How to Read Revelation

What kind of book is What kind of book is revelation?revelation?

Genre (Rev 1:1)Genre (Rev 1:1)

Three types of Three types of Genre: Apocalypse Genre: Apocalypse (1:1), Prophecy (1:3), (1:1), Prophecy (1:3), and Epistle (1:4-6 and Epistle (1:4-6 and chs 2-3)and chs 2-3)

Christian ProphecyChristian Prophecy

John writes in the tradition of the OT John writes in the tradition of the OT prophets.prophets.

He writes as the climax of Biblical He writes as the climax of Biblical prophecyprophecy

Revelation is intended to be read aloud.Revelation is intended to be read aloud. It is the only book in the Bible with an It is the only book in the Bible with an

implicit blessing attached (1:3).implicit blessing attached (1:3).

ApocalypticApocalyptic

Apocalyptic books include: Daniel, Isaiah, Apocalyptic books include: Daniel, Isaiah, Zech.Zech.

Narrative frame workNarrative frame work Envisions a transcendent reality (like Job)Envisions a transcendent reality (like Job) Counters the Roman imperial view of the world.Counters the Roman imperial view of the world. Highlights the sovereignty of God.Highlights the sovereignty of God. Communicates through symbols and picturesCommunicates through symbols and pictures

ApocalypticApocalyptic

God’s role in human history.God’s role in human history. John is concerned with end-time John is concerned with end-time

judgment and salvation.judgment and salvation. Includes a concrete historical situation.Includes a concrete historical situation. John sees behind the scenes from the John sees behind the scenes from the

perspective of God’s throne room.perspective of God’s throne room. Tends to be repetitive. Tends to be repetitive.

As an apocalypse Revelation answers As an apocalypse Revelation answers the question, “Who is Lord over the the question, “Who is Lord over the world and all created things?”world and all created things?”

““The apocalyptists sought to maintain the The apocalyptists sought to maintain the faith of God’s people in the one, all-powerful faith of God’s people in the one, all-powerful and righteous God, in the face of the harsh and righteous God, in the face of the harsh realities of evil in the world, especially the realities of evil in the world, especially the political evil of the oppression of God’s political evil of the oppression of God’s faithful people by the great pagan empires. faithful people by the great pagan empires. The answer to this problem was always and The answer to this problem was always and essentially, that, despite appearances, it is essentially, that, despite appearances, it is God who rules his creation and the time is God who rules his creation and the time is coming soon when he will overthrow the evil coming soon when he will overthrow the evil empires and establish his kingdom.” empires and establish his kingdom.” Bauckham, Theology, 8-9 Bauckham, Theology, 8-9

Epistolary (circular Epistolary (circular letter)letter)

One circular letter One circular letter written to the seven written to the seven churches of Asia churches of Asia Minor: Ephesus, Minor: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Philadelphia, and Laodica. Laodica.

EpistleEpistle

The entire book is a The entire book is a letter not just chs 2-letter not just chs 2-3.3.

Audience is at least Audience is at least two groups: (1) the two groups: (1) the saints, (2)seven saints, (2)seven churches in Asia churches in Asia Minor.Minor.

Domitian

Tips on interpreting Rev.Tips on interpreting Rev.

Scripture interprets Scripture interprets scripture.scripture.

What is God doing in What is God doing in the text?the text?

Picture book not Picture book not puzzle book.puzzle book.

Book of Praise.Book of Praise.

Must understand the Must understand the OT: Daniel, Ezekiel, OT: Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Zechariah, Isaiah, Zechariah, Joel, Exodus, and Joel, Exodus, and Genesis.Genesis.

It is visionary to It is visionary to confront the images confront the images of the 1of the 1stst century. century.

More Tips…More Tips…

Images are Images are understood within the understood within the overall theology of overall theology of the Bible.the Bible.

We must look at the We must look at the social, political, social, political, cultural, and religious cultural, and religious world of the 1world of the 1stst century.century.

Don’t overlook the Don’t overlook the theme of divine theme of divine judgment and judgment and salvation.salvation.

Conclusion:Conclusion:

Challenge: “choose for yourselves this Challenge: “choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve” (Josh 24:15). day whom you will serve” (Josh 24:15).

There are two sides, but there is not There are two sides, but there is not cosmic dualism.cosmic dualism.

Satan falls short in battle and as he Satan falls short in battle and as he counterfeits.counterfeits.