THE BOOK OF REVELATION

THE BOOK OF REVELATION

Introduction • One of most interesting & exciting books of Bible • Makes its appeal to-- • Our past knowledge of the Bible • To our imaginations and minds (regarding God’s purpose in history) • Since understanding depends so heavily on proper approach to the book, discussion of backgrounds is most important.

Introduction • A. Difficulty • Book has suffered from misuse and neglect. • Many Xtians shy away from study because of difficulty. • Because is couched in highly symbolic language & filled with all kinds of vivid imagery, is mystifying to average reader.

Introduction • A. Difficulty • Has been the playground of extremists and fanatics creating many bizarre interpretations. • Many Bible students (e.g., Calvin, Zwingli) have refused to comment on the book. • Probably the least read of the books of the NT (some actually afraid of reading it).

Introduction • A. Difficulty • Because some of its passages have been the source of speculative theories, many have almost excluded it from the NT canon by their fear of study of it. • Nothing to fear: is only book which contains a specific blessing to the one who reads and hears and observes the things therein (1:3)

Introduction • A. Difficulty • Book is relevant to our needs— • Emphasizes lordship of God over his world and affairs of men • Emphasizes ultimate triumph of righteousness over the forces of evil.

Introduction • B. What Is Its Nature? • Unlike any other NT book, it exhibits more than one type of literature. • Within opening verses, it is called— • An apocalypse (1:1) • A prophecy (1:3) • An epistle (1:4-6,11) • Bible contains many types of literature, but is unusual to find such a combination in one book.

Introduction • B. What Is Its Nature? • It belongs to a type of literature, strange to most, known as apocalyptic literature. • Represented in Bible by books of Ezekiel, Daniel, and parts of Zechariah. • Gk apokalypsis is trans. “revelation” in the beginning of the book; literally means “an unveiling or revealing of something that has not been known before.” • Revelation sometimes called “The Apocalypse”

Introduction • B. What Is Its Nature? • “Apocalyptic literature” also refers to literature represented by a group of writings not in OT or NT. • Such books as— • Book of Enoch • Ascension of Isaiah • Assumption of Moses • Psalms of Solomon

Introduction • B. What Is Its Nature? • Are both some common features and some striking differences between non-canonical apocalyptic and Biblical apocalyptic literature.

Introduction • B. What Is Its Nature? • Common Features of Apocalyptic lit. • 1. Deals with the coming of judgment and the end of all things (point of view—future). • 2. Predictions are not in plain language but in highly symbolic visions that draw upon nature and the life of man on earth. • 3. Angels are guides and interpreters. • 4. Through visions some foreshadowing of struggle of good and evil and the triumph of God and his people are set forth.

Introduction • B. What Is Its Nature? • Differences: • 1. Biblical books use real names of their authors; non-canonical use forged names. • 2. Non-canonical falsely claim to be revelations from God in a time when prophets of God no longer appeared in Israel (the period between Malachi at the end of the OT and the birth of Christ); were copied imperfectly from OT prophetic visions, esp. Daniel.

Introduction • B. What Is Its Nature? • Differences: • 3. Non-canonical were pessimistic about the present age and discounted the human element in the fulfillment of God’s purposes; neither is true of Biblical books (Ezekiel, Daniel, Revelation). • B. of Revelation says God is in control, is at work in history and right and truth will triumph.

Introduction • B. What Is Its Nature? • Book is also a prophecy. • 1. Author claims to be a prophet of God (one who speaks for God) (22:9), and so among other powers is able to predict the future and the outcome of all things (10:11; 19:10). • 2. Book is called a prophecy (1:3; 22:7, 10, 18, 19) and exhibits the same concern for faithfulness and devotion to God as the OT prophecies.

Introduction • B. What Is Its Nature? • Book is also a prophecy. • “It is also far closer to the prophetic message and to the writings of the Hebrew prophets in both spirit and content than any other of the apocalypses known to us. These latter appear, indeed, quite openly to ignore the prophets, whereas John quotes them verbatim in almost 150 separate passages!” John Wick Bowman, The Drama of Revelation, p. 11

Introduction • C. Symbolism • Like apocalyptic lit., Rev. abounds in rich imagery drawn from all aspects of nature and human life. • The horse, lion, leopard, bear, lamb, calf, locusts, scorpion, eagle, vulture, fish, frogs, trees, harvest, and vintage all appear in the book’s visions. • Description of human life, esp. the life and trade of great cities, is very full.

Introduction • C. Symbolism • While no direct quotations in any extended way occur, are so many allusions that can be said that book is saturated with thought of the OT. • H. B. Swete estimated that of the 404 verses of book, 278 contain references to OT (The Apocalypse of St. John, p. cxi). • Many figures occur only in Rev., e.g., woman and man child in chap. 12.

Introduction • C. Symbolism • One of most imp. aspects of symbolism in Rev. is frequent and symbolic use of numbers. • 2, 3, 3½, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10, 12, 24, 42, 144, 666, 1000, 1260, 1600, 7000, 144,000, 100,000,000, 200,000,000 • Predominate # is 7 (54 times); next is 12, with multiples of 12 common (24, 144, 1260, 144,000.

Introduction • C. Symbolism • One of most imp. aspects of symbolism in Rev. is frequent and symbolic use of numbers. • 4 fairly often, with 3 less prominent; 4 + 3=7; 4 X 3=12 • 3 is associated with the Father, Son and HS in the Godhead. • 4 is connected with the world, the major points of the compass, and the forces of the universe.

Introduction • C. Symbolism • One of most imp. aspects of symbolism in Rev. is frequent and symbolic use of numbers. • 6 is associated with man and his endeavors, for he was created on the 6th day (Gen. 1:27). • Undoubtedly, the use of #s in this fashion is intended to convey a special meaning.

Introduction • D. Authorship and Date • Writer identified himself by name, “His (God’s) servant John,” and used his name 3 times in 1st chap (1:1,4,9). • Described himself as “your brother and companion in tribulation” (1:9) and placed himself among the prophets of NT period (22:9). • Yet, real author is Jesus Christ (1:1) who revealed the book to John.

Introduction • D. Authorship and Date • Testimony from 2nd c. A.D. is overwhelming in identifying John as the son of Zebedee, one of 12 apostles. • Justin Martyr (135) ascribed it to John. • Irenaeus (185) quotes it as from John. • Muratorian Canon (170) notes it.

Introduction • D. Authorship and Date • Those who reject apostolic authorship have attempted to identify John as the elder, referred to by Eusebius. • Problem: How could the memory of John the elder have completely disappeared from church in 2nd c.?

Introduction • D. Authorship and Date • Are language & style differences between Rev. & Gospel of John. • Yet, are also striking similarities. • Use of certain titles applied to Christ. • Certain words common to both. • Also, major themes in common—conflict between good and evil, light and darkness.

Introduction • D. Authorship and Date • Two views have been taken toward the date. • Traditional date, toward end of reign of Domitian (81-96), is based on statement of Irenaeus, “For it was seen, not a long time ago, but almost in our generation, at the end of the reign of Domitian” (Her. V, 30:3). • Testimony of others, including Eusebius

Introduction • D. Authorship and Date • In more recent times the Nero theory has arisen— • Partly to explain the differences in style between Gospel of John & Revelation. • Partly because (17:9) is thought to refer to Nero as the 5th ruler. • Some have interpreted the number 666 (13:18) as spelling Nero Caesar in Hebrew numerology & dated it 68-70.

Introduction • D. Authorship and Date • But situation among the churches as reflected in the book as well as general circumstances of the time are better explained in the time of Domitian than Nero, and the weight of tradition is overwhelming for the later date.

Introduction • E. Purpose and Message • Primary purpose, in showing churches the things that must come to pass hereafter, is to encourage and assure them, amid persecutions of their ultimate victory and the victory of the cause of Christ. • Yet, they are told that they must suffer and the Lord demands faithfulness in spite of the suffering.

Introduction • E. Purpose and Message • Book also has purpose of showing struggles of God’s people against evil through the ages, dramatized in symbols of opposition and persecution. • It focuses attention on “last days” when God’s justice will be evidenced and the cause of God’s people vindicated.

Introduction • E. Purpose and Message • As its message encouraged churches of Asia (2nd c. writings demonstrate), so it has always spoken a special message to Christians in time of persecution and hardship. • Reminds that ultimate triumph of righteousness will not be brought about through evolution of a perfect society, but by the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Introduction • E. Purpose and Message • In no other NT book is there such encouragement for Christians who face a world order where the odds seem so greatly against them.

Introduction • F. Major Theories of Interpretation • The approach one follows in interpreting this book is more crucial than in any other book of the NT because of the unity of its material. • The point of view one takes at the beginning colors one’s interpretation throughout the book.

Introduction • F. Major Theories of Interpretation • While there are many interpretations, all tend to group themselves into about four major categories. • 1. Futurist • 2. Preterist • 3. Continuous historical • 4. Symbolic (philosophy of history)

Introduction • F. Major Theories of Interpretation • Futurist • The futurist theory sees this book dealing with the events at the end of the world. • Futurists pride themselves on being literalists in their interpretation, taking its number as true mathematical values without symbolic meaning, and taking other symbols in the book as literal.

Introduction • F. Major Theories of Interpretation • Futurist • This view is generally associated with premillennialism which looks forward to a 1000 year’s reign of Christ on earth. • Currently, it is most completely expressed in the form of premillennialism known as dispensationalism; this system is set forth in the notes of the Schofield Reference Bible.

Introduction • F. Major Theories of Interpretation • Futurist • Chapters 4-19 are interpreted as a blueprint for the 7 years of “the rapture” (the catching up of the saints to meet Christ in the air) which they think immediately precedes the beginning of the millennium on earth (I Thess. 4:13-18).

Introduction • F. Major Theories of Interpretation • Futurist • These 7 years are the period described in Daniel 9:24-27 as the 70th week. • It is separated from the other 69 weeks by centuries because the Jewish rejection of Jesus as the Christ automatically stopped the fulfillment of God’s plan and postponed it, until the 7-year period just before the coming of Christ to earth.

Introduction • F. Major Theories of Interpretation • Futurist • The messages addressed to the 7 churches in chapters 2 & 3 are thought to represent stages of church history, rather than being genuine letters. • Chap. 20 describes the descent of X to earth to begin his millennial reign.

Introduction • F. Major Theories of Interpretation • Futurist (weaknesses) • The futurist view completely separates the book from the 1st c. church to whom it was addressed and the problems the early confronted. • The book is entirely concerned with the end of time; thus would have little meaning and consolation to offer for hardships of the 1st c.

Introduction • F. Major Theories of Interpretation • Preterist • Holds that the book is completely past; it was addressed to the contemporary 1st c. Xtians & all of its message was fulfilled in the period before Constantine. • Based on the conditions in the Roman Empire, with the persecution of the early church, its message is to be found in the struggles of the church with the forces of evil represented by that empire.

Introduction • F. Major Theories of Interpretation • Preterist • It stands as a literary and historical monument to the church of that time, but is past history to us rather than prophecy. • It contains little by way of a message for the church of the present day.

Introduction • F. Major Theories of Interpretation • Preterist • This approach greatly diminishes the element of prophecy in the book, but does have the strong value of making Revelation very meaningful and encouraging to the 1st c. Christians.

Introduction • F. Major Theories of Interpretation • Preterist (weaknesses) • If followed without modification, one has the difficulty of explaining the passages which seem unmistakably to point to the future, to the end-time. • To place it entirely in the past seems to fly in the face of many things in the book itself.

Introduction • F. Major Theories of Interpretation • Preterist (weaknesses) • Is questionable that the message of Rev. regards the consummation and triumph of the book to be related to the official recognition of Christianity under Emperor Constantine in the 300s. • Unlikely that Rev. celebrates the victory of Xtianity over paganism in the union of church and state under Constantine.

Introduction • F. Major Theories of Interpretation • Preterist (weaknesses) • A rigid preterist approach would, for e.g., put the stamp of divine approval on the church-state union which requires infant baptism for it to be effective.

Introduction • F. Major Theories of Interpretation • Continuous Historical • Popular among Protestants, esp. since the Reformation. • Views Rev. as a blueprint of the history of Western Europe from the time of John to the 2nd coming of Christ. • Understands the visions to follow one another in chronological fashion.

Introduction • F. Major Theories of Interpretation • Continuous Historical • Focuses primary attention on the Roman Catholic Church and its apostasy in the papacy. • Commentators have worked out the patterns of historical events with great detail, paralleling them to the visions in the book.

Introduction • F. Major Theories of Interpretation • Continuous Historical • This view has been popularized by well-known Protestant commentators like Albert Barnes, Adam Clarke, B. H. Carroll and others. • Most of the Protestant Reformers identified Papal Rome with the beast and Babylon the Great.

Introduction • F. Major Theories of Interpretation • Continuous Historical • Alexander Campbell used a proposition based on this interpretation in his debate with Bishop Purcell.

Introduction • F. Major Theories of Interpretation • Continuous Historical (strengths, weaknesses) • Has the value of focusing our attention upon the struggles within history between good and evil. • Weakness lies in limiting God’s interest to the events of Western Europe to the exclusion of the rest of the world.

THE BOOK OF REVELATION