The Revelation of Jesus An Investigation

What Type of Literature Is This? Name: “Apocalypse” Name: “Apocalypse” –From the Greek work meaning “uncover” or “reveal” Genre: Apocalyptic Literature Genre: Apocalyptic Literature –Temporal dualism: strong distinction between current and coming ages –Pessimism about current age, optimism about future age –History is to be understood as occurring in eons or segments (4, 7, 12) reflecting a divine plan –Imminent arrival of God’s reign which will destroy current temporal powers –Cosmic vantage point and global impact of unfolding events –Vindication of “the Righteous” and restoration of natural perfections and harmonies –Involvement of supernatural beings in current conflicts, as well as future gories & glories –Clear Messianic figure who is at the center of all things and events

Other Biblical Examples of Apocalyptic Literature Daniel 7-12 Daniel 7-12 –Imminent political changes that will be resolved only by divine imposition of a global kingdom Ezekiel Ezekiel –The great battle when Gog & Magog align against God and God’s people Zechariah 9-14 Zechariah 9-14 –Current conflicts expanding into eschatological battles that will usher in the Messianic kingdom Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21 Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21 –Jesus’ talk with his disciples about the destruction of Jerusalem, then conflating it into scenes of End Times 2 Thessalonians 2 2 Thessalonians 2 –Paul’s instructions about what must happen before the return of Jesus 2 Peter 3 2 Peter 3 –Peter’s understanding of the times and manner of the end of the world

Revelation: Background Notes Language & perspective very similar to both the Gospel and Letters of John Language & perspective very similar to both the Gospel and Letters of John Several theories about the identity of the author, but none more compelling than the internal and widely accepted view that it is the Apostle John Several theories about the identity of the author, but none more compelling than the internal and widely accepted view that it is the Apostle John John was exiled to Patmos under Domitian who ruled from A.D., and Revelation was written during this exile John was exiled to Patmos under Domitian who ruled from A.D., and Revelation was written during this exile

Major Schools of Interpretation Preterist: Preterist: –Revelation is a coded document designed to give comfort & encouragement to those in John’s day, but its specifics largely escape us today Historicist: Historicist: –Revelation outlines the history of the church through the centuries; close analysis can pin today’s events Futurist: Futurist: –Revelation prophesies the specific events leading to the end of the world and the return of Jesus

Further Note on Futurist View Many who hold this view are “dispensationalists” Many who hold this view are “dispensationalists” –Dispensationalism appeared in 19 th century –Was popularized by “Scofield Reference Bible” of early 20 th century Dispensationalism understands human history in seven “dispensations”: Dispensationalism understands human history in seven “dispensations”: –Innocence: Adam & Eve pre-Fall –Conscience: From Fall to Noah –Government: From Noah to the Patriarchs –Promise: From the Patriarchs to Sinai –Law: From Sinai to Jesus –Grace/Spirit/Church: Current time (since Jesus came) –Kingdom: Future millennial age

Major Schools of Interpretation Idealist: Idealist: –Non-historical –Revelation is a type of allegory which powerfully pictures the on-going combat: between God & the Devil between God & the Devil between the Church & the World between the Church & the World between Good & Evil between Good & Evil –Most widely held view by theologians historically, and the church generally, at least until the recent “Left Behind” popularizations of Dispensational Millennial approaches

Revelation’s Unfolding Pattern Three major visions of Jesus (1, 4-5, 19) Three major visions of Jesus (1, 4-5, 19) Each is followed by series of “Seven” Each is followed by series of “Seven” Overall progressive move from: Overall progressive move from: –Local congregational tensions Persecution Persecution Heresy Heresy Compromise Compromise –Global battlefield –Transcendent victory and creational renewal

Revelation Literary Development Jesus Addresses the Church in the City of Humanity (1-3) Jesus Addresses the Church in the City of Humanity (1-3) –Vision of Jesus as Risen Lord (1) –Letters of Jesus to Seven representative Churches (2-3) Jesus Judges the City of Humanity (4-18) Jesus Judges the City of Humanity (4-18) –Vision of Jesus as Lion/Lamb Redeemer (4-5) –Three series of Sevens: Seven Seals anticipate divine judgment (6-7) Seven Seals anticipate divine judgment (6-7) Seven Trumpets announce divine judgment (8-11) Seven Trumpets announce divine judgment (8-11) Interlude: Clarifying the Combatants (12-14) Seven Bowls of Plagues accomplish divine judgment (15-18) Seven Bowls of Plagues accomplish divine judgment (15-18) Jesus Restores the Holy City (19-22) Jesus Restores the Holy City (19-22) –Vision of Jesus as Bridegroom/Conquering King (19:1-10) –Seven Actions of Restoration (19:11-22:5) Epilogue (22:6-21)

Critical Interpretive Issue What is the “Thousand Years” ( Millennium ) ( 20:2, 3, 5, 6 )? What is the “Thousand Years” ( Millennium ) ( 20:2, 3, 5, 6 )? –Amillennialists: Metaphor of the complete period between Jesus’ first & second comings Metaphor of the complete period between Jesus’ first & second comings Should not be taken literally (hence a-millennial) Should not be taken literally (hence a-millennial) –Postmillennialists: Period of great gains for Church preparing the way for Jesus’ return to usher in Messianic Age Period of great gains for Church preparing the way for Jesus’ return to usher in Messianic Age Literal thousand years, beginning: Literal thousand years, beginning: –At the Reformation? –With the Enlightenment? –With the Social & Scientific Revolutions of the 19 th Century? –Premillennialists: Period of future reign by Jesus on earth from Jerusalem Period of future reign by Jesus on earth from Jerusalem Literal thousand years (Dispensationalists: “Age of Kingdom”) Literal thousand years (Dispensationalists: “Age of Kingdom”)

Notes of Special Interest Numbers in Revelation: Numbers in Revelation: –4: dimensions of created reality (“four corners”) –7: number of God, perfection –Half of 7 plus half of 7: complete history of humanity (half before Jesus, half after): “A time, times and half a time” “A time, times and half a time” 3 ½ years 3 ½ years 42 months 42 months 1260 days 1260 days –24: symbolic union of Old Testament (12 tribes) with New Testament (12 Apostles) –1000: symbol of completeness in human realm –144,000: symbol of complete gathering of God’s people

Notes of Special Interest Interlude of 12-14: Interlude of 12-14: –“Clarifying the Combatants” –Evil Creatures: Dragon—evil mirror of Creator Father? Dragon—evil mirror of Creator Father? Beast from the Sea—evil mirror of Redeemer Son? Beast from the Sea—evil mirror of Redeemer Son? Beast from the Earth—evil mirror of Sanctifying Spirit? Beast from the Earth—evil mirror of Sanctifying Spirit? –What is the “Mark of the Beast” (666)? Evil mirror of Baptism (777)? Evil mirror of Baptism (777)?

Notes of Special Interest Virtually all the images in Revelation draw upon similar images in: Virtually all the images in Revelation draw upon similar images in: –Exodus: the plagues –Ezekiel: The scroll of prophecy/judgment The scroll of prophecy/judgment The war with Gog & Magog The war with Gog & Magog The restored temple and new creation The restored temple and new creation –Daniel: The use of terms (“Son of Man,” “seven”) The use of terms (“Son of Man,” “seven”) Tour of spiritual visions by way of angelic guide Tour of spiritual visions by way of angelic guide

Notes of Special Interest To be Christian is to be in conflict To be Christian is to be in conflict To opt out from conflict is to join the other side To opt out from conflict is to join the other side Faithfulness to Jesus leads to martyrdom Faithfulness to Jesus leads to martyrdom Message: Message: –Be faithful –Suffer –Die in hope –Remain confident of Jesus’ ultimate victory