Part 4: Revelation

Jonathan LaMontagne

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Course Summary

Breakdown:

Over these (4) weeks we are going to be looking at each of these different “parts” of the New Testament.

Gospels - Life, Death and Resurrection of Jesus

Acts - History of the Early Church

Jesus’ Movement

The Epistles (Letters) - “How to” of following Jesus

Jesus’ Movement ‘Behind the Scenes’

Revelation (Apocalypse) - Jesus Return

Over (4) weeks we are going to be looking at each of these different “parts” of the New Testament.

Intro to Revelation

Author

4x’s the author identifies himself as John (1:1, 4, 9; 22:8)

Revelation 1:1 TNIV

The revelation from Jesus Christ, 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,

Book identifies that this John was:

Jewish

Well versed in Scripture

Church leader that was well known amongst the 7 churches of Asia Minor

Deeply religious person who believed that Christ would have dominion over darkness

Popular Views

Historical - John the Apostle

Justin Martyr in the 2nd century AD identified that this was John the Apostle, the son of Zebedee (cf. Mt. 10:2)

Other Views

John the Presbyter (or Elder), whose name appears elsewhere in ancient writing

Not John the Apostle as Dionysius, 3rd Century African bishop, compared the language (Gospel + Revelation) and found them too dissimilar

Date

Written during a time when Christians were entering a time of persecution

Two periods of persecution:

Nero’s reign (AD 54 - 68)

Latter part of Domitian’s reign (AD 81 - 96)

Most interpreters date the book at c. 95

Occasion for Writing - Persecution

Roman authorities at this time were beginning to enforce emperor worship

Christians - who held that Christ, not Caesar, was Lord - were facing increasing hostility

Churches

The believers at Smyrna are warned against coming opposition (2:10)

Revelation 2:10 TNIV

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.

Church at Philadelphia is told of an hour of trial coming on the world (3:10)

Revelation 3:10 TNIV

Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test those who live on the earth.

Early Christians

Antipas gave his life (2:13) along with others (6:9)

Revelation 6:9 TNIV

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained.

John exiled to the island of Patmos (probably the site of a Roman penal colony) for his Christian missionary work

Some Christians are advocating a policy of compromise (2:14 - 15, 20), which has to be corrected before it influences Christians to not stand fast in the days ahead

Ex. - Church at Pergamum

Revelation 2:14–15 TNIV

Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.

Revelation 2:20 TNIV

Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.

“Nicolaitans” - Heretical sect within the church that had worked out a compromise with the pagan society

Taught that spiritual liberty (freedom in Christ) gave them sufficient leeway to practice idolatry and immorality

“Balaam” + “Woman of Jezebel” = Appears that all three groups were Nicolaitans or at least part of the same sect

Literary Form

Distinct type of literature - apocalyptic (highly symbolic)

Visions seem bizarre to the Western reader, yet the book provides a # of clues for it’s own interpretation

Stars = Angels (1:20)

Lamp stands = Churches (1:20)

Revelation 1:20 TNIV

The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Distinct Features

Frequent use of the #7 (52 times)

#7 stands for Completeness

Examples:

(7) beatitudes (“blessed”)

(7) churches (1:4, 11)

Interpretation

Interpreters of Revelation normally fall into four groups

Preterists understands Revelation primarily in terms of its first-century setting, claiming that most of its events have already taken place

Historicists take it as describing the long chain of events from Patmos to the end of history

Futurists place the book in the end times

Idealists view it as symbolic pictures of such timeless truths as the victory of good over evil

KEY: The fundamental truths of Revelation do not depend on adopting a particular point of view.

They are available to anyone who will read the book for its overall message and resist the temptation to become overly enamored with the details

Outline

Introduction

Prologue (1:1-3)

Greetings and Doxology (1:1-8)

Jesus among the Seven Churches (1:9-20)

Revelation 1:17–20 TNIV

When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades. “Write, therefore, what you have seen: both what is now and what will take place later. The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

The Letters to the Seven Churches (chs. 2 - 3)

Seven literal churches that existed in the 1st Century

Ephesus

Smyrna

Pergamum

Thyatira

Sardis

Philadelphia

Laodicea

View that they each represent a Church-Age

The Throne, the Scroll and the Lamb (chs. 4 - 5)

These two chapters constitute an introduction to chs. 6-20

Revelation 4:1–2 TNIV

After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it.

In the throne of heaven, the Lamb assumes the responsibility of initiating the great final conflict with the forces of evil

The end of which will see the Lamb triumphant and the devil sent to the lake of fire.

The Seven Seals (6:1 - 8:1)

Revelation 5:1 TNIV

Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals.

“Scroll” w/ “seal” = Shows inviolability (authority of what was written)

The Church and Tribulation - Ch. 7 shows many whose blood has been shed for their faith

Regardless of one’s perspective, we must all heed the warning of Jesus

John 16:33 TNIV

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

The Seven Trumpets (8:2 - 11:19) + Seven Bowls (chs. 15 - 16)

The Exodus tradition is an important background for Revelation.

Passover typology was introduced in 5:6 when John sees a slain lamb

Two witnesses, like Moses, were empowered to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with plagues (Rev. 11:6)

The son of Moses became the son of the Lamb

Revelation 15:3 TNIV

and sang the song of God’s servant Moses and of the Lamb: “Great and marvelous are your deeds, Lord God Almighty. Just and true are your ways, King of the nations.

Plagues against Egypt provide a prophetic background for the judgments of the 7 trumpets and 7 bowls, w/six of ten being replicated in Revelation.

Like the Exodus, Revelation’s judgments arranged in increasing degrees of intensity.

Like the pharoah whose heart became hardened (Ex. 7 - 14), the inhabitants of the earth refuse to repent (Rev. 9:20 - 21; 16: 9, 11)

Revelation 9:20–21 TNIV

The rest of the people who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the work of their hands; they did not stop worshiping demons, and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone and wood—idols that cannot see or hear or walk. Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic arts, their sexual immorality or their thefts.

The End of Time (17:1 - 22:5)

Destruction of Babylon (chs. 17 - 19)

Revelation 14:8 TNIV

A second angel followed and said, “ ‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great,’ which made all the nations drink the maddening wine of her adulteries.”

“Babylon the Great” (cf. Dan. 4:30)

Ancient Babylon in Mesopotamia was the political, commercial and religious center of the world empire

It was noted for its luxury and moral decadence.

Interpretations

Some believe it’s used in Revelation for Rome as the center of opposition to God and His people

Literal Babylon - rebuilt and restored

According to others it represents the whole political, economic and religious system of the world in general under the rule of the spirit of antichrist

Three Major Systems of Eschatology

Revelation 20:6 TNIV

Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with him for a thousand years.

Postmillennialism

The theological doctrine that the second coming of Christ will occur after the millennium

Ryrie’s Basic Theology I. A Definition of Postmillennialism

A. H. Strong described the Millennium as “a period in the later days of the church militant, when, under the special influence of the Holy Spirit, the spirit of the martyrs shall appear again, true religion be greatly quickened and revived, and the members of Christ’s churches become so conscious of their strength in Christ that they shall, to an extent unknown before, triumph over the power of evil both within and without.”

Premillennialism

Ryrie’s Basic Theology I. A Definition of Premillennialism

Premillennialism is the view that holds that the second coming of Christ will occur prior to the Millennium, which will see the establishment of Christ’s kingdom on this earth for a literal one thousand years. It also understands that there will be several occasions when resurrections and judgments will take place. Eternity will begin after the thousand years are concluded. Within premillennialism there are those who hold differing views as to the time of the Rapture.

In the Modern Church (3) views of the tribulation are currently taught:

Pre-Tribulationists

Believe that the rapture of the Church will occur before the great tribulation

Mid-Tribulationists hold that the Church will be on earth during the first half of the great tribulation but at it’s mid-point (after 3 1/2 years), the Church will be raptured.

Post-Tribulationists believe that the rapture of the Church will not occur until the great tribulation is over.

Amillennialism

Ryrie’s Basic Theology I. A Definition of Amillennialism

Amillennialism is the view of last things that holds there will be no Millennium before the end of the world. Until the end there will be a parallel development of both good and evil, God’s kingdom and Satan’s. After the second coming of Christ at the end of the world there will be a general resurrection and general judgment of all people.

Millennium passages refer to the Church Age or fulfilled by the saints in Heaven now

Judgment of Satan (20:7 - 10)

Judgment of the Dead (20:11-15)

New Heaven, New Earth and a New Jerusalem (ch. 21 - 22:5)

Revelation 21:1–4 TNIV

Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

Conclusion and Benediction (22:6 - 21)

Seven Steps to Reading Revelation Realistically

Tip #1: If it didn’t mean that in John’s day, it doesn’t mean that in our day

Many interpretations of Revelation get real weird real quick.

The Christian theologian and humorist G.K. Chesterton once quipped, “Though St. John the Evangelist saw many strange monsters in his vision, he saw no creature so wild as one of his own commentators.”[1]

Tip #2: Know Your Bible

John employs countless biblical allusions in Revelation that we can miss and misinterpret if we don’t know the rest of our Bible.

Employ a Study Bible for help

Tip #3: Know Your Bible

John wrote Revelation while exiled on the island of Patmos (1:9), a Roman penal settlement in the Aegean Sea.

During John’s exile, Domitian was emperor of Rome. According to the ancient Roman historian Suetonius, Domitian demanded that the subjects of the empire worship him and even call him “lord and god.”[3]

Study Bible!