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

Revelation

Two possible response to Revelation Two possible response to Revelation Reject it or ignore it because it is so strange book, peculiar, vision of locusts with human heads… bloodshed, variety of ways it’s been read. “Off limits” sign; Calvin skipped it in his NT commentaries Reject it or ignore it because it is so strange book, peculiar, vision of locusts with human heads… bloodshed, variety of ways it’s been read. “Off limits” sign; Calvin skipped it in his NT commentaries Become obsessed with it—center of their thinking…Left Behind etc. Become obsessed with it—center of their thinking…Left Behind etc.

Left Behind!

Revelation in it’s context Author writing the book to address his book to a specific problem/situation in the 1 st century – same as we’ve taken all the other books in the NT Author writing the book to address his book to a specific problem/situation in the 1 st century – same as we’ve taken all the other books in the NT What problem was the author addressing? What problem was the author addressing? Must work with this before applying the text to our situation Must work with this before applying the text to our situation

Background Issues Author and Date: John wrote it, he identifies himself as John … which John? Strong tradition Apostle John, Author and Date: John wrote it, he identifies himself as John … which John? Strong tradition Apostle John, No identification as an apostle or authority of an apostle speaks as OT prophetic authority No identification as an apostle or authority of an apostle speaks as OT prophetic authority He knew he was writing Scripture He knew he was writing Scripture When it was written? – AD – Domitian emperor When it was written? – AD – Domitian emperor

Features of Revelation Symbolism: 7 headed beasts, locusts with human heads with crowns, numbers, visionary quality Symbolism: 7 headed beasts, locusts with human heads with crowns, numbers, visionary quality When we interpret it we won’t interpret it strictly literal When we interpret it we won’t interpret it strictly literal

Why was it written? Why would John write a book like this? Why would John write a book like this? Rome was over the whole world Rome was over the whole world Roman domination made it uncomfortable for Christians  emperor worship spread widely and common to deify even to living emperors Roman domination made it uncomfortable for Christians  emperor worship spread widely and common to deify even to living emperors Ephesus had temple to Domitian Ephesus had temple to Domitian Local leaders show their loyalty via these types of temples Local leaders show their loyalty via these types of temples

Background Revelation often associated with persecution but most of info. on 7 churches in Asia Minor Revelation often associated with persecution but most of info. on 7 churches in Asia Minor Out of those 7 letters to churches only 2 churches were suffering persecution, most of the persecution was at the local level not Domitian Out of those 7 letters to churches only 2 churches were suffering persecution, most of the persecution was at the local level not Domitian

Background The other 5 churches main problem was compromising with Roman rule both worship Caesar and Christ at the same time The other 5 churches main problem was compromising with Roman rule both worship Caesar and Christ at the same time Antipas was killed but most of it was local persecution Antipas was killed but most of it was local persecution All cities had temple built in honor of the emperor, emperor was savior  compromise All cities had temple built in honor of the emperor, emperor was savior  compromise

Plight of Christians Some suffering persecution for refusal to worship the Emperor Some suffering persecution for refusal to worship the Emperor Primary problem is compromise among these cities in the context of imperial Roman rule Primary problem is compromise among these cities in the context of imperial Roman rule

Emperor Worship

Literary Genre Revelation is an apocalypse Revelation is an apocalypse First person narrative of someone’s visionary experience, written down First person narrative of someone’s visionary experience, written down Not so much predict the future but help readers make sense of their present situation Not so much predict the future but help readers make sense of their present situation Watching a play you see what’s presented; however behind the curtain all sorts of things happening; Watching a play you see what’s presented; however behind the curtain all sorts of things happening; Apocalypse unveils or lifts curtain so you can see what is going on behind the scenes Apocalypse unveils or lifts curtain so you can see what is going on behind the scenes

John sees throne—so Rome rules but now I know behind the scenes God is on the throne ruling over all moving to a new creation  now see the present in a new light (Caesar is not the final authority) John sees throne—so Rome rules but now I know behind the scenes God is on the throne ruling over all moving to a new creation  now see the present in a new light (Caesar is not the final authority)

Genre Letter Form: it begins and ends just like one of Paul’s letters Letter Form: it begins and ends just like one of Paul’s letters So Revelation is addressing a specific problem So Revelation is addressing a specific problem Revelation is communicating a letter giving them a solution to Roman rule and emperor worship Revelation is communicating a letter giving them a solution to Roman rule and emperor worship

Reading Revelation Sensibly Revelation is symbolic, not literal, not CNN more like an art gallery, feel it Revelation is symbolic, not literal, not CNN more like an art gallery, feel it The meaning must be what John intended and his readers understood The meaning must be what John intended and his readers understood Don’t lose sight of the forest for the trees Don’t lose sight of the forest for the trees Don’t miss the main purpose-exhortation to holy living Don’t miss the main purpose-exhortation to holy living HUMILITY! HUMILITY!

Approaches to Revelation Preterist: Revelation refers to events that took place in the 1 st Century Preterist: Revelation refers to events that took place in the 1 st Century Historical: Revelation is a forecast of the entirety of human history Historical: Revelation is a forecast of the entirety of human history Idealist: Revelation is a symbolic portrayal of the struggle between good and evil Idealist: Revelation is a symbolic portrayal of the struggle between good and evil Futurist: Revelation refers to events that will take place right before and during the coming of Christ at the end of history Futurist: Revelation refers to events that will take place right before and during the coming of Christ at the end of history