New Testament

BCM 103Dr. Dave Mathewson

Gordon College/Denver Seminary

Revelation

Two possible response to RevelationReject it or ignore it because it is so

strange book, peculiar, vision of locusts with human heads… bloodshed, variety of ways it’s been read. “Off limits” sign; Calvin skipped it in his NT commentaries

Become obsessed with it—center of their thinking…Left Behind etc.

Left Behind!

Revelation in it’s contextAuthor writing the book to address

his book to a specific problem/situation in the 1st century – same as we’ve taken all the other books in the NT

What problem was the author addressing?Must work with this before applying the

text to our situation

Background IssuesAuthor and Date: John wrote it, he

identifies himself as John … which John? Strong tradition Apostle John,

No identification as an apostle or authority of an apostle speaks as OT prophetic authority

He knew he was writing ScriptureWhen it was written? – 95-96 AD –

Domitian emperor

Features of RevelationSymbolism: 7 headed beasts, locusts

with human heads with crowns, numbers, visionary quality

When we interpret it we won’t interpret it strictly literal

Why was it written?Why would John write a book like

this?Rome was over the whole worldRoman domination made it

uncomfortable for Christians emperor worship spread widely and common to deify even to living emperors

Ephesus had temple to DomitianLocal leaders show their loyalty via

these types of temples

BackgroundRevelation often associated with

persecution but most of info. on 7 churches in Asia Minor

Out of those 7 letters to churches only 2 churches were suffering persecution, most of the persecution was at the local level not Domitian

BackgroundThe other 5 churches main problem

was compromising with Roman rule both worship Caesar and Christ at the same time

Antipas was killed but most of it was local persecution

All cities had temple built in honor of the emperor, emperor was savior compromise

Plight of ChristiansSome suffering persecution for

refusal to worship the EmperorPrimary problem is compromise

among these cities in the context of imperial Roman rule

Emperor Worship

Literary GenreRevelation is an apocalypse

First person narrative of someone’s visionary experience, written down

Not so much predict the future but help readers make sense of their present situation

Watching a play you see what’s presented; however behind the curtain all sorts of things happening;

Apocalypse unveils or lifts curtain so you can see what is going on behind the scenes

John sees throne—so Rome rules but now I know behind the scenes God is on the throne ruling over all moving to a new creation now see the present in a new light (Caesar is not the final authority)

GenreLetter Form: it begins and ends just

like one of Paul’s letters So Revelation is addressing a specific

problem Revelation is communicating a letter

giving them a solution to Roman rule and emperor worship

Reading Revelation SensiblyRevelation is symbolic, not literal, not

CNN more like an art gallery, feel it

The meaning must be what John intended and his readers understood

Don’t lose sight of the forest for the trees

Don’t miss the main purpose-exhortation to holy living

HUMILITY!

Approaches to RevelationPreterist: Revelation refers to events

that took place in the 1st CenturyHistorical: Revelation is a forecast of

the entirety of human historyIdealist: Revelation is a symbolic

portrayal of the struggle between good and evil

Futurist: Revelation refers to events that will take place right before and during the coming of Christ at the end of history

http://www.csmonitor.com/Commentary/Cartoons