New Testament BCM 103 Dr. Dave Mathewson Gordon College/Denver Seminary

Intro. To Revelation Written primarily W. Asia Minor Written primarily W. Asia Minor Persecution was a problem but a larger problem was accommodation to the Roman empire, emperor worship. Persecution was a problem but a larger problem was accommodation to the Roman empire, emperor worship. Problem was more at a local level Problem was more at a local level Expose the true nature of Rome so Christians won’t give in to it Expose the true nature of Rome so Christians won’t give in to it John shows where history is going so they can see Rome for what it really is John shows where history is going so they can see Rome for what it really is

Political cartoon—refers to political events but describes them in symbolic language Political cartoon—refers to political events but describes them in symbolic language Graphic, exaggerated symbolism often coming out of the OT Graphic, exaggerated symbolism often coming out of the OT

The Plagues of Revelation 3 sets of 7 plagues: seals, trumpets, bowls Trumpets and bowls: water becomes blood; sores; darkness; locusts; frogs 3 sets of 7 plagues: seals, trumpets, bowls Trumpets and bowls: water becomes blood; sores; darkness; locusts; frogs Where have you heard this before? Where have you heard this before? The Exodus: water becomes blood; sores; darkness; locusts; frogs The Exodus: water becomes blood; sores; darkness; locusts; frogs Point of plagues that you will recall just as God judged in the exodus he will judge an evil empire now--Rome Point of plagues that you will recall just as God judged in the exodus he will judge an evil empire now--Rome

Numbers in Revelation Numbers in Revelation: 3, 4, 7, 12, 1000 symbolically understood Why 7 plagues?—7=completion or perfection 12 may go back to 12 tribes/apostles (144 too) symbolic of people of God 666: correspond of 1 short of 777; probably also had reference to Nero many years before as true color of Roman rule, opposition to God’s people by human power

Revelation Story of a Dragon about to devour a child and gets two friends to help, get world to worship them Gen her offspring crush your head Serpent (12.3, 9) Serpent (12.3, 9) Woman and seed (12.1, 5-6, 14-17) Woman and seed (12.1, 5-6, 14-17) Pain in childbirth (12.2, 5) Pain in childbirth (12.2, 5) Crush serpent’s head (13.3) Crush serpent’s head (13.3) John had Gen. 3 in mind; what you face is age old conflict going back to Gen. 3->Rome John had Gen. 3 in mind; what you face is age old conflict going back to Gen. 3->Rome

Revelation Prostitute, Babylon Bride, NewJerusalem What are you going to identify Babylon with in first century? As God judged evil empires in the past he would judge Rome

New Jerusalem 1) New Jerusalem imagery is symbolic of the people themselves—the perfected people of God, all multiples of 12—people of God 1) New Jerusalem imagery is symbolic of the people themselves—the perfected people of God, all multiples of 12—people of God It portrays our final destiny as a very physical one, not disembodied gnostic one not floating around with harps on clouds It portrays our final destiny as a very physical one, not disembodied gnostic one not floating around with harps on clouds That’s a hope worth sacrificing for—sin, war etc. stripped away, garden of Eden That’s a hope worth sacrificing for—sin, war etc. stripped away, garden of Eden

The Message of Revelation Revelation is more than just about the end times. Revelation is more than just about the end times. Revelation is a call to worship God and the Lamb no matter what the cost!—resist compromise with proud/arrogant powers Revelation is a call to worship God and the Lamb no matter what the cost!—resist compromise with proud/arrogant powers Revelation is a call to endure – God will vindicate his suffering people! Revelation is a call to endure – God will vindicate his suffering people!