The Apocalypse of John

The Last Book of the Canon Revelation brings the New Testament corpus to a fitting close. Revelation brings the New Testament corpus to a fitting close. The author identifies himself as John (1:1, 4, 9; 22:8). Early Christian writers identified the author as the apostle John. The author identifies himself as John (1:1, 4, 9; 22:8). Early Christian writers identified the author as the apostle John. The book was probably written during a period of persecution in the reign of the emperor Domitian (81-96AD). The book was probably written during a period of persecution in the reign of the emperor Domitian (81-96AD). The book combines three literary genres – letter, prophecy, apocalyptic. The book combines three literary genres – letter, prophecy, apocalyptic.

Why Read Revelation A part of Scripture A part of Scripture Promise of blessing (Rev 1:3 & 22:7) Promise of blessing (Rev 1:3 & 22:7) Speaks much of exalted Christ Speaks much of exalted Christ Speaks of God’s victory and the triumph of good Speaks of God’s victory and the triumph of good Very influential in Christian church & world Very influential in Christian church & world A fitting close to New Testament A fitting close to New Testament Ties up themes introduced in Genesis Ties up themes introduced in Genesis

Introductory Remarks Genre – Apocalypse, Prophecy, Letter Genre – Apocalypse, Prophecy, Letter Rev 1:1 – “to show by signs” Rev 1:1 – “to show by signs” Language & Imagery depict events not easily understood Language & Imagery depict events not easily understood Frequent references to the Old Testament Frequent references to the Old Testament Cultural and Political Background important Cultural and Political Background important Roman Imperial Cult Roman Imperial Cult Judgement a major theme Judgement a major theme Considered Bloodthirsty, difficult => Negative Press Considered Bloodthirsty, difficult => Negative Press

Occasion of Revelation The early Christians’ refusal to participate in the cult of the emperor (who was acclaimed “lord” and “saviour”) was putting them on a collision course with the state; John saw prophetically that it would get worse before it got better and that the churches were poorly prepared for what was about to take place, so he writes both to warn and encourage them.

Purpose of Revelation To communicate a vision from Christ To communicate a vision from Christ To give support to persecuted Christians To give support to persecuted Christians To correct problems within the churches To correct problems within the churches To encourage fervent discipleship To encourage fervent discipleship To provide an apologetic for Christianity To provide an apologetic for Christianity To give a strategy to overcome the Empire To give a strategy to overcome the Empire To give a Christian understanding of history To give a Christian understanding of history To develop understanding of the Christian hope and destiny To develop understanding of the Christian hope and destiny

Revelation as Apocalyptic A lost genre today, Apocalyptic literature was common in exilic and NT times – “Among the communities of the marginal, … apocalyptic is a rhetorical act of power ” (Brueggemann). A lost genre today, Apocalyptic literature was common in exilic and NT times – “Among the communities of the marginal, … apocalyptic is a rhetorical act of power ” (Brueggemann). Apocalyptic passages are found in Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Mark 13, 1& 2 Thessalonians Apocalyptic passages are found in Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, Mark 13, 1& 2 Thessalonians Non-canonical apocalyptic writings include the Assumption of Moses, Enoch, 2-3 Baruch, 4 Ezra, the Apocalypses of Peter and Thomas, the Ascension of Isaiah. Non-canonical apocalyptic writings include the Assumption of Moses, Enoch, 2-3 Baruch, 4 Ezra, the Apocalypses of Peter and Thomas, the Ascension of Isaiah.

Characteristics of Apocalyptic Revelation of the secret things of God, inaccessible to normal human knowledge. Secrets of nature, of heaven, of history, of the end. Revelation of the secret things of God, inaccessible to normal human knowledge. Secrets of nature, of heaven, of history, of the end. Usually pseudonymous. The real author writes in someone else’s name, such as Enoch or Ezra. Usually pseudonymous. The real author writes in someone else’s name, such as Enoch or Ezra. Written in oppression, persecution and despair Written in oppression, persecution and despair Often includes heavenly intermediaries Often includes heavenly intermediaries

Characteristics of Apocalyptic Strong dualism – good & evil, present & future Strong dualism – good & evil, present & future Pessimism about (change in) the present evil age; only divine intervention can bring hope Pessimism about (change in) the present evil age; only divine intervention can bring hope Filled with Symbolism, often bizarre, denoting historical movements or events. Filled with Symbolism, often bizarre, denoting historical movements or events. Determinism portraying an inescapable future, generally a cosmic cataclysm that will establish God’s rule. Determinism portraying an inescapable future, generally a cosmic cataclysm that will establish God’s rule. History rewritten as prophecy. Events are seen as prophesied “long before” History rewritten as prophecy. Events are seen as prophesied “long before”

The Current Relevance of Apocalyptic Not just for Christians Not just for Christians Many exist as “exiled, displaced people” Many exist as “exiled, displaced people” Hope in hard times – economic downturn, unemployment Hope in hard times – economic downturn, unemployment The danger of being assimilated by the empire’s system The danger of being assimilated by the empire’s system A cry for certainty, hope and positive answers – “a backlash against postmodernism”? A cry for certainty, hope and positive answers – “a backlash against postmodernism”?

The Themes of Revelation God God Worship Worship Lamb Lamb Visions Visions Theophany Theophany Spiritual warfare Spiritual warfare Witness and Martyrdom Witness and Martyrdom Reward and Punishment Reward and Punishment

“Other” Themes A “Messiah” Saviour A “Messiah” Saviour End of the World End of the World Judgment is coming Judgment is coming Good verses evil Good verses evil Armageddon Armageddon Antichrist – 666 Antichrist – 666 Riders of the Apocalypse Riders of the Apocalypse Post-Apocalypse hope Post-Apocalypse hope

Structure of Revelation Prologue (1:1-20) Prologue (1:1-20) The Letters to the Churches (2:1-3:22) The Letters to the Churches (2:1-3:22) A Vision of Heaven (4:1-5:14) A Vision of Heaven (4:1-5:14) The Seven Seals (5:1-8:1) The Seven Seals (5:1-8:1) The Seven Trumpets (8:2-11:19) The Seven Trumpets (8:2-11:19) Conflict between the Church and Evil Powers: Seven Significant Signs (12:1-14:20) Conflict between the Church and Evil Powers: Seven Significant Signs (12:1-14:20) The Seven Last Plagues 15:1-16:21) The Seven Last Plagues 15:1-16:21) The Triumph of Almighty God (17:1-20:15) The Triumph of Almighty God (17:1-20:15) A New Heaven and a New Earth (21:1-22:5) A New Heaven and a New Earth (21:1-22:5) Epilogue (22:6-21) Epilogue (22:6-21)

Challenges of Revelation Interpretation Interpretation  Millennial perspectives – pre-, post-, a-, dispensational millennialism  Preterist, Historicist, Futurist, Idealist Cultural Distaste Cultural Distaste  Themes of Judgment  Heaven and Hell  Exclusivism

Main Schools of Interpretation Preterist Preterist Interpretation in view of the past. The book is to be seen against the background of contemporary apocalypses. These arose out of times of stress. The emphasis, therefore, falls on the actual historical situation of the readers. The Beast is the Roman Empire etc. On this view the Book of Revelation is a tract for the times to show that the kingdom is coming. It has no room for the prophetic. Interpretation in view of the past. The book is to be seen against the background of contemporary apocalypses. These arose out of times of stress. The emphasis, therefore, falls on the actual historical situation of the readers. The Beast is the Roman Empire etc. On this view the Book of Revelation is a tract for the times to show that the kingdom is coming. It has no room for the prophetic.

Main Schools of Interpretation Historicist Historicist This views the whole book as prophetic of church history. Under one version of this view (particularly strong in the period of the Reformation) the Beast is equated with the papacy. This views the whole book as prophetic of church history. Under one version of this view (particularly strong in the period of the Reformation) the Beast is equated with the papacy. Idealist or Symbolic Idealist or Symbolic The imagery conveys spiritual lessons. The book is an assurance of God’s final triumph without tying imagery to actual events. It provides a philosophy of history. The imagery conveys spiritual lessons. The book is an assurance of God’s final triumph without tying imagery to actual events. It provides a philosophy of history.

Main Schools of Interpretation Futurist - Extreme and Moderate Futurist - Extreme and Moderate Extreme Futurist (Dispensational). Revelation is fitted into a double dispensation of church and Israel. The great Tribulation is a sign to Israel not the church. The Rapture will precede the Tribulation. The 24 elders represent the church and the are Jews. The Beast is the restored Roman Emperor and the conflict in the Apocalypse is between Israel and the Antichrist. The seven churches represent the successive ages in the history of the church. Extreme Futurist (Dispensational). Revelation is fitted into a double dispensation of church and Israel. The great Tribulation is a sign to Israel not the church. The Rapture will precede the Tribulation. The 24 elders represent the church and the are Jews. The Beast is the restored Roman Emperor and the conflict in the Apocalypse is between Israel and the Antichrist. The seven churches represent the successive ages in the history of the church. Moderate or Reserved Futurist. This view does not see the seals, trumpets and bowls as successive events but parallel. They describe the same events from different angles. The seals introduce the beginning of the end. “In the breaking of the seals …”. The churches are representative of the church and the bowls represent restraining forces. Revelation 1-6 refers to the historic church and the rest of the book to the future. Moderate or Reserved Futurist. This view does not see the seals, trumpets and bowls as successive events but parallel. They describe the same events from different angles. The seals introduce the beginning of the end. “In the breaking of the seals …”. The churches are representative of the church and the bowls represent restraining forces. Revelation 1-6 refers to the historic church and the rest of the book to the future.

An interpretive framework Must be seen, in first instance, as first readers would have read it (preterist) Must be seen, in first instance, as first readers would have read it (preterist) But, there are passages that are a pre- figurement of what is still future (futurist). But, there are passages that are a pre- figurement of what is still future (futurist). Prepares first century Christians for first century events, but in so doing does so for future generations as well. Prepares first century Christians for first century events, but in so doing does so for future generations as well. But, also elements of a philosophy of history approach. But, also elements of a philosophy of history approach.

The Millennium Lit, a 1000 year period. Lit, a 1000 year period. Revelation 20:1-10 Revelation 20:1-10 Literal or Spiritual? Literal or Spiritual? On earth or in heaven? On earth or in heaven? Main view Main view Premillennial – historic & dispensational Premillennial – historic & dispensational Postmillennial Postmillennial Amillennial Amillennial

The Millennium Historic Premillennialism Historic Premillennialism Things get worse and worse. Jesus returns and reigns on earth for 1000 years. Devil released for final battle. New universe. Things get worse and worse. Jesus returns and reigns on earth for 1000 years. Devil released for final battle. New universe. Dispensational Premillennialism Dispensational Premillennialism As above, but Christ comes in two phases. Millennium on earth for Jews As above, but Christ comes in two phases. Millennium on earth for Jews Postmillennialism Postmillennialism Things get better through the preaching of the Gospel. Golden age for 1000 years before Jesus returns Things get better through the preaching of the Gospel. Golden age for 1000 years before Jesus returns Amillennialism Amillennialism Symbolic binding of Satan following Calvary. Symbolic binding of Satan following Calvary.

The New Order Triumph of the Lamb Triumph of the Lamb Rev 5:12,13; 7:17; 12:11; 17:14 Rev 5:12,13; 7:17; 12:11; 17:14 The New Creation The New Creation Rev 21:1-8; 2 Peter 3:10-13; Romans 8:18-23 Rev 21:1-8; 2 Peter 3:10-13; Romans 8:18-23 The New Jerusalem The New Jerusalem Revelation 21:2, 3, 9-27 Revelation 21:2, 3, 9-27 Paradise Restored Paradise Restored Gen 2:8-10; 3:22-24; Revelation 22:1-5, 14 Gen 2:8-10; 3:22-24; Revelation 22:1-5, 14

Christian Responses Generally from a pre-tribulation rapture perspective. Generally from a pre-tribulation rapture perspective. Often used “evangelistically” with a “scare them into the kingdom” mentality Often used “evangelistically” with a “scare them into the kingdom” mentality Examples include the popular (in the US at least) Left Behind Series which replace earlier movies like Thief in the Night Examples include the popular (in the US at least) Left Behind Series which replace earlier movies like Thief in the Night Apocalypse starring Richard Harris is a saner response, if dated and less dramatic Apocalypse starring Richard Harris is a saner response, if dated and less dramatic Opportunities for balanced theological work Opportunities for balanced theological work

The Current Relevance of Apocalyptic Not just for Christians Not just for Christians Many exist as “exiled, displaced people” Many exist as “exiled, displaced people” Hope in hard times – economic downturn, unemployment Hope in hard times – economic downturn, unemployment The danger of being assimilated by the empire’s system The danger of being assimilated by the empire’s system A cry for certainty, hope and positive answers – “a backlash against postmodernism”? A cry for certainty, hope and positive answers – “a backlash against postmodernism”?

“Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.”