Preaching and Teaching Apocalyptic Texts

1. Preaching andTeachingApocalyptic Texts

2. Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts Why Bother? Easier Simply to Avoid the Issue But – Leaves them in the hands of the misinformed or uninformed “Left Behind” becomes the accepted interpretation Fail those to whom we ministrer

3. Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts Our Agenda: 1. The origins and context of apocalyptic texts 2. The nature of apocalyptic texts 3. The apocalyptic perspective 4. The nature of visionary experience 5. Revelation as a “case study”

4. Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts Origins and Context Prophetic Judaism Continuation of “Exile” Desire for Restoration Consummation of the Covenant Fulfillment of Promises thru the Prophets Intensification of prophecy Literature of God’s Oppressed

5. Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts • Origins and Context • Terms: • Apocalyptic • Apocalypticism

6. Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts • Origins and Context • Texts: • OT: Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Daniel, Isaiah, Joel, Zechariah • NT: Revelation, Mk 13, 2 Thess 2 • InterTestamental: 1 Enoch, 4 Esdras

7. Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts • The Nature of apocalyptic texts • Visionary • Heavenly Events • Earthly Events • Not Dualistic but revolutionary • “End Times” • “Last Days” • “The Day of the Lord” • The Restoration of the Kingdom

8. Jewish Expectations The Restoration of the Kingdom Associated Events: Cleansing from Sin Resurrection of the righteous A Holy (Priestly) Kingdom The Messiah as King The Messiah as King of Kings

9. The Restoration of the Kingdom The Present Age The Age to Come Last Days End Times The Day of the Lord The Work of The Messiah

10. Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts The Apocalyptic Perspective Matthew 3:1-6 In those days John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness of Judea, proclaiming, 2 "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." . . . 5 Then the people of Jerusalem and all Judea were going out to him, and all the region along the Jordan, 6 and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

11. Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts The Apocalyptic Perspective Luke 2:25 Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. Luke 2:36-38 There was also a prophet, Anna . . .she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

12. Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts The Apocalyptic Perspective Luke 23:50-51 Now there was a good and righteous man named Joseph, who, though a member of the council, 51 had not agreed to their plan and action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea, and he was waiting expectantly for the kingdom of God. Luke 19:11 As they were listening to this, he went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately.

13. Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts The Christian “Twist” Kingdom of God Age to come Wheat and Weeds This age

14. Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts The Christian “Twist” Luke 17:20-21 Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, "The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; 21 nor will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There it is!' For, in fact, the kingdom of God is among you." Acts 1:6 So when they had come together, they asked him, "Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?"

15. Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts Acts 2:17-21 'In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 18 Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. 20 The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord's great and glorious day. 21Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'

16. Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts Hebrews 1:1-2 Long ago God spoke to our ancestors in many and various ways by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, through whom he also created the worlds.

17. Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts 1 Corinthians 10:11 These things happened to them to serve as an example, and they were written down to instruct us, on whom the ends of the ages have come. 1 Peter 1:18-20 You know that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your ancestors, not with perishable things like silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without defect or blemish. 20 He was destined before the foundation of the world, but was revealed at the end of the ages for your sake.

18. Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts The Nature of Visionary Experience

19. Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts 2 Corinthians 12:1-4 It is necessary to boast; nothing is to be gained by it, but I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a person in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven-- whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows. 3 And I know that such a person-- whether in the body or out of the body I do not know; God knows-- 4 was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words that are impossible for a mortal to speak.

20. Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts Hildegard of Bingen (1098-1179) Julian of Norwich (1343-1413) John’s Vision

21. VISION CONSCIOUSNESS “NORMAL” CONSCIOUSNESS

25. Preaching and TeachingApocalyptic Texts An Overview of John’s Vision

26. THE REDEEMED ORDER New Jerusalem Lamb God Heaven

27. THE REBELLIOUS ORDER Fallen Babylon Beast False Prophet Satan Death & Hades

28. “Every Tribe, Nation, Tongue, People” “Those Who Dwell Upon the Earth” Fallen Babylon The Perceptual and Functional Dynamics Which Mark the Fallen Order The Beast & False Prophet Satan The ruler of the fallen order. The throne, power, & authority of his kingdom are operative in the beast & false prophet. Death & Hades The fallen order of rebellion against God.

29. Fallen 14 Babylon 17 Demise Development The Beast Ch. 13 & Ch. 19:20 False Prophet Ch. 12:3 Satan Ch 20:10 Ch. 6:8 Death & Hades Ch 20:14

30. 4 John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, 5 and from Jesus the Messiah, the faithful martyr, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us and freedus from our sins by his blood, 6 and madeus to be a kingdom, priests servinghis God and Father

31. Introduction (1:1-8) Earthly Vision (1:9-20) Seven Churches (2:1-3:22) Heavenly Vision (4:1-5:14) Seven Seals (6:1-8:5) Seven Trumpets (8:6-11:18) Heavenly Vision (11:19-15:5) Seven Bowls (15:6-16:21) Harlot =Fallen Babylon (17:1-19:10) Bride =New Jerusalem (21:9-22:9) Heavenly Vision (19:11-21:8) Conclusion (22:10-21)

32. Case Studies from Revelation

33. Case Studies from Revelation Revelation 1:1-3 The revelation of Jesus Messiah, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place; he made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, 2 who testified to the word of God and to the witness of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. 3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of the prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and who keep what is written in it; for the time is near.

34. Case Studies from Revelation Revelation 1:9 I, John, your brother who share with you in Jesus the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance, was on the island called Patmos because of the word of God and the witness of Jesus.

35. Case Studies from Revelation Revelation 1:17-18 When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he placed his right hand on me, saying, "Do not be afraid; I am the first and the last, 18 and the living one. I was dead, and see, I am alive forever and ever; and I have the keys of Death and of Hades.

36. Case Studies from Revelation Revelation 2:1-3 "To the messenger of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands: 2 "I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance. I know that you cannot tolerate evildoers; you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them to be false. 3 I also know that you are enduring patiently and bearing up for the sake of my name, and that you have not grown weary.But . . .

37. Case Studies from Revelation Revelation 2:4-7 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. 5 Remember then from what you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent. 6Yet this is to your credit: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 7 Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. To everyone who is conquering, I will give permission to eat from the tree of life that is in the paradise of God.

38. Case Studies from Revelation Revelation 2:8-11 "And to the messenger of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of the first and the last, who was dead and came to life: 9 "I know your tribulation and your poverty, even though you are rich. I know the slander on the part of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Beware, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches. Whoever is conquering will not be harmed by the second death.

39. Case Studies from Revelation Revelation 3:14 - 22 "And to the messenger of the church in Laodicea write: The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the origin of God's creation: 15 "I know your works; you are neither cold nor hot. I wish that you were either cold or hot. 16 So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to vomit you out of my mouth. 17 For you say, 'I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing.' You do not realize that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. 18 Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may be rich; and white robes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen; and salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.

40. Case Studies from Revelation Revelation 3:19 - 22 19 Those whom I loveI reprove and nurture. Be zealous, therefore, and repent. 20 Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. 21 To the one who is conquering I will give a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches."

41. Case Studies from Revelation Revelation 4:1 After this I looked, and there in heaven a door stood open! And the first voice, which I had heard speaking to me like a trumpet, said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this."

42. Case Studies from Revelation Revelation 4:4 Around the throne are twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones are twenty-four elders, dressed in white robes, with golden crowns on their heads.. . . Revelation 4:9-10 And whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to the one who is seated on the throne, who lives forever and ever, 10 the twenty-four elders fall before the one who is seated on the throne and worship the one who lives forever and ever; they cast their crowns before the throne . . .

43. Case Studies from Revelation Revelation 6:1-2 Then I saw the Lamb open one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures call out, as with a voice of thunder, "Come!" 2 I looked, and there was a white horse! Its rider had a bow; a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering and to conquer.

44. Rev 6:2 kai. ei=don( kai. ivdou. i[ppoj leuko,j( kai. o` kaqh,menoj evpV auvto.n And I looked, and behold a white horse and the one seated upon it Rev 19:11 Kai. ei=don kai. ivdou. i[ppoj leuko,j kai. o` kaqh,menoj evpV auvto.n And I looked, and behold a white horse and the one seated upon it

45. Case Studies from Revelation Revelation 6:12-17 When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and there came a great earthquake; the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree drops its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. 14 The sky vanished like a scroll rolling itself up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. 15 Then the kings of the earth and the magnates and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, 16 calling to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb; 17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"

46. Case Studies from Revelation Revelation 11:1-6 Then I was given a measuring rod like a staff, and I was told, "Come and measure the temple of God and the altar and those who worship there, 2 but do not measure the court outside the temple; leave that out, for it is given over to the nations, and they will trample over the holy city for forty-two months. 3 And I will grant my two witnesses authority to prophesy for one thousand two hundred sixty days, wearing sackcloth." 4 These are the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. 5 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes; anyone who wants to harm them must be killed in this manner. 6 They have authority to shut the sky, so that no rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have authority over the waters to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every kind of plague, as often as they desire.

47. Case Studies from Revelation Revelation 11:7-10 When they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the bottomless pit will make war on them and conquer them and kill them, 8 and their dead bodies will lie in the street of the great city that is prophetically called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days members of the peoples and tribes and languages and nations will gaze at their dead bodies and refuse to let them be placed in a tomb; 10 and the inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and celebrate and exchange presents, because these two prophets had been a torment to the inhabitants of the earth.

48. Case Studies from Revelation Revelation 11:11-13 But after the three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and those who saw them were terrified. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here!" And they went up to heaven in a cloud while their enemies watched them. 13 At that moment there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell; seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

49. Case Studies from Revelation Revelation 12:1-4 A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. 2 She was pregnant and was crying out in birth pangs, in the agony of giving birth. 3 Then another portent appeared in heaven: a great red dragon, with seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. 4 His tail swept down a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. Then the dragon stood before the woman who was about to bear a child, so that he might devour her child as soon as it was born.

50. Case Studies from Revelation Revelation 12:5-6 And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who is to rule all the nations with a rod of iron. But her child was snatched away and taken to God and to his throne; 6 and the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, so that there she can be nourished for one thousand two hundred sixty days.