Rev - Introduction

What we cover tonight

why study revelation?

How we will study it. read it and let it speak to you. don't try to impose the teaching you received on it.

Popular knowledge of revelation.

Calm your concerns.

The blessing on reading it.

The inspired outline.

major themes?

Symbolism

homework

Q&A

Intro

Ambrose Bierce (1947:347), in The Devil’s Dictionary, included the following tongue-in-cheek definition:

“REVELATION, n. A famous book in which St. John the Divine concealed all that he knew. The revealing is done by the commentators, who know nothing.” - Ambrose Bierce in “The devils Dictionary”

it sometimes feels like that as you read the commentaries… they must know more than the H.S. and John was sharing… lets avoid that trap shall we?

Why study Revelation?

Revelation has some awesome promises for those that study it.

We will get to the unique promises of the book in a minute but just from a practical viewpoint...

Most Christians today have anxiety about the future, not only because of this increase in anti-Christian sentiment but also because of the decline of economic and social stability, and the demonic forces that appear to be taking over all the centers of power.

Revelation encourages us in the midst of this type of pressure to place our hope and strength solidly in the Power of God, and have confidence before him.

Why study revelation?

its a personal letter to us from Jesus!

it is designed to help us love Jesus more.

it has a blessing

it is for all christians

it is design to strengthen us give us hope

How to engage in this Study

How much can you commit to this study? attendance, weekly reading, study guide? or more? Ask God. He wants to meet you in this study, encourage you, and guide you.

As with most things the more you put in the more you get out.

But there are many pratical considerations, and a law of diminishing returns as well, so I may need help to ensure we do not bog down too much.

Read it ahead of time if you like.

be aware that revelation is the rock star of the books of the bible, and as such it has received allot of unhealthy attention.

Lots of crazy ways to interpret revelation. I am going to approach Revelation, as we would any Book of the bible.

However, you might also be stretched, as you may have been taught a particular view of revelation that is I will not share. I hope you will be like the Christian in Beara in Acts that listened

Acts 17:11–12 “11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. 12 Many of them therefore believed, with not a few Greek women of high standing as well as men.”

We are going to be on guard against the Devils schemes. He seeks to divide us by small differences. But we are unified in Jesus the Messiah. what we have in Jesus is greater than whatever differences we have. In fact God uses our differences to grow us. Jesus spoke this against Division

Matthew 12:25 ESV

25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.

Let us therefore love each other in our differences and learn from each other as Jesus would want.

Luke 9:50 ESV

50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.”

the people of God.

Psalm 15:3 ESV

3 who does not slander with his tongue and does no evil to his neighbor, nor takes up a reproach against his friend;

The blameless will not take up reproach (today's use of the word offense).

Proverbs 17:9 ESV

9 Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

Concerns and “worries” about Revelation

Teaching on revelation is something I have long feared to do because of how it can lead to divisions, and completely worthless divisions at that.

what are your concerns about studying revelation?

We are seeking to rightly divide the word of truth, and there are so many different teaching on revelation I am not going to be able to embrace them them all. (Indeed that is never my job)

As a pastor I am to read the word and seek the Lord, Pray and provide teaching that is designed to help guide your life well in this season.

I am going to use good strong standard bible interpretation skills and let Revelation speak to us. -

A few Guidelines to basic Bible Interpretation

Here are a few notes on my approach to Bible Interpretation

God First: Always take a God-centered perspective

This message come from God, so it will be showing us more about Himself. It will also be consistent with his reveal nature, even though it may be exposing a new perspective or facet

Unified Bible Story: The Bible is inspired by the Holy Spirit who does not change

The Holy Spirit has inspired this scripture so it will be harmonizing with the rest of the bible. Never try to make it mean something that is outside the bounds of the unifies story of the Bible. If the passage appears to mean something different than what other books in the bible would say on the matter, it is a red flag that you may not have caught the proper Genre, context, or are being influenced by something to approach the text with presuppositions. It may require a bit more understanding of the culture of the audience and reverent setting details, because the Holy spirit does not change, but the setting does. It could be that we are influenced by previous teachers or our denominational ideology to much, and we need to get back to the basics of the Bible.

Stay Humble: This is Interpretation and we are fallible.

We are fallible. Lets stay away from making our opinions authoritative gospel. We can say “I think this means, because...” We should not demand others believe the same way as us. We should definitely not get upset when they do not agree. Philippians 3:15

Philippians 3:15 ESV

15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you.

We note that Bible scholars are also fallible. We should give due consideration to the informed opinions of those that have gone before, but we should not assume they are correct, but instead like good bereans, Acts 17:11 (examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so). There are many biblical scholars that are very likely wrong with their opinions based on a presentation of logic, reason and evidence, so we must not give them undue credibility just because they are scholars. At the same time, we must be huble knowing we are very likely wrong on many points and must present logic reason and evidence, and let others decide. If we remain humble and teachable we will be able to improve our opinions! Finally, for these reasons, should not rely on Church doctrine to settle a matter especially when there may be disagreement among the established church traditions. Instead back up the interpretation or doctrine with scripture, and the argument will be strengthened.

Context: Look at the context of the passage

Context goes beyond understanding the verse in context of the verses around it and the chapters around them. IT will include aspects of the original writing of the text—historical, cultural, political, religious, literary. Note however, that The first two guidelines God First, and Unified Biblical story, take precedence.

So much good stuff to say on this guideline and most of it has been written on this topic I cant add much to it.

Genre: Identify the type of literature

What Genre is Revelation? narrative, prophecy, Apocalyptic (sub-genre of prophesy) , poetry, history, gospel, epistle. or a combination of them?

This should not radically change the meaning of a passage, but it does allow us to engage some basic common sense that is appropriate to literary style. Example: If we are looking at poetry, the symbolic meanings may not be literal, but designed to give impressions, (We don't generally think god looks like chicken with feathers and wings, but he does comfort and protect us in a way that is similar).

Revelation has a mixture of literary styles specifically: Narrative, apocalyptic, and epistle.

For revelation, we want to read it fairly literally but recognize it as apocalyptic literature filled with symbols and recognize that Revelation self-interprets much if its major symbols, so we don’t have to try to hard!

In Apocalyptic literature God is often revealing allot more about the spiritual realm and the key aspects about the battle Satan conducting against God.

what does Apocalypse mean?

It Does not mean “massive end of day destruction”.

Apocalypse means “revealing” or “revelation” as God reveals mysteries. This means Revelation is not meant to be a mystery as much as it is ment to explain an provide clarity.

Accept much of what is being written as plain text written without embedded mysterious messages. Look to the text to provide the meaning, and if that does not help, look to the rest of the bible as the next best commentary on Revelation.- especially other prophetic and apocalyptic sections that have clear meanings provided.

Apocalyptic literature no matter how dark it describes some of the events, is filled with a message of Hope That God will redeem and deliver those that trust him.

Obvious & Plain: Look for the plain and obvious meaning

The use of figurative language in Scripture only enhances the plain meaning of the text. example: “Why do you complain about the splinter in your brother’s eye when you have a plank in your own eye?” Jesus said (Matt. 7:3 NIV). is not talking about eye surgery.

Authors Intent: Look for the intention of the authors when they wrote it

There are always at least two authors to any passage of the bible. The first author is the Holy spirit. This is so important there is a separate guideline to cover it. The second author is the writer. this is the original that we want in judges looking at the constitution.

“The text cannot mean what it never meant.”

“All scripture is God-breathed” (2 Tim. 3:16 NIV). The same Holy Spirit who inspired these words in the first place is ready to help us.

Examine words: Look at the language for what it reveals about its meaning

Examine each word carefully for the part it plays in his message. also how the words and phrases connect with one another and how the sentences are constructed.

Themes: Notice the themes in the text

The text should have one intended meaning. but can have multiple themes and several applications. Identify these and see how they relate look for modifiers that limit the scope and focus it, and predicates that the authors are is saying about the subject. Example “when you come together…” helps understand that teh following instructions are for a situation when that church met together, we might not need to apply the instructions more broadly.

You might be surprised at how simple and easy it will be.

A blessing for those that read Revelation

Revelation Controversy and Agreement

The book of Revelation was not written as a riddle for well-fed Christians to amuse themselves with. Rather, it was given for believers under a lot of pressure from the state, religious institutions, the economy, and even their fellow church members. It was not meant to be so difficult that ordinary Christians would be afraid to study and apply it for themselves without an authority to explain the puzzle. In fact, it is the only book of the Bible that states an explicit blessing just for reading it (see 1:3) and another for acting on it (see 22:7)! If God expects believers to read, take to heart, and apply the Revelation to their lives, then He must not have intended it to be a closed book. And indeed, although Bible-believing Christians differ widely on how to interpret many of the book’s details, they agree on many of its main issues and applications for today.

Revelation 1:3 ESV

3 Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near.

Revelation 22:7 ESV

7 “And behold, I am coming soon. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.”

Popular knowledge of Revelation

what are the things you have heard about in revelation?

we will cover all these things and so much more…

“the Millennium,”

“the Rapture,”

“the Beast,”

“666.”

“Armageddon”

“End times” - Learn whether the “end times” are Now, or all of history after Jesus resurrection, or later, or something else.

Major themes in Revelation

The biggest questions in life are:

Origin - we are made by God, knowing a fuller more complete picture of God and his Character, nature and attributes, help us know the Love he has for us, the confidence he places in us, the family that we belong to.

Identity - Church - one with Jesus, faithful overcomers. Power—Who has it, and who only seems to?

Purpose - servants and Priests to God. “kingdom of Preists to God” v1:6, the purpose and direction of history and our place in the whole timeline. Ultimate reality—What is the universe’s true meaning and purpose?

Destiny - Heaven (death is not for us Jesus has teh keys), no pain or sorrow,

Wouldn't it be great if you knew that you knew.. the answers to these questions and become grounded and solid in them, so that you are not shaken by every new teaching or idea?

We will see How god addresses those concepts and so many other critical world-view life direction-defining concepts.

God—His character, nature, and attributes. How can Revelation help us know, love, trust, and obey Him better?

Jesus the Messiah Lamb of God —His work and its results. How can Revelation help us know Him better?

Evil—Its source and nature. Why do Christians suffer?

The kingdom of God—What is it really about?

Our response—How should Christians respond to their situations in light of these truths?

The symbols of revelation