1 Seven Parallel Sections in Two Divisions Christ in the midst of the lamp stands (1-3) ‏ The seven trumpets (8-11) ‏ Vision of heaven and the seven seals (4-7) ‏ The persecuting dragon (12-14) ‏ The seven bowls (15-16) ‏ The fall of Babylon (17-19) ‏ The great consummation (20-21) ‏

Revelation Part 1  We’ll cover New Jerusalem, River of Life and Conclusion next week  This week – main focus on millennium  The thousand years Premill - Christ will actually reign on earth for 1000 years Postmill – World will be Christianized and a golden period will follow before return of Christ Amill – Like much of revelation, this is symbolic language portraying victory and power of resurrection – Satan loses grip on nations – all sheep come into the fold – those who died reign with him – Satan briefly loosed before Christ returns  If we adopt a view, try to see merit in other views rather than adopt a “party” mentality Man united verse Liverpool, Play station verses Xbox, Blur verses Oasis

Rev 20 –Historical Perspective  Christians have differed on “Millennium” through history  Premilennialism – was common but not universal in the early church Justin Martyr  “I admitted to you formerly, that I and many others are of this opinion, and [believe] that such will take place, as you assuredly are aware; but, on the other hand, I signified to you that many who belong to the pure and pious faith, and are true Christians, think otherwise.“ Augustine was premill but changed his mind It is said that his outlook shaped medieval and reformation theology[[ Premill revived in the modern era esp 19 th and 20 th century

Post-millennialism  Perhaps as much an attitude as a view  Matt 13:31, 16:18, 28:18-20, Rom 11:11-16  Not very different from amill position but more optimistic about spread of the gospel and impact on world  Most of the world will be converted, resulting in a golden era  Swords beaten into ploughshares  Tends to be popular when church making obvious progress E.g. 19 th century missionary movement  But - are “Christian” regions really all that much better? People are still sinners and take a long time to become holy and mature

5 Amillenialism  Like so much of revelation, this is a vision portraying a spiritual truth Since resurrection, Christ reigns, Satan has been restricted Loses grip on nations church went from 80 to 540 million Picture teaches that there is nothing he can ultimately do to those whose names are written in the book of life Martyrs come to live when they die – not a physical resurrection – emphasise victory of church  We are already living in last days (Heb 1:1-3)  Nothing here about Christ reigning on earth  Nothing explicitly about a literal millennium elsewhere in Scripture – all deduction  Mark 3:27 – Strong man is bound  One of many pictures of Satan – cannot take it too literally

6 Premillenial View  Most obvious interpretation of the text  True, revelation is full of symbols but something lies behind the symbols  Seized, bound, thrown, locked, sealed – doesn’t appear to portray Satan’s current state  How does this relate to Eph 6 etc where he is very much on the loose? – 1 Pet 5:8  How often does something need to be explicitly mentioned for it to be true?  Explains OT passages that portray a future that’s not quite New heaven and New Earth but neither present age e.g. Isaiah 2:2-4  After Augustine – Greek outlook exercised too great an influence on church – body and physical world seen as a trap or even evil