BUT WHAT ABOUT JOHN?

THE APOSTLE JOHN Most likely the last apostle to die One of the “inner circle” of disciples Apparently moved to Ephesus after the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD. Tradition says that he took Mary, the mother of Jesus, with him where they both died. Became the leader of the church in Ephesus Wrote five books between 85-95 AD: the gospel, 1, 2, 3 John and Revelation

JOHN’S GOSPEL Written before the letters and Revelation ca. 85-90 AD Supplemented the synoptics: A thoughtful evaluation of Jesus’ life Gave greater insight into some issues of Jesus’ ministry A reaction to false teachings – demonstrated Jesus’ divinity (“I AM”, the Son of God, the resurrection) An expressed purpose (20.30, 31) Reports the early Judean ministry of Jesus (Jn.1-3) Corrected the false idea that he would not die before Jesus’ return

JOHN’S LETTERS 1 John 2 John 3 John A circular letter Deals with false teachings about Jesus’ nature How to discern false teachings: the resurrection, the work of the Spirit, and love 2 John Addressed to a local church (?) – the “chosen lady” Encouraged the believers to follow the truth and not false teachers (v.10) Stressed the effects of false teaching on the church 3 John Addressed to Gaius, a church leader Sought to address the matter of a certain Diotrephes and his rejection of John’s letter(s)

REVELATION “Apocalypse” means unveiling Apocalyptic literature Offered a pessimistic view of history Made use of symbols Served to encourage and as a warning Affirmed God’s ultimate victory Purpose of Revelation: answer key questions “When will the kingdom be established?” “What about the Lord’s return?” “What about John?” “What is happening in the world?”

INTERPRETING REVELATION

PLACE AND DATE Patmos, an island of the western coast of Asia Minor (Turkey) Date: determined by the persecution described in the book; two possibilities: During the rule of Nero (54-68 AD) The numerical value of the Hebrew letters spelling Nero Caesar totals 666 (13:18) The burning of Rome (64 AD) blamed on Christians The language of Revelation suggests that John was still struggling with Greek, a time before John learned the smooth Greek of the Gospel and the letters. During the rule of Domitian (81-96 AD) Attempt to enforce emperor worship Early church fathers strongly support this view Allows for an interval between the founding of the churches in Asia in the days of Paul and the declension

LITERAL , FIGURATIVE, OR ALLEGORICAL? Interpretation that seeks to understand words and phrases at face value Often seeks concrete meanings for the symbols Allows for symbolic interpretation only when that is what was understood by the original author Figurative Recognizes that the book is apocalyptic literature and therefore highly symbolic, drawing from other examples of this literary form Recognizes the use of figures of speech and does not seek specific, concrete meanings for the symbols Allegorical Seeks “hidden” meanings in words and phrases, often ignoring historical context or author’s intent in favor of the interpreter’s position

PRETERIST INTERPRETATION From the Latin praeteritus meaning past Asserts that the prophecies were fulfilled in the first few centuries, especially in connection with the fall of the Roman Empire. For example, the beast of Rev 13:1-8 represents the Roman Empire in its persecution of Christians. Represents the historical conflict between the early church and paganism Focuses attention on the early church and the events symbolized have already happened. An alternate form of this approach connects the prophecies primarily with the fall of Jerusalem in AD 70.

PRETERIST INTERPRETATION OF REV. 13 “Satan gives his power to the Roman Empire and its Emperors (depicted as a sea-beast with seven heads). John gives a prophecy about the Empire's death and subsequent resurrection that took place following Nero's suicide. (68-69 AD) John describes the present persecution of the Christians by the Roman Empire, prophesying that it would last for 42 months. (November 64 - June 68 AD) John sees apostate Israel (depicted as an earth-beast disguised as a lamb) ally itself with the Roman Empire in this persecution. Apostate Israel's false prophets perform false miracles in order to deceive people into rejecting Christ and following Caesar. (30-67 AD) The "mark of the beast" is Hebrew gematria that codifies the name of Nero Caesar into the number 666. The name is not believed to have been codified because John was afraid of persecution (he was already being persecuted), but because of the symbolism behind the number 666. The "mark" is not a literal tattoo, but refers to how apostate Israel required its opponents to submit to the Roman Emperors or face persecution. Anyone who took the mark was spared from the wrath of Rome and apostate Israel.”

PRINCIPLE ISSUES It is difficult to reconcile major historical events with the descriptions given in the Bible. For example, the destruction of the city of Jerusalem. Therefore, it is necessary to resort to allegory to reconcile the text with actual events. If the events foreseen have already happened, where is the decisive victory of Christ over Satan and the eternal reign of God?

HISTORICIST INTERPRETATION The prophecies are fulfilled in the history of the church from the first century until the Second Coming. An outline of the history of the church Each symbol in the book can be linked to an event in church history, for example, Revelation 2, 3, and 6) relate to events in the first few centuries, the middle chapters (Revelation 13) relate to events of the Reformation, and the later chapters (Revelation 18, 19) related to events immediately before the Second Coming. The beast represents the Pope in Reformation times. Sees Christ’s return as immanent

“Historicist interpreters of the book typically read its visions as a presentation in chronological order of the most significant developments in the history of redemption, from the time of its writing until the second coming, the millennium, the last judgment, and the final state. These visions correspond to actual events, institutions, or people that play an important role in the historical accomplishment of God’s redemptive purposes. A well-known illustration of an historicist reading of the book of Revelation is the Reformation identification of the harlot Babylon in Revelation 17 with the Roman Catholic Church and the papacy. A less well-known historicist interpretation is the medieval church’s identification of the Beast from the sea in Revelation 13 with the rise of Islam.” (http://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/interpreting-revelation/)

PRINCIPLE ISSUES Allows for a wide variety of interpretations of the events foreseen in the book. As a result, there is no consensus among those who defend this interpretation. Tends to focus on the events of the church in the west (Europe) and does not consider the Eastern church or the growing church in Asia.

FUTURIST INTERPRETATION Revelation arose out of pressure on the church from Rome during the first century AD and that the book spoke to that situation. Portrays a definite time of judgment in the future yet to come The judgment is associated with the return of Jesus Describes the future Tribulation followed by the return of Christ, the coming of God's kingdom, the final judgment, and the eternal state. Calculates the Tribulation as seven years in length, based on Daniel's reference to the seventieth week (Dan. 9:24-27). Reads the texts very literally and is for the generation in which the events will occur Offers the assurance of God’s ultimate victory over Satan

“Futurists apply a literal approach to interpreting Revelation “Futurists apply a literal approach to interpreting Revelation. Chapters 4-19 refer to a period known as the seven-year tribulation (Dan. 9:27). During this time, God’s judgments are actually poured out upon mankind as they are revealed in the seals, trumpets, and bowls. Chapter 13 describes a literal future world empire headed by a political and religious leader represented by the two beasts. Chapter 17 pictures a harlot who represents the church in apostasy. Chapter 19 refers to Christ’s second coming and the battle of Armageddon followed by a literal thousand-year rule of Christ upon the earth in chapter 20. Chapters 21-22 are events that follow the millennium: the creation of a new heaven and a new earth and the arrival of the heavenly city upon the earth.” https://www.probe.org/four-views-of-revelation/

CONTEMPORARY FUTURISTS POSITIONS

PRINCIPLE ISSUES The book would be basically irrelevant for readers at the end of the first century AD. Considers Jesus’ statement in Mt. 24:34 that this “generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened” as a reference some future generation in which the events take place. Either ignores or overlooks the fact that the book is apocalyptic literature and should be interpreted symbolically. There is no clear indication in the book that the seven churches are anything else than actual churches.

IDEALIST INTERPRETATION Summary of the Four Views on Revelation IDEALIST INTERPRETATION Asserts that the prophecies depict general patterns of conflict that repeatedly occur throughout the period between the first and second comings of Christ. The beast represents state persecution of Christians throughout this age. Revelation claims to be relevant to all the servants of Christ (1:1), and that there is a general pattern of conflict (2 Thess 2:7). Explains how the preterist and futurist interpretations can both be right, since both are looking at one manifestation of the general principle. The symbolism of Revelation is capable of being applied to a multiplicity of cases throughout church history, and serves to encourage and instruct Christians in every generation.

“ The symbols in Revelation are not tied to specific events but point to themes throughout church history. The battles in Revelation are viewed as spiritual warfare manifested in the persecution of Christians or wars in general that have occurred in history. The beast from the sea may be identified as the satanically-inspired political opposition to the church in any age. The beast from the land represents pagan, or corrupt, religion to Christianity. The harlot represents the compromised church, or the seduction of the world in general. Each seal, trumpet, or bowl represents natural disasters, wars, famines, and the like which occur as God works out His plan in history. Catastrophes represent God’s displeasure with sinful man; however, sinful mankind goes through these catastrophes while still refusing to turn and repent. God ultimately triumphs in the end.” https://www.probe.org/four-views-of-revelation/

REVELATION 13 In Revelation 13, John describes two beasts through whom Satan attempts to take the place of Jesus Christ.  Indeed, they have remarkably similar characteristics: power and authority (v. 2), received worship (vv. 3 – 4), like a lamb (v. 11), and had even been mortally wounded and healed (vv. 3, 12).  As an imitator, the Deceiver has a ring of truth—what C.S. Lewis called a “Fashion with a Christian coloring.”  To be sure, he looks and acts like the real thing.  For example, John wrote that “he exercises all the authority of the first beast . . . and he performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down out of heaven to the earth in the presence of men” (13:12 – 13).  Ultimately, John writes, the beast’s goal is to “make the earth and those who dwell in it to worship to first beast” (13:12).”

“What the second beast desires is worship of the first beast, which John said actually constitutes worshipping the dragon who gave the beast his authority (13:3 – 4).  Consequently, the first beast is often identified as the Antichrist—literally “against Christ.”  This beast incites people to worship something other than Christ.  By connecting the first beast with the beasts in Daniel’s vision, John clearly identifies it as a Satanically empowered empire. . . .By describing the beast as having ten horns and seven heads, John infers that this beast is an apocalyptic symbol of all those kingdoms that will persecute the church between Christ’s two advents.  To be sure, Christians may rightly identify such examples of the beast in the Taliban of Afghanistan, the Third Reich of Germany, or even in the People’s Republic of China.”

PRINCIPLE ISSUES Does not see any specific historical fulfillment of the events described. Can lead to arbitrary interpretations, following current cultural trends. Creates abstract meanings for the symbols.

Historical periods of the church Historic church PRETERIST HISTORICIST FUTURIST IDEALIST Rev. 1-3 Historic churches Historical periods of the church Historic church Rev. 4-19 Historical events of the first few centuries The events of history from the first century until the present Events that are yet to occur Symbolic of the conflict between good and evil Rev. 20-22 Heaven and the victory of Christ (partial preterist view) The final judgment and the eternal state Literal millennial kingdom on earth, the judgment of Satan and the eternal state The victory of God over all his enemies, the destiny of the redeemed and unredeemed

WHAT IS THE MILLENNIUM? The name given to the 1,000 year period of time mentioned in 20.4 in which Jesus will reign Three principle interpretations: Premillennialism : Views the book as “history foretold” and the return of Jesus precedes the establishment of the 1,000 year period Amilleniannism: Views the 1,000 years as symbolic of a very long time and God’s reign is a spiritual one over all believers in heaven Postmillennialism: Views the church as the instrument by which God will usher in a period of “spiritual prosperity”. Jesus’ return at the end of this period

PREMILLENNIALISM

DISPENSATIONAL PREMILLENNIALISM

POSTMILLENNIALISM

AMILLENNIALISM

STRUCTURE OF THE BOOK The revelation of the risen Christ, “the Alpha and the Omega” (1.1-20) Seven letters to seven churches (2.1-3.22) Sequence of visions: God on the throne and the Lamb (4-5) Seven seals (judgments) (6-7) Series of judgments (8-11) The woman, the dragon, the beasts and the 144,000 (12-14) 3rd cycle of plagues (15-16) The fall of Babylon (17-18) The white horse and final battle (19) Satan’s defeat and the 1,000 years (20) The new heaven and earth, the new Jerusalem (21-22)