Foundations (Year Two)

“Encountering the New Testament”

Session #10.

Encountering REVELATION

The NT Writings

Letters of Paul:Galatians (48/49 CE)1 & 2 Thessalonians (51-

52)1 & 2 Corinthians (53-57)Romans (56-57)Prison letters (61-62):

(Colossians, Ephesians, Philemon & Philippians)

Pastoral letters (64-66): (1, 2 Timothy & Titus)

Written earlier:Letter of James

(40’s/50’s)

Written later:Letters of Peter (64-66)Mark (68-70 )Matthew (70-80)Luke-Acts (70-80)Hebrews (50’s/60’s?)Letter of Jude (50’s ?)Writings of John:

Gospel, Letters & Revelation (90-96)

Understanding the terminology

Eschatology (study, doctrine, teaching about “the end”)Prophecy (a declaration of what God is saying now

about a situation & what he is going to do about it)Kingdom of God (the rule/ reign of God)Rapture (“snatching away” – used x.14)Millennium (Latin: period of 1000 years - Rev. 20:1-6)Tribulation (“pressing”: period of intense persecution)Antichrist (that which is “instead of Christ”; a figure?)Parousia (“presence”- generally refers to 2nd Coming)Apocalypse (“unveiling”- ancient name for Revelation)

The Nature of the Book of Revelation

The book as an Apocalypse

The book as a Prophecy

The book as a Letter

Features of “Apocalyptic”

Revelations (“lifting of the veil”)Visions (often communicated through angels)Symbolism (mysterious, cryptic & fantastic)Pessimism (inc. catastrophic divine

intervention)Rigid determinism (everything preordained) Dualism (triumph of power of good over evil)Transcendent (other-worldly)Non-chronological (…though history will end!)Finality (radical transformation of cosmos)Written-form (through Pseudonymity)

Other Apocalyptic Texts

“The War Scroll” (Jewish Qumran/ DSS)“1 Enoch” (OT Pseudepigrapha – lit. “falsely

inscribed” books written 200 BC - 200 AD)“Apocalypse of Peter” (NT Pseudepigrapha)“Apocalypse of James” (Gnostic Text)“Sibylline Oracles” (12 Ancient Greek texts)

“Apocalyptic writings are tracts for bad times” (Ladd)

Methods for interpreting Revelation

Futurist: A Blueprint of the End Times (Revelation = solely future

events)

Historicist: The Road Map of World History (Revelation = historical)

Preterist: The First Century Church (“past”) (Revelation = fulfilled already)

Idealist: Eternal Spiritual Principles (Revelation = symbolic – earthly

events from a heavenly perspective)

FALSE: Historical interpretation

Seven ages of Church History:

Ephesus Apostolic Age Pre. 100 CE Smyrna Age of Persecution 100 to 313 Pergamos Imperial Church Age 313 to 590 Thyatira Age of the Papacy 590 to 1517 Sardis Reformation Age 1517 to

1730 Philadelphia Missionary Age 1730 to 1900 Laodicea Age of Apostasy Modern Church

HOW CHRISTIANS

SEE IT

Jesus will return!

The Promise

“In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:2-3)

“For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.” (Matt. 16:27)

After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:9-11)

Brothers & sisters, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words….

(contd.)

Now, brothers & sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.

But you, brothers & sisters, are not in darkness that this day should surprise you like a thief.

(1 Thessalonians 4:13– 5:4)

Here’s the problem

“No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” (Matthew 24:36)

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:7-8)

“So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” (Matt.24:44)

“This age” “The age to come”

First coming of Jesus

Second coming of Jesus

Present reign of Christ on earth through the church

Time of trial

Big question = Continuity vs. Discontinuity?

New heavens &earth

The Big Picture

How we have tried to see it.

Should we be pessimistic? (“It’s all going to get worse”)

Should we be optimistic? (“It’s all going to get better”)

Should we be idealistic? (“It’s not really like we think it is”)

Or should we just not bother?

OK, ready for the next slide?

Here’s the “Matthew, Mark, Luke & John”

of the end of the world!

KEYS TO INTERPRETATION & APPLICATION OF ITS

MESSAGE

Now, let’s take a journey through REVELATION

“Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”

Section One

INTRODUCTION (1:1-20)

What is this revelation …and why should we read it? – vv.1-

3

A revelation from God…about Jesus Christ…with a specific blessing (“grace & peace”)

for all who read (aloud), listen & obey it…for the whole church (on earth)…about why things are so tough!

** By the way – read it NOW!

Who precisely is it for …and who is it from? – vv.4-8

The church militant (vs. church triumphant) ie. on earth vs in heaven

“Grace & peace…”

1. From the eternal God (who is, was, is to come)

2. From the sevenfold Spirit (cf. Is. 11:2)3. From Jesus (our prophet, priest & king)

“faithful witness, firstborn from dead, ruler of kings…”

The messenger (John) – vv.9-11

Who was he?

What were his circumstances?

What did he experience?

The master (Jesus) – vv.12-16

“We want to see Jesus” (Oh really!!!)

Where was he standing?

How was he dressed?

What did he look like?

What was he saying?

What was he doing?

The central message or gospel.(What it teaches us about Christ) –

vv.17-20

I am alive!

I have won!

I am in control!

I hold you in my hand!

“What is now” “What will take place later”

Section two

THE SEVEN CHURCHES (2-3)

The Seven Churches of Asia Minor

1. Ephesus2. Smyrna3. Pergamum4. Thyatira5. Sardis6. Philadelphia7. Laodicea

The pattern (of the letters)

The addressee (“to the angel of the church in”)

1. The description of Christ (the writer)2. What he knows (about their situation)3. What he thinks (about it)4. What he commands (them to do about it)5. What he promises (to them)

The common refrain (“whoever has an ear let them hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches”)

#1. The church in Ephesus

Hard workingEnduring through sufferingOrthodox in their faith

…but without love!Remember

Repent Resume

#2. The church in Smyrna

Suffering …through poverty…through slander…through

imprisonment…unto death

1. Don’t be afraid2. Continue to be faithful3. Remember what I will do

#3. The church in Pergamum

Hold on to the truth!…about Christ

…about the Christian life

Warning: Judge all things… (by the word of Jesus)

Promise: Be always led… (by the word of Jesus)

#4. The church in Thyatira

Growing in faith, hope & loveBUT tolerating sin (idolatry & immorality)

1. The chance to repent2. The consequences of disobedience

Hold on to the values of Christ Share in the reign of Christ Reflect the glory of Christ

#5. The church in Sardis

“Wake up!” (The church of the living dead)

1. Nominal Christianity (reputation or reality?)2. Works without faith (= dead)3. Learn from the past (but don’t ever live in it)

The church is not a democracy The only true membership list is kept in

heaven

#6. The church in Philadelphia

“Seize the day!”

The open door & the heavenly key…despite their size

…despite the opposition…despite the time of trial

1. A pillar in the temple of God2. A member of the city of God

#7. The church in Laodicea

Lukewarm or wholehearted?

Are you: Then buy from me:

Rich…or poor? Refined goldSeeing…or blind? Healing salveClothed…or naked? White clothes

What does Christ think of the church?

Are we…1. Loving?2. Authentic?3. Faithful?4. Holy?5. Alive?6. Relevant?7. Ablaze?

Ephesus Smyrna Pergamum Thyatira Sardis Philadelphia Laodicea

Section three

WORSHIP IN HEAVEN (4-5)

WARFARE & WORSHIP “Your will be done on earth…as in

heaven”

Revelation 2-3(Warfare)

God’s people on earth

Their strugglesTheir victoriesTheir hope

Revelation 4-5(Worship)

God’s people in heaven

A vision of GodA vision of JesusA universal vision

True worship That which exalts God & centres on

Jesus

God the sovereign one

God the majestic one

God the eternal one

God the sustaining

creator

God the holy one

Jesus, the unique one

(Son of God)

Jesus, the lion (King)

Jesus, the root (Messiah)

Jesus, the lamb (Saviour)

** Worship that joins with all creation & heaven!

Section four

CONFLICT ON EARTH (6-18)

WARFARE(for heaven’s sake, what on earth’s

going on?)

The opening of seven seals (6-8)

(interlude: vision of the security of God’s people 7)

The sounding of seven trumpets (8-14)

(interlude: vision of the witness of God’s people 10-11)

The outpouring of seven bowls (15-16)(interlude: vision of the vindication of God’s people

17-18)

The ongoing judgment of this world(and salvation of God’s people)

Key to chs. 6-18.

As seen through the seven seals

As heard by the seven trumpets

As experienced in the seven plagues

When does all this take place?

Now: The lamb received the scroll and opened it when he ascended & returned to the Father.

Ongoing: We have witnessed & continue to the 4 horsemen and these events.

Then: These events continue to extend and one day will culminate in the end.

The heart of the matter

The establishment of the Kingdom of Godcf. Daniel 2:39-45; 7:7-14, 15-27

“D” day & “V” day (inaugurated eschatology)

“Now” & “Not yet”

Twin themes: JUDGEMENT & SALVATION

The age to The age to comecome

This This ageage

(A) The opening of the seven seals

First seal = TyrannySecond seal = WarThird seal = FamineFourth seal = Plague (& death)

Fifth seal = Persecution (of the saints)Sixth seal = Great earthquake (social

upheaval)Interlude & seventh seal (8:1-5)

Four horsemen of the apocalypse

(B) The sounding of the seven trumpets

First trumpet = Devastation of the earthSecond trumpet = “ in the seaThird trumpet = “ of the riversFourth trumpet = “ on the sun

Fifth trumpet = Demonic horde (torture)Sixth trumpet = Demonic warriors (death)

Interlude & seventh trumpet (11:15-19)

(C) The outpouring of the seven bowls

First plague = On the landSecond plague = On the seaThird plague = On the riversFourth plague = On the sunFifth plague = The kingdom of darkness

Sixth plague = A great battle (vs. the unholy trinity)

Seventh plague = The great city

Interlude (The fall of Babylon/ ROME – Ch.18)

““It is It is done”done”

The salvation of God’s people

Three interludes:

1. The security of God’s people(The great multitudes…ch. 7)

2. The witness of God’s people

(The angel & the two witnesses…chs. 10-11)

3. The vindication of God’s people

(A women, dragon & strange beast…chs.12-14,17-18)

The multitudes (Ch. 7)

“144,000” = symbolic for all God’s people under the old covenant

“Great multitude” = symbolic for all God’s people, from every nation, under the new covenant

“Great tribulation” (v.14) = times of pressure, affliction & distress, throughout this age

Principle = God preserves his people through times of tribulation and distress.

Other clues: two groups/ one people

“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility…his purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two.” (Eph. 2:14-15)

“Song of Moses & Song of the lamb” (15:3)Twelve gates = 12 tribes of Israel (21:12-

14)Twelve foundations = 12 apostles of Lamb

The messengers (Chs.10-11)

“the mighty angel”

Announcing God’s judgment on the whole earth

The bittersweet taste of judgment (to John)

“the two witnesses”Very likely symbolic of Peter & Paul

Key = faithful witness of Christ’s apostles

The woman & the dragon (Ch.12)

The birth of Christ (from heaven’s perspective) – cf. Matt. 1-3 (Herod & massacre of the infants)

Woman = MaryDragon = Satan (cf. v.9), working through

HerodMale child = JesusDesert = Egypt (2 ½ years)

War in heaven (Satan hurled to the earth)

The “beast”

Fulfillment of Dan. 7:7-8 (& vv. 23-27)

“After that, in my vision at night I looked, and there before me was a fourth beast—terrifying and frightening and very powerful. It had large iron teeth; it crushed and devoured its victims and trampled underfoot whatever was left. It was different from all the former beasts, and it had ten horns. While I was thinking about the horns, there before me was another horn, a little one, which came up among them; and three of the first horns were uprooted before it. This horn had eyes like the eyes of a man and a mouth that spoke boastfully.”

Who/ what is “the beast”?

10 horns (= 10 rulers/ emperors)7 heads (= 7 hills cf. 17:9)Mix of lion/ bear/ leopard (cf. Dan. 7)Authority comes from the dragonExercised dominion over the whole earthOne ruler exercises power for 3 ½ years

Roman empire (& one emperor in particular)

666? (Rev. 13:18)

“This calls for wisdom. If anyone has insight, let them calculate the number of the beast, for it is man's number. His number is 666.”

Gematria (ie. geometry) = ancient practice of ascribing numerical value to words

"Nero Caesar" is spelled (in HEB.) נרון קסר pronounced: "Neron Qesar".

616? – A variant

Nero Qesar = 616GK. =

616(600, 10 + 6)

GK. “Beast” = 666

Latin: I=1, V=5, X=10, L=50, C=100, D=500 (combination of first 6 numerals)

31 BC-14 CE #2. Augustus (Octavian)

14-37 #3. Tiberius

37-41 #4. Gaius (Caligula)

41-54 #5. Claudius

54-68 #6. Nero

68-69 #7. Galba

69 #8. Otho

69 #9. Vitellius

69-79 #10. Vespasian

79-81 #11. Titus

81-96 #12. Domitian

Roman emperors (1st century)

The unholy trinity

1. Dragon (Satan)2. Beast (Nero & all subsequent wicked rulers)3. False Prophet (2nd beast/ a religious

figure?; 13:11-17)

“Then I saw three evil spirits that looked like frogs; they came out of the mouth of the dragon, out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet. They are spirits of demons performing miraculous signs, and they go out to the kings of the whole world, to gather them for the battle on the great day of God Almighty.” (16:13-14; cf. 19:20 & 20:10)

Antichrist?

1. Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. (1 Jn. 2:18)

2. Who is the liar? It is the one who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Such a person is the antichrist—who denies the Father and the Son. (1 Jn. 2:22)

3. Every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. (1 Jn. 4:3)

4. Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.

(2 Jn. 7)

Who/ what is the antichrist?

A spirit in this world that is “instead of Christ”.A spirit that causes people to deny Christ,

as having come from God, in the flesh. A spirit that is known for deception.Any person controlled by this spirit.

“If anyone says to you, `Look, here is the Christ!' or, `There he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs… will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect--if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time.” (Matt.24:24-25)

Two pictures of Rome? – 17-18

1. The great prostitute (“Babylon the great”) riding on a beast.

2. Fall of Babylon (the great city)“the woman” = likely, pagan religious system“the beast” = likely, pagan political system

Question: Fall of Jerusalem or Question: Fall of Jerusalem or RomeRome??

“Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city, which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt, where also their Lord was crucified.” (11:8)

Section five

THE END OF THE WAR (19-22)

Heaven is a place on earth!

Four Images:

The party begins (19:1-10)

The victory is won (19:11-20:15)

The city comes down (21:1-27)

The river flows (22:1-6)

The party begins (19:1-10)

Stages in an oriental wedding:

1. Selection2. Betrothal3. Preparation (waiting & working)4. Coming of the bridegroom5. Transfer of the bride6. Wedding banquet/ celebration7. Consummation

The victory is won (19:11-20:15)

The warrior returns

The kingdom is complete

The final judgment occurs

The Millennium

Latin mille (“thousand”)annus (“year”)

= a period of 1000 years

Only NT ref. = Rev. 20:1-6

REV. 20:1-6 And I saw an angel coming down out of heaven, having the key to the Abyss and holding in his hand a great chain. He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil, or Satan, and bound him for a thousand years. He threw him into the Abyss, and locked and sealed it over him, to keep him from deceiving the nations anymore until the thousand years were ended. After that, he must be set free for a short time.

I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands.

They came to life and reigned with Christ a thousand years. (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. 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.

“A thousand years like one day”

PSALM. 90:4 “For a thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night.”

2 PETER 3:8 “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.”

Millennium?

Literal period of 1000 years (in the future)?

Symbolic number (like rest of numbers) for period between Christ’s 1st and 2nd coming.

Clues: Satan is bound now (Matt. 12:29)Satan will be destroyed (1 Jn. 3:8)“Deceiving the nations” (Matt. 24:14)1st/ 2nd resurrection (Eph. 2:6/Col. 3:1)

The city comes down (Ch.21)

The preparation for the city

The nature of the city

The description of the city

The constituents of the city

Life in the city

The river flows (Ch.22)

A picture of life

A picture of health

A picture of freedom

A picture of fulfillment

A picture of intimacy

Just remember!

“No eye has seen, no ear heard, and no mind has imagined

what God has prepared for those who love him.”

(1 Corinthians 2:9)

Where will we spend eternity?

The promise (“I am coming soon”)

The warning (“Be prepared”)

The invitation (“Come!”)

The invitation

The Spirit & the bride say, “Come”.Let each one who hears them say, Come”.

Let the thirsty ones come –anyone who wants to.

Let them come & drinkthe water of life without charge. (22:17)

Some final words of advice

Prophecy is all about Jesus…so don’t get distracted!

Prophecy is for now…so read & appreciate it!

God is in control & holds you in his hand

…so trust & obey him!