(NTS 24) Revelation
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Revelation is from a Greek word meaning: “to uncover or unveil”.
Revelation is from a Greek word meaning: “to uncover or unveil”.
Author: John
Author: John
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,
From early on it has been widely agreed that the apostle John is the author of this letter.
Due to a difference in the style of writing, a small amount of commentators have tried to argue this was a different John.
John refers to himself as the author 4 times.
Arguments for John as the author:
There was universal agreement among the early church fathers that the apostle John was the author.
John (with Peter and James) was a “pillar” of the church. (Gal. 2:9).
There are several key words used in Revelation that are also found in John’s Gospel.
Jesus is called “The Word” - This is used nowhere else in the Bible.
Jesus is called “The Lamb” 27 time in Revelation and 2 times in John. - This is found nowhere else in the Bible.
Jesus is called “Water” in Revelation and John - This is found nowhere else in the Bible.
Genre: prophecy
Genre: prophecy
There are 17 prophetic books in the Old Testament.
There is one in the New Testament.
Why the difference?
The book of Revelation is closely related to the book of Daniel.
The book of Revelation is closely related to the book of Daniel.
Especially 9-12.
Audience: All believers, but especially for the 7 churches in Asia Minor.
Audience: All believers, but especially for the 7 churches in Asia Minor.
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. 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,
John speaks to each church specifically as well as generally speaking to all believers.
Interesting fact: If you start from Ephesus the churches fall in a clockwise pattern.
Showing the human aspect of writing.
Place of writing: Isle of Patmos
Place of writing: Isle of Patmos
John was exiled there because as punishment for his Christian faith.
Patmos was a barren, rocky (primarily volcanic rock) island about 30 miles in circumference, which was located in the Aegean Sea, about 60 miles southwest of Ephesus.
It was a place Rome used to banish criminals.
Purpose of writing: To show what will soon take place.
Purpose of writing: To show what will soon take place.
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,
It is the final warning that judgement for sin is coming.
Revelation provides us with a picture of Christ that is different from the gospels.
Revelation provides us with a picture of Christ that is different from the gospels.
In the gospels we see Jesus as a human.
We see His humility.
In Revelation we see Him as a conquering King.
He is our faithful bridegroom returning for His bride.
Revelation causes us to celebrate the wrath of God.
Revelation causes us to celebrate the wrath of God.
Our world doesn’t know how to handle the wrath of God.
They often embrace a loving God.
Many would like to rid God’s reputation of wrath.
Revelation doesn’t let us do that.
Instead we are called to sing praise to God.
This is the answer to “why doesn’t God do something about all the evil in the world?”
Theme: Christ will win!
Theme: Christ will win!
Key verse: 1:19
Key verse: 1:19
Write therefore the things that you have seen, those that are and those that are to take place after this.
Keys to interpreting Revelation:
Keys to interpreting Revelation:
1. Remember that Revelation is not hard to understand.
1. Remember that Revelation is not hard to understand.
There are some challenges.
It was not written for scholars but for ordinary Christians in the first century to understand.
2. Understand the Old Testament background.
2. Understand the Old Testament background.
278 of 404 verse in Revelation draw from the Old Testament.
278 of 404 verse in Revelation draw from the Old Testament.
Either by direct quote (rare) or by alluding to it.
3. Don’t forget normal rules of interpretation.
3. Don’t forget normal rules of interpretation.
Observation.
Interpretation.
Application.
4. Assume something is literal first.
4. Assume something is literal first.
There is figurative language in Revelation.
However, you should not assume everything is.
ie: events, groups of people, numbers, colors, etc.
5. Don’t get lost in Revelation.
5. Don’t get lost in Revelation.
It is easy to get consumed by this book.
For some reason I’ve seem many Christians get lost in this book and they are no good to the world around them.
Revelation was meant to make us bold active Christians.
6. Avoid reading Revelation through the lens of the current news headlines.
6. Avoid reading Revelation through the lens of the current news headlines.
The rapture could come in our lifetime.
The rapture could come in 1000 years.
The end times means there are no other prophecies to be fulfilled.
Outline of the book (J. Vernon McGee):
1. The PERSON of Jesus Christ — Christ in glory, Chapter 1
2. The POSSESSION of Jesus Christ — the church in the world, Chapters 2, 3
3. The PROGRAM of Jesus Christ — the scene in heaven, Chapters 4 — 22
A. The church in heaven with Christ
B. The Great Tribulation in the world
C. Marriage of the Lamb and return of Christ in judgment
D. Millennium
E. Entrance into eternity; eternity unveiled