Bible Blitz

Msgr Ed Thompson

And

Deacon Norm Kazyk

With Technical Assistance

Ray Hosler

The Book of Revelation

• Ch 1- 11Deacon Norm

• Ch 12 – 22 Fr. Ed

Introduction to Revelation

• The book is named “Revelation” not Revelations.

• An old name is “The Apocalypse” which means revelation.

• It is a book about the church: that it will always be persecuted but in the end it will triumph.

• Written at a time of crisis towards the end of the reign of Domitian (81-96 A.D.)

• Luther did not like the book because he said that nowhere is Jesus being proclaimed.

• It is filled with symbols which are a code to conceal the message of hope for Christians.

Chapter 1

• The time is near. Writer is identified as John whose message is prophetic and is commanded to write since he is in exile and cannot preach it (1-3).

• Son of Man, the risen Christ symbols– Robe = Priesthood

– Sash of Gold = Kingship

– White hair = Eternal

– Brass = Unchangeable

– Fire = Infinite Knowledge

– Voice = Divine authority.

(13-16)

• Defines the Lampstands and seven stars indicating the use of symbols. Caution, do not take what is written as literal. (20)

Chapter 2, 3

• Letter to seven churches with universal application.

• Examples vs 3 – 5; Ch 3:14-19

Chapter 4• A heavenly vision.

Chapter 5

• A Scroll. Only the Risen Christ, the Messiah can open the scroll. (6-8, 14)

• Worship. Contains a list of afflictions reserved for sinful people.

• Intercession: The prayers of the people are carried to God. (8)

Chapter 6

• The Four Horsemen (who came before Notre Dame). Each symbolizes a particular woe concerned with war and destruction.

• White = Victorious in war, but goes on to conquer again.

• Red = Has power to take away peace and allow killing.

• Black = Famine which usually accompanied war.

• Sickly Green = Death.

• Symbolic description of The Day of The Lord (12-17).

Chapter 7

• 144,000 is a symbolic number of the New Israel that is universal: for all nations. (4-8)

• Read note in the NAB on verses 1-11.

• A vision which is interpreted in the dialogue. (13-14)

Chapter 8

• Tell us about the Eschatological woes for non-repentant sinners.

• Half an hour indicates a prelude to the woes to follow. The seven woes will resemble the ten plagues in Egypt (Ex 7-10) which preceded the Exodus. (1)

• Woes affect nature and creation. (6-13)

Chapter 9• Locusts, a battle indicating Divine

wrath and finally Judgment, the fulfillment of God’s mysterious plan and ultimate salvation introduced by trumpet blasts.

Chapter 10• The scroll, command to prophesy,

reminder of the universal nature of the church.

Chapter 11

• Two witnesses to prophecy. 1260 days a symbolic number recalling the vicious persecution of the Jews by Antiochus IV Epiphanes (Dn 7, 25:12) (3)

• A commentary (7-14)• The seventh trumpet. Victory for

the Lord (15-17)

Chapter 12

• The Woman and the Dragon (1-6), (13-18)

• St. Michael and the Dragon (7-12)

Chapter 13• The First Beast (1-10)• The Second Beast (11-18)

Chapter 14

• The Lamb’s Companions (1-5)

• The Three Angels (6-13)

• The Harvest of the Earth (14-20)

Chapter 15• The Seven Last Plagues (1-8)

Chapter 16

• The Seven Bowls (1-21)

Chapter 17• Babylon the Great (1-6)

• The Beast and the Harlot (7-18)

Chapter 18

• The Fall of Babylon (1-24)

Chapter 19• The Fall of Babylon (1-21)

Chapter 20

• The Thousand Year Reign (1-10)• The large White Throne (11-15)

Chapter 21• The New Heaven and the New

Earth (1-8)• The New Jerusalem (9-17)

Chapter 22

• The New Jerusalem (1-5)

• Epilogue (6-21)