revelation: dragon cycle bowl perspectives: millennium...
TRANSCRIPT
Revelation: Dragon Cycle Bowl Perspectives: Millennium (Rev. 20:1–15)
General Outline
Revelation of J/Christ
(1:1–8)
PrologueJesus/John
Revelation of J/Christ(22:6–21)
EpilogueJesus/John
General Outline
Revelation of J/Christ
(1:1–8)
PrologueJesus/John
Revelation of J/Christ(22:6–21)
EpilogueJesus/John
LIterary Structure: Thematic PartsJudgment Cycle (6—20)
Conflict • Dragon Attack • Beast Agents Conquest • Prelude • Bowls • Perspectives Climax
Christ Cycle (6–11)Almighty God & His Christ
Dragon Cycle (12–20)Red Dragon & His Beasts
Seals 1–4 Seal 5 Seal 6 Interlude • 144,000 • Multitude
Seal 7
Trumpets 1–4 Trumpet 5 Trumpet 6 Interlude • Scroll • Witnesses
Trumpet 7
Conflict • Dragon Attack • Beast Agents Conquest • Prelude • Bowls • Perspectives Climax
RevelationLIterary Structure: Thematic Parts
Judgment Cycle (6—20)
Conflict • Dragon Attack • Beast Agents Conquest • Prelude • Bowls • Perspectives Climax
Christ Cycle (6–11)Almighty God & His Christ
Dragon Cycle (12–20)Red Dragon & His Beasts
Seals 1–4 Seal 5 Seal 6 Interlude • 144,000 • Multitude
Seal 7
Trumpets 1–4 Trumpet 5 Trumpet 6 Interlude • Scroll • Witnesses
Trumpet 7
Conflict • Dragon Attack • Beast Agents Conquest • Prelude • Bowls • Perspectives Climax
RevelationLiterary Structure: Dragon Cycle (12–20)
Dragon Cycle (12–20)
Cosmic Conflict (Rev 12–13)
Dragon Attack (12)
Beast Agents (13)
Messianic Conquest (Rev 14–20)
Bowl Prelude (14)
Bowl Judgments (15–16)
Bowl Perspectives (17–20)
Eschatological Climax (Rev 20)
Satan’s Defeat (20)
God’s Judgment (20)
Messianic Conquest (Rev 14–20)
Bowl Perspectives (17–20)
RevelationLiterary Structure: Dragon Cycle (12–20)
Bowl PerspectivesRev 17—Harlot (Prophet’s View)
Rev 18—Babylon (Heaven’s View)
Rev 19—Rider (Messiah’s View)
Rev 20—Millennium (Martyr’s View)Rev 20—Millennium (Martyr’s View)
Persp.
17–20
RevelationLiterary Structure: Dragon Cycle (12–20)
Bowl Perspectives
Rev 20—Millennium (Martyr’s View)Rev 20—Millennium (Martyr’s View)
Persp.
17–20
Dragon Cycle (12–20)
I. Imagery Sources for Rev 20 A. Binding imagery
Jewish tradition: Isa. 24:21–22; 1 Enoch 10:4–6; 2 Baruch 40; Jubilees 10:4–14 New Testament: Jude 6; 2 Pet. 2:4
B. Gog/Magog Jewish tradition: Ezekiel 38–39 New Testament: only 1x = Rev
C. Ancient of Days Jewish tradition: Dan. 7:9–15, 27 New Testament: Mt. 19:28; Lk. 22:30; 1 Cor.
Bowl Perspectives 4/4: Millennium (20:1–6)
Dragon Cycle (12–20)
I. Imagery Sources for Rev 20 A. Binding imagery
Jewish tradition: Isa. 24:21–22; 1 Enoch 10:4–6; 2 Baruch 40; Jubilees 10:4–14 New Testament: Jude 6; 2 Pet. 2:4
B. Gog/Magog Jewish tradition: Ezekiel 38–39 New Testament: only 1x = Rev
C. Ancient of Days Jewish tradition: Dan. 7:9–15, 27 New Testament: Mt. 19:28; Lk. 22:30; 1 Cor.
Bowl Perspectives 4/4: Millennium (20:1–6)
• judgment of antigod forces • contested kingdom to “son of man”
Dragon Cycle (12–20)
I. Imagery Sources D. Record books
ancient world Persian: administration, record keeping Greco-Roman: maintaining city registers (cf. Josephus, census of Augustus, Lk. 2:4–5)
Jewish: Ex. 32:32–33; Ps. 69:28; Dan. 12:1 NT: Lk. 10:20; Phil. 4:3; Heb. 12:23 Revelation: 3:5; 13:8; 17:8; 20:12, 15; 21:27
Bowl Perspectives 4/4: Millennium (20:1–6)
Dragon Cycle (12–20)
II. Millennium Narrative: Two-Part StructureBowl Perspectives 4/4: Millennium (20:1–6)
Millennium, Part 1 Dragon Binding
(20:1–3)
Benediction (20:6) “kingdom of priests”
(cf. 1:6; 5:10)
Millennium, Part 2 Martyr Reign
(20:4–6)
Dragon Cycle (12–20)
II. Millennium Narrative: Two-Part StructureBowl Perspectives 4/4: Millennium (20:1–6)
Millennium, Part 1 Dragon Binding
(20:1–3)
Benediction (20:6) “kingdom of priests”
(cf. 1:6; 5:10)
Millennium, Part 2 Martyr Reign
(20:4–6)
Dragon Cycle (12–20)
III. Millennium, Part 1: Dragon Binding (20:1–3) A. Triple binding (chained, locked, sealed)
security of imprisonment = God’s sovereignty ambiguities of restraint action
source (cross? special action?) timing (church age? future?) connection (millennium basis?)
B. Triple identity (serpent, Devil, Satan) repeated from ch. 12 (12:9) identity inclusio = concludes Dragon Cycle
Bowl Perspectives 4/4: Millennium (20:1–6)
II. Millennium Narrative: Two-Part Structure
Dragon Cycle (12–20)Victory: Dragon’s Final Defeat (20:1–15)
Millennium, Part 2 Martyr Reign
(20:4–6)
IV. Millennium, Part 2: Martyr Reign (20:4–6) A. Martyr reign: critical observations
Subjects: beheaded martyrs, not all believers Focus: martyrology, not soteriology Location: no indication whatsoever of location
B. Martyr reign: speaks to Seven Letters issues reframes Antipas situation fulfills 14:6 promise in Conquest Prelude fulfills Seven Letters “to those who conquer”: 2:7, 11, 17, 26–28; 3:5, 12, 21
Dragon Cycle (12–20)Bowl Perspectives 4/4: Millennium (20:1–6)
IV. Millennium, Part 2: Martyr Reign (20:4–6) A. Martyr reign: critical observations
Subjects: beheaded martyrs, not all believers Focus: martyrology, not soteriology Location: no indication whatsoever of location
B. Martyr reign: speaks to Seven Letters issues reframes Antipas situation fulfills 14:6 promise in Conquest Prelude fulfills Seven Letters “to those who conquer”: 2:7, 11, 17, 26–28; 3:5, 12, 21
Dragon Cycle (12–20)Bowl Perspectives 4/4: Millennium (20:1–6)
“and the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony to Jesus
and the word of God” (20:4)
IV. Millennium, Part 2: Martyr Reign (20:4–6) A. Martyr reign: critical observations
Subjects: beheaded martyrs, not all believers Focus: martyrology, not soteriology Location: no indication whatsoever of location
B. Martyr reign: speaks to Seven Letters issues reframes Antipas situation fulfills 14:6 promise in Conquest Prelude fulfills Seven Letters “to those who conquer”: 2:7, 11, 17, 26–28; 3:5, 12, 21
Dragon Cycle (12–20)Bowl Perspectives 4/4: Millennium (20:1–6)
“Antipas, my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you” (2:13)
IV. Millennium, Part 2: Martyr Reign (20:4–6) A. Martyr reign: critical observations
Focus: not focused on Jesus, but on martyrs Location: no indication whatsoever of location Subjects: not all believers of all time
B. Martyr reign: speaks to Seven Letters issues reframes Antipas situation fulfills 14:6 promise in Conquest Prelude fulfills Seven Letters “to those who conquer”: 2:7, 11, 17, 26–28; 3:5, 12, 21
Dragon Cycle (12–20)Bowl Perspectives 4/4: Millennium (20:1–6)
“they came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years”
Dragon Cycle (12–20)Bowl Perspectives 4/4: Millennium (20:1–6)
City Promise Section (Seven Letters)
1. Ephesus “eat of the tree of life . . . paradise of God”
2. Smyrna “not be hurt by the second death”
3. Pergamum “hidden manna, white stone, new name”
4. Thyatira “power over nations, rod of iron, morning star”
5. Sardis “white garments, book/life, confess name”6. Philadelphia “pillar/temple, write name new Jerusalem”7. Laodicea “sit with me on my throne”
IV. Millennium, Part 2: Martyr Reign (20:4–6) C. Martyr reign expresses God’s sovereignty
dragon judgment interprets Messiah’s reign similar to Michael intercalation (12:7–12)
D. Martyr reign vindicates saints testimony reverses dragon’s actions
reverses deception (20:3, “deceive no more”) reverses false verdict of 13:15 (“beheaded”)
concludes Judgment Cycle (4–20) cycle initiated by messianic judgments cycle consummated by messianic vindication
Dragon Cycle (12–20)Bowl Perspectives 4/4: Millennium (20:1–6)
IV. Millennium, Part 2: Martyr Reign (20:4–6) C. Martyr reign expresses God’s sovereignty
dragon judgment interprets Messiah’s reign similar to Michael intercalation (12:7–12)
D. Martyr reign vindicates saints testimony reverses dragon’s actions
reverses deception (20:3, “deceive no more”) reverses false verdict of 13:15 (“beheaded”)
concludes Judgment Cycle (4–20) cycle initiated by messianic judgments cycle consummated by messianic vindication
Dragon Cycle (12–20)Bowl Perspectives 4/4: Millennium (20:1–6)
cf. 12:9; 13:14; 18:23; 19:20; 20:8, 10
Dragon Cycle (12–20)Bowl Perspectives 4/4: Millennium (20:1–6)IV. Millennium, Part 2: Martyr Reign (20:4–6)
E. Martyr reign as martyrdom reward special reward for beast martyrdom
rejection of imperial propaganda kingdom priestly, not military/political power
1:6: “made us to be a kingdom, priests”
5:10: “made them to be a kingdom and priests” 20:6: “they shall be priests of God and of Christ”
unique in New Testament bold Jewish Davidic kingdom innovation provokes double-resurrection innovation
Dragon Cycle (12–20)Bowl Perspectives 4/4: Millennium (20:1–6)IV. Millennium, Part 2: Martyr Reign (20:4–6)
E. Martyr reign as martyrdom reward interim kingdom = Jewish (2 Esdras 7:26–44; 12:31–34; 1 Enoch 91:11–17; 2 Baruch 29:1–30:5; 40:1–4; 72:2–74:3)
messiah typically involved length varies for symbolic significance
interpretive issues meaning and nature Stevens: Rider, millennium, binding are co-extensive both literarily and chronologically
(1) meaning: literal, symbolic? (2) nature: civic, military, political?
“The Rider conquest, martyr millennium, and Satan binding scenes are literarily and chronologically co-extensive. Satan’s binding is the spiritual counterpart to the Rider’s gospel conquest, and the martyr millennium is the heavenly counterpart. John innovates resurrection doctrine in that those who die for the faith receive resurrection benefits immediately at death, as did Jesus, and as proleptically suggested by the experience of some Jerusalem believers (Matt 27:52–53). John’s martyr millennium innovation thus necessitates a first and second resurrection innovation, but not without some New Testament precedence both in the life of Jesus and of the early church.”—Dr. Stevens
Dragon Cycle (12–20)
IV. Millennium, Part 2: Martyr Reign (20:4–6)Bowl Perspectives 4/4: Millennium (20:1–6)
Benediction (20:6) “kingdom of priests”
(cf. 1:6; 5:10)
Dragon Cycle (12–20)
IV. Millennium, Part 2: Martyr Reign (20:4–6) F. Benediction spoken (20:6)
focuses point of millennial imagery announces millennial consequences
announces “first resurrection” announces immunity from “second death” announces millennial reign is priestly
anticipates positive outcome of Last Judgment
Bowl Perspectives 4/4: Millennium (20:1–6)
Dragon Cycle (12–20)
IV. Millennium, Part 2: Martyr Reign (20:4–6) F. Benediction spoken (20:6)
Bowl Perspectives 4/4: Millennium (20:1–6)
“This is a scene of role reversals. The martyrs have had to stand before the imperial throne (at least figuratively) and receive the sentence of death. Now they are the ones who are seated on the thrones and deliver judgment.”
—Reddish, p. 394
Literary Structure: Thematic PartsJudgment Cycle (6—20)
Conflict • Dragon Attack • Beast Agents Conquest • Prelude • Bowls • Perspectives Climax
Christ Cycle (6–11)Almighty God & His Christ
Dragon Cycle (12–20)Red Dragon & His Beasts
Seals 1–4 Seal 5 Seal 6 Interlude • 144,000 • Multitude
Seal 7
Trumpets 1–4 Trumpet 5 Trumpet 6 Interlude • Scroll • Witnesses
Trumpet 7
Conflict • Dragon Attack • Beast Agents Conquest • Prelude • Bowls • Perspectives Climax
Dragon Cycle (12–20)
Cosmic Conflict (Rev 12–13)
Dragon Attack (12)
Beast Agents (13)
Messianic Conquest (Rev 14–20)
Bowl Prelude (14)
Bowl Judgments (15–16)
Bowl Perspectives (17–20)
Eschatological Climax (Rev 20)
Satan’s Defeat (20)
God’s Judgment (20)
RevelationLiterary Structure: Dragon Cycle (12–20)
Eschatological Climax (Rev 20)
Satan’s Defeat (20)
Dragon Cycle (12–20)
I. Part 1: Satan’s Defeat—Gog/Magog (20:7–10) A. Gog/Magog imagery
John innovates Ezekiel (cf. Zeph 3; Zech 12–14) converts “Gog” to another nation, not leader globalizes opposition to all nations globalizes directional threat (“north” to all)
John ignores 19:21 (“the rest were slain”)
Climax: God’s Sovereign Victory (20:7–15)
Dragon Cycle (12–20)
I. Part 1: Satan’s Defeat—Gog/Magog (20:7–10) B. Loosing of Satan—crucial narrative shift (v. 7)
crucial context change (no longer first century) tense shifts to future name shifts to Satan (“dragon” = 1st century) transitions to climax of Judgment Cycle Rome/seven churches as paradigm of end
timing left ambiguous (specific timing not point)
Climax: God’s Sovereign Victory (20:7–15)
Dragon Cycle (12–20)
I. Part 1: Satan’s Defeat—Gog/Magog (20:7–10) B. Loosing of Satan—crucial narrative shift (v. 7)
crucial context change (no longer first century) tense shifts to future name shifts to Satan (“dragon” = 1st century) transitions to climax of Judgment Cycle Rome/seven churches as paradigm of end
timing left ambiguous (specific timing not point)
Climax: God’s Sovereign Victory (20:7–15)
ends millennium, but millennium start/stop not set; allows as co-
extensive with church age
Dragon Cycle (12–20)Climax: God’s Sovereign Victory (20:7–15)
Revelation Seals, Trumpets, Bowls
Seven Churches
Ascension Return
Church AgeChurch Passion
Hour of Trial Gog and Magog
Dragon Cycle (12–20)
I. Part 1: Satan’s Defeat—Gog/Magog (20:7–10) C. Gog/Magog battle
Satan loosed, deceives, beseiges city armies destroyed by heavenly fire (cf. Ezekiel) Satan cast into “lake of fire” (joins beasts) final end of all evil in cosmos no judgment final without end to evil
Climax: God’s Sovereign Victory (20:7–15)
RevelationLiterary Structure: Dragon Cycle (12–20)
Dragon Cycle (12–20)Cosmic Conflict
(Rev 12–13)Dragon Attack (12)
Beast Agents (13)
Messianic Conquest (Rev 14–20)
Bowl Prelude (14)
Bowl Judgments (15–16)
Bowl Perspectives (17–20)
Eschatological Climax (Rev 20)
Satan’s Defeat (20)
God’s Judgment (20)God’s Judgment (20)Eschatological Climax
(Rev 20)
Dragon Cycle (12–20)
II. Part 2: God’s Judgment—Throne (20:11–15) A. Throne room inclusio (Rev 4, Judgment Cycle)
entire Judgment Cycle drama climaxes here all reality moves to God’s final judgment
B. Cosmic disturbances (“earth and sky fled away”) traditional apocalyptic imagery old order passing away (sin, rebellion, chaos)
C. Inclusive judgment social rank (“great and small”) circumstance (“sea, Death, Hades,” 20:13) equivalent of second resurrection (cf. 20:5)
Climax: God’s Sovereign Victory (20:7–15)
Dragon Cycle (12–20)
II. Part 2: God’s Judgment—Throne (20:11–15) D. Book imagery = dual = Rev’s Christology
“books” = traditional: God’s judgment “book of life” = John’s innovation: Lamb’s judgment (cf. 5:7; 13:8)
E. Sea imagery (ancient burial customs) unburied a terrible fate (1 Kgs. 13:21; 14:11; Jer. 8:1–2) burying a pious act (Tobit 1–2) dying at sea a terrible fate
forever denied proper burial separation in death from kin
Climax: God’s Sovereign Victory (20:7–15)
Dragon Cycle (12–20)
II. Part 2: God’s Judgment—Throne (20:11–15) F. Death, Hades imagery (personified)
Death = agent stalking earth (4th Seal, 6:8) Hades = underworld receiving Death’s victims Preeminent symbols of old order of existence
Christ holds the “keys” (1:18) banished from new creation
G. Lake of fire imagery unique to John = finality, irrevocability “dead” now join beasts and dragon raises theological questions
Climax: God’s Sovereign Victory (20:7–15)
Dragon Cycle (12–20)
II. Victory, Part 2: God’s Final Judgment (20:11–15) F. Death, Hades imagery (personified)
Death = agent stalking earth (4th Seal, 6:8) Hades = underworld receiving Death’s victims Preeminent symbols of old order of existence
Christ holds the “keys” (1:18) banished from new creation
G. Lake of fire imagery unique to John = finality, irrevocability “dead” now join beasts and dragon raises theological questions
Climax: God’s Sovereign Victory (20:7–15)
• eternal, or annihilation? • works, or grace?
Dragon Cycle (12–20)
II. Victory, Part 2: God’s Final Judgment (20:11–15) F. Death, Hades imagery (personified)
Death = agent stalking earth (4th Seal, 6:8) Hades = underworld receiving Death’s victims Preeminent symbols of old order of existence
Christ holds the “keys” (1:18) banished from new creation
G. Lake of fire imagery unique to John = finality, irrevocability “dead” now join beasts and dragon raises theological questions
Climax: God’s Sovereign Victory (20:7–15)
“What was inevitable since Easter morning has now become reality.”
—Reddish, p. 390