christ and His mission and work on earth. Then the rest of the NT which is comprised more on what it means to be a Christian.

The OT is set up in different sections, the first five books, called the Books of Moses and also known as the Pentateuch then the Historical Books, Psalms, Proverbs and the Prophets. You can read it straight through but it is not liner like a novel. The historical books are essential for an understanding of the Prophets: the times in which they lived and prophesized for example.

Revelation is a difficult book because it is the only biblical book that is wholly composed of apocalyptic literature* and a good foundation in both the OT an NT is required.

The main this you have to understand is the Bible is not a novel, it is not even a “book”, it is more like an encyclopedia comprised of 66 books in two major divisions.

*Apocalyptic literature was a new genre of prophetical writing that developed in post-Exilic Jewish culture and was popular among millennialist early Christians.

Answer 8

You could, but it might not make much sense. Revelation, in particular, uses imagery drawn from ancient Hellenistic sources, and might not make much sense out of context.

If you want to jump in there, start with any book of the New Testament. If you want to read the Old Testament, start with any Poetical/Wisdom book (Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job, etc.), or start with the history (Genesis, Exodus, Joshua, Judges, etc.). Save the Law books (Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy) and the Prophets for last, if you can. Skip the genealogies if you want.

But if you really want to understand the Bible, you will need to supplement your reading with something to provide context. Read Josephus, for example, for a better understanding of the historical context, and try to get ahold of some peer-reviewed academic works on Biblical criticism. Also try to include some ancient commentaries on the Bible. If you read the text as a literal narrative you will never fully understand it.

Answer 9

For a new Christian Revelation is not the best choice. Revelation is a wonderful, but extremely deep book. So much so that if you are not learned in God's Word you will not understand it completely. As a new Christian you are responsible now in living out your " Confession." This can only be done by knowing what it means when Jesus says,
" Deny yourself" "pick up your cross" "follow me." John is the normal answer, but devour up the Apostle Paul's writings. Such as: Ephesians, 1st and 2nd Corinthians, Philippians, Hebrews, etc. are phenomenal teachings of our walk. Blessings to you!

Answer 10

NO...stay away from Revelation.
If you are a new Christian, you need the milk before you eat the meat. Too many Christians want to interpret Revelation or Daniel for that matter, then they get confused. You should try starting by reading the book of John. It was written to the Christians.

Pray for wisdom and revelation as you read.


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