1. REVELATION (Apocalypse Now!)
Class #2
Different
Interpretations of Revelation

2. THEORY #1 Futurist/Premillenialism
Left Behind
Popular with Evangelicals
Rev 4-19 = the “end times”
7 yr period at the end of time

3. Characteristics of Premillenialism
Rapture – disciples taken away
Great Tribulation for 7 years
10 horn beast = antichrist
2 horn beast = new false religion
Prostitute = New City of Babylon
Rev 19 = 2nd Coming of Jesus
Armageddon = literal battle
Literal 1,000 yr reign on earth

4. Theory #2 Historical/Amillennialism
Accepted by Catholic, Orthodox and mainstream Protestant churches
Rev 4-19 = persecution of the church by the Roman Empire
Describes events which have already taken place in history in the years following the writing of Revelation

5. Characteristics of Amillennialism
Struggle between Roman Empire & the church
10 horn beast = the Roman Empire
2 horn beast = the cult of emperor worship
Prostitute = the city of ancient Rome
Rev 19 is symbolic = church’s victory over Rome
1,000 years is symbolic = period we are in now
2nd Coming = Day of Judgment

6. Which view is correct? End times vs Roman times
Rev 1:1 the things that must soon take place
Rev 1:3 for the time is near
Rev 22:6 what must soon take place
Rev 22:10 for the time is near

7. What is the prostitute?
Rev 17:18 great city that has dominion over kings of the earth
Rev 17:6 drunk on blood of saints
Rev 17:9 seated on 7 hills

9. What is the 10 horn beast? Rev 17:10-13 kings & royal authority
Rev 13:1-2 throne & great authority
Rev 13:7 makes war on the saints
Rev 13:8 authority over every tribe & people & language & nation
Dan 7:19-24 kingdom makes war on the saints
Dan 7:26-27 kingdom will fall but God’s kingdom is eternal

10. Roman Empire

11. Beast with 2 horns - Rev 13:11-17

12. Reformation Amillennialism
Older commentaries like Albert Barnes or Mathew Henry
Rev 4-19 – all of history between 1st and 2nd coming
10 horn beast = Catholic Church
2 horn beast = the pope
Prostitute = the Vatican
Problem: Catholic Church is still here

13. Philosophical Theory Applies to any time in history
10 horn beast = any persecution
2 horn beast = any false religion
Prostitute = allure of sexual immorality and wealth in any city in any age

14. Biblical Problems with Premillennialism
Premillennialism = 2 resurrections
John 5:28-29 teaches 1 resurrection
Premillennailism = 2nd coming is 1,000 years before the Day of Judgment
Mat 25:31-21 teaches 2nd coming is when Day of Judgment will occur
Premillennailism = future kingdom
Col 1:13 – kingdom is now

15. Our approach to Revelation
Historical/Amillennialism
persecution by the Roman Empire
Accepted by Jacoby & Ferguson
Accepted by Mainline Church of Christ
Bold prophesy in the 1st Century:
Church of Jesus Christ will outlast the mighty Roman Empire