Revelation

Revelation Author: John Written from: Patmos Date: 95 AD? Literary form: Apocalyptic Symbolic language: Lamb, dragon, beast, Babylon, seven Allusions to Old Testament

Apocalyptic Apokalupto = to unveil, uncover, reveal Form of Jewish (15) and Christian (24) writings produced between 200 B.C. and 200 A.D. Apocalyptic (literary form) not the same thing as eschatology (doctrine of the end times)

Apocalyptic Writing Crisis literature Written in times of social upheaval, political turmoil, uncertainty Meant to offer hope and assurance What was the situation for Christians at the end of the first century?

Key Features of Apocalyptic The message: heavenly mysteries revealed The source: angels and heavenly ascents The timeline: the present contrasted with the future The place: the earthly contrasted with the heavenly The judgment: the wicked contrasted with the righteous

Interpretations of Revelation Preterism – Preter- = past – Revelation describes events that took place in the first century – It reflects the Jewish revolt and the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem – Some extend the timeline to the fall of the Roman empire

Interpretations of Revelation Idealism – Sometimes called the “spiritualist” view – Revelation describes the continuous struggle between good and evil – Christ and his followers will eventually triumph

Interpretations of Revelation Futurism – Revelation describes a coming time— the end times – Often based on a dispensationalist view – Most popular interpretation now (Left Behind) – Commitment to a literal interpretation of prophetic Scripture

Interpretations of Revelation Historicism – Revelation symbolically predicted events which would occur throughout church history – Symbols can be related to world events from the apostolic age to the end times – Once a widespread view, but essentially abandoned today

Vision 1: Seven Churches

Messages to Seven Churches Addressed “to the angel of the church in …” “These are the words of …” (all include descriptions of Christ) Analysis (commendation and/or rebuke) “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” A promise “to him who overcomes” (may precede “He who has an ear …”)

Vision 2: Judgment Seven seals Seven trumpets Seven bowls

The First Four Seals: Four Horsemen

Vision 3: Conquest

Who is Babylon? Who is the Beast?

The Millennium

Views of the Millennium Postmillennial View – We are in the age of the church (millennium) during which the world will be won for Christ through preaching the gospel to all people – Christ’s return, the resurrection of the dead, and the final judgment will all come at the end of time – Optimism concerning human activity Church Age

Views of the Millennium Amillennial View – There will be no literal thousand-year reign of Jesus on earth – Jesus reigns in heaven now, using the spiritual ministry of the church – Christ’s return, the resurrection of the dead, and the final judgment will all come at the end of time – Realism concerning human activity Church Age

Views of the Millennium Historic Premillennial View – Christ’s return and the resurrection of believers precedes a literal millennium – Christ reigns with the saints on earth for a thousand years before the final judgment Church AgeMillennium

Views of the Millennium Dispensational Premillennial View – Believers will be raptured to escape the tribulation – The purpose of the tribulation is to restore Israel – Christ returns at the end of the tribulation to reign on earth for a thousand years before the final judgment – Pessimism concerning human activity Church AgeTribulationMillennium

Vision 4: New Jerusalem

Teaching of Revelation God is sovereign Jesus is God the Son God’s people are victorious Jesus is coming again, and we will be with him forever

We believe in the immortality of the soul, in the resurrection of the body, in the general judgment at the end of the world,

We believe in the immortality of the soul, in the resurrection of the body, in the general judgment at the end of the world, in the eternal happiness of the righteous,

We believe in the immortality of the soul, in the resurrection of the body, in the general judgment at the end of the world, in the eternal happiness of the righteous, and in the endless punishment of the wicked