revelation. revelation author: john written from: patmos date: 95 ad? literary form: apocalyptic...
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RevelationRevelation
RevelationRevelation
Author: John Written from: Patmos Date: 95 AD? Literary form: Apocalyptic Symbolic language: Lamb,
dragon, beast, Babylon, seven
Allusions to Old Testament
ApocalypticApocalyptic
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 WritingApocalyptic Writing
Crisis literatureWritten in times of social upheaval,
political turmoil, uncertaintyMeant to offer hope and assuranceWhat was the situation for Christians
at the end of the first century?
Key Features of ApocalypticKey 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 RevelationInterpretations 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 RevelationInterpretations 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 RevelationInterpretations 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 RevelationInterpretations 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 ChurchesVision 1: Seven Churches
Messages to Seven ChurchesMessages 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: JudgmentVision 2: Judgment
Seven seals Seven trumpets Seven bowls
The First Four Seals: Four The First Four Seals: Four HorsemenHorsemen
Vision 3: Vision 3: ConquestConquest
Who is Who is Babylon?Babylon?
Who is the Who is the Beast?Beast?
The MillenniumThe Millennium
Views of the MillenniumViews 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 MillenniumViews 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 MillenniumViews 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 Age Millennium
Views of the MillenniumViews 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 Age Tribulation Millennium
Vision 4: Vision 4: New New
JerusalemJerusalem
Teaching of RevelationTeaching of Revelation
God is sovereignJesus is God the SonGod’s people are victoriousJesus is coming again, and we will
be with him forever
We believeWe believe
in the immortality of the soul,
in the resurrection of the body,
in the general judgment at the end of the world,
We believeWe 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 believeWe 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