PROJECT 4:4PROJECT 4:4

REVELATIONREVELATIONTHE END OF THE THE END OF THE

BEGINNINGBEGINNING

INTRODUCTION TO REVELATIONINTRODUCTION TO REVELATION

The name of the book (which is singular) comes from The name of the book (which is singular) comes from the Latin word “revelare” which means “to draw a the Latin word “revelare” which means “to draw a cover off of”cover off of”

The Roman Catholic Bible names the book The Roman Catholic Bible names the book “Apocalypse”, which is taken from a Greek term “Apocalypse”, which is taken from a Greek term which is a compound word that means “a revealing”which is a compound word that means “a revealing”

Hence, the very name of the book carries the idea Hence, the very name of the book carries the idea that some matters are going to be made known or that some matters are going to be made known or “revealed”“revealed”

Chapter 1:1--The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which Chapter 1:1--The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant JohnJohn

Four Principle Theories of Four Principle Theories of InterpretationInterpretation

PRETERIST PRETERIST

(from a Latin word meaning “past”). (from a Latin word meaning “past”). This interpretation carries the idea This interpretation carries the idea that everything addressed in the that everything addressed in the book happened in the first century, book happened in the first century, and that nothing of the following and that nothing of the following 1900 years is addressed.1900 years is addressed.

Four Principle Theories of Four Principle Theories of InterpretationInterpretation

HISTORICAL HISTORICAL (from an English word meaning (from an English word meaning “history”). According to this way of “history”). According to this way of interpreting the book, Revelation covers interpreting the book, Revelation covers the era from the beginning of the church the era from the beginning of the church until the end of time. Most advocates of until the end of time. Most advocates of this view see the vast majority of the this view see the vast majority of the scenes of Revelation taking place in the scenes of Revelation taking place in the first century and again at the end of first century and again at the end of time, with only limited scenes of time, with only limited scenes of anything in between.anything in between.

Four Principle Theories Four Principle Theories of Interpretationof Interpretation

A variant of this view is the A variant of this view is the RECAPITULATION THEORY, which RECAPITULATION THEORY, which give a more balanced spread of the give a more balanced spread of the scenes across history—not scenes across history—not necessarily continuous history, but necessarily continuous history, but cyclical. This view gives special cyclical. This view gives special significance to some of the symbols significance to some of the symbols used in the book.used in the book.

Four Principle Theories of Four Principle Theories of InterpretationInterpretation

FUTURISTFUTURIST

According to this view, virtually all According to this view, virtually all the events of the book are yet to the events of the book are yet to occur. Great significance is given to occur. Great significance is given to the number seven, starting with the the number seven, starting with the letters to seven churches, symbolizing letters to seven churches, symbolizing seven periods of church life that will seven periods of church life that will happen in the seven years happen in the seven years immediately prior to Christ’s return.immediately prior to Christ’s return.

Four Principle Theories of Four Principle Theories of InterpretationInterpretation

SPIRITUALISTICSPIRITUALISTIC

According to this interpretation, According to this interpretation, everything is the book is symbolic, everything is the book is symbolic, describing the final victory of God describing the final victory of God over all His foes. Hence, the book is over all His foes. Hence, the book is portraying principles, not history. It portraying principles, not history. It represents the unfolding of ideas, represents the unfolding of ideas, not events.not events.

A Suggestion For How To A Suggestion For How To Read The BookRead The Book

It might be easier to read and to It might be easier to read and to understand if one approached it as though understand if one approached it as though they were watching a movie. More they were watching a movie. More emphasis should be given to the action, or emphasis should be given to the action, or movement, taking place than to the actual movement, taking place than to the actual symbols themselves. This would help one symbols themselves. This would help one to see the “direction” of events God is to see the “direction” of events God is revealing. If we can conclude that the revealing. If we can conclude that the book is a picture of the ultimate victory of book is a picture of the ultimate victory of God over evil, then seeing this movement God over evil, then seeing this movement will help us appreciate the battles which will help us appreciate the battles which must be fought along the way.must be fought along the way. Note Revelation 6:9 with 20:4Note Revelation 6:9 with 20:4

Revelation Scene by Revelation Scene by SceneScene

Chapters 1 – 3Chapters 1 – 3 Letters to the Seven Churches of AsiaLetters to the Seven Churches of Asia

Chapters 4 – 5Chapters 4 – 5 Scene of WorshipScene of Worship

Chapters 6 – 11Chapters 6 – 11 Opening of Seven Seals of the Little BookOpening of Seven Seals of the Little Book

Chapters 12 – 14Chapters 12 – 14 A Life and Death Struggle of a Woman, a Child, a Dragon, and A Life and Death Struggle of a Woman, a Child, a Dragon, and

Two BeastsTwo Beasts Chapters 15 – 16Chapters 15 – 16

Seven PlaguesSeven Plagues Chapters 17 – 19Chapters 17 – 19

The Fall of BabylonThe Fall of Babylon Chapters 20 – 22Chapters 20 – 22

Victory and What It MeansVictory and What It Means

AuthorshipAuthorship Revelation has almost universally be Revelation has almost universally be

attributed to the apostle John. Few serious attributed to the apostle John. Few serious scholars question his authorship. He inserts scholars question his authorship. He inserts his name into the book in 1:1,4,9; 22:8.his name into the book in 1:1,4,9; 22:8.

John was evidently exiled to Patmos during John was evidently exiled to Patmos during the tenure of Domitian (81-96 A.D.) the tenure of Domitian (81-96 A.D.) Domitian’s successor, Nerva (who was Caesar Domitian’s successor, Nerva (who was Caesar for less than one year) permitted John’s for less than one year) permitted John’s release and return to Ephesus in 96 A. D. release and return to Ephesus in 96 A. D. Apparently John lived in Ephesus for almost Apparently John lived in Ephesus for almost two years, dying of natural causes (old age) in two years, dying of natural causes (old age) in 98 A. D., during the reign of Trajan.98 A. D., during the reign of Trajan.

Subject or PurposeSubject or Purpose Two key verses:Two key verses:

Revelation 1:1 “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God Revelation 1:1 “The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must gave Him to show to His bond-servants, the things which must soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His soon take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bond-servant John”angel to His bond-servant John”

Revelation 22:6 “And he said to me, "These words are faithful Revelation 22:6 “And he said to me, "These words are faithful and true"; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, and true"; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the things which sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the things which must soon take place.”must soon take place.”

Since these are matters which must soon take place, Since these are matters which must soon take place, whatever the purpose of the book, it must be something whatever the purpose of the book, it must be something that will meet a need present in that day.that will meet a need present in that day. Revelation 1:3 “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear Revelation 1:3 “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear

the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near. “written in it; for the time is near. “

Obviously John is urging the reading of this letter to the Obviously John is urging the reading of this letter to the seven churches of Asia. The thought that the “time is near” seven churches of Asia. The thought that the “time is near” places a sense of urgency in getting this message out.places a sense of urgency in getting this message out.

An Overview of the BookAn Overview of the Book It is made up of four series of seven It is made up of four series of seven

“revelations” with a break between number six “revelations” with a break between number six and seven in the last three.and seven in the last three.

1.)1.) Seven Churches and the letters they Seven Churches and the letters they receivedreceived

2.)2.) Seven SealsSeven Seals

3.)3.) Seven TrumpetsSeven Trumpets

4.)4.) Seven bowls of wrathSeven bowls of wrath

It ends with a powerful scene of victory of the It ends with a powerful scene of victory of the lamb over all evillamb over all evil

The PatternThe Pattern

(1.)(1.) The first six seals (chapter 6)The first six seals (chapter 6)(2.)(2.) The interlude (chapter 6)The interlude (chapter 6)(3.)(3.) The seventh seal (chapter 8:1)The seventh seal (chapter 8:1)

(1.)(1.) The first six trumpets (8:2 – 9:21)The first six trumpets (8:2 – 9:21)(2.)(2.) The interlude (10:1 – 11:14)The interlude (10:1 – 11:14)(3.)(3.) The seventh trumpet (11:15 – 18)The seventh trumpet (11:15 – 18)

(1.)(1.) The first six bowls of wrath (15:1 – 16:12)The first six bowls of wrath (15:1 – 16:12)(2.)(2.) The interlude (16:13 – 16)The interlude (16:13 – 16)(3.)(3.) The seventh bowl of wrath (16:17 – 21)The seventh bowl of wrath (16:17 – 21)

Keys to Understanding Keys to Understanding RevelationRevelation

Rome and the First Century:Rome and the First Century: For many years, Rome had expanded it borders by For many years, Rome had expanded it borders by

great military might and numerous impressive great military might and numerous impressive victories. At the time of the birth of Christ, Rome victories. At the time of the birth of Christ, Rome ruled the world, a position it held for more than six ruled the world, a position it held for more than six centuries. As it expanded its borders, it centuries. As it expanded its borders, it encapsulated many diverse nations. Rome allowed encapsulated many diverse nations. Rome allowed its tributaries much latitude as far as being self its tributaries much latitude as far as being self governing (at least, to a degree), but did exact governing (at least, to a degree), but did exact heavy tolls through oppressive taxation. Because heavy tolls through oppressive taxation. Because of its approach to those it captured, differing of its approach to those it captured, differing nations and civilizations were able to maintain nations and civilizations were able to maintain their own nationalistic identity. That created its their own nationalistic identity. That created its problem for Roman rulers. These conquered problem for Roman rulers. These conquered nations never fell in love with Rome, and Rome nations never fell in love with Rome, and Rome struggled to maintain their loyality.struggled to maintain their loyality.

Caesar WorshipCaesar Worship One of the chief ways Rome sought to One of the chief ways Rome sought to

bring the various nations together was bring the various nations together was through religion. They built the Pantheon through religion. They built the Pantheon to house all the major gods of the to house all the major gods of the conquered nations, along with their gods. conquered nations, along with their gods. Over time they began to elevate fallen Over time they began to elevate fallen Caesars to the level of deity, giving them a Caesars to the level of deity, giving them a place with the gods of all the nations. place with the gods of all the nations. While this was not taken seriously in the While this was not taken seriously in the early days of the empire, by the end of the early days of the empire, by the end of the first century emperor cult worship had first century emperor cult worship had become obligatory on all peoples.become obligatory on all peoples.

Emperor NeroEmperor Nero

Nero was a madman. He began a Nero was a madman. He began a persecution of Christians in and around persecution of Christians in and around Rome in the last year of his emperorship Rome in the last year of his emperorship (68 A. D.) This was the first known (68 A. D.) This was the first known “official state” persecution of the “official state” persecution of the church. Recognized for his insanity, this church. Recognized for his insanity, this persecution did not last long (thank persecution did not last long (thank goodness!!). Yet after it ended, goodness!!). Yet after it ended, Christians still did not receive the level Christians still did not receive the level of acceptance they had prior to Nero.of acceptance they had prior to Nero.

Emperor DomitianEmperor Domitian It was Domitian who pressed the “divine It was Domitian who pressed the “divine

empirical rights of the Caesars,” naming empirical rights of the Caesars,” naming himself dominus et deus (Latin for “Lord and himself dominus et deus (Latin for “Lord and God”), demanding that all subject of the entire God”), demanding that all subject of the entire kingdom worship him. He sold this to the senate kingdom worship him. He sold this to the senate on the grounds that if one worshipped him, on the grounds that if one worshipped him, he/she would be loyal to the empire. he/she would be loyal to the empire. Conversely, one who did not worship him was Conversely, one who did not worship him was considered to be guilty of treason, bringing on considered to be guilty of treason, bringing on himself the penalty of death.himself the penalty of death.

Not hard to see the conflict this will create with Not hard to see the conflict this will create with Christians, is it?Christians, is it? (Oddly, Jews were exempted from this decree, due (Oddly, Jews were exempted from this decree, due

to their long recognized monotheism, but to their long recognized monotheism, but Christians were held accountable to it.)Christians were held accountable to it.)

PersecutionPersecution

Rome seems to have turned all its fury Rome seems to have turned all its fury onto Christians, subjecting them to onto Christians, subjecting them to economic sanctions, personal ridicule, economic sanctions, personal ridicule, arrest, torture, and death. It was a hard arrest, torture, and death. It was a hard time to profess faith in Christ! Many time to profess faith in Christ! Many who began this faith journey were who began this faith journey were strongly tempted to give it up. Hence, strongly tempted to give it up. Hence, there was a compelling need for there was a compelling need for encouragement to those called upon to encouragement to those called upon to suffer for their faith.suffer for their faith.

Apocalyptic LiteratureApocalyptic Literature If already under intense scrutiny, to write a If already under intense scrutiny, to write a

“straight up” message would be self defeating. “straight up” message would be self defeating. Truth, and encouragement, needed to be Truth, and encouragement, needed to be communicated, but needed to be given in a way communicated, but needed to be given in a way that would not further jeopardize its recipients. that would not further jeopardize its recipients. Hence, the Spirit chose to use a style of writing Hence, the Spirit chose to use a style of writing known at the time to communicate this known at the time to communicate this message.message.

Apocalyptic literature, unique to the Hebrews, Apocalyptic literature, unique to the Hebrews, surfaced some three hundred years before the surfaced some three hundred years before the Revelation. It was designed to portray God as Revelation. It was designed to portray God as being in control and bringing about His being in control and bringing about His ultimate purpose through men.ultimate purpose through men.

Characteristics of Characteristics of Apocalyptic LiteratureApocalyptic Literature

It portrays dark times in history.It portrays dark times in history. It personifies good and evilIt personifies good and evil It prophecies the outcome of its struggleIt prophecies the outcome of its struggle It delivers its message through visionsIt delivers its message through visions It employs common symbols (used through It employs common symbols (used through

apocalyptic literature)apocalyptic literature) It masks it author (Revelation differs here It masks it author (Revelation differs here

from other apocalyptic writings)from other apocalyptic writings) It typically presents its message as It typically presents its message as

“sealed” to present day readers but for “sealed” to present day readers but for future generations to discover (another future generations to discover (another difference—Revelation 22:10)difference—Revelation 22:10)

Common SymbolsCommon Symbols Numbers:Numbers:

2=something strong2=something strong3=the divine number3=the divine number4=the earth/world4=the earth/world6=imperfection6=imperfection7=perfection7=perfection10=completeness10=completeness12=organized religion12=organized religion

Colors:Colors:white=puritywhite=purityred=bloodred=bloodblack=deathblack=death

Final ThoughtsFinal Thoughts

We don’t need to shy away from a study of We don’t need to shy away from a study of Revelation. So many have found it “too Revelation. So many have found it “too difficult” to understand, and hence have not difficult” to understand, and hence have not spent much time reading it. Remember what spent much time reading it. Remember what chapter 1 and verse 3 says!!chapter 1 and verse 3 says!!

Studying the book can help us avoid the Studying the book can help us avoid the pitfalls of fanciful prophecies and theories. A pitfalls of fanciful prophecies and theories. A basis understand alone will help us see that basis understand alone will help us see that the mention of a bear (13:2) does not equate the mention of a bear (13:2) does not equate to Russia, nor does a dragon (12:3) mean to Russia, nor does a dragon (12:3) mean modern day China.modern day China.

Final Thoughts (cont)Final Thoughts (cont)

Speculative theories that are drawn Speculative theories that are drawn entirely from Revelation are entirely from Revelation are universally untrue! To separate this universally untrue! To separate this book from its historical context would book from its historical context would allow one to prove ANYTHING!allow one to prove ANYTHING!

The fact that we might not be able to The fact that we might not be able to understand the entire book does not understand the entire book does not mean we cannot understand any of the mean we cannot understand any of the book. It does not even mean we cannot book. It does not even mean we cannot get the primary meaning from it!get the primary meaning from it!

Final Thoughts (cont)Final Thoughts (cont)

This book give great hope to all who This book give great hope to all who are struggling with evil. God will be are struggling with evil. God will be victorious over Satan, and all who victorious over Satan, and all who stand with Him will be saved.stand with Him will be saved.