What Do We Do With Revelation? Part 1

Welcome

Interest in Revelation because of its mystery, misunderstandings, and misinterpretations.

For some, memories of movies at lock-ins or a series of books.

The success of these mediums of entertainment were heavily dependent upon the wild interpretations and modernizations of the images found in the book of Revelation.

Preachers have taken to fanciful flights of interpretations, from Tanks and Helicopters to nearly every president or world leader or Pope.

This has turned many Christians away from the book.

Others are just simply frightened by the imagery in it and have chosen to treat it like they do movies whose title characters are Jason, Freddy, and Michael Myers.

Revelation is part of our Bible, it is Holy Scripture; therefore, it should be studied.

And that is why we are here.

Hermeneutics - the science of interpretation

To do this job, we have tools and methods.

I will often refer to these as lenses.

Everyone has a lens, or a filter (Instagram), that we use when we read the Bible.

It changes how we interpret the Bible.

For some who come from an oppressed background, the stories of the Exodus mean a lot to them because they identify with the Israelites under Egyptian rule. And they see themselves as a type of new Israelite. And it changes their method.

Some cultures who hold violence as a great virtue have a hard time understanding the Gospel because Jesus, the one who was beaten and executed, is supposed to be the hero of the story.

Or some struggle with the parable of the workmen because of the way it is unfair.

Or some struggle with the parable of the lost sons because they themselves are very legalistic and identify with the older son.

Our pasts, our experiences, our politics, our culture all influence the lens we use for Scripture.

The way to get to the truth and intent of Scripture is to become aware of our personal bias and return to the author’s intent.

Historical-Grammatical Method

Determine the historical setting: Author, Audience, and Occasion.

Determine the Genre; Identify sections (pericope); Look at the interaction of the words

Background

Background

John the Elder (Ephesus), Apostle. Only one not martyred. But, did live in exile for portions of his life. Twice?

To do this job, we have tools and methods.

He has a strong connection to these churches and is writing a letter to encourage them.

“I’ve read the end of the Book.”

I will often refer to these

This theme of victory after struggle is consistent.

Revelation is also meant to be a book about worship. Connects to above.

When did he write it?

Since persecution is addressed, one looks to the most severe: Domitian (AD 81 - 96) and Nero (AD 54 - 68).

Often, one can look for hints of the Temple (sacrifices) to determine a date - AD 70.

But, there is little help here!

Was John writing this in the midst of the persecution or is it written in anticipation of suffering?

Either way, we see the broad context of persecution in Rome towards Christians.

The Seven Letters

To begin, these are seven churches in Southeast Asia (Modern Turkey).

The order of the letters form a circular route, as this letter was meant to be circular.

The different approaches are:

The order of the letters form a circular route, as this letter was meant to be circular.

There is

The Apocalypse

Four Major Interpretive Methods

Conclusion

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