Why is Revelation so weird, and what does it really mean?

Verses to read: Acts 3:19-21, Daniel 7:14, Revelation 20:13, Luke 23:43, Hebrews 12:1, Matthew 13:49-50, Romans 6:3, 1 Corinthians 15:51-55, 2 Peter 3:13, Revelation 21:26, Revelation 21:3-4, 1 Corinthians 2:9, 1 Corinthians 13:12, Revelation 16:15, Revelation 21:6-7, 2 Peter 3:11, Revelation 22:20

Why is Revelation so weird?

Different genres of Scripture: narrative/history (Acts), poetry & wisdom (Psalms & Proverbs), prophecy (Isaiah), Gospel (Luke), epistle (Hebrews), law (Leviticus), apocalyptic

We read different genres differently

Apocalyptic means “uncover” and that genre uncovers or reveals something about cataclysmic events using rich metaphors and lots of symbolism

I believe large parts of Revelation are meant more to be felt than to be dissected.

There are some things that we can very clearly get from Revelation despite the symbolism—particularly that there is and will be a cosmic battle between Satan/demons and God/angels, and God wins.

Revelation is apocalyptic, but Daniel (the latter part) already was too. Christians didn’t invent the idea to cover our tracks for not understanding Revelation completely

Send OJ Heyward’s “Bible Genres” article to GroupMe

Why is the judgement really like?

At some point, Christ will return to the earth. (Acts 3:19-21)

At some point, Christ will take back his rightful throne. (Daniel 7:14)

Some people think literally on the earth for a period of time.

Others (myself) think figuratively through the church.

At some point, Christ will judge the living and the dead. (Revelation 20:13)

The unbelieving dead before then will rest in the grave. (Sheol, Hades)

The righteous’ souls will be with God in some sort of paradise—but not the full experience. (Luke 23:43, Hebrews 12:1)

What is hell really like?

Hell is real.

Hell is a place of judgement for those who reject God. (Matthew 13:49-50)

Either unending conscious torment or capital punishment of the soul (Romans 6:3). Show Hell: A Final Word

What’s important to know is that its consequences are everlasting.

Hell is worse than anything you could imagine.

Hell is worse than anything you could imagine because separation from God is worse than anything you could imagine.

If your heart doesn’t break (to the point of prayer and action) for those in your life who are not followers of Jesus, then you haven’t tasted the goodness of God.

What is heaven really like?

Heaven will involve real, physical, “spiritual” (non-decaying) bodies. (1 Cor. 15:51-55)

We don’t know how we’ll look (what age we look like)

Jesus still had scars but not the pain. We don’t know if we’ll still be able to see handicaps, but they certainly won’t hinder us anymore—if they are still there it will be to bring God glory.

Christians don’t turn into angels when we die.

Heaven does not involve floating on a cloud, it means living in the “new heavens and new earth.” (2 Peter 3:13)

Not just real bodies but real ground to walk on and live in

We might work, travel, visit friends, etc.

There is (almost) nothing worth enjoying in this life that you won’t enjoy in heaven. The canyons will be grander, the mountaintops more beautiful, the air more crisp, the culture more wonderful (Revelation 21:26)

Heaven will involve no more pain, suffering, death, or sin. (Revelation 21:3-4)

I’ve heard (and probably said) there’s only one good thing you can’t do in heaven—tell people about Jesus, but there is a second: trusting Jesus through suffering.

Whatever we remember of our lives won’t cause pain anymore.

Heaven is better than anything you could imagine. (1 Corinthians 2:9)

Heaven is better than anything you could imagine because God is better than anything you could imagine. (1 Corinthians 13:12)

Conclusion

For those who have not submitted to Jesus as King

He will come like a thief in the night (Revelation 16:15)

“Come today, there’s no reason to wait!” (Revelation 21:6-7)

Acts 22:16!

For those who have

How then should you live (2 Peter 3:11)

He’s coming soon! (Revelation 22:20)