RevelationRevelation

RevelationRevelation

Author: John Written from: Patmos Date: 95 AD? Literary form: Apocalyptic Symbolic language: Lamb,

dragon, beast, Babylon, seven

Allusions to Old Testament

ApocalypticApocalyptic

Apokalupto = to unveil, uncover, reveal

Form of Jewish (15) and Christian (24) writings produced between 200 B.C. and 200 A.D.

Apocalyptic (literary form) not the same thing as eschatology (doctrine of the end times)

Apocalyptic WritingApocalyptic Writing

Crisis literatureWritten in times of social upheaval,

political turmoil, uncertaintyMeant to offer hope and assuranceWhat was the situation for Christians

at the end of the first century?

Key Features of ApocalypticKey Features of Apocalyptic The message: heavenly

mysteries revealed The source: angels and

heavenly ascents The timeline: the present

contrasted with the future The place: the earthly

contrasted with the heavenly

The judgment: the wicked contrasted with the righteous

Interpretations of RevelationInterpretations of Revelation

Preterism– Preter- = past– Revelation describes events that took

place in the first century– It reflects the Jewish revolt and the

destruction of the temple in Jerusalem– Some extend the timeline to the fall of

the Roman empire

Interpretations of RevelationInterpretations of Revelation

Idealism– Sometimes called the “spiritualist” view– Revelation describes the continuous

struggle between good and evil– Christ and his followers will eventually

triumph

Interpretations of RevelationInterpretations of Revelation

Futurism– Revelation describes a coming time—

the end times– Often based on a dispensationalist view– Most popular interpretation now (Left

Behind)– Commitment to a literal interpretation of

prophetic Scripture

Interpretations of RevelationInterpretations of Revelation

Historicism– Revelation symbolically predicted

events which would occur throughout church history

– Symbols can be related to world events from the apostolic age to the end times

– Once a widespread view, but essentially abandoned today

Vision 1: Seven ChurchesVision 1: Seven Churches

Messages to Seven ChurchesMessages to Seven Churches Addressed “to the angel of the church in

…” “These are the words of …” (all include

descriptions of Christ) Analysis (commendation and/or rebuke) “He who has an ear, let him hear what the

Spirit says to the churches.” A promise “to him who overcomes” (may

precede “He who has an ear …”)

Vision 2: JudgmentVision 2: Judgment

Seven seals Seven trumpets Seven bowls

The First Four Seals: Four The First Four Seals: Four HorsemenHorsemen

Vision 3: Vision 3: ConquestConquest

Who is Who is Babylon?Babylon?

Who is the Who is the Beast?Beast?

The MillenniumThe Millennium

Views of the MillenniumViews of the Millennium Postmillennial View

– We are in the age of the church (millennium) during which the world will be won for Christ through preaching the gospel to all people

– Christ’s return, the resurrection of the dead, and the final judgment will all come at the end of time

– Optimism concerning human activity

Church Age

Views of the MillenniumViews of the Millennium Amillennial View

– There will be no literal thousand-year reign of Jesus on earth

– Jesus reigns in heaven now, using the spiritual ministry of the church

– Christ’s return, the resurrection of the dead, and the final judgment will all come at the end of time

– Realism concerning human activity

Church Age

Views of the MillenniumViews of the Millennium

Historic Premillennial View– Christ’s return and the resurrection of believers

precedes a literal millennium– Christ reigns with the saints on earth for a thousand

years before the final judgment

Church Age Millennium

Views of the MillenniumViews of the Millennium Dispensational Premillennial View

– Believers will be raptured to escape the tribulation– The purpose of the tribulation is to restore Israel– Christ returns at the end of the tribulation to reign on

earth for a thousand years before the final judgment– Pessimism concerning human activity

Church Age Tribulation Millennium

Vision 4: Vision 4: New New

JerusalemJerusalem

Teaching of RevelationTeaching of Revelation

God is sovereignJesus is God the SonGod’s people are victoriousJesus is coming again, and we will

be with him forever

We believeWe believe

in the immortality of the soul,

in the resurrection of the body,

in the general judgment at the end of the world,

We believeWe believe

in the immortality of the soul,

in the resurrection of the body,

in the general judgment at the end of the world,

in the eternal happiness of the righteous,

We believeWe believe

in the immortality of the soul,

in the resurrection of the body,

in the general judgment at the end of the world,

in the eternal happiness of the righteous,

and in the endless punishment of the wicked